Anthropology Study Abroad Programs in Africa

Spending a semester in South Africa reshaped the way I see the world and the way I write about it. As a writing major and African and African American Studies minor, I took every history class I could fit into my schedule, learning about liberation movements, identity, and global interconnectedness right from the source. When I wasn’t in class, I was at the beach — literally every minute possible — journaling with my toes in the sand or doing yoga as the sun came up over the water. Spring break took me all the way to Tanzania, where new landscapes and new conversations stretched my perspective even further. I met people who became lifelong friends, the kind you still text years later because the bond formed abroad never really fades. More than anything, the experience gave me a deeper understanding of myself, my studies, and the world I want to help shape. Studying abroad didn’t just change my semester. It changed my life.

I graduated from high school a semester early, and the only way I wanted to spend my semester was by being abroad. I've known about Semester at Sea for around 6 years and I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity. I searched up the requirements to be accepted and luckily fit all the requirements most importantly being 18, so immediately I applied. I then got an email back the next morning saying I got accepted into the program and that email brought me to tears in the middle of one of my classes. I couldn't wait to board the MV World Odyssey and embark on this journey of a lifetime. On the ship, I gained so much knowledge about different cultures and I was able to be fully immersed in them, not just sticking to the touristy things offered. Semester at Sea does an amazing job keeping the students' safety in country as a priority with having mandatory “Pre-Port meetings” the night before arriving in a country, and offering field programs which are ship run excursions with ship faculty leading them. The community on the ship was nothing I have ever experienced before. We were so close knit and it felt like I was truly in a connected, caring, and welcoming environment. I met the people I never imagined I'd connect with, and they ended up becoming the best connections I've ever made with people. Semester at Sea also helped me get out of my comfort zone which led me to have experiences I would have never imagined I'd have, best example being running a half marathon in Vigo, Spain even though I'm not a runner and have never been a runner. Semester at Sea has given me the world and the opportunity to appreciate it to its fullest. I left the ship with my passport full, but my heart is even fuller with people, memories, and connections I will forever cherish. Semester at Sea was truly the best experience I have ever had and would recommend it to anyone as it was life changing.

I have not experienced anything like semester at sea before, therefore giving me a whole lot of different lenses to look at the world with. I completely enjoyed my experience and understand the importance of understanding others concerns, communication, communities, and countries. A overall wonderful experience that has changed my views as well as the way I live and who I am as a person.

One of the most underrated aspect of semester at sea is the ship campus itself. Being able to live so close to your friends and just walking a few flight of stairs to your classroom and being able to sit down with your professors for lunch is such an amazing experience. It's eternal sunsets, it's endless travel stories from your friends, it's lifetime of memories. Highly recommend. One of the best decisions I made. And still day dream about this experience, still talk and travel to meet my SAS friends 4 years later.

I have not experienced anything like semester at sea before, therefore giving me a whole lot of different lenses to look at the world with. I completely enjoyed my experience and understand the importance of understanding others concerns, communication, communities, and countries. A overall wonderful experience that has changed my views as well as the way I live and who I am as a person.

I participated in the Madagascar Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management program in the spring of 2022. I cannot speak highly enough about the program. My cohort consisted of a small group of 5 students with biological and environmental backgrounds. The experience, from start to finish, was a life-altering one to say the least. The Malagasy advisors and program leads were some of the kindest, most caring, and inspiring people I have ever met in my life. They are not only top-level scientists but also incredibly passionate people who are able to manage the difficulties of supporting a cohort of students in a foreign country. The program strikes a wonderful balance of doing the appropriate amount of hand-holding that is necessary to traverse a foreign environment, while still safely pushing us to navigate on our own. When I entered the program it was the tail-end of Covid restrictions. I had very little outdoor experience, had never been so far away from home and was a lost undergrad student unsure of what to do with her life. The program leads supported and pushed me to pursue things I never would have dreamed were possible, and right into my current career. I fell in love with science and Madagascar, and now 4 years later I am still pursuing my passions in both. I cannot emphasize enough how important this program is. If you have any inkling that this program could be right for you, I heavily encourage you to apply. Madagascar is a spectacular country and through this program you will have the honor of discovering it through some of the most qualified and interesting people possible.

We were able to experience so much throughout the semester through cultural immersion and wildlife observations that went far beyond my expectations. The staff and teachers were all so welcoming and helpful, and I learned so much while having an amazing and fun semester.

This program was amazing, and gave me the chance to see many facets of science and life in Madagascar. My host family was lovely, and they had a bunch of really interesting lecturers, from professors, to NGO heads, to government officials, who covered topics ranging from environmental law to terrestrial and marine biology. You get to travel with the program to the Eastern humid forest and down South to the coast to see really diverse landscapes and ecology. The Malagasy course and my host family got me speaking enough Malagasy to do an internship after the program. Everyone in the program was wonderful especially the Professors, Ando and Alida, and my fellow students. If you are interested, I can't recommend it enough!

The program staff and directors made this experience truly wonderful, as well as the incredible beauty and welcomeness of Madagascar and its people. This program is best for students interested in getting outdoors, exploring nature, and unafraid of getting their boots muddy. French language skills are also very useful - even if just basic enough to navigate the market. Our Malagasy language classes were a highlight, as well as excursions to various national parks with Ando and Alida! The fresh fruit in the country is fantastic, but don’t try to order a burger (Malagasy food in Madagascar is good, but American food in Madagascar is not as good). Get to know Tana - there’s so many cool places you can walk within the city. And try to get out to Lake Itasy - where there’s beautiful beaches and villas that (with our USD) are reasonably priced. Finally, get to know your host family. They are such an incredible group of people, and I feel like I learned so much from my homestay experience. They were so interested in getting to know me, in helping me to know Madagascar, and in just hanging out or having tea anytime! If this program is right for your academic interests, I highly recommend going to SIT Madagascar! There’s really no opportunity like this to see and experience one of the most biodiverse and beautiful places on earth.

Studying Coastal Ecology and Natural Resource Management with SIT was the best decision I could have made when looking at abroad programs. This program cares about each and every one of its students and introduces you to the most exquisite places, people, and animals. Getting to stay with a homestay family was an amazing opportunity for language immersion and creating that close-knit family bond in your home away from home. This program has incredible staff, my cohort became our own little family by the end of the semester, and you'll never forget the beautiful places you visit while being here. I cannot recommend this program more; I would do it all again in a heartbeat. A piece of my heart will always be in Zanzibar!

Most beautiful place, people, language and vibes ever. 🥭🥭🥭 the SIT staff is so friendly and helpful. The community is tight knit and the program will take you to the most beautiful tropical locations of your life

SIT Zanzibar is the perfect study abroad program for students looking to experience a completely different culture and way of life, all while seeing the best nature of your life. Some of the highlights of my experience include swimming with dolphins, exploring the amazing creatures of intertidal zones across the island, being welcomed into a Swahili home, and conducting a month-long research project on Chumbe Island! Moreover, the academic director and staff of the program are wonderful and will go to any length to ensure students are safe, happy, and engaged. I would choose SIT Zanzibar again in a heartbeat.

One of the best parts of my study abroad experience was my homestay. They made sure I had everything I needed and were committed to helping me learn Arabic. They would help me with my homework and provide me with different opportunities to practice my language skills at home.

I had a really good experience with Forum-Nexus overall. The program gave me the chance to travel a lot, meet great people, and learn more about different countries in a way that felt interesting and personal. I liked that the staff was friendly and helpful, and the hotels were some of the best I’ve stayed in. Some visits were better than others, but the overall balance of academics, free time, and cultural experiences made the program worth it. I’d recommend it to other students, especially if they want to make friends and grow through travel.

This summer abroad program was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had as an undergraduate.” “It was thoughtfully organized, with a great balance of academics, cultural exploration, professional visits, and enough independence to grow on my own.” “The instructors were engaging, knowledgeable, and encouraged real discussion, which made classes feel useful beyond the classroom.” “I especially liked being able to connect what we learned to our travels.” “The staff was welcoming and supportive throughout, and I’d absolutely recommend the program to other students.

I truly had one of the best experiences in my life in Madagascar. The program was set up so well and the instructors and directors organized everything perfectly. It was a great mix of classroom lectures and assignments and field excursions. I was able to build contacts through this program and return to Madagascar in the summer to do more research. I highly recommend!

In Madagascar, I learned how to express myself in three languages, listen closely, and be open to cultural practices different from my own. The program enabled me to engage directly with the subject matter (Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management) instead of speaking abstractly, build positive relationships, and open myself to new worldviews. Most importantly, the program staff are exceptional! Anecdote: Supported by the nonprofit Planet Madagascar, in spring '24 I camped for two weeks between the rural village of Maevetanimbary and a research encampment in Ankarafantsika National Park, a national park in the northwest. To better understand the impact of fire on forested zones, I compared physical characteristics and species diversity between burned and unburned zones. I wrote a project report and presented my work to the national park’s directors in French. To study natural resource management and the ecotourism economy as a study abroad student and a foreigner is an incredibly complex task. My interactions with local scientists, store owners, and governmental workers; coursework on the Malagasy language and the incredible local biodiversity; and relationships with host families built my ability to engage in a good way in a place far from my home. As such, I am proud of the research I conducted in Anakarafantsika and grateful to have had access to such powerful experiential learning.

The program staff were wonderful. The educational content and professors were wonderful, world renowned scientists were often invited to speak in lectures. Language and cultural immersion were a big part of our experience and one of the best parts. I've made life long friends in Mada that I still talk with regularly. Field work was immersive and there was the chance to extend our stay in Mada pursuing science (a few of us stayed 6 months). Science wasn't my major (my BA is in French), and this program inspired me to pursue environmental conservation as a masters. I honestly have nothing but good things to say about the program. You won't regret going it's worth every penny. Feel free to whatsapp me if you have any questions @L.mikayla

If you are thinking about enrolling- DO IT! The hands on experience with Madagascar's rich biodiversity gave meaning to my biology degree. I now have expertise in field sampling methods, which has opened doors to new opportunities for me. The professors are amazing, wonderful people who will go out of their way to guide students to success. Staff worked day and night to keep us safe, enriched, and engaged in an otherwise unfamiliar country. After I’ve been to the jungle, I don’t want to go back to the way my life was before. There is so much more to life than living a typical 9-5. Get out there. Do research. And go to Madagascar.

This program is great! The program directors and all the staff are incredible, very kind, helpful, and communicative. I learned a lot, both in and out of the classroom. The internship/ISP portion was also very valuable and fun. I highly recommend this program, it was amazing.