Namibia (Africa)

Namibia, Africa

Contact the Program Director

Dr. Dennis Wilson

Life Science Department
P: 480-654-7731
Office: RDM S - 264
dennis.wilson@mesacc.edu

 

A valid passport is required to travel abroad. Passport Info Here

May 20-June 14, 2024

A trek through the wilds of Africa will probably be the single most adventurous and exciting thing that you will ever do! In true safari style, you’ll travel Namibia in 4x4's, exploring Africa’s amazing wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, unique people and ecosystems. Click here for our route map.  Accomodations will be a mixture of camping, hostels, and bed and breakfasts.

Namibia is located on the southwestern coast of Africa, sharing borders with South Africa and Botswana to the east and Angola to the north. Namibia's landscape includes open grasslands, pans, dry riverbeds and dense woodlands. See a map here. Namibia has the oldest desert in the world, the Namib, a long coastline dotted with ship wrecks and diamond mines, as well as abundant wildlife.

You’ll visit Etosha National Park with Africa’s big five (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard), come face to face with cheetahs at the Cheetah Conservation Fund, track desert elephants with the EHRA, stay at a Himba village, bushcamp in the world's oldest desert. By exploring the wildlife, flora, people, and landscapes of Namibia you’ll learn about global conservation, biodiversity and environmental issues, as well as the impact of expanding human populations and climate change. You’ll use field techniques to census wildlife and examine environmental topics such as biodiversity loss.

With a mix of wilderness bush camping, rest camps, relaxing starlight campfires, BBQ’s, and unique wildlife everywhere, this will be the learning adventure of a lifetime! But you’ll also have down time for optional activities like dune surfing and adventure sports at Swakopmund on Namibia’s coast.

Summer Courses You Will Take During Program

  • 5 credit program - Registration for courses will begin in March.
  • BIO105: LEC 17124 & LAB 17188 Environmental Biology Lec/Lab (4 cr) [SQ]; requires $10 lab fee
  • BIO149SV: 17045 Field Biology: Ecological and Environmental Field Experience - Birds of Namibia (1 cr)
    • Instructor: Andy Bridges
  • Field of Interest: STEM
  • REQUIRED predeparture coursework in person at MCC Red Mountain campus or live online during week of May 13-17, 2024.
  • Mandatory study abroad orientation on Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 9 am - 2 pm at MCC.
  • Gear checklist for trip

Namibia Program Excursions

Namibia Program Details

Did You Know?

  • Namibia is safe, politically stable, and the people are very friendly.
  • Namibia is the driest country in sub-Saharan Africa. Only 1 percent of the land is classified as suitable for farming.
  • Namibia has adopted a unique conservation model where the local people own land and the wildlife that wanders onto that land.
  • To help unify Namibians, the government chose English as its official language and the language of instruction in schools while also recognizing 10 Indigenous African national languages spoken by the major ethnic groups.
  • Namibia's Fish River Canyon is among the largest canyons in the world.
  • The root of the country’s name is “Namib,” which is the world-famous desert that runs along the western side of the country, largely adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Currency used is the Namibian dollar (sign: N$; code: NAD)
  • Read detailed cultural information on Namibia provided by CultureGrams™(2023). CultureGrams Online Edition. ProQuest.

Estimated Program Costs & Deadlines

Expense Type Estimated Cost Deadline

Program Fee
Includes lodging, academic facilities, cultural excursions, in-country ground transportation, and secondary medical insurance.

$2,757

Program Fee Due: March 22, 2024

$250 Confirmation Deposit Due (towards total program fee): upon acceptance

Confirmation deposit is non-refundable after the program fee payment deadline.

Registration Fee

BIO105 Course Fee

Tuition: 5 credits
In-state: $97 per credit hour
Out-of-state: $217 per credit hour ($1,100 incl registration fee)

$ 15

$ 10

$ 485

Airfare (estimated cost) $1,800

Your program director will provide you with instructions on purchasing airfare for your program. Only after you have received these instructions should you purchase airfare.

Meals

Most meals are included in program fee but some are on your own.

$ 50 Not needed until you land in Namibia!
Himba Village Visit $ 22 Not needed until you land in Namibia!
TOTAL Estimated Costs $5,139 (program fee, tuition, airfare and meals, etc.)
 
ADDITIONAL COSTS    
Camping Gear $ See gear list Download the gear list.
Textbooks $ 0 None required
Passport

Passport Information Available HereYour passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the date of your return to the USA.

$165/130
(new/renewal)
  • Be sure to allow at least 14-18 weeks of processing time for first time applicants and renewals.
  • Visit the U.S. Department of State website for current fees and processing times.

Program Application Deadline

Space is limited.  Apply early to reserve your place!

If program reaches full capacity, you will be put on a waitlist.

 
  • Application Deadline: March 1, 2024
  • Now accepting 2024 applications; currently at waitlist status
  • Complete online application.
  • Late applications will be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
  • Applications are reviewed/approved on a rolling basis.

Scholarships and Funding Your Program

Title Date(s) More Information

International Education
Scholarship

IE Study Abroad Scholarship

  • Does NOT require FAFSA but helps!
  • Award Range: $250-$900
  • If you are receiving financial aid from another MCCCD college, please share your FAFSA with MCC (school code 001077) two weeks prior to scholarship deadline.
  • Students applying for the International Education Scholarship will also be considered for the Maricopa Grant, if applicable.

Maricopa Grant

  • England/Scotland and Puerto Peñasco programs excluded

Deadline: Saturday, February 11, 2023

Spring 2024 deadline TBA

Get information on financial aid & grants, scholarships, and misc. resources for study abroad here.

PRIOR to applying for a scholarship, student must:

  • Be accepted into your study abroad program. Apply early!
  • Pay the program deposit of $250 online, at Cashier Services, or by calling 480.461.7400.
  • IE Study Abroad Scholarship awards will be announced via email in late February.
  • Maricopa Grants announced in mid-April-May when Summer financial aid begins awarding.

STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Scholarship Portal

Keyword Search: Study Abroad Program at Mesa Community College

CashCourse
This free online resource is a great place to go for money management info, tips, calculators, articles, worksheets, and quizzes that can assist you in achieving financial success now and in the future.
Take advantage of this great resource for Mesa Community College students to help budget for your study abroad program!

How To Register For Your Free CashCourse Account

1. Go to https://www.cashcourse.org/

2. Click on "Register for a Free Account" under the Students circle.

3. Fill in all of the required information fields and click Register.

Be sure to check out the Financial Tools. The Budget Wizard is an easy-to-use tool to start tracking where your money is going.

Title Date(s) More Information

Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

Students apply through the college they are receiving financial aid from.

Gilman Scholarship Highlights

Maximum Award: $5,000

October Application Deadline
1st Thursday of October (awards announced by December)

March Application Deadline
1st Thursday of March (awards announced by May)

March 7, 2024
11:59 PM PST

Application NOW OPEN!

GILMAN SCHOLARSHIP WORKSHOP

Come learn how to write essays for the Gilman International Scholarship!

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Review information presented at workshop!

  • Must be a Pell Grant recipient.  Students apply indicating the school they are receiving their Pell Grant funding from. If you are not a receiving Pell Grant funding through MCC, you must apply for the Gilman through the school that you are receiving financial aid from.
  • Applications are reviewed holistically, with consideration of the following selection criteria. View Gilman Presentation here!
  • Review Gilman Essays Writing Tips.
  • Review Gilman Brainstorming Worksheet to help articulate ideas to frame your essays.
  • Review writing resources for ideas on crafting your Statement of Purpose:
  • Bring your draft to the Writing Center and get feedback on how to polish your "diamond in the rough"!
  • For application instructions, review this walkthrough video.
  • Watch videos of Gilman scholars abroad, alumni interviews, and tips from advisors and application reviewers on YouTube.
  • Note for Gilman application: For Program Administrator, select Mesa Community College

Gilman-McCain Scholarship

Gilman-McCain OverView

Maximum Award: $5,000

October Application Deadline
1st Thursday of October (awards announced by December)
11:59 PM PST

January Application Deadline

Thursday, January 4, 2024
11:59 pm PST

Application cycle NOW OPEN!

 
  • Must be a child dependent of an active/activated US military personnel during time of application.
  • Must be a Title IV federal financial aid recipient.  Title IV funds include:
    • Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans
    • Direct PLUS Loans
    • Federal Pell Grants
    • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOGs)
    • Federal Perkins Loans
  • Use the same Gilman application system as other Gilman Scholarship applicants.  Applicants will simply confirm that they are child dependent of an active duty military member of the U.S. Armed Forces (Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy, Navy Reserve, Space Force, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and USPHS Commissioned Corps).
  • If a student is receiving a Federal Pell Grant and is also a child dependent of an active duty military member, then the student is eligible for both Gilman scholarships and will automatically be considered for both but eligible to receive only one. If they are selected for the Gilman-McCain Scholarship, then they will no longer be considered for the Gilman Scholarship.
Title Date(s) More Information

A New Leaf Assets to Opportunity (ATO)

A match savings program designed to help individuals save their own money in a special savings account and have their money matched for tuition, textbooks, and some study abroad program expenses with an 8:1 match.

Deadline:
Contact A New Leaf

ATO@turnanewleaf.org

Eligibility:

  • Must have earned income
  • Be a resident of Arizona
  • Income must be at or below 200% of federal poverty line
  • Commit to saving $500 and saving for at least 3 months
  • Commit to making $30 deposits twice per month
  • Complete a financial wellness workshop and any other program requirements
  • Contact: ATO@turnanewleaf.org
Title Date(s) More Information
MCC Honors Program
Study Abroad Scholarship

Deadline:  2024 TBA

Maximum Award: $250-$500

If you are a current MCC Honors Program student in good standing, you can apply for up to a $500 study abroad scholarship!

For more information, call 480.461.7143.

Honors Program Study Abroad Scholarship Application

Information Sessions & Mandatory Orientation

Title Date(s) and Time More Information

Virtual

General Information Sessions

Playback of webinar on Nov. 18, 2022 during International Education Week

https://maricopa.webex.com/recordingservice/sites/maricopa/recording/ee8...

Recording Password: 5mE6StzU

For any questions, please contact studyabroad@mesacc.edu or the individual faculty program directors listed at: https://www.mesacc.edu/study-abroad/contact-us

Financial Aid Contact Information

Financial Aid FAQS

At Southern & Dobson, contact Adela Bob at 480.461.7436 or at adela.bob@mesacc.edu.

At Red Mountain, contact Tori Stanton in Financial Aid at 480.654.7760 or at tori.stanton@mesacc.edu.

Mandatory Orientation

Sat., April 13, 2024

9 am - 2 pm

Room LB145 in the Elsner Library at the Southern & Dobson campus.

You must attend the mandatory study abroad orientation!
There may be additional required meetings for your specific program. Contact the Program Director for details.