For the first time since 2019, seven students and a professor from Cal State San Bernardino will embark on a study-abroad trip to South Africa this summer.

As with many faculty-led trips, there will be much to learn. For three weeks, from May 27-June 18, they will explore the history of South Africa, and learn about the current political and social environment and what makes the country unique.

The delegation also hopes to be able to do a little bit of good while there. Led by Tiffany Jones, professor of history, the students will visit an orphanage and an HIV/AIDS wellness center.

In 2018, with Jones, and 2019, with Kelly Campbell, now interim vice provost for Academic Affairs, CSUSB students visited the Othandweni Family Care Centre, a nonprofit orphanage in Soweto, Gauteng, and donated diapers, wipes and crafts from money that was raised prior to the trips.

Just as they have in the previous trips, Jones and the students will visit the orphanage, and the professor has established a GoFundMe account to once again purchase much needed supplies to the center.

On the GoFundMe webpage, Jones wrote that “there are many orphans in South Africa due to the high rates of HIV/AIDS and disease that leave children without parents.” Once the CSUSB delegation arrives in South Africa, Jones wrote that they will “ask the center what they need and then use the money to purchase things like diapers, wipes, food, toys etc., whatever they request.”

For more information about study abroad programs, visit the CSUSB Education Abroad webpage.