Since 2005 a group of University of Florida (UF) students visits South Africa as part of a study abroad program. This year some nineteen students were again at UP in May with their Professor, Todd Leedy.

These students were selected for bursaries from among the top secondary school matriculants in Florida. They hail from a wide range of study directions including engineering, natural sciences, health sciences, business administration, humanities and social sciences. According to Prof Todd Leedy the coordinator and leader of the program these students represent the broad values of the UF honors program.

As part of their program the UF students attended a series of lectures covering the history of South Africa presented by Prof Karen Harris from the Department of Historical and Heritage Studies as well as seminars by Roland Henwood of the Department of Political Sciences. The purpose of these sessions is to expose the students to the workings of South African society. Both professors were exceedingly impressed with the caliber and interest shown by these students in the courses they presented.

The UF students also engage with the Centre for Sexualities, Aids and Gender Studies, take UP Campus Tours, are introduced to the postgraduate students from the Department of Historical and Heritage Studies at a UP-UF braai/barbeque and also visit a range of cultural, natural and historical sites in Gauteng and Northwest provinces.

After the conclusion of the programme at UP, the program will move to Cape Town where there are additional opportunities for cultural exchange.