South Africa: Social Justice and Activism Internship Summer 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COUNTRY OVERVIEW ...... 3 GENERAL INFORMATION ...... 3 CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY ...... 3 LOCAL CUSTOMS ...... 3 DIET ...... 4 SAFETY, SECURITY, AND HEALTH ...... 4 HOMESTAYS ...... 5 OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS ...... 5 TRANSPORTATION ...... 5 COMMUNICATION ...... 5 PHONES AND E-MAIL ...... 6 MAILINGS ...... 6 MONEY...... 7 VISITORS AND FREE TIME ...... 7 PACKING GUIDELINES ...... 9 LUGGAGE ...... 9 CLOTHING GUIDELINES ...... 9 EQUIPMENT ...... 9 COMPUTERS AND OTHER ELECTRONICS ..... 9 GIFTS ...... 10 WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT OBTAIN IN COUNTRY ...... 10 ALUMNI CONTACTS ...... 10 PACKING LIST ...... 11

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COUNTRY OVERVIEW

becomes, but there are also damp pockets in the GENERAL INFORMATION southwest, particularly around . Over twenty-five years into democracy, we find ourselves at an interesting moment to examine both At 56 feet above sea level, Cape Town has a the progress and challenges faced by . climate similar to that of California. The coast north Large-scale war was averted and a negotiation process brought about a peaceful transition to a from the Cape becomes progressively drier and democratic system, yet political and criminal violence hotter, culminating in the desert region just south of remain a problem. Development policy aims to Namibia. Along the southern coast the weather is promote economic growth and social transformation, temperate, but due to the Agulhas current, the east yet the rural-urban divide as well as inequality within coast becomes increasingly tropical the further north the rural areas and urban centers continues. you go. In winter, it is moderately wet and may see Discriminatory legal and institutional practices of the large cold fronts for limited periods. These bring colonial and areas have been effectively significant rain and strong north-westerly winds. challenged, and a new, progressive constitution put Students should have some rain gear and a warm in place. Yet these rights are often at odds with jacket or sweater. cultural practices and the broader public opinion. South Africa now faces new challenges, including an Cape Town: AVERAGE HIGH/LOW education system in crisis, a Gini coefficient that is TEMPERATURES (°F) among the highest in the world and a raging HIV/AIDs pandemic—which are placing considerable strain on MAY JUN JUL AUG the resources and the social fabric of society. The 68/50 64/45 63/45 64/46 protection of human rights is enshrined in the Constitution – hailed as one of the most progressive Constitutions in the world – but these rights are challenged by poverty and inequality and further compromised by the nature and makeup of South LOCAL CUSTOMS Africa’s multicultural society (manifested in terms of South Africa is one of the most multicultural race, gender, language, ethnicity, religion, culture countries in the world. It has eleven official and disability.) South Africa today provides a fertile languages and as many different ethnic groups, environment for examining these dynamics and particularly in urban areas. It is difficult to generalize reflecting on questions about social justice and on South African etiquettes and culture due to the activism in post-apartheid era. diversity, however, here are a few things to keep in mind. CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY Cultural Dos South Africa extends nearly 2000km (1242 miles) Be polite – Greet people when you meet them. from the Limpopo River in the north to Cape Town in the south and nearly 1500km (932 miles) from Port Greetings are leisurely and include time for social Nolloth in the west to Durban in the east. Namibia, discussion and exchanging pleasantries. Thank Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Swaziland people when they do something for you and say run from west to east along South Africa's northern goodbye when you or someone else leaves. Clean border and Lesotho is entirely contained within up after yourself – you are expected to clean after South Africa’s borders. South Africa is the seventh yourself in your home stay, in the classroom, in largest African country and it is twice the size of hotel rooms. Be on time to class and meetings. Texas. Its position just south of the Tropic of Respect others whatever their views and respect Capricorn makes South Africa a mostly dry and yourself. Dress conservatively – especially when sunny place, but the climate is moderated by its meeting someone for the first time. Gift giving is topography and the surrounding oceans. The further important and wrapping your gifts show extra effort. east you go, the more useful your raingear

SIT Study Abroad - 3 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 2/25/2020 Offer to help and be prepared to receive offers of needs with your family before you begin your help. homestays and plan accordingly. Recognizing that meat plays a central role in South African cultures, Cultural Don’ts some students have decided to eat it on certain occasions. However, if this is not possible for you, Do not smell food at the dinner table. Do not smoke you can still be flexible and supplement your diet as indoors. Do not bring alcohol into the homestay, necessary. hotel, lodge or classroom. Do not use laptops in class without the permission of the lecturer. SAFETY, SECURITY, AND HEALTH DIET Maintaining good health is critical to having a SIT Study Abroad provides experiential learning successful semester. To help you do that, we have opportunities where students become embedded in provided Health Guidelines and Requirements for their host community. As such, we strive to your program. accommodate serious food allergies where possible but simply cannot ensure that all dietary restrictions It is very important that you read the Health or non-medically mandated diets can be Guidelines and Requirements document as early as accommodated. possible and examine it with your medical provider. The guidelines include recommended Students are encouraged to participate in the local immunizations; a suggested calendar for food culture as a central aspect of daily life. By trying immunizations and other prophylaxes; and valuable to replicate your diet at home you may miss out on information on how to avoid exposure to common an important part of your host culture. Due to the carriers of disease. unique living and learning community central to all SIT programs, we cannot separate food and eating communally (including with your host family) from the program experience. Please consider local diet seriously when selecting your program of choice. Your admissions counselor is a great resource in better understanding the local diet.

Many traditional rituals involve food and it is a sign of pride and generosity that even in the poorest houses there is always a meal waiting for the unexpected visitor. It would be considered rude to refuse food but SIT homestay parents are used to our students negotiating around quantities of food. Students generally enjoy the diet in South Africa, which may be in many ways not dissimilar to your own. However, it tends to include more starch and meat than you would normally be used to. The staple food is pap, made from ground up corn, but in Langa, potatoes, rice and pasta will be equally as Students are thoroughly briefed on safety common. South Africa’s main contribution to the considerations during in-country orientation and are world culinary repertoire is the braai, known in the updated throughout the semester if and when U.S. as the barbeque, which is taken out at the first circumstances change. For information regarding possible opportunity and you will enjoy many of safety and security, emergency communications, these during your time here. SIT policies, accident and illness insurance, and general program tips, please read the Safety, South Africans enjoy their meat, but if you are not a Security, and Health document and Student meat eater do not worry. Our families are used to Handbook. catering for vegetarian, vegan and Kosher diets. The homestay coordinator will discuss your special SIT Study Abroad - 4 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 2/25/2020 concerns, including any allergies or dietary needs, HOMESTAYS to the extent possible. Please note: in order to As many SIT Study Abroad alumni will tell you, the ensure the best fit for students and families, SIT homestay experience can be one of the most may make final adjustments to homestay rewarding and most challenging aspects of the placements after student arrival in country. program. We hope you will come prepared for the Therefore, SIT will not provide information about experience and committed to moving beyond your homestay family before you depart for the cultural immersion as you begin to question, program. distinguish, and analyze the host culture vis-à-vis your own culture and come to a deeper In this program, you will be staying in two understanding of both. homestays, the first you will be living with isiXhosa- speaking families in Langa Township in Cape Town. Family structures vary in every culture. SIT Study Langa is one of the oldest townships that emerged Abroad values the diversity of homestay families, following the passage of the Urban Areas Act in and your family may include a single mother of two 1923. Langa was a planned town and looks radically small children or a large extended family with many different from informal settlements that dot the Cape people coming and going all the time. Additionally, Town landscape. The term township refers to please bear in mind that, in many countries, the idea residential areas for black and coloured people. of what constitutes a “home” may be different from Langa is a vibrant community that values education what you expect. You will need to be prepared to and sports and has a very strong Christian identity. adapt to a new life with a new diet, a new schedule, Families typically consist of five to six members. The new people, and new priorities and expectations. name Langa literally means “sun” but it is derived from Langalibalele, a rebel chief imprisoned at Each program’s homestay coordinator will be for rebelling against the government. responsible for placing students in homestays. These placements are made first based on health SIT Study Abroad - 5 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 2/25/2020 Your second homestay will be in Bo Kaap. Here you usable at the program location, (b) work with the will be staying with -speaking families academic director within the first week upon arrival (some of whom are descendants of in country to purchase a smart phone locally, (c) slaves brought from Asia and the coastal Islands of bring a dual SIM smart phone, or (d) bring a smart East Africa). Most if not all of the families will be phone with an international plan. During orientation, practicing Muslims and you can expect your family with assistance from SIT Study Abroad staff, to be fluent in English. students will learn how to use their cellphone, how to purchase and use an appropriate local SIM card, You will commute to your internship each day from and how to acquire minutes for calls and Langa and Bo Kaap and weekends are spent with texting. SIT Study Abroad requires that each the host family. student have a local number for communication with OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS the homestay family and program staff. You will also stay at backpackers’ lodges (known as While we recognize that alternative communication hostels) during orientation and evaluation phases of methods can be free or cheaper than cell service i.e. the program, and also for a few days between Facetime, Skype, WhatsApp, etc. those programs homestays. alone do not satisfy our need for regular communication with the local program staff and TRANSPORTATION partners, nor do they meet our emergency For you to feel confident using public transport on communication needs. Therefore, local cellular your own, the program will also give you exposure capacity on each student’s phone is required for the to the main forms of public transport used by duration of the program. Students are required to commuters: mini buses and trains. While in Cape maintain a minimum amount of phone credits at all Town you can expect a commute of up to 45 times for emergency calls. Full compliance with this minutes each morning and evening from your policy is expected. homestay to your internship, depending on the traffic and your internship location, as you will be We strongly recommend that you consider buying traveling during peak traffic times. one in South Africa, as some US cell phones may not work in South Africa. COMMUNICATION The SIT program center provides internet access While you may want to be in regular communication during posted hours. Email is accessible during with friends and family from home during the term most of the time. The program does provide a abroad, please bear in mind that different time certain amount of wireless access every month to zones, and changing program activities can each student. If you need more Internet time, there complicate communication. are also Internet cafés with high-speed wireless It’s important to be clear with family and friends access near the classroom if you prefer that option. about your availability during the term. Many When you are away from the classroom in Cape students recommend making an appointment to call Town, email access is much more limited. home or to receive a call. You should also consider the impact of constant communication with friends MAILINGS and family at home on your cultural immersion. Unlike receiving a package in the US, receiving a package at your program site is usually expensive and problematic. Customs agents must inspect all PHONES AND E-MAIL packages and you, as the recipient, are responsible As part of SIT’s commitment to student safety and for duty and storage fees. In addition, there are security, all students are required to have a working cases of items being lost in the mail or taking so smart phone capable of making and receiving both long to reach the recipient that the recipient is nearly local and international calls throughout the duration back in the US by the time the items are received. of the program. For that purpose students are For these reasons, sending packages should be required to either (a) bring an open, unlocked smart done only for emergency situations. Additionally, phone from the U.S. to the program that is able to sending valuables is highly discouraged. accept a local SIM card, and is compatible with and

SIT Study Abroad - 6 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 2/25/2020 For this program, DHL, FedEx, UPS services are paid into this card. You can access these funds available in country. Despite cheaper prices, account via ATMs or by charging the card. reliance on the US Postal Service is not advised due to delays and unreliability. When given the option, If you choose to bring additional funds cash is more it’s always a good idea to send packages certified easily changed than travelers checks. Should you and with a tracking number that allows the sender to bring travelers checks, Visa Travelers Checks are track the package. the best ones to bring, since they are more widely accepted, and changeable in the bank opposite our If it is necessary for someone to send you regular program center. MasterCard and/or Visa cards also mail then posted letters and packages should be work and you can withdraw cash on most ATMs in sent to the following address: Cape Town, arrangements must be made with your C/o SIT Study Abroad personal bank prior to travel. P.O. Box 45 Newlands, 7725 Check current exchange rates: SOUTH AFRICA http://www.oanda.com/currency/converter/

If you intend to use a personal debit and/or credit Packages should be sent to the following address via card, you should contact your bank and/or credit DHL, FedEx, or UPS: card companies regarding your travel plans. If you Student Name don’t inform these companies that you will be away, c/o SIT Study Abroad they will often assume the card has been lost or 18 Station Road stolen and will put an immediate hold on the card. Rondebosch You should also check on costs of withdrawal, as Cape Town 7700 these costs vary and can sometimes be very South Africa expensive. Renewing and receiving reissued credit and debit cards while on the program will be an The mail service is good, though somewhat slow. A expensive and highly inconvenient process. Before letter to or from the US usually takes from seven you leave for your program, please check the days to three weeks; postcards are slower. Make expiration dates on your cards to ensure that they sure mail is clearly marked AIR MAIL. Packages will not expire while you are abroad. It is also very often take longer and are expensive to send (either important that you make photocopies of all your direction). There are a wide variety of courier debit/credit card information and leave them with services available in South Africa including DHL and someone you trust in case your card(s) is/are lost or FedEx. At current rates, you could send a package stolen. of up to one pound for approximately US$50 to arrive within two working days. Following are suggestions for spending money during the program, including estimates for textbooks, internship-related expenses, medical MONEY expenses, personal spending, and gifts. Figures are In addition to tuition, SIT Study Abroad program based on recent student evaluations, though fees cover room and board throughout the program. individual spending habits vary widely and these When room and/or board are not taken with the costs are averages. group, students will be given a stipend to cover related expenses. SIT will cover daily commuting A suggested total amount of money to budget costs, if any, and excursions that are part of the ranges from US$700 to $1000. To determine where normal program itinerary. Any other costs related you might fall in this range, please examine your to personal travel are the students’ spending habits during a typical semester at your responsibility. Please plan accordingly. home school and consider any exceptional expenditures you may have on the program. The local currency is the South African rand. The exchange rate currently stands at approximately Please budget approximately: R12 = US$1. A money belt large enough to hold your passport and traveler’s checks is useful. Upon Personal spending (from past arrival in Cape Town the SIT program will issue you student suggestions): $150- a debit card. Your stipends for food and transport be 300 SIT Study Abroad - 7 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 2/25/2020 $100- visitors. See the Attendance and Participation Books, printing, supplies: 150 section of the Student Handbook. Up-front medical costs: $200 Please note that any visitors during the course of the program must plan their own independent Visa: $0 accommodations; SIT Study Abroad homestay families can accommodate only their assigned student and, due to cultural and contractual Reciprocity Fee $100 understandings with SIT, should not be asked to host students’ guests. Bottled Water: $50 During the program, students follow an intense Typical Internet café usage: $50-100 schedule of classes and the internship will be time- consuming. Free time for pursuing an independent Estimated total of personal $700- interest or hobby during the program will be limited. and other expenses: 1,000 Your admissions counselor can advise you about particular interests you may have. For example, if you must keep in shape for your next athletic season, or if you play a musical instrument and want to know whether to bring it, we can help you to VISITORS AND FREE TIME understand your schedule and any concerns or SIT strongly discourages and will not provide limitations that may exist. Please note that you will support for any visitors to students during the not have a long break during the program. term, due to the rigorous nature of the program and Students are not permitted to leave South Africa at the disruption that such visits cause in program flow any time during the program. Opportunity for and group dynamics. Students should be sure that independent travel during the program is limited and relatives and friends are aware of this policy and cannot be guaranteed due to the rigorous schedule that visits are scheduled for dates after the formal and disruption independent travel may cause to conclusion of the program. Students will not be semester responsibilities. Requests to travel excused from program components to attend to independently will be considered on a case by case basis by the academic director.

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EQUIPMENT Please bring at least one academic notebook with PACKING GUIDELINES you, one to use for your academic field journal notes. This is in addition to any personal journals you may wish to keep for this semester.Students do LUGGAGE not need a water purifier. Please pack lightly and include only necessary items. You should be able to carry all your luggage COMPUTERS AND OTHER significant distances on your own. Try to minimize ELECTRONICS both the number of bags and weight of your bag(s) It is strongly recommended that you bring a laptop since you will likely be acquiring more belongings computer. If you bring a laptop, the computer will be while abroad. We strongly recommend that students your personal property and responsibility. It is bring one big wheeled duffel bag or a large recommended that you insure your computer, smart backpack and a smaller bag. The smaller bag will help you to carry your luggage on shorter phone, or other valuables for full coverage in the excursions. The checked luggage maximum weight event of loss or theft. SIT is not responsible for any should be 46 pounds, and carry on weight should duty tax you may have to pay when you enter the be 17 pounds. Only one checked luggage will be country, theft, or loss. allowed on flights inside South Africa. The SIT classroom has a wireless internet If carrying prescription medications, you should connection which is intended for academic research carry a letter from your doctor to prevent any and email purposes only. There are a number of concerns at customs or in transit. (Please see the Internet cafés in the immediate area to facilitate use “General Health Tips” section in the Safety, of sites such as Facebook. Security, and Health pre-departure document.) Students generally store their computers at the Please check the current requirements of the program office while on excursion. Generally, most Transportation Security Administration US laptops require only a plug adapter but no (http://www.tsa.gov) as well as those of the airline voltage converter; it is your responsibility to confirm on which you are flying for domestic and this for your own laptop. international baggage restrictions. Students who do not bring their own laptop CLOTHING GUIDELINES computers will have access to computers through In general, dress in most parts of South Africa is internet cafes. Internet cafes are widely available similar to that of the U.S. You may need to dress but the costs can add up as students are required to more conservatively while in your homestay, type all assignments. Internet cafes charge about depending on the family. Neat, somewhat US$2 per hour. It is possible to rent laptops or conservative, comfortable clothes will help you to purchase used laptops in country. Students that avoid the typical American tourist stereotype. have had their computers broken have received Cape Town summers (October-May) are hot and good repair service at nearby computer shops. dry; winters (June-September) are generally wet and chilly. Night temperatures tend to drop at higher Please see the following website for information elevations. Since the program will spend some time about electricity, voltage and electrical adapters. at high elevations, you will need a sweater, light http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/ coat or jacket, and waterproof rainwear. Due to the The standard voltage in South Africa is 220/230volts range of temperatures, we recommend bringing AC. clothing that can be layered for warmth. IPods and other music players are great for whiling away the hours in the buses and you can add South African music to your collection. A USB flash drive is essential for getting electronic reading material, SIT Study Abroad - 9 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 2/25/2020

copies of lecturer’s PowerPoint presentations, and http://studyabroad.sit.edu/admitted- great for storing the pictures you cannot download students/contact-a-former-student/. to web-based storage.

GIFTS Don’t miss the Packing List on the next page! As you might imagine, it is best to be prepared with These packing guidelines are based on suggestions a gift to offer your homestay family in gratitude for their hospitality and as a means to share a part of from past students and your academic director. your culture with them. We suggest one or two gifts that the whole family can enjoy. You may also wish to consider gifts for people outside your homestay family. Try to choose gifts that represent you or the part of the country and/or community you live in. Think about what your city, state, or local artisans produce. Draw upon your personal interests or hobbies for ideas. Pack a couple of small gifts for children, such as small games, bubbles, or a Frisbee. Even if your homestay family does not have small children, chances are that you will engage with children in your homestay community. Once you are on the program and learn more about the local culture, you will discover other ways to thank your family. Remember to bring pictures of your friends and family to share.

WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT OBTAIN IN COUNTRY If you find you need some new clothing, you can buy virtually anything in S.A. at reasonable prices. If you do not already have other items, these can be obtained in South Africa as well. Generally, prices for most items are reasonable. Many of the items you find in the U.S. are available in South Africa from local manufacturers. Toiletries and personal care items can also be purchased in S.A. at similar prices to the U.S. However, if you require any form of medication, bring a sufficient supply to last the duration of the program, as prescription drugs may not be mailed into South Africa. Remember to bring a spare pair of glasses or contact lenses if you wear them. You will be able to do laundry about once a week during most of the program, an average load, wash and dry, costing about US$6. ALUMNI CONTACTS If you have further questions, please contact your admissions counselor and/or ask an alumni contact:

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PACKING LIST

o Two photocopies of your passport stored separately from your actual passport CLOTHING o Photocopy of visa (if applicable) o Underwear – 7 days’ supply o Two passport photos o Socks - 4-5 pairs o Lightweight pajamas o 1 set of clothes suitable for a night out or a HEALTH/TOILETRIES more formal occasion o Prescription medications used regularly o 1 pair comfortable everyday shoes or o Vitamin supplements sneakers o Good quality thermometer (for taking your o 1 pair more formal shoes temperature) o 1 pair of flip-flops and/or sandals o Small first aid kit o Sweater Light coat or jacket o Travel sickness medicine o Waterproof rainwear o Adhesive bandages/antiseptic/antibacterial o Bathing suit (modern fashions are acceptable) cream o Rain poncho or fold-up umbrella o 1 sun hat OTHER IMPORTANT ITEMS o Towel and a washcloth WOMEN o Flashlight (with small extra bulb and extra o 2 skirts (including a long sarong or wrap skirt) batteries) o 4 casual t-shirts o Sports bag and a small daypack o 4 dressier blouses or shirts o Good quality, small locks (for luggage and o 2 pairs lightweight pants locker) o 2 pairs jeans o Alarm clock (non-electric, portable, with spare o 2 pairs shorts (nothing too short – think mid- batteries) thigh) o Photos of your family & friends & small portable o 1 “workout” outfit (1-2 sports bras, t-shirts, book about your State conservative shorts) o Gifts for homestay families and others (see above, “Gifts”) o Academic Journals (see above, “Equipment”) o Flash cards MEN o Student ID or if possible International Student o 4 pairs shorts ID (for discounts) o 2 pairs lightweight slacks o 2 pairs jeans or other casual pants OPTIONAL o 4 casual t-shirts o Camera o 4 sports or dress shirts o Sunglasses o An extra pair of glasses or contact lenses, if TRAVEL DOCUMENTS worn o Passport o Army knife with bottle opener o Yellow WHO Card (see the Safety, Security, o Pocket sewing kit and Health document for more information)

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