GSE South Africa Initiative

The Rutgers Graduate School of Education (GSE) South Africa Initiative (SAI) is an interdisciplinary program that facilitates international contacts among United States and South African educators. This website features the accounts, experiences and current efforts of students, faculty, alumni, teachers and colleagues who have participated in our study tours since 2001.   Working collaboratively with our U.S. partners, 57 Main Street Imports, Johnson & Johnson and GAR Products, this initiative has generated a great deal of excitement here and abroad.
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<u>MISSION / VISION STATEMENT </u><br>
We are committed to educating students for responsible global citizenship in ways that deepen their learning and improve the quality of the world community.  SAI envisions educators as vital agents and architects of a diverse democracy and works with business and educational institutions to further cross-national considerations of educational issues.

The GSE’s South African Initiative has grown considerably over the past six years due to the hard work of its co-founders, Dr. Darren Clarke, Dr. Jim Giarelli and Mr. Peter Morales.  In the fall of 2001, Dr. Clarke, Executive Director of Continuing Education & Global Programs, and Professor Giarelli conceived of a program for students and educators to facilitate international contact and to further cross-national considerations of educational issues.  They found a willing and enthusiastic partner in Mr. Peter Morales, President/CEO of 57 Main Street Imports a leading importer and marketer of South African wines in the US.  The  initial 15-day course "Special Problems in Educational Theory" culminated with visits to farm schools that were located on the wine estates whose wine products were marketed in the United States by 57 Main Street Imports.  Together they have made an impact in several schools throughout the Western Cape. This study tour experience was just the beginning of what we now call the South Africa Initiative (SAI).

Over 100 “alumni" have taken part in the Study Tour and Fulbright-Hays GPA trips. They’ve come from several locations throughout the tri-state area and represent various professions such as administrators, teachers, students, law enforcement officers and engineers just to name a few.  Participant academic projects have focused on a variety of topics including the development of multicultural competencies, narratives of hope, science and mathematics, aesthetics and culture, the public nature of South African institutions of higher education, special education policy and practice in South African schools, as well as several projects involving the development of curriculum materials for teaching about South Africa in US schools.

Our field placement options have also grown from just a few hours in two schools to several days in six placements throughout the Western, Guateng and Northern Cape.

Partners

	57 Main Street Imports October  9, 2007
	A global marketer and wine importer that represents selections from the prestigious areas of Argentina, Italy, South Africa and Spain. The company's president and CEO, Mr. Peter Morales, is one of SAI's visionaries.
	GAR Products October  9, 2007
	This New Jersey-based furniture company has been a family-owned and operated corporation since 1956. It specializes in quality seating, table tops, and table bases for the hospitality and design industries.
	Groote Post Estate October  9, 2007
	A historic 18th century farm on the Cape's West Coast where winemaking traditions have been revived.
	Johnson & Johnson October  5, 2007
	Seidelberg Estate October  9, 2007
	Seidelberg Estate is situated on the western slopes of Paarl Mountain and borders unto the Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve.