NCSA Draft Guidelines for High Quality Study Programs in Africa

This statement is a consensus arising from the NCSA Consultation on Study Abroad Programs in Africa at MSU in, Spring, 1995.

I. Recruitment:

• The NCSA is committed to open recruitment for all programs in Africa sponsored by NCSA Council members. Every effort will be made to accept as eligible any qualified student regardless of institution and to minimize barriers to participation by students from non-host institutions.
  
• The NCSA encourages clear articulation and honest representation of the structure, eligibility requirements, real costs, benefits, application processes, and any potential problems for students in the overseas studies program in Africa.
  
• The NCSA is committed to actively encouraging the participation traditionally under-represented students in overseas studies programs in Africa.
  
  

II. Pre-Program Preparation

The NCSA is committed to providing thorough pre-program orientations for all students (and, if possible, for their parents) for participating in programs in Africa, including:

• introduction to the history, culture, and society of the country(ies) of study;
  
• language study (pre-trip and/or in-country);
  
• for longer-term programs, a thorough introduction to the higher education system of host country, the "culture of learning," and the curricula and local standards;
  
• individualized academic counseling concerning which courses are recommended for the U.S. student, how course work will transfer to the home institution, and how course work will impact student's major, completion of requirements, and graduation;
  
• understanding of the housing and meal options and local dietary customs;
• comprehensive discussion especially of health insurance, local medical systems, provisions for participants, health precautions and prevention;
  
• issues of security and safety; varying local norms of propriety and personal behavior; and local legal codes and norms of enforcement; university standards, code, and regulations;
  
• in-country and in-continent travel options and requirements (documents and financial) for travel;
  
• careful discussion of available financial aid options;
  
• international and local travel options available to the participants.
  

III. Program in Africa

In the study programs in Africa, NCSA members seek the following to maintain the highest possible standards for participants, hosts, and sponsors.

• supply an in-country program representative for all long-term programs (either expatriate or local);
• guarantee safe and adequate housing;
• provide adequate health care coverage;
• institute well-planned and disseminated emergency procedures for participants in case of illness, accident, or other emergencies such as university closings, riots, and insurrection;
• establish clear, well-defined, and disseminated procedures for payment of fees and other in-country program costs;
• assist in establishing personal finance protocols;
• encourage and support extra-curricular activities (e.g. volunteering for local civic groups, public voluntary organizations, other service projects, sports teams, professional organizations);
• keep contact with parents of participants throughout the program.
  
  

B. Academic Programs

• seek to ensure the highest quality academic programs;
• actively advise students for long-term/exchange programs;
• establish fair but rigorous academic standards for students participating in programs (particularly long-term and exchange programs);
• provide a fair and comprehensive presentation of Africa or themes and problems concerning Africa in all short-term courses;
• establish well-defined procedures for transferring credits earned by participants;
• clearly define lines of communication for participating students who may have academic problems.
  
  
IV. Post-Program Activities


• Offer systematic debriefing of all participants and assistance in readjustment to life in the United States, particularly for students in long-term programs.
  
• Promote opportunities for program alumni to share their experiences with audiences on and off campus.
  
• Carefully define procedures for transferring credits to the home university.

V. Reciprocity and Collaboration

Strong commitment in the development and administration of all programs --short and long-term-- to mutually-beneficial collaborative relationships with African universities, other tertiary institutions, and any relevant local NGOs.

Strong commitment to genuine reciprocity, providing, for example:

• one-to-one exchange of undergraduate students;
• graduate education for staff development;
• opportunities for short-term faculty study-leaves;
• other academic resources (computers, laboratory equipment, books, journals, etc.);
• depositing fees charged to participants in foreign currency accounts in the United States for host institutions to use for their foreign currency needs.
  
  

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or you would like to submit information about a study abroad program in Africa, contact Terry McCaskey Website Developer