Program Details
Location
Cape Town, Bulugula Village,
South Africa
Term
Winter Break
Housing
Apartment
Hotel
Languages Taught In
English
Program Eligibility
Student Type
UofM Students
Non UofM Students
Student Year
Freshmen
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
Graduate Students
GPA
2.5
Events & Info Sessions
Thursday, September 10th, 3:00–3:30 pm
Winter Break & Spring Break Instructor-led Programs Info Session
Hybrid, Heller Hall 230C
Monday, September 14th, 10:00–10:30 am
Winter Break & Spring Break Instructor-led Programs Info Session
Online, Zoom
About
Explore South Africa’s unique urban and rural landscapes as you learn about the challenges and community focused innovations in the local health sector. This program provides the opportunity to immerse yourself in a diverse array of healthcare related contexts ranging from modern hospitals and local organizations to traditional healers. You will also compare and contrast health and well-being in different communities to learn how effective health and well-being strategies can be cultivated and sustained across cultures.
Housing & Meals
You will live in shared housing with other program participants. Welcome and farewell meals, and some other additional meals, are included in the program fee. Additional meals can be prepared in the housing or taken at local eateries.
Excursions
Excursions and activities in South Africa may include:
- Visit to Robben Island
- Cape Point Nature Reserve
- Table Mountain cable car
- Cape Town museum visits (District Six, Slave Lodge)
- Half day nature reserve tour
- Lectures from local physicians and experts on rural healthcare, Western vs Traditional Medicine, etc.)
- 1 week excursion to Bulungula Xhosa Eco-Lodge
Accessibility
If you have a disability and plan to study abroad, visit our Accessibility Abroad page to learn about considerations, answer questions, and request accommodations before you go abroad.
Flight
The LAC will provide information on booking a designated flight. This flight will be the one the leader travels on and/or will include airport pick-up and transfers in-country. Estimated flight costs are noted in the budget, but fares may change until booked. You are advised not to book flights until given program confirmation from the LAC.
Important Note: A passport book is required to travel on this program. If you do not currently have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months past your return date, or are still needing to apply for a new one, start the process as soon as possible. Visit the UofM Passport Office website for more information.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop independence by challenging yourself in a new environment
- Function as an effective team member by utilizing your personal strengths in a group setting
- Explore a specific topic through experiential and interdisciplinary approaches
Faculty & Staff
This program is led by Aaron Asmundson. Aaron is the Pathways Program Manager in the Pre-Health Student Resource Center. Aaron has previously led multiple programs to South Africa.
Program Structure
Program Level
3000 level coursework
Courseload
One 3-credit course
Global Seminars are 3-week study abroad programs led by University of Minnesota faculty and staff that feature:
- Intensive learning in a location that illuminates the topic
- Small groups of 15–25 students
- No prerequisites or language requirements
- Included excursions and cultural activities
- Instruction in English
Coursework
The overall focus of the course will be to explore health care and health disparities through the lens of the culture, context, and history of South Africa. We will accomplish this in two main parts. In part one, we will live in and explore Cape Town as a background to learn about South Africa history and culture through museum visits, regional exploration, cultural excursions, and site visits to a variety of healthcare settings and communities. In part two, we will travel to and immerse ourselves in Bulungula Village. Located on the coast of the Eastern Cape regions of South Africa, we will explore topics such as traditional healing and the work of NGOs in healthcare as we spend day-to-day life in an Africa coastal village.
Receive Credit for: AHS 3006
Dates Details
Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:
| Term | Program Dates | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Break 2026–27 | Dec. 27, 2026–Jan. 16, 2027 | October 1, 2026 |
Program dates are subject to change.
If the deadline falls on a weekend, submit your materials on the following business day.
Important Note: Enrollment on this program is limited to 25 students. Admission is granted on a rolling basis and applications are reviewed in the order they are completed. Some programs may fill to capacity prior to the application deadline, therefore applying early is recommended. Additionally, applying early will allow for more time to plan ahead and prepare for the program.
Events & Info Sessions
Explore more events on our events page.
| Event Name | Event Date | Time | Location | Registration Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Break & Spring Break Instructor-led Programs Info Session | Thursday, September 10th | 3:00–3:30 pm | Hybrid, Heller Hall 230C | Details & Registration |
| Winter Break & Spring Break Instructor-led Programs Info Session | Monday, September 14th | 10:00–10:30 am | Online, Zoom | Details & Registration |
Orientation Dates & Locations
The Learning Abroad Center facilitates a pre-departure orientation in collaboration with your program leader(s) in addition to any additional orientation sessions scheduled by your program leader(s). It is your responsibility to know the information shared at these orientations.
Orientation consists of several sessions, all of which are created to support your preparation to go abroad:
- Online Health & Safety Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory.
- LAC Seminar Pre-departure Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory. The discussion post is due before your LAC Program Orientation meeting.
- LAC Program Orientation: Program details and important UofM information will be covered (finances, health & safety, policies, insurance, etc.). This will be scheduled in collaboration with your program leader(s). Details will be sent to you via email from the LAC and/or your program leader(s). This is a mandatory meeting. **For embedded programs, this will likely be one of your class dates prior to departure.**
- Program Leader Orientation(s): Your program leader(s) will schedule 1–3 additional orientation sessions prior to departure. These will cover academic requirements and preparation, final travel and program logistics, cultural knowledge, and more. Details will be sent to you via email from your program leader(s). These are mandatory meetings. **For embedded programs, these will likely be included in your class dates prior to departure.**
Priority Deadline
If you apply by the priority deadline and confirm within the allotted time you will receive the published program fee. Applying after the priority deadline and/or not confirming within the allotted time means you may be subject to an airfare increase.
Costs & Fees
The Cost of Participation (program fee) includes educational costs, program activities, housing, entrances to course-related excursions and site visits, some meals, international medical, security & evacuation insurance, local transportation, and program administration. Program fees can vary widely due to location, cost of living, airfare, and program inclusions.
You must also budget for international airfare (with LAC guidance), visa (if applicable), passport and passport photos, meals not included in program fee, spending money, and miscellaneous living expenses.
The LAC strives to follow best practices to provide the lowest cost program while ensuring a quality academic experience.
Billing & Payments
Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.
Enrollment Note: This program is considered part of spring enrollment for the purposes of registration and financial aid.
Flight & Deposit Advance
The Flight & Deposit Advance (formerly Bridging Loan) is a no-interest/no-fees program that allows you to defer payment of your flight and LAC program deposit until your financial aid is disbursed.
Cancellation Policy
Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling.
Winter Break 2027
Global Seminar: The Anatomy of Inequality: Health Disparities in South Africa
Apply
You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.
Complete
After you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items:
- Application Essay
Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.
If you do not meet the GPA requirement for this program you will be required to submit an additional essay. It will be added to your checklist after you start your application, and you will be notified when it has been added.
Next Steps
- After you complete all required application checklist items, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application is ready to be reviewed.
- Your completed application will be reviewed by the Learning Abroad Center.
- If admitted, the Financial and Program Commitment form will be added to your checklist. Complete this form to secure your spot on the program. By submitting the form, you also give your approval for the program deposit to be billed to your UofM student account.
- Complete the confirmation checklist, which include the following items in additional to program-specific forms:
- Passport Information
- Emergency Contacts
- Health Information Form
- Online Health & Safety Orientation
- Release & Waiver
- You will receive information about additional steps from the sponsoring college/department.
- Apply for a passport.
After You Apply
Before your program begins, review these resources.
Health & Safety
Learn more about staying healthy and safe abroad, including mental health and wellness, international travel insurance, and safety precautions.
Power of Attorney
Consider designating someone as your power of attorney to act as your legal representative while you’re abroad.
Student Identity
Consult our resources on student identities as you prepare for your abroad experience.
Travel Resources
Ready to go abroad? Our travel resources will help you pack and learn what to expect.
Program Contact
For further information or questions about this program, send an email to
Jemma Lund at [email protected],
or call at
612.625.8827.