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Cape Town - Health, Culture & Development
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Academics
We offer unique courses that explore Health Studies, Sociology, Cultural and African Studies, Political Science, Psychology, and more through an in-depth and hands-on approach. These courses will include comparative perspectives based on Southern African examples. Our world-class professors enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.
While in Cape Town, you take 15 credits per semester; all courses are worth 3 credits unless otherwise specified.
Courses
This is a list of planned course offerings. A final list of course offerings will be made available to you in your MyIESabroad account.
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| LT/AF 314 - The Literature of Change | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| PO/HS/AF 352 - Power & Protest: Apartheid to Present | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AN/SO 321 - Childhood & Youth | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| WS/AN/GS 215 - Sexuality and Gender | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| HE/GE/ES 320 - Environment, Health & Development | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| HE/GE/ES 320 - Environment, Health & Development | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| SO/GE/HE 332 - The Impact of Globalization on Health & Development | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| WS/AN/GS 215 - Sexuality and Gender | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| HE/GE/ES 320 - Environment, Health & Development | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| SO/GE/HE 332 - The Impact of Globalization on Health & Development | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| SO/HE 323 - Endemic Diseases & Their Socioeconomic Context | Fall, Spring, Summer | English | 3 |
| SO/HE 347 - Health & Community | Fall, Spring, Summer | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PO/HS/AF 352 - Power & Protest: Apartheid to Present | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| LT/AF 314 - The Literature of Change | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PO/HS/AF 352 - Power & Protest: Apartheid to Present | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| SO/PO 327 - The Narrative of the Rainbow Nation: A Political History of Post-Apartheid South Africa | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AN/SO 321 - Childhood & Youth | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| SO/GE/HE 332 - The Impact of Globalization on Health & Development | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| SO/HE 323 - Endemic Diseases & Their Socioeconomic Context | Fall, Spring, Summer | English | 3 |
| SO/HE 347 - Health & Community | Fall, Spring, Summer | English | 3 |
| SO/PO 327 - The Narrative of the Rainbow Nation: A Political History of Post-Apartheid South Africa | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| WS/AN/GS 215 - Sexuality and Gender | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
Field Trips & Events
Even though your adventure begins in Cape Town, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country and beyond. In addition to trips and activities in and around Cape Town (such as a walking tour of Langa Township, a trip around Cape Peninsula, a District Six Cycling Tour, and a visit to Robben Island), the Eastern Neighbors field trip and Northern Neighbors field trip open you up to a range of cultures and experiences in and out of South Africa. Both the Eastern Neighbors and Northern Neighbors field trips are fully subsidized by IES Abroad and are included in your program fee. There is also the optional Garden Route Trip, which takes place at the beginning of the program and is partially subsidized by IES Abroad:
Garden Route
3 Days | Orientation
This optional, partially subsidized trip takes place shortly after orientation. Travel along the southern coastline of South Africa, better known as the Garden Route. Explore the Cango Cave system, and visit an ostrich farm and an animal sanctuary. Experience the beauty and diversity of the South African landscape as you hike and canoe along the Garden Route.
Eastern Neighbors Trip
8-10 Days | Mid-semester
Experience a range of Southern African cultures. Starting in Durban, you explore South Africa’s third largest city, cycle along its beachfront promenade, and learn about the city’s strong Indian identity. From here you make your way inland through the Valley of a Thousand Hills where you visit an HIV/AIDS-focused community organization before heading into the Drakensberg Mountains. Next you enter into the Kingdom of Lesotho (a mountainous landlocked country within South Africa’s borders). You then head north to Zululand, where you’ll learn more about the rich Zulu culture and history. You then visit community and public health projects in the little country of Swaziland, and enter Mozambique to see its beauty and learn about its unique cultural identity, before finally returning to Cape Town.
The cost for this trip is included in the cost for the program.
Northern Neighbors Trip
5 Days | Near end of semester
This field trip begins by flying to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, one of Southern Africa’s most exciting adventure hubs. Here you visit Mosi-ao-Tunya one of the world’s largest waterfalls at roughly twice the size of Niagara Falls. You will learn about Zimbabwean culture and taste some of the country’s delicious food. You then head west and cross the border into Botswana. In the town of Kasane, you enjoy a sunset cruise on the river that marks the border between Botswana and Namibia. The next day you board safari vehicles and head into Chobe National Park to see the game reserve’s famous elephants, as well as lions, hippos, giraffes and other wildlife. The field trip concludes in Johannesburg.
The cost for this trip is included in the cost for the program.
Daily Life
Part of making you feel at home in Cape Town is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it is an orientation program that makes you feel prepared, housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the field trips and walking tours that take you to places off the beaten path— we’re all about our student services.
Orientation
The program begins with an orientation that introduces you to the IES Abroad Cape Town staff, your fellow students, academic matters, and the city of Cape Town and its surrounding areas.
Orientation continues with an optional trip along the Garden Route, the southern coastline of South Africa, where you explore cave systems, visit beautiful beaches, canoe, hike, and experience the breathtaking beauty of the South African landscape. During our orientation, you also enjoy a scenic drive through parts of Cape Town and a visit to a local township led by members of that community.
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience CORE™ begins right when you arrive and continues throughout the semester with activities focusing on cultural adjustment, goal achievement, and preparing for the return home.
Detailed information about housing, public transportation, culture, health and safety, and other important topics are also covered.
Housing
Residence Hall - Live in a private residence hall with IES Abroad, South African, and other international students. Students live in a furnished single room with a kitchenette, private bathroom, and a digital safe is provided. Living spaces are shared, and there is a gym on site. Internet access is available. Meals are not included.
An IES Abroad Resident Assistant lives in or by your residence, and can serve as a great resource for tips on integrating into the local culture.
Get to Know Your New City
Hit the Beach(es)!
Cape Town has miles of coastline and beautiful white sand beaches. Clifton and Camps Bay beaches are some of our favorites!
See the Waves Crash Against Cape Point
Stand on the most southwesterly point in Africa and enjoy the spectacular clifftop views. If you're lucky, you may see an ostrich or baboon!
Meet the Penguins
You'll come face to face with adorable residents of Boulders Beach!
Relax in Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden
Nestled at the foot of Table Mountain, this spectacular garden is the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic, catch an outdoor concert, or just take a contemplative walk.
Climb Table Mountain
No stay in Cape town is complete without taking in the views from the top of this iconic mountain. If the hike up sounds too daunting, you can take a leisurely ride to the top of the cableway.
Program Cost
Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.
Scholarships & Aid
Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Our Center
The IES Abroad Cape Town Center is supported by IES Abroad staff, and is a place where students can stop by and talk to staff, use WiFi, pick up their mail, and study in the Student Lounge. IES Abroad courses are also offered in the Center classroom, and special guest lectures and other events may be held in the Center space. The Center is conveniently located in a central location close to the University of Cape Town on the slope of Devil’s Peak.
Features at our Center include:
- Reception area
- Student Lounge
- Kitchen
- Classrooms
- Meeting space
- Staff offices
Our Staff
David Reiersgord
Interim Center Director
David Reiersgord is the Interim Center Director and Academic Manager at IES Abroad Cape Town. He holds a Master of Arts in English Literature from Stellenbosch University, where his thesis focused on metaphors of narrative in South African author Marlene van Niekerk’s novels Triomf (1995) and Agaat (2004). He has taught in the English and Linguistics Departments at the University of Stellenbosch, as part of the Extended Degree Programme, and worked as the Assistant Director of AIFS – Stellenbosch, with American exchange students. His research interests are in South African politics, fiction, narrative form, narrative temporalities, non-human histories and the relationship between the individual and the nation. He writes political commentary in South Africa’s online publication Daily Maverick, and reviews books in South Africa’s print newspaper Business Day.
IES Abroad Cape Town Staff
Devonne Bobbert
Short Programmes Manager
Jody Felton
Housing & Office Manager
Health & Safety
With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter what time zone you’re in.
In response to COVID-19, enhanced safety guidelines will be implemented this year—such as social distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) in on-site classes, in-country field trips and travel only, and apartment or residence hall housing (no homestays) that ensures proper space should self-quarantining be necessary.
How We Support You
We plan for "what if" so that you don't have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.
Learn more about the support you can expect to receive on our programs, including:
- International health insurance through CISI in the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional
- 24/7 emergency support whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city
- Location-specific health and safety information presented at orienation by on-site staff
- TripTracker system allowing you to share independent travel plans in case you need to be contacted swiftly in a crisis
- A mandatory cell phone policy so that you can be contacted locally and receive any emergency updates via call or text
- Crisis drills so that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise
- And more!
Health & Safety Resources
You safety begins with being accurately informed from the moment you're considering study abroad through to the day you return home.
Take note of ways you can maintain your health and stay safe abroad while reviewing our resources, including:
- IES Abroad MAP for Student Health, Safety & Crisis Management
- Study Abroad Safety Tips for Traveling
- IES Abroad Student Blogs on Safety and Mental Health
- And more!
AT A GLANCE
Latest from Cape Town
Contact a Past Student
From budgeting tips to housing insight, IES Abroad Ambassadors volunteer their study abroad and internship experiences and advice.
