Hello! Do you want to go to Africa in 2006? We're=20 looking for students interested in going to South=20 Africa to study "Conservation and Biodiversity in=20 South African Parks and Nature Reserves" and earn=20 6 credits in the process. Dr. Harold Prince and=20 I will be leading another group of students on an=20 outstanding tour of South Africa, from Kruger to=20 the Kalahari to Cape Town. It's an AMAZING 4-week journey.
We're looking for undergraduate and graduate=20 students majoring in biological sciences,=20 environmental biology, natural resource=20 management, wildlife ecology, zoology, or a=20 related field who want to study wildlife ecology=20 and management in South Africa. Students must be=20 in good academic standing, with a grade point=20 average of at least 2.5 at the time of=20 application. Students will also be required to=20 have completed an organismal biology course (i.e.=20 BS 110 or ISB 202). Meeting these two=20 requirements does not, however, guarantee=20 admission. Preferences will be given to=20 upper-level undergraduate students and graduate=20 students, and those with a science related=20 background, particularly ecology (ZOL 355). Non-MSU students register for 6 Lifelong=20 Education credits, which is basically the same=20 price as what MSU students pay for 6 credits. There is a slide show outlining our trip at the=20 below link, as well as the link to the MSU Office=20 of Study Abroad program site and the online application. Program Slide Show:=20 http://www.fw.msu.edu/studyabroad/southafrica/slideshow.htm Official OSA Program Site:= http://studyabroad.msu.edu/programs/safricacon.html Online Application: http://ntweb11.ais.msu.edu/osa_db/overview.htm We can take a maximum of 12 students, and we=20 really want to take 12 students that are serious=20 about studying South African wildlife ecology and=20 management. Students interested in going should=20 apply as soon as possible. We will accept=20 students on a rolling admission basis, and the=20 program should be full by the official March 1 application deadline. Feel free to email me if you have any questions ([EMAIL PROTECTED]). Jim Schneider =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D Conservation and Biodiversity in South African Parks and Nature Reserves Summer 2006 May 13 =96 June 9, 2006 Sponsored by the Department of Fisheries and=20 Wildlife in the College of Agriculture Natural Resources Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) What's this program about? This program, offered by the Department of=20 Fisheries and Wildlife in the College of=20 Agriculture and Natural Resources, will tour=20 various South African parks and nature reserves,=20 including Timbavati Private Nature Reserve,=20 Kruger National Park, Manyeleti Nature Reserve,=20 Pilanesberg National Park, Kgaswane Mountain=20 Reserve, Barberspan Bird Sanctuary, Kalahari=20 Transfrontier Park, De Hoop Nature Reserve,=20 Agulhas National Park, Robben Island, Boulders=20 African Penguin colony, Cape of Good Hope, and Table Mountain National Park. At a time when natural resource managers are=20 asked to consider global contexts of biodiversity=20 and ecosystem approaches to management, this=20 course will expose students to various South=20 African ecosystems and will broaden students'=20 scope of management by taking into account the=20 impacts that land-based activities and=20 international policies have on the natural=20 communities in these ecosystems. The role of game=20 reserves, nature reserves, and national parks as=20 management tools will be investigated and=20 students will be introduced to social issues that=20 are encountered when protection of biodiversity=20 restrictions are imposed on a society. We will=20 also address the role of hunting as a management=20 tool of big game species on private game reserves=20 and the impact of hunting on the surrounding communities. Students will familiarize themselves with the=20 flora and fauna of the different ecosystems=20 visited; will interact with government officials=20 and land managers; and will participate in=20 hands-on learning, including bushwalks, habitat=20 sampling, population surveys and other field experiments. What can I study? Students will be required to enroll for six (6)=20 credits in the following course: FW 480 International Studies in=20 Fisheries and Wildlife 6 cr. What are the requirements? Although this program is primarily intended for=20 upper-level undergraduate and graduate students=20 majoring in biological sciences, environmental=20 biology, natural resource management, wildlife=20 ecology, zoology, or a related field, students=20 from all academic majors, as well as students=20 from other universities are encouraged to apply. Students must be in good academic standing, with=20 a grade point average of at least 2.5 at the time=20 of application. Students will also be required=20 to have completed an organismal biology course=20 (i.e. BS 110 or ISB 202). Meeting these two=20 requirements does not, however, guarantee=20 admission. Preferences will be given to=20 upper-level undergraduate students and graduate=20 students, and those with a science related=20 background, particularly ecology (ZOL 355). Additionally, students must submit an essay with=20 their application stating why they wish to participate in this program. It should be noted that not all activities=20 involved in this program are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Applicants=92 participation may be denied or their=20 participation approval may be revoked if their=20 conduct before departure raises doubts as to=20 their suitability for program participation. Where will I live? Accommodations will include tourist-class motel=20 facilities in Pretoria, Kuruman, Upington, and=20 Cape Town; and cabin-style facilities while at=20 the South African Wildlife College and in the=20 Kruger National Park, Pilanesberg National Park,=20 Kalahari Transfrontier Park, and De Hoop Nature Reserve. Most meals will be provided. Who can tell me more about this program? Jim Schneider Department of Fisheries and Wildlife 40A Natural Resources Bldg. Phone: (517) 353-2979 E-mail: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED] Harold Prince Department of Fisheries and Wildlife 13 Natural Resources Bldg. Phone: (517) 355-3697 E-mail: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED] You can also visit the program=92s Web site at=20 <http://www.fw.msu.edu/studyabroad/southafrica/>http://www.fw.msu.edu/studya= broad/southafrica/. Do I need a passport or visa? U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport=20 both to enter other countries and to return to=20 the United States. If you already have a=20 passport, make sure it is valid until at least=20 six months after your return date. If you must=20 apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since=20 a minimum of five to six weeks are usually=20 required for processing. During peak travel=20 seasons, more processing time is=20 required. Passport forms are available at many=20 federal and state courts, probate courts, some=20 county/municipal offices and some post=20 offices. They can also be downloaded from the Web. For more information about passports visit the following Web page: <http://studyabroad.msu.edu/passports.html>http://studyabroad.msu.edu/passpo= rts.html A visa is official permission granted by the=20 authorities of a country where you will study or=20 travel that allows you to enter and remain in=20 that country for a specific purpose. The visa=20 itself is frequently a stamp in your passport,=20 not a separate document. You will need a passport=20 before applying for a visa and the passport plus=20 visa process may take several months, so start=20 early. It is your responsibility to inquire=20 about visa requirements for all countries you=20 plan to visit while abroad; this includes=20 countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program. For more information about visas visit the following Web page: <http://studyabroad.msu.edu/visas.html>http://studyabroad.msu.edu/visas.html Are there special health issues? As part of your acceptance you will complete a=20 Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization.=20 It is your responsibility to ensure that your=20 routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire=20 whether there are recommended and/or required=20 immunizations for the country/countries you will=20 visit (including any countries you will visit=20 that are not part of the study abroad program=92s=20 itinerary); and review educational issues=20 relevant to your personal health and safety. It should be noted that not all activities=20 involved in this program are accessible to individuals with disabilities. For further health information and=20 recommendations, visit the following Web page: <http://studyabroad.msu.edu/health.html>http://studyabroad.msu.edu/health.ht= ml How much does it cost? The program fee is approximately $3,700 and includes the following: - application fee ($100) - deposit ($200) - pre-departure orientation - accommodations - meals - local transportation - accident and sickness insurance - field trips Amounts not included in the program fee for which=20 participants will need to budget include: - MSU tuition and fees* - airfare - beverages - books and supplies - laundry - passport application fee ($85) - visa application fees (if applicable) - pre-departure doctor visits - pre-departure immunizations (if applicable) - personal spending money Students may request an itemized breakdown of=20 program costs by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920. Approximately two months before the program=92s=20 departure date, students will receive an e-bill=20 from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the=20 study abroad program fee. Students will also be=20 e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the=20 number of credits taken, once they have enrolled=20 in courses. (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.) NOTE: All CANR majors will receive a scholarship=20 from the College of Agriculture and Natural=20 Resources. Contact Paul Roberts=20 (<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED]) for details. Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be=20 subject to change due to unexpected circumstances. *Check=20 <http://www.ctlr.msu.edu/studrec/>http://www.ctlr.msu.edu/studrec/=20 for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU=20 students pay the same amount they would pay to=20 study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong=20 Education rate, regardless of state of residence. How can I get help to pay for it? Financial assistance is available to students who=20 make appropriate arrangements with the Office of=20 Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU=92s Office of Financial Aid. If you are an MSU student and indicate on your=20 application that you plan to use financial aid to=20 pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will=20 forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office=20 of Financial Aid for processing. This form will=20 include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including= airfare. If you are a non-MSU student, please request=20 financial aid from your home university. If your=20 university is unable to award you financial aid,=20 contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply=20 for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed. For further information about financial aid, visit the following Web page: <http://studyabroad.msu.edu/finaid/index.html>http://studyabroad.msu.edu/fin= aid/index.html Additionally, MSU students applying to any=20 credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible=20 for OSA Scholarships. Some scholarships are=20 based exclusively on academic performance; others=20 are based on a combination of academic=20 performance and financial need. Requirements are=20 listed in the scholarship application. The=20 deadline to apply for these scholarships is March 1st for summer programs. A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit=20 Union, as well as additional resources provided=20 through the MSU Alumni Association, the=20 Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles=20 Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the=20 Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg=20 Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and=20 contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment=20 provide funding for these OSA scholarships. The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources=20 also offers its students special study abroad=20 scholarships. Check with Paul Roberts=20 (<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED]) for further details. For even more MSU scholarship opportunities=20 through individual colleges or external=20 scholarship possibilities (including funding for=20 Multicultural students) visit the following Web page: <http://studyabroad.msu.edu/scholarships/index.html>http://studyabroad.msu.e= du/scholarships/index.html How do I apply? You can apply online or download an application=20 form by visiting the following Web page: <http://studyabroad.msu.edu/applications/index.html>http://studyabroad.msu.e= du/applications/index.html Applications must be received in the Office of=20 Study Abroad by March 1st for summer=20 programs. Application review will begin in=20 December and continue through February - well=20 before the application deadline. Therefore it is=20 strongly recommended that students apply=20 early. Priority will be given to students who=20 submit their application before December 1, 2005. Selection of applicants is done on a rolling=20 admission basis - that is, applications are=20 accepted and students are evaluated and=20 considered for admission throughout the academic=20 year. Please remember that applying early and=20 meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission. A $100 application fee is required. Students=20 will receive an e-bill for the application fee=20 that is applied to the cost of the program and is=20 non-refundable once a student has accepted=20 admission into the program. Students who have=20 accepted admission may also be billed for a=20 non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit,=20 also applied to the cost of the program. Students who wish to withdraw their application=20 are required to notify the Office of Study=20 Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate. Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally,=20 on a faculty review of your transcript and a=20 review of the Judicial Affairs Office records=20 (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students). Details about the admissions process,=20 pre-departure information, what to know while=20 you=92re abroad, and information about returning=20 home, can be found in the Study Abroad Student=20 Handbook. You can read the Handbook online at=20 <http://studyabroad.msu.edu/abcs/index.html>http://studyabroad.msu.edu/abcs/= index.html=20 or you can stop by the Office of Study Abroad in=20 109 International to pick up a hard copy. What=92s next? Visit the OSA Web site <http://studyabroad.msu.edu/>http://studyabroad.msu.edu/ Come to a study abroad fair <http://studyabroad.msu.edu/safair/index.html>http://studyabroad.msu.edu/saf= air/index.html=20 Talk with a Peer Adviser <http://studyabroad.msu.edu/peer/peeradvisers.html>http://studyabroad.msu.ed= u/peer/peeradvisers.html=20 Read program evaluations Located in the OSA Resource Room, 108 International Center Attend an info meeting <http://studyabroad.msu.edu/calendar.html#Info>http://studyabroad.msu.edu/ca= lendar.html#Info=20 Apply online <http://studyabroad.msu.edu/applications/index.html>http://studyabroad.msu.e= du/applications/index.html=20 Check out the following Additional Resources: Office of Financial Aid <http://www.finaid.msu.edu/>http://www.finaid.msu.edu/ 252 Student Services MSU Travel Clinic <http://travelclinic.msu.edu/>http://travelclinic.msu.edu/ East Circle Drive Academic Advisers <http://www.msu.edu/academics/units.html>http://www.msu.edu/academics/units.= html Located in each individual college/department Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities <http://www.rcpd.msu.edu/Home/>http://www.rcpd.msu.edu/Home/ 120 Bessey Hall Area Studies Centers <http://www.isp.msu.edu/>http://www.isp.msu.edu/ International Center MSU Global Access <http://www.msuglobalaccess.net/>http://www.msuglobalaccess.net/ Information about the world - its regions and=20 peoples and important international issues Jim Schneider - Academic Adviser Undergraduate Advising Center Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Michigan State University 40 Natural Resources Building East Lansing, MI 48824-1222 Office: 517-353-9091 Fax: 517-432-1699 E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] FW Web Site: http://www.fw.msu.edu/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~= ~~~ To Schedule an Appointment with me, go to the=20 web-based Advisor Appointment System at http://www.fw.msu.edu/undergraduates/advising.htm=20 OR call the FW Academic Advising Center: 517-353-9091 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~= ~~~=20
