Parks & People- South Africa

12/06/2017

Alex Marden, Parks & People alum, interviewed and featured on the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences page

09/18/2017

Students from Parks & People - South Africa 2017 recently shared some of their experiences with the The Daily Collegian. Check it out!

If you're interested in joining us for 2018, visit global.psu.edu or contact us for more information.

There are many ways and places for Penn State students to study abroad. Deadline for a variety of study abroad opportunities is Sept. 15.

09/05/2017

Simon's Town, South Africa is one of the few locations to observe the endangered African Penguin. These fascinating birds are just one of the many unique species that contribute to the Parks & People classroom.

Online applications available at global.psu.edu or contact us for more details

08/25/2017

Fall applications are now open for the 2018 Parks & People student team.
Apply online at global.psu.edu or make an appointment today with an Education Abroad adviser

08/03/2017

http://www.timesunion.com/7day-state/article/State-plans-to-crush-one-ton-of-illegal-ivory-11284105.php

The state Department of Environmental Conservation is planning to crush more than one ton of ivory tusks, trinkets, statues, jewelry and other decorative items in Central Park on Aug. 3 at 10:30 a.m.. ALBANY — The state Department of Environmental Conservation is planning to crush more than one ton…

04/06/2017

Penn State students, your classroom awaits!

Applications for the 2018 Parks & People (South Africa) spring semester abroad are now open.

Click link to apply:
http://gpglobalea.gp.psu.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=10228

Image: Table Mountain National Park, Cape Town, South Africa

03/29/2017

The road trip may be over but life's journey still continues. After spending 10 straight weeks with each other, the Parks & People team went their separate ways today, some boarding planes, others jumping into taxis for additional adventure and exploration.

Thanks to all the people who contributed to another wonderful year!

03/21/2017

During our stay at the Donald Woods Foundation in Hobeni, Eastern Cape, we find ourselves surrounded by a whole new landscape. 53,000 people spread out over 1,000 square kilometers, going about a lifestyle far different from ours back in the United States. Cattle, goats, and chickens replace civilians walking along the sides of the road. There are backyards with various crops in place of a grocery store. Horses are ridden to school opposed to a school bus. The utilization the community has on available resources is anything but a simpler way of living as compared to back home. Functioning normally for the past thousands of years, it's quite the piece of art. - Nick

03/20/2017

I love to hike. So when we were told that hiking was an activity taking place, I was excited. We went to Cwebe Nature Reserve and hiked to a beautiful waterfall. It was a short and simple hike but it helped me get to know a little more about the world around me and feel more connected. As the end of our time here approaches and things get more hectic, I really appreciate getting to do things I love like this. - Miranda

03/19/2017

Being on a road trip through South Africa is so incredible and indescribable that many of us sometimes forget that we also must complete our assignments too. Now we find ourselves in a completely new environment: the community of Hobeni in the former Transkei. Surrounded by circular huts and a culture that none of us have experienced before, we migrated to the Donald Woods Foundation's version of something all Penn Staters know about: "The Harry Potter Library." It may not have the same name here, but it feels like home despite being thousands of miles away. And we're definitely learning that you have to work hard in order to play hard. - Courtney

03/18/2017

While in Grahamstown, we attended SciFest Africa. We were able to attend two educational sessions as well as an incredibly cool laser show. One of the sessions that really stood out to me was "Analysis of Science Resources - Critical Reading is a Skill". In this session, we learned to question the things we are reading whether it be for school, research, or leisure. Critical thinking and reading has been an ongoing theme throughout our entire trip in South Africa. In this session I was reminded to not take things at surface level. You should question not only the things you read and research but your surrounding environment and the people you interact with as well. By critically thinking and reading I've been allowing myself to think and read on a deeper, more meaningful level.
- Sarah H.