South Africa

Discover South Africa through an unforgettable study abroad experience! This program offers you the chance to earn credit while exploring history, culture, and communication in one of the most diverse countries in the world. Choose to take COMM 150: Intercultural Communication with Professor Danielle Powell and deepen your understanding of how people from different cultures connect and learn from one another, or enroll in ETHN 105: African American History with Professor Frederick Gains to examine the historical ties and shared struggles between Africa and the African diaspora. Beyond the classroom, you’ll immerse yourself in South Africa’s vibrant communities, breathtaking landscapes, and rich cultural traditions. More than just a study abroad program, this is a transformative journey that brings your coursework to life.

Community participants are welcome to attend the 2026 South Africa Summer Program. Spots are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. You are not required to take any course.

For community participants, a $500 contribution to the San Mateo County Community College District’s study abroad scholarship fund will be added to the program fee. This is the same practice as other Community Travel Programs offered by SMCCCD Study Abroad. You may pay it separately at the SMCCCD Foundation webpage after you apply for the program and before April 10, 2026 (the final program payment deadline). * Information about how to make the $500 donation will be sent to you via email after you are officially accepted by the program.

South Africa 2026 Program Dates

Depart from U.S.: June 11, 2026

Depart from South Africa: June 28, 2026

Activity Level: Active

Program Provider: Alterra Global Initiatives

Apply by: March 11, 2026

Application Open Soon Info Sessions Planned Itinerary Important Dates (TBA)

Attend an info session to learn more about the South Africa study abroad program or how to apply for scholarships to pay for study abroad.

Info Session Recording

Can't make the info session or have more questions? Schedule a Study Abroad Zoom Advising appointment!

Schedule Zoom Appointment

Course Information

COMM 150 - Intercultural Communication | 3.0 Units

Prerequisites: None

AA/AS Degree Requirements: Area 1B; Area 4

Transfer Credit: CSU, UC, (Cal-GETC Area 4)

Study and practice of intercultural communication in domestic and global contexts. Examines the intersectionality of culture, power, identity, verbal and non-verbal communication to increase perceptual awareness and cultural competency. Students are expected to demonstrate and apply skills through individual and group oral presentations.

ETHN 105 - African American History & Culture | 3.0 Units

Prerequisites: None

AA/AS Degree Requirements: Area E1a, E1b, E5b, E5c

Transfer Credit: CSU (CSU Area C2 or D or F and US-1), UC (IGETC Area 3B or 4 or 7)

This is a survey of the history of African Americans from their origins in Africa to the present, with special emphasis on their contributions to California's social, political and economic institutions. It examines the political, economic, social, and cultural factors as well as interactions between African Americans and the larger society.

Program Costs, Inclusions, and Payment Policies

Program Fee

$4,463 per student – Based on a minimum of 20-27 participants
*International airfare not included.
Option group flight: TBA

Payment Schedule

TBA

Program Fee Includes

Refund and Withdrawal Policy

TBA

Program Eligibility

At the time of application to the program, students must satisfy the following program eligibility requirements:

18+ years old
Be in good academic and disciplinary standing
Complete an interview with the Professor of the course

Community Participants

Community participants are welcome to attend the Summer Program. Spots are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. You are not required to take any course.

A $500 contribution to the San Mateo County Community College District’s study abroad scholarship fund is required for the community participants. This is the same practice as other Community Travel Programs offered by SMCCCD Study Abroad. You may pay it separately at the SMCCCD Foundation webpage after you apply for the program.

* Information about how to make the $500 donation will be sent to you via email after you are officially accepted by the program.

More Information or Questions?

Professor Danielle Powell
Email: powelld@smccd.edu

Professor Frederick Gaines

Email: gainesf@smccd.edu

Gerardo Brambila
Program Services Coordinator | SMCCCD Study Abroad
Email: studyabroad@smccd.edu
Phone: (650) 738-7098

Meet Professor Danielle Powell

Professor Powell is a tenured professor of Communication Studies at Skyline College and the founder and coordinator of the Women's Mentoring and Leadership Academy (WMLA), and coordinator of the Umoja-ASTEP Learning Community. With three decades in higher education, she has taught at four-year universities and community colleges across the United States. Professor Powell holds a B.S. in Speech Communication from James Madison University, an M.A. in Communication and a Master of Divinity from Wake Forest University, and a Post-Master's Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at Colorado State University.

Honored with the 2018 Academic Senate for California Community College’s Stanback-Stroud Diversity Award and the 2025 NAACP Community Impact Award, Professor Powell brings deep commitment to mentoring and empowering students to lead. She has led multicultural immersions and vocational formation workshops for college students, including taking SMCCCD students on an international service-learning experience to Antigua, Guatemala, and leading four short-term study abroad programs. She has led two short-term study abroad programs to South Africa, one to Costa Rica, and co-led a program to Ghana. Through her travels and experiences, she’s acquired deep insights into the acculturation and adaptation process of living and working in cultures different from her own culture. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading a good book, and finding creative ways to rest!

Meet Professor Frederick Gaines

Frederick Gaines has been the Chair of Ethnic Studies since 2008 at the College of San Mateo (CSM) in San Mateo, California, and has worked in higher education since 1998. For 10 years, he worked as an adjunct professor at several community colleges including Contra Costa College, City College of San Francisco, Solano Community College, College of Alameda, and also San Francisco State University. Before he transitioned to higher education, he was the Principal of Walden Academy which was a part of a therapeutic community for adolescents. He served as the Educational Coordinator at Samaritan House, as Coordinator of the Urban Institute’s Stay-In School Family Resource Center at San Francisco State University, and as Executive Director of Aspire, a college prep and after-school program in North Central San Mateo. Frederick was born and raised in Prague, OK, and attended High School at Putnam City High School in Oklahoma City, where he excelled in football and received a scholarship to play college football at Wichita State University. There he earned his B.A. in psychology. He later earned his M.A. in Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University and his doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of California at Davis. His research interest includes the African-American Male Community College Athlete and the African-American Male in higher education. He has taught a variety of Ethnic Studies courses which include: Asian-American Studies, Latin-American Studies, African American Cinema, Black Leadership Theory, The Evolution of Hip-Hop Culture, Black Leadership, and African-American History and Culture. He also served as Co-Coordinator of the Umoja Learning Community at CSM from its inception to 2023 (10 years). He has been married for over 31 years to Jamie and has three adult children: Chrissa - USC graduate, Freddie - CSM, Cal Poly Graduate and Tiger – CSM graduate and presently attending U.C. Berkeley.