For more location-specific tips, check out these packing tips from former IES Abroad students. We strongly recommend that you pack very lightly to South Africa and where possible, limit your luggage as follows: 20kg (44 pounds) for your checked luggage and 7kg (15 pounds) for your carry-on luggage. These are the weight limits set by the local airline which will take you from Cape Town to Johannesburg. If your checked bag weighs more than 20kg, you will need to move some belongings to a second bag. Additional checked bags cost R250 ($20) per bag, per flight. Consider South Africa's climate when...

You have the option to get a local cell phone from a South African provider or bring an unlocked smartphone to insert a South African SIM card. Regardless of your choice, we strongly recommend that you use a smartphone, as the most convenient, reliable, and cost-effective method of transportation in Cape Town is Uber, which requires the use of a smartphone app. In the first or second day of the program, depending on your arrival time and store hours, IES Abroad staff members will assist you with adding credit to your phone (regardless of your choice) so that it is ready for use. Both options...

You will be required to submit the Course Preregistration Form when it becomes available in your MyIESAbroad account. Preregistration is done on a first-come, first-served basis. Please obtain course approval from your current college or university for all courses you intend to take before your departure, especially if you intend to fulfill specific degree requirements with those courses.

Estimated on-site expenses Cost (in Rand) Groceries per week R1,600-2,200 Restaurants -- Breakfast R90-150 Restaurants -- lunch R100-200 Restaurants -- dinner R120-350 Coffee/Soft Drink R25-45 / R15-30 Laundry (washing) R90-200 Movie R75-160 Theatre R100-300 Dance Club Cover Charge R80-300 Museum Fees R60-250 Fitness Club Membership Varies Uber or Approved Taxi R60-150 per short trip Additional 10 gigs of Data (subject to change) R500-700 Key replacement/deposit and security entrance tag to apartment block R800-1500 Cell phone usage Varies* Cell phone top-up (additional cell phone data usage)...

South Africans, especially the student population in Cape Town, are very outgoing, welcoming, and curious about other cultures. Passersby on the street will often greet you with a “Howzit,” and it is polite to return the greeting. You should also expect to receive very direct questions from locals about your country, politics, culture, etc. Joining clubs, or volunteering is a great way to meet new people, and get a deeper glimpse into South African society. In South Africa, you will be exposed to conditions and surroundings that might be completely foreign to you, such as beautiful landscapes...