Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can. About 40% of our students do more than one project. Field Study Abroad will arrange your transfer between projects. Most project start and end on Mondays, so that is the day you would leave one project to be transferred to the next project.

If you are able to stay in South Africa for several weeks, we can help you put together an itinerary that best fits what you want to do, see and learn. Students can stay for up to 90 days.

Most of the projects run year round, and you can generally start on the 1st or 3rd Monday of a month. The Human-Elephant Conflict program runs once a year in late May/Early June.

Yes, there are several options to get academic credit for this internship. Generally, these internships will fulfil requirements for experiential learning, field courses, or hands-on learning. Please see the “Academic credit” tab.

Yes, we welcome anyone who is interested in conservation, ecology, wildlife biology, marine biology, research, animal science, natural resources management, veterinary science, or a related field. You just need 1 year of undergraduate experience.

Yes, we have many post graduate interns who are looking for more hands-on skills, networking, and experience before they apply to jobs or to graduate school programs.

For most programs, you will fly into Johannesburg Airport, South Africa (code JNB).

If you are not familiar with international travel, we encourage you to have Field Study Abroad book your flights because of the time change and landing the day after you take off. You may also book your own. Please consult with us to ensure your flight arrival/departure times/dates are correct. If you land on a day or time that isn’t one of the recommended ones, there may be an additional fee for transfers.

When flying into South Africa via other cities/countries, please allow no less than 2.5 hours of layover time. There is only 1 flight a day from the US departure cities to South Africa, so if you miss your connection, you will be a day late for the project. Sometimes a longer layover is worth the wait instead of missing your international flight.

You will always have your own bed, but may share a room with another person of the same sex. Bathrooms are often within the room or just down a hallway. There are showers and Western toilets at each project. Every project is a little different, and you can find more details if you scroll toward the bottom of the tab specific to a project.

All the projects are in a self-contained research station, house, or reserve. You can find the location on a map at the bottom of the tab specific to a project.

Yes, you will be joined by other US university students as well as interns from other countries. Some projects also host scientists, documentary crews, or field researchers.

South Africa - you do not need a visa if you are travelling on a valid US passport and will be in the country for less than 90 days.

Zimbabwe - you do need a visa. You apply and pay for it on arrival in Zimbabwe. It is $30 US Dollars.

Namibia - you do need a visa. You apply online a month before departure. We will help you with logistics. It is about $95 US dollars.

You are only required to have had a tetanus shot within the past 10 years. No other shots are required. You do not need to have documentation for the tetanus shot.

South Africa - the currency is the Rand. It is around 17 Rand for 1 Dollar. You can withdraw cash from ATMs in the country or exchange dollars for Rand at a currency exchange at the airport. Using an ATM has lower transaction fees than a currency exchange. If you are going to use an ATM, make sure you have a PIN code.

Zimbabwe - Uses the US dollar as currency.

Namibia - Uses the South African Rand and the Namibia dollar as currency. A Rand and a Namibian dollar are worth the same amount, around 17 Rand for 1 US Dollar. You can withdraw cash from ATMs in the country or exchange dollars for Rand at a currency exchange at the airport. Using an ATM has lower transaction fees than a currency exchange. If you are going to use an ATM, make sure you have a PIN code.

Field Study Abroad will transfer you to the next project, and we will make all these logistics and arrangements for you.

Yes, we provide you with a packing list. Please download the Packlist document here.

Flights to Johannesburg.
Optional excursions are extra.
**Insurance may be covered through your university if you are enrolled and earning academic credit.

YES! The outlets are different from those in the US; you will require a converter to plug your devices into the wall plugs. They have 3 large silver prongs. Make sure they say “South Africa” and not just “Africa”. These can be bought on Amazon.com. We recommend converters that have USB, too. Namibia and Zimbabwe often have both South Africa-style plugs and local style, so check the specifications before you purchase them.

You can have a personal item (backpack/purse) and a small roller bag on the plane with you. On international flights, you are allowed 1 checked bag free of charge, of no more than 50 pounds each.

It is also a good idea to take photos of the luggage tag and your luggage itself when you check in, and even place an Apple Tag in your bag. In cases when your bag does not make the flight, we can help the airline trace your bag.

We are happy to make sure your dietary requirements are taken care of. So, just let us know how we can help. Communicate with us ahead of time and then remind the on-site project director when you arrive.
**Gluten-free items in South Africa can be pretty expensive, so there might be a small additional fee.

Remember that the seasons in South Africa are opposite to those in North America. So, if you are travelling during May-August, it is winter in South Africa. However, most of the projects are in tropical/sub-tropical locations.

Depending on what project you will be joining us for, the weather is generally cool/cold at night, but warm during the day. A warm jacket and a knit hat for the cooler evenings/early mornings are recommended. You will need a water bottle and sunscreen year-round. We will provide you with a packing list.

You are required to have travel insurance during your internship. Some universities offer travel insurance included in the tuition or program fee. You can also shop around for any reputable company. Field Study Abroad offers comprehensive travel and medical insurance for $4.50 per day. You can review the CareMed Policy document here.

Yes, please ensure you bring them in their original packaging.

We suggest around $75 per week. You will have opportunities to do some shopping for souvenirs, as well as buy snacks. If you prefer to use a credit card instead of carrying a lot of cash, credit cards are widely accepted.

All the host countries have ATMs. Credit cards are widely accepted; please ensure they are either Visa/MasterCard. Let your bank know you are travelling so they do not put a fraud alert or block on your account.

All projects have wifi around the dining area and shared common spaces. We recommend having anyone you want to communicate with download WhatsApp so you can call and text for free on wifi.

You are welcome to buy a local SIM card if you require data in your host country. Some areas of the projects do not have cell phone service. You can also look at purchasing data through an e-SIM.

Most cell phone companies have international plans in South Africa and Zimbabwe that you pay a set amount for every 24 hours, only if you use data. You can contact your provider to set this up. These types of plans might not extend to Namibia.

Every project has wifi, which you can use to keep in touch with family and friends abroad. We strongly recommend that you have friends/family download the WhatsApp app so that you have free messaging and calling with wifi. Please note the wifi might not be fast enough to download/livestream, but it is adequate to send photos, videos, and make calls.

In case of emergencies, you should contact:
Earl Smith at +27 82 884 8889, email earl@fieldstudyabroad.com OR
Amber Peters +1 517 881 2864, email peter420@msu.edu

Please put these numbers in your phone and write them on a piece of paper in case you lose your phone.

Yes, you will receive meals, snacks, and drinks/water on the plane. Most airlines these days have a lot of movies, TV programs, and music for entertainment.

Yes, a Field Study Abroad staff member will meet all students upon arrival at Johannesburg Airport. We will message wth you on the free Johannesburg Airport wifi using WhatsApp once you have landed.

Once you land in South Africa, you will be required to clear passport control. No paperwork is required. You will then be able to find your bags at baggage claim.

From here, you will then walk into the Arrivals Hall, where a Field Study Abroad staff member will meet all students upon arrival at Johannesburg Airport. Field Study Abroad will be there to make sure you are transferred to the project the next morning. Field Study Abroad will take care of all the logistics, meals, and transfers.

We will then transfer you back to the airport in time for your departing flight, help you check in, and take you to the security where you will start your flight home.

Most students arrive in the late afternoon/evening and will then be taken by Field Study Abroad to a local hotel for the night. Field Study Abroad will arrange all the logistics, meals, and transfers.

Food at the projects is not too different from food in the United States. Most people think the food is delicious and fresh. It is usually locally sourced and has fresh veggies, fruit, beef, chicken, and fish. The projects generally serve 3 meals, as locals are not big snack eaters, so we will give you the opportunity to buy a snack if you are feeling hungry between meals, or you can pack your favourites and bring them with you.

While South Africa has 9 official languages, English is spoken throughout the country. All signs, announcements, and menus are in English.

English is one of the official languages in Namibia and Zimbabwe. All signs, announcements, and menus are in English.

No, we do not have many mosquitoes or insects during your period of travel (May – August), as it will be winter. Even in South Africa’s summer, the insects are not more than what you generally have in the US.

The Big 5 Conservation and Wildside Vet project is the only project where malaria is a slight concern due to the fact that it’s a low-to-medium risk malaria area. You are recommended to take anti-malaria medication, which we can assist you with.

Yes, the drinking water at each project is from groundwater and is safe to drink.