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...

IES Abroad students will live in a private student residence. Students living in the residence hall will occupy single rooms with a private bathroom and kitchenette. IES Abroad will provide students with a "starter pack" containing basic eating and cooking utensils to use over the term (you will be charged for any lost or damaged items in the starter pack at the end of the term). There will an IES Abroad RA who will live in or by the residence. There are no meal plans for residence halls. Rooms are furnished with: Bed Bed linens Chair Wardrobe Desk Digital safe (provided by IES Abroad) Wifi L...

Book a flight that will arrive in Cape Town between 7am and 11pm on the official arrival date. If you cannot book a flight that arrives within the pickup window, contact your IES Abroad advisor right away to discuss options. Before departing for South Africa, exchange USD$100 (or its equivalent) into Rand in order to cover incidental expenses during your first few days on the program. You may also use your ATM card at an ATM inside the Cape Town airport to withdraw cash in Rand before you leave the airport. If your luggage is delayed, call the IES Abroad Cape Town Emergency phone number and...

Upon arrival, you will participate in IES Abroad's orientation program in Cape Town. The orientation program will introduce you to the city and will provide important information on IES Abroad policies and procedures, safety, security, academics, banking matters, and will tell you more about Cape Town and South Africa. Some meals will be provided.

While in Cape Town, you will take a total of 15 credit hours per semester, with 5 IES Abroad area studies courses (required, 3 credits each). Classes are scheduled five days each week and attendance is required. You must come to class prepared, complete written assignments outside of classes, and complete rigorous assignments at the midterm and end of each course. All midterms, finals, and papers are required. Under no circumstances will exam schedules be modified, or special arrangements be made to accommodate independent travel. All IES Abroad courses have a formal syllabus that details what...

Daily commuting is a reality for all who live in or near Cape Town. You will live very close to the Cape Town IES Abroad Center as well as the University Jammie Shuttle bus. This is a free service for UCT students (and our HCD students) that transports students from the neighboring areas to stops in Upper, Middle and Lower Campuses.

Currency The Rand (ZAR) is the currency of the Republic of South Africa. It is also used in neighboring countries, Namibia, Swaziland and Lesotho. It is subdivided into 100 cents, with coins in denominations of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and 1-, 2-, and 5-Rand. Bank notes come in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200. Rand and are designed with the images of wildlife species and former president Nelson Mandela. To determine the exchange rate, look in the business section of almost any newspaper or visit a currency converter website, such as www.xe.com. Handling Money Abroad You can get some...

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...

Estimated on-site expenses Item Cost (in Rand) Groceries per week R1,600-2,200 Student restaurant (On campus -- UCT students only; n/a for summer and Health, Culture and Development) R45-95 Restaurants -- Breakfast R65-130 Restaurants -- lunch R75-160 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 Jammie Shuttle (for UCT Students only; n/a for summer and health, culture, and development) Free Uber or Approved Taxi R60-150 per short trip...