For the first time, communication students have the opportunity to earn six transferable units in Cape Town, South Africa and London over the summer.

The program, which takes place from July 9 to July 27, will teach the courses COMM 121 – Interpersonal Communication and COMM 151 – Intercultural Communication.

“If you go to some of the more frequently traveled destinations, culture shock is not quite as big,” said Carola Smith, director of International Programs. “For this destination, there will be culture shock and it will be great to learn about culture, history and politics.”

Academic excursions include the District Six Museum, Robben Island and a tour of the University of Cape Town.

Students will be welcomed to Cape Town with an African meal and traditional entertainment, such as African drumming sessions.

They will explore places like Table Mountain and Langa Township. A three-day field trip to Cape of Good Hope is made, with entrance to a nature reserve, followed by a trip to Boulder’s Beach to visit a penguin colony.

“Students will be asked to do most of the reading ahead of time,” Smith said. “Time will be spent going on excursions and actually going into the community.”

They will travel to London during the last weekend and visit famous attractions like the Tower of London.

“It’s a very integrated teaching approach,” said Smith. “It’s much more applied than in a classroom setting.”

The program costs $4,245, not including personal expenses. Housing is provided in a multi-bedded room in a student lodge in Cape Town and a hotel in London.

“I felt excited to go, but the price of the program discouraged me,” said nursing major Vanessa Rason.

Communication professor Dr. Carrie Hutchinson will direct the program. She has been the brain behind multiple study abroad programs in the past.

The program deadline is April 5. Early applications are strongly encouraged, since space is limited and the program might fill before the deadline.

For more information about the program, visit www.sbcc.edu/studyabroad.