HU Zulu in South Africa (HUZISA) Study Abroad Program

HUZISA 2026 will be an immersion into the dynamic world of the Zulu language (isiZulu) and the people who speak it (AmaZulu) in South Africa. Through hands-on participation and observation of both urban and rural use of the Zulu language, students will be fully immersed in organized community service that addresses local needs, while developing Zulu language skills. 

HUZISA is open to all Howard University and non-Howard University students of any major.

The HUZISA program will last for 6 weeks and take place in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, in both urban and rural settings. Activities for the program will focus on the language, history, and culture of the Zulu people in the following location-specific phases: 

• KwaZulu-Natal: urban and peri-urban phase (Durban and surrounding areas) 
• Kwazulu-Natal: rural and semi-rural phase (Greytown, Ulundi, and Kwa-Nongoma)
• Gauteng: cosmopolitan phase (Soweto, Johannesburg and Pretoria)

This program enables you to:

• Begin or complete your foreign language requirement 
• Earn up to an equivalent of 6 credit hours of Zulu language 
• Enhance your language proficiency skills through total immersion 
• Get hands-on exposure to Zulu Kingdom culture and tradition
• Use Zulu language with local people
• Engage in cultural and educational excursions 
• Tour and enjoy the rich cultural and historical Kenyan coast 
• Take a tour historical sites in Zululand, Johannesburg, and Pretoria.

Non-HU credit option: $7,500  
Note: Students seeking HU credit are required to pay an additional $4,749 in HU tuition 

The program fee covers: 

• Tuition and full board accommodation
• Round-trip airfare, airport pick-up & drop off
• Administrative, fieldtrips & local transport fees
• Homestay with a host family
• Excursions
• Travel insurance

The program fee does not include:

Personal expenses, HU tuition, visa, passport and immunizations costs.

There is limited summer funding from the Center for African Studies that HU students may apply for up to $4,500 to support their trip.

For other funding opportunities, please check out the following links:

• https://coas.howard.edu/financial-support-through-coas-scholarships
• https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/program/program-overview/

• January 31: Application deadline
• February 14: Acceptance Notification
• March 14: Passport and Visa Processing
• April 20: Pre-departure preparations begin
• May 11: Final payment deadline
• May 22: Summer session I at HU begins
• May 31: Departure for South Africa
• July 12:  Return to the United States

The program will take place during Summer Session I, in South Africa from June 1 to July 12, 2026. The program will last for six weeks, with about three weeks in KwaZulu-Natal, on the coast and inland, and three weeks in Gauteng (Johannesburg and Pretoria). Students will also visit Zulu Kingdom cultural sites to learn more about the target culture. Students will live in a hotel / apartment, as well Home Stays.

PROGRAM FEES: $7,500

If you do not have a scholarship, please submit your payments to Program Coordinator in Locke Hall 350. Checks should be made payable to Howard University per each payment you make as recommended below:

February 15: Application fee - $250
March 15: First payment - $2,250
April 12: Second payment - $1,400
May 2: Third payment - $1,400
May 12: Final payment - $1,300
 

NOTE:  HU TUITION:  $4,749