About Organization for Tropical Studies - South Africa

(African Ecology & Conservation in South Africa)

This program consists of lectures, skill workshops, fieldwork, and visits to selected natural and historic sites of interest throughout South Africa. Courses are taught by faculty and researchers from local and international universities, conservation managers and other expert practitioners. Guided by faculty, students design research projects related to the actual scientific work and issues faced by managers in the South African National Parks, among these Kruger National Park and Nylsvley Nature Reserve. To be able to better understand the socio-economic context for the ecology courses, students spend three-nights in a homestay in a rural community.  

Location: 
The Program takes place in a variety of locations in the north and south regions of South Africa.

Program Dates:
Fall Semester: Late August to late November                                                                    
Spring Semester: Mid-January to early May

Admissions Requirements:
Students must have completed two semesters of college biology.

Courses & Credit:
Students enroll in four courses, which earns 4.0 Wheaton credits.
- South African Ecosystems and Diversity
- Field Research in Savanna Ecology
- Conservation and Management of Protected Areas in South Africa
- Duke in South Africa: Special Topics in History

Housing & Board: 
For most of the program, you will be living with other students in large dormitory rooms, cottages with four to six students, and smaller cottages with two students per room. Meals are provided.

Budget Information:
Students studying abroad will continue to pay Wheaton tuition. Students are not charged Wheaton room and board, or the Wheaton technology, laundry, or student activities fees while on a study abroad program. Wheaton will, in turn, pay the program for all tuition and academic fees and international insurance. Students will pay living costs directly to OTS. Students will book and pay for their own flights.

Fees billed by Wheaton will be charged to students on their regular Wheaton College student account during regular billing cycles (July/December). Federal, state, Wheaton need-based and merit scholarships will be applied to these charges for Wheaton-approved programs. Students must consult with the Office of Student Financial Services (SFS) for a comprehensive review of their aid. If a student receives aid beyond the cost of Wheaton tuition, they can request a refund through SFS. This can in turn be used to pay their program for room and board charges.

Please do your research as housing and meal costs vary greatly from program to program. This Budget Worksheet can help you estimate the total costs of your program. Refer to your program website for an overview of all additional expenses, which may include visas, international cell phones, and discretionary expenses. ​

For Wheaton specific questions contact:
Center for Global Education
5 Howard Street
Wheaton College
Norton, MA 02766-2322
globaled@wheatoncollege.edu
508-286- 4950