Students are able to receive letter-sized mail to the IES Abroad Center. If you are shipping a debit or credit card, we recommend that you disguise it as regular mail (i.e., put it in a birthday card or use a cardboard FedEx or UPS envelope). Mail should be addressed to: IES Abroad Cape Town ATTN: Student Name 24C Main Road Rosebank 7700 Cape Town, South Africa We urge family and friends not to ship any packages to you while you are abroad. However, if necessary, packages should be sent to the address above. Please keep in mind that items may get stuck in customs or could be heavily taxed if...

Meeting Local People 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...

Cape Town, known as “The Mother City,” is a place where change is visible. It is a city of contrasts. In many ways, Cape Town, which is the second most populous city in South Africa (over 3.7 million people), could be defined as both developed, and yet under-developed at the same time. It is home to a cosmopolitan city center, comfortable neighborhoods and suburbs, but also to modest bungalows and impoverished suburban townships with informal housing. Due to its multi-ethnic background, Cape Town is a diverse city which offers a wide selection of foods, arts, and activities, all influenced by...

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 Additional 10 gigs of Data...

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 Before departing...

Public Transportation UCT students will be within short walking distance of the University Jammie Shuttle bus. This is a free service for University of Cape Town students and transports students from the neighborhoods to stops in Upper, Middle and Lower Campus. Travel time between your accommodations and the IES Abroad Center may range from 10 to 25 minutes. Please note that Health, Culture, and Development students are not enrolled at the University of Cape Town, but will have Jammie Shuttle access. Please refer to the housing section for more information on commuting.

South Africa's climate is generally mild, lacking in extreme temperatures. Since South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere, seasons are the reverse of what they are in the U.S. Summer occurs between December and February, when the temperature averages 15°C and 35°C (59°F and 95°F); the coolest months are June through August, when temperatures drop to between 3°C and 18°C (38°F and 65°F). In Cape Town, summer time is very casual; students wear shorts and T-shirts to lectures. During the winter season, Cape Town can be cold and rainy, so packing warm sweaters, an umbrella, and raincoat is...

Since electricity operates at a different voltage in South Africa than in the U.S., you will need a transformer in order to use U.S. appliances, unless they have a switch to run on 240. Additionally, you will need an adapter to plug dual-voltage appliances into wall sockets in Cape Town. For this reason, past students have felt it wiser to keep appliances to a minimum. Where possible please try and purchase an adapter prior to leaving the United States, otherwise, you can purchase one on arrival. South Africa utilizes Type M plugs.

U.S. Citizens U.S. citizens are not required to obtain a visa or study permit to study on the IES Abroad Cape Town Summer program. You will receive a tourist stamp in your passport when entering South Africa, which is valid for 90 days. You may be required to show the following upon entrance: Proof of onward travel (round-trip flight itinerary), which means you must have booked your return flight prior to arriving in South Africa; Passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the end of your intended stay in South Africa, with at least two fully unused pages for entry/departure stamps...