Study Abroad Programs in Mauritius
Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean. It boasts vibrant reefs, impressive lagoons, and untouched beaches that stretch for miles. It’s located on the southeast coast of Africa. The third largest coral reef in the world surrounds Mauritius, which creates ample and diverse marine life.
Mauritius boats some incredibly diverse wildlife and flora as well, and is known for its peacefulness and freedom. It’s rated the number one country in Africa on the Global Peace Index.
Though the island is small, students will find various topics of study that may interest them. Mauritius is a great study abroad destination for students interested in marine life, wildlife, African studies, and conservation.
Language Immersion
There are numerous amounts of languages spoken in Mauritius, English and French included. There is no official language in Mauritius. Mauritian-Creole, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Mandarin, amongst many other languages, are all spoken in Mauritius.
Learning another language in Mauritius is a great idea for students who wish to immerse themselves in their culture. Students may learn another language as a part of their curriculum, or may choose to take a crash language course on their own while studying in Mauritius.
Semester/Year Programs
- Conservation: This is a wonderful topic for students to study in Mauritius, especially because there is a large coral reef surrounding the island. The coral reef and surrounding species are fragile, and students can study the protection and preservation of them.
- Marine Life: The abundance of marine life around Mauritius makes this a great location for students interested in this area of study.
- Wildlife: Some of the wildlife in Mauritius came very close to extinction in the past. There is a high number of endemic species in Mauritius, and while this number is still quite low due to the country's isolation, it still makes this area of study a great topic in Mauritius.
- African Studies: Mauritius is extremely diverse, with many different ethnic groups, linguistic groups, cultural groups, and religious groups. Students will be able to dive into studying numerous different cultures while in Mauritius.
Summer Programs
Choosing a summer program in Mauritius is a great option for students who don’t want to diverge from their studies at their home university, but still have a study abroad experience.
Students can also explore the entire island of Mauritius easily, especially if their program requires them to participate in field work throughout the country.
Visa
Students will need to apply for a student visa in order to study in Mauritius. They will need to fill out an application, have proof of school acceptance, a valid passport, and other required documents in order to apply for a student visa.
Costs
Mauritius is a relatively inexpensive country. Students can budget themselves on $15-20 a day. An average meal at a restaurant is around $5. Students must keep in mind that any travel insurance, medical costs, supplies, toiletries, and equipment will set them back in their daily budget.
Packing Tips
The warm, humid summer in Mauritius runs from November until April, and the cool, dry winter runs from June to September. The average temperature throughout the entire year ranges from 22 degrees Celsius (71 degrees F) to 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees F), meaning students visiting Mauritius will not have to pack too many clothing varieties!
Packing loose fitting cotton clothing is sufficient for Mauritius climate. Packing clothing that can be layered is also a great way to prepare for any type of weather in Mauritius.
Housing
Typical housing options include student dorms, private apartments, and shared housing. Some programs offer a homestay option as part of accommodation. If enrolling directly at a university, students may have to procure housing independently.
Popular Cities
Port Louis is the capital of Mauritius and is also the largest city. The population is very diverse and is a mix of Indian, African, European, and South East Asian cultures. This is a great place for students interested in African Studies to live.
Another popular city is Grand Baie, a lively city along the gorgeous Indian Ocean. This is a great city for students interested in marine life, as it is one of the best gateways in Mauritius for discovering its marine life.
Flic-en-Flac has one of the nicest beaches on the entire island and is a town with an active nightlife and delicious food.
Cellphone Plans
Students can choose to get an international plan with their cellphone provider before arriving in Mauritius, or they can buy a local SIM card with an unlocked phone when they arrive in Mauritius.
