The Directorate of International Partnerships and Education at DUT has identified four skill areas that may be enhanced through participating in their International (Summer/Winter) School study abroad program:

• The academic/intellectual
  The knowledge and experience gained will enable students to participate fully in tomorrow’s workforce that will be even more ethnically and culturally diverse than it is today. Students will develop skills in problem solving and with their Zulu foreign language learning they will gain geographical and historical knowledge and return home with a deeper understanding of the rich cultural heritage of the people living in the Kingdom of the Zulus.
• The professional
  Students will be offered opportunities to network and make new professional contacts and hopefully gain a re-vitalized sense of direction for their future careers, and gain valuable experience when working on selected in-service projects together with other international students. Many international students, as a result of their exposure to academic opportunities in KwaZulu Natal return to undertake post-graduate studies at local universities.
• The personal
  Students sometimes experience anxiety regarding their acceptance in, or ability to adapt socially and academically to a foreign new culture. Some may also be concerned about facing potential racial bias and prejudice without the comfort of their usual home/local support system. On the other hand, international students may be looking forward to being part of the majority population in South Africa for the first time in their life. Some may even be planning a self-discovery sojourn to the country or region of your family’s ancestry/heritage. Whatever reasons they may have for studying abroad, students will find that confronting and coping with their various adjustment experiences abroad, can be a positive growth and development experiences. It may not always be fun but will create unique learning opportunities that will serve them well in the future.
• The inter-cultural
  Encountering a new culture will enable student participants to tap into social and intellectual capabilities that they may have never experienced before and encourage them to re-visit what they may have taken for granted about themselves as individuals or as a member of a particular ethnic or racial group. Understanding another culture will enhance participant’s self-awareness, lead to personal growth, and help them develop a greater acceptance of, and compassion for, cultural differences. Some international students may not always admire or endorse the socio-economic conditions abroad, but it is guaranteed that they will better understand the multi-layered challenges upon their return home.

Below are some tips to help you consider DUT’s International (Summer/Winter) School Study Abroad programme, prepare for your journey, deal with situations abroad, and incorporate your experience into your everyday life after you return.

Considering Studying Abroad

Before you even begin investigating the DUT International School Study Abroad option, it’s best to talk it over with your parents or family. Your parents are always welcome to talk with the Overseas Study Abroad staff at your University and, whenever possible, they will be referred to parents of students who have already studied abroad.

What are some reasons to share with your family on the value of study abroad?

• The DUT International School Study Abroad opportunity will add that professional “extra” to your resume that may open doors to access to competitive graduate schools and increase your future employment placements;
• With the ever expanding internationalization of the global village, it is important to keep pace with knowledge acquisition, language and problem-solving skills required to excel in the current and future workforce;
• With the ever expanding internationalization of the global village, it is important to keep pace with knowledge acquisition, language and problem-solving skills required to excel in the current and future workforce;
• You can earn academic credits while completing your educational studies that will enhance your career goals and study abroad does not have to delay graduation!
• Your participation in the DUT International School program will make you a global citizen and you will become less ethnocentric and more culturally sensitive and accepting;
• The international experience will develop your confidence, deepen your understanding of personal identity, increase your flexibility and creativity.

Many students live with the assumption that racism abroad may be so overwhelming that it would be better to stay home where you can predict the challenges. Our experience at the Durban University of Technology informs that many students who participate in study abroad programs have expressed surprise when they are treated as international citizens first and as extraordinary students who have earned the right to study in their host country, South Africa.