Alumni Spotlight: Chelsi Colleton

Why did you decide to study abroad with AIFS at Stellenbosch University?

Chelsi: I found AIFS through a directory at my college's International Office and was instantly excited to learn about their program at Stellenbosch. I've known that I wanted to study abroad since middle school, and I was looking for a destination that was less traditional and would really offer a once in a lifetime opportunity. The Stellenbosch program through AIFS was really affordable and offered a lot of value, especially compared to other programs. AIFS made the whole process extremely easy from applying for a Visa, arranging flights, and the transition into living at the University. An added bonus was the trips that were arranged by AIFS. Already included in the tuition price were day trips to places like Robben Island and Cape Point, as well as a 6 day tour of the Garden Route.

Chelsi riding an African elephant in South Africa

What made your study abroad experience unique and special?

Chelsi: Studying abroad in Stellenbosch was unique because it was so different from what I am used to at my own college. My college is small with only about 1,500 students but Stellenbosch University has almost 27,00 with a large portion being international students. I was able to meet students from around the world and have discussions in my courses that related all of our backgrounds to the subject matter. For example, in a course about the history of South Africa, our teacher talked to us about how each of the countries represented in the class impacted South Africa in some way.

Studying at Stellenbosch was also unique because it pushed me out of my comfort zone and challenged me, which allowed me to learn about myself and grow from the experience. I was extremely far away from my family and friends, which was scary to think about sometimes, but it also made me feel a lot more independent and helped me gain confidence in my ability to things on my own.

Chelsi befriending a lion during her AIFS program

How has this experience impacted your future?

Chelsi: As a Hospitality major I would like to develop a career in the travel/tourism industry. Studying abroad in South Africa has definitely given me an advantage for my career path because I had the opportunity to learn first hand about a number of different cultures. I also had the opportunity to travel throughout South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana which has helped me to better understand the tourism industries in different countries. Also, being able to tell prospective employers that I lived in South Africa for five months has definitely given me an advantage because it shows that I am well-rounded, adventurous, and willing to step beyond my comfort zone and face challenges head on.