Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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

South Africa uses the Rand as our currency. It is generally around R17.50 = $1. While cash is accepted all over, we generally make use of credit/debit cards. Please note Visa/MasterCard are accepted widely. (Discover, Amex, are not accepted often) Please notify your bank you will be travelling to South Africa for them to release the security hold out of USA to allow your card to function. You can also draw cash out of many local ATM’s. Please make sure you have a pin code to get money from the ATM.

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

Yes, we have ATM’s, and credit card work well, please ensure they are either Visa/MasterCard.

All projects have wifi around the dining area. You are welcome to buy a local sim card if you require data in more areas. Some areas at the projects do not have cellphone service. You can also look at an e-sim, or ask your cellphone provider for international roaming options/pricing.

Yes, a Field Study Abroad staff member will meet all students upon arrival into Johannesburg Airport. You will be helped from this point. 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 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.

Once you land in South Africa, you will be required 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 into 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.

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.

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

We are happy to make sure your dietary requirement are taken care of. So, just let us know how we can help. 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 North America. 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 is recommended. You will need a water bottle and sunscreen year round. We will provide you with a packing list.

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

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

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

South African food is not too different from food in the United States. Most people think the food in South Africa is delicious and fresh. It is usually locally sourced and has fresh veggies, fruit, beef, chicken and fish. South Africans are not big snack eaters, so we will give you the opportunity to buy snack if you are feeling hungry between meals, or you can pack your favorites and bring them with you.

Every project has wifi which you can used 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 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

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 project is the only project where malaria is a slight concern due to the fact that it’s a low-medium malaria area. You are required to take anti-malaria medication which we could assist you with.

Some universities offer travel insurance included in the tuition or program fee. Field Study Abroad offers comprehensive travel and medical insurance for $4.50 per day. You are required to have travel insurance during your internship. Please download the CareMed Policy document here.

You can have a personal item (backpack/purse) and a small roller back on the plane with you. On international flights, you are allowed 2 checked bags free of charge of no more than 50 pounds each. However, if you are flying to a project within South Africa, there is only one free bag allowed, also of 50 pounds or less.
While we are on the luggage subject, 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 case your bag does not make the flight, we can help the airline trace your bag.

Our outlets are different from those in the US, you will require a converter to plug your devices into our wall sockets. 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.

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.

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

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

When flying into South Africa via other cities/countries, please allow no less than 2.5-hour layover times. It’s also a good idea to take photos of the baggage tag and your baggage, and even place an Apple Tag in your bag, in case your bag does not make the flight, we can help the airline trace your bag.

There are a few options to get credit. You can apply through Michigan State University as a ‘life long’ learner and receive credit through Michigan State. We can also recommend that Dr. Peters work with your advisor or study abroad office to have you received credit from your university. Generally, these internships will fulfill requirements for experiential learning, field courses, or hands-on learning.

Flights to Johannesburg.
Insurance unless you are interning with your university.
Optional excursions are extra