Customize a Trip to Southern Africa
The Center for Global Education organized its first short-term travel seminar to Namibia and South Africa in 1990, and have led over 50 short-term programs since that time. The Center established an undergraduate semester program in Namibia in 1994, and at that time acquired an office and guesthouse in Windhoek.
The Center was the first U.S. educational organization to have a permanent presence in Namibia. The longevity of our relationships with a wide range of community members is a unique feature of our travel seminars in Southern Africa, and contributes to the excellence of our programs in these countries.
Location
The Center does programming in South Africa and Namibia using both our permanent staff and local consultants. Our staff are based in Windhoek, Namibia. Windhoek is located in the geographic center of Namibia and has a population of approximately 250,000. The majority of its citizens, who represent more than 15 ethnic groups, live in the heavily populated suburbs.
Program Options
Most of our programs in South Africa focus on Johannesburg and/or Cape Town. In Namibia, programming can be done in almost any part of the country. The most popular areas are Windhoek, Walvis Bay/Swakopmund, Northern Namibia (Ondangwa and Oshikati) and Etosha National Park. Rural or urban family stays can be arranged in Namibia, and urban family stays in Johannesburg.
Possible Program Themes
- Nation building
- Race Relations
- Sustainable Development
- HIV/AIDS
- Apartheid
- Human Rights
- Ethnicity
- Reconciliation
- Ubuntu
Potential Lectures/Visits
- Visit HIV/AIDS-related orphanage
- Meet with organizations dealing with human rights during the liberation struggle
- Meet with SWAPO Party representatives as well as members of opposition political parties
- Visit grassroots women’s development organizations
- Discuss environmental issues and planning in Walvis Bay, a coastal city
- Visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund (Cheetah conservation and education)
- Travel to Etosha National Park (game reserve)
- Visit the Council of Churches and discuss the role of the church in nation-building
- Hear a presentation on the effects of globalization on the economy
Facilities
In keeping with the style and philosophy of the seminar, while in Windhoek you will stay at the Center for Global Education’s guesthouse/study center or another local guesthouse. Rooms will be semi-dormitory style with shared bathrooms. In other parts of Namibia and South Africa, you will stay at a modest guesthouse or church-run retreat center where rooms are semi-dormitory style with shared bathrooms.
Some travel seminars may include a familystay to introduce you to family life in Southern Africa. During a familystay, you may not always have access to hot water or standard mattresses. We are confident that this unique opportunity will enhance your understanding of the region in a challenging, experiential manner.
Staff
The Center for Global Education has an ethnically and culturally diverse staff of North Americans and Namibians who coordinate its educational programs.
What's the next step?
One of our staff can help provide you with information to help you with your application. They can also help you to plan your theme, itinerary, and will develop brochures for your group.
Our staff can also arrange travel for you. Some groups also arrange their own travel.
To take the next step, please call our office or go to our sponsor a trip page. Dates are not guaranteed until confirmation is received from our staff in southern Africa.
