Ten students from the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Department of Political Sciences were recently hosted by the University of Notre Dame (UND) in Indiana for a study tour of the US. As the largest student cohort from UP’s Faculty of Humanities on an international study tour, this visit formed part of an ongoing exchange programme that highlights UP’s commitment to fostering global partnerships and academic excellence.

The first phase of this initiative took place in March when UND students, led by Professor Jaimie Bleck, visited South Africa to experience its rich academic and socio-cultural landscape.

This latest exchange, which took place between 26 August and 2 September, is a core component of the Ties That Bind South Africa and the US programme, spearheaded by UP’s African Centre for the Study of the United States (ACSUS-UP). A teaching, research and outreach project on equity, social justice and social cohesion, the programme is designed to build bridges between the two nations by exploring common connections between them. This entails creating opportunities for students and faculty to engage and share knowledge on best practices to deal with shared challenges in the project’s thematic areas.

“Both the US and South Africa share long-standing struggles for equity, social justice and social cohesion,” said Prof Christopher Isike, Director of ACSUS-UP and leader of the UP group to UND. “Our collaborative project with the University of Notre Dame aims to build a bridge between our countries' educational institutions, providing a platform for students and faculty to co-create knowledge and engage with the nuances of these shared challenges, while fostering solutions for meaningful change in our communities.”

During their stay, UP students Tshepo Sebeela , Himani Brijlal, Gabriella Lourens, Tristyn Denempont, Mosebetsi Khobotlo, Tony Oche, Nonhlanhla Ndimande , Makissi Kouadio,  Angela Kapato, and Xanthe Gitting visited South Bend and Chicago, blending academic enquiry with cultural exploration. The group immersed themselves in the vibrant academic life at UND, attending classes on globalisation and Africana studies, where they explored topics that resonate with South Africa and other plural societies globally.

University of Pretoria students and Prof Isike at the University of Notre Dame

A key academic highlight was a lecture by Prof Darren Davis on the racially motivated aspects of the 6 January 2021 riot at Capitol Building, which offered UP students’ insight into the societal divisions that shape the American political landscape. The discussions fostered in these spaces, including at the Initiative on Race and Resilience centre at UND, reflect the goals of the Ties That Bind programme, which seeks to create a platform for meaningful cross-cultural engagement and co-learning to enable change.

The intellectual engagements also included paper presentations by UP students starting with a compelling presentation by Tony Oche titled ‘The othering of worldviews in the Indo-Pacific space’, which sparked critical discussions on global identity and power dynamics, broadening students' understanding of international relations and geopolitical issues. This was followed by a panel presentation by two UP master’s students, Angela Kapato and Mosebetsi Khobotlo, who captivated the audience with their thought-provoking insights. Kapato’s presentation examined whether climate finance for transitioning to greener energy truly reflects the realities and needs of African countries, underscoring the need for more localised solutions. Khobotlo followed with an exploration of how mobile money is challenging traditional financial systems like SWIFT, highlighting innovative financial developments within African political economies.

The exchange programme extended beyond academic walls, providing students with an immersive cultural experience in South Bend and Chicago. For example, in South Bend, the group met with local government leaders and learned about social and economic initiatives during a visit to the mayor’s office. They also visited the Studebaker National Museum in South Bend following a tour of the city. In Chicago, the group explored the city’s rich heritage, with a public art tour of the Pilsen neighbourhood where they experience the vibrant spirit of the Mexican community, and a visit to the historic Bronzeville neighbourhood, a hub of African-American culture and history. Their cultural experience culminated in an evening at the Chicago Jazz Festival in Millennium Park, further broadening their understanding of the city’s dynamic arts scene.

“It was an absolute privilege to visit the University of Notre Dame and Chicago,” said Gabriella Lourens, an honours student in International Relations at UP. “It was a thrilling, eye-opening experience that illustrated our differences and similarities with our American counterparts. In exploring each other’s realities, I feel as if we have made lifelong connections and friendships.”

On the side of the hosts, the value of the exchange was echoed by UND student Jack Verrill.

“In my class, Globalisation in the US and Africa, we were joined by students from the University of Pretoria,” he said. “We engaged in meaningful discussions about cultural exchange, technological advancement and economic interdependence. My time with them will be a highlight of my time at Notre Dame.”

This study tour is an example of UP’s commitment to fostering global partnerships, creating opportunities for students to engage in international academic and cultural exchange. Through initiatives like ACSUS-UP’s Ties That Bind programme, the University continues to enhance its global footprint, offering students transformative experiences that not only broaden their academic horizons but also prepare them to become leaders in an interconnected world.