Africa is not a Country (!) Study Abroad in African Countries

Presenters Charlotte Blessing, Colorado College Carrie Bennett, BridgeVolunteers Harmony DeFazio, University of Arizona

Presentation Goals Provide an overview of study abroad in Africa Better understand our own and our students’ perceptions of Africa Brainstorm ideas to compensate for lack of familiarity regarding African countries Provide resources for learning about and advising on Africa Network with colleagues about Africa

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Top 20 Destinations of U.S. Study Abroad Students RankDestination2004/052005/06 WORLD TOTAL205,983223,534 1United Kingdom32,07132,109 2Italy24,85826,078 3Spain20,80621,881 4France15,37415,602 5Australia10,81310,980 6Mexico9,24410,022 7China6,3898,830 8Germany6,5576,858 9Costa Rica4,8875,518 10Ireland5,0835,499 11Japan4,1004,411 12Greece2,4453,227 13Argentina2,0132,865 14Czech Republic2,4942,846 15Austria2,7572,792 16Chile2,3932,578 17New Zealand2,6572,542 18South Africa2,3042,512 19Brazil1,9942,328 20Ecuador1,7112,171

The World's Top Tourism Destinations International Tourist Arrivals in Millions Source: World Tourism Organization (WTO). Web: Information Please® Database, © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved Rank Country Percent Change 2004/2005 Percent Change 2006/ France %4.2% 2.Spain United States China Italy United Kingdom Germany Mexico Austria Russian Federation

Percent of U.S. Students Abroad Host Region 95/9696/9797/9898/9999/0000/0101/0202/0303/0404/0505/06 Africa Asia Europe* Latin America Middle East North America** Oceania Multiple Destinations Total89,24299,448113,959129,770143,590154,168160,920174,629191,321205,983223,534 *Cyprus and Turkey were previously classified in the Middle East category but were moved to the Europe category in 2004/05. ** Includes Antarctica from 2002/03 onward.

Where do students study abroad in Africa? 2005/06, Open Doors Number of students: 8,459 Increase from 04/05 Southern Africa2, % (South Africa) East Africa2,135 37% (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Mauritius, Madagascar) West Africa1, % (Ghana, Senegal) North Africa1, % (Egypt, Morocco) Central Africa % (Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea)

A Google search revealed this program count: Between 1 and 5 programs: Between 1 and 5 programs: Botswana Benin Cameron Equatorial Guinea Madagascar Mali Mauritius Namibia Niger Tunisia Uganda Summer only: Ethiopia Gambia More than 14 programs More than 14 programs Egypt Ghana Kenya Senegal Tanzania More than 25: More than 25: Morocco More than 70: More than 70: South Africa

Potential Benefits of Non-traditional Destinations (Wells, 2002) Students: - Students: - greater understanding of global economy and employment issues - greater flexibility - greater problem solving skills - improved language skills - greater stretch of beliefs, values and opinions Society: Society: - increased firsthand experience with global issues and problems - broader knowledge of critical regions of the world - increased societal knowledge - concerning emerging markets - more globally aware and sensitive citizenry Institution: - Institution: - expanded offering/ increased competitiveness - niche market possibilities

Questions! Why do so few students choose to study abroad in Africa? Are there enough program offerings? How do students choose their program? Is it destination or theme? What are some of the challenges and obstacles to studying abroad in Africa? How do we as International Educators advise about Africa?

It is now official (October 2008): Africom is the sixth U.S. regionally focused military headquarter. Within the U.S. Africa Command, civilian officials comprise a range of senior leadership positions. This integrated model of staff representation includes military staff and civilian staff from the Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and other agencies. Will this new US agency increase the need of college graduates with first-hand Africa experience and African language skills?

Africa is: Educationally superior Culturally interesting Safe An important location to know about A good location to study Boring New and exciting Unsafe Where many of my students are studying/have studied abroad A good location for my students’ careers Other

Student Perceptions of Non-Traditional Destinations/Africa Media Safety Parental Factors Idea that study abroad means study in Europe Lack of strong educational facilities Students have never traveled previously IS Africa IS a country

Africa is: Educationally superior Culturally interesting Safe An important location to know about A good location to study Boring New and exciting Unsafe Where many of my students are studying/have studied abroad A good location for my students’ careers Other

Perceptions of Europe Carrie Bennett, Why do Students Choose Non-Traditional Destinations? Master's Thesis SIT Graduate Institute, 2008

Perceptions of Africa Carrie Bennett, Why do Students Choose Non-Traditional Destinations? Master's Thesis SIT Graduate Institute, 2008

How do we as International Educators overcome our preconceptions about Africa?

How do we guide others (students, faculty, administrators, parents, legal counsel, etc.) to overcome their perceptions of Africa?

Presentation Goals Provide an overview of study abroad in Africa Better understand our own and our students’ perceptions of Africa Brainstorm ideas to compensate for lack of familiarity regarding African countries Provide resources for learning about and advising on Africa Network with colleagues about Africa

Questions?