About the Fulbright-Hays Zulu GPA

The Fulbright-Hays Zulu Group Project Abroad (GPA) is a federally-funded project for students of Zulu across the nation to participate in an intensive, immersive intermediate-advanced program in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The project is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, with partial support from the University of Pennsylvania. Availability of awards is contingent upon federal funding.

The goals of the Fulbright-Hays Zulu GPA are:

• To contribute to the development and improvement of the study of the Zulu language and culture by providing an opportunity to study the language in an immersive environment in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
• To assist in the development of knowledge, resources, and trained professionals in the Zulu language and African studies
• To develop a pool of experts in Southern Africa to meet academic and career demands

The Fulbright-Hays Zulu GPA offers students an opportunity to advance their language and cultural competency in the Zulu language through interaction with Zulu-speaking faculty, staff, students and families in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The eight-week program combines intensive classroom instruction with host family experience, lecture seminars, outreach cultural activities, and visits to historical and cultural sites. Students spend time in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. They experience total immersion in the language and culture of amaZulu (Zulu people) by interacting with speakers of Zulu language including host families for the entire duration of the program.

The Host Institution: University of Zululand – Indigenous Knowledge Systems Unit, Science Center

The University of Zululand (also known as Ongoye), located in Zululand at KwaDlangezwa near eMpangeni (about 90 miles north of Durban), is the host institution for the Fulbright-Hays Zulu GPA. Situated in the home of amaZulu (Zulu people) right in the community of Zulu speakers, within proximity to major Zulu historical and cultural sites, the University of Zululand renders the opportunity for total immersion in the language and culture of amaZulu. The program is hosted within the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Unit at the Science Center.  Participants can interact with university staff, faculty, and students. They have access to amakhosi (chiefs) and izinduna (local community counselors) and other local community experts and leaders, some of whom work for the university.

The University of Pennsylvania serves as the administrative institution for the program.

Enquiries

Please direct any questions about the Fulbright-Hays Zulu GPA to:

Audrey N Mbeje, Ph.D.
Director, Fulbright-Hays Zulu GPA
University of Pennsylvania
Department of Linguistics
3401-C Walnut Street; Suite 344-C
Philadelphia, PA 19104

E-mail: mbeje@ling.upenn.edu