ASU Study Abroad - S. Africa

The Most Frequently Asked Question about ASU Study Abroad in South Africa is:

“I want to go, but what do I do next?”

First, you should make sure that you are in good academic standing (at least a 2.0 GPA) at an accredited college or university in the U.S., and be at least 18 years of age by the application/deposit deadline date. (Proof of age may be requested.)

Secondly, you should clarify with your academic advisor, your school’s Registrar, and your major area departmental chairperson, issues concerning the two required study abroad courses and academic credits. Both courses are upper level undergraduate courses; one is a criminal justice course and the other is a political science course. However, a student majoring in any area can take the courses. (Students who studied with us in the past, represented seven majors: Forensic Science, Business, Education, History, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, and Political Science. If you do not attend ASU, your concern should be whether your institution and/or major area program will accept the courses as transfer credits; if you attend ASU, the academic credits can be applied towards the total number of hours needed to graduate, even if you cannot use them specifically towards your major area of study. Again, all of this should be clarified with the persons mentioned above.

Thirdly, you should clarify how you will pay for the study program. Because this is an academic program, most financial aid can be applied. If you receive, or are eligible for financial aid, you should meet with the Financial Aid Director to discuss if you have enough funds to apply to the program, and if not, what you can do, and precisely how you should go about doing it. The Pell grant and HOPE scholarships can be applied to program costs and/or tuition costs. (Note that tuition is separate from the program costs.) There are other scholarships and grants that students can apply for which can be used towards study abroad. Also, students are encouraged to involve themselves now in various fundraising efforts. If you have to raise funds, you will have more time, and be more successful, if you start now.

Finally, you should contact the Program Director, Patricia Ryan-Ikegwuonu at 1-800-822-RAMS (7267) or 229-430-4867, or E-mail: patricia.ryan-ikegwuonu@asurams.edu. When you call or Email, be sure to leave contact phone numbers, your full mailing address, and E-mail address(es). If you are unsure about any of the information above, or about any information you receive from persons indicated above, please feel free to contact us.