IES Abroad Cape Town

Studying abroad in Cape Town is something I miss everyday. I really enjoyed everything the city offered and I am grateful I was able to see so much of it. I was very pleased that IES offered us two long trips outside of school and made available to us smaller day activities as well. Because of these I was really able to bond with the other people in my program as well as the staff. I never thought I would miss my friends and the staff as much as I do now. They really helped shape the experience for me. Cape Town is a wonderful city that I wish more people had the opportunity to see.

While abroad, I learned to view the world from a non-western perspective. I learned to compare and contrast inequalities you learn in the classroom with inequalities you see every day. I learned to take risks, to live in the moment, and to try things outside of my comfort zone. It was so incredibly worthwhile. I went to beaches, climbed mountains, and visited historic sites. You will feel out of place at times. That's okay. It's part of growing up and learning new things. Take the time to listen to local students, to learn about the lives and experiences of others, and to not be taken aback by things that are 'different'. If you choose IES Cape Town, you will not regret it!!!!

Choosing to spend the semester with IES Abroad in Cape Town is truly the best choice I've ever made. Being so far from home, it was absolutely essential to have a program which fully supported me and could provide me with the most information and resources possible. IES Abroad truly excelled in doing this. They provided housing options for us and I chose to live in Obz Square residence with many students from all over Africa. This provided so many opportunities for cultural immersion which is something I may not have gotten had I chosen another program. The trips and experiences IES planned were ones I’d only dreamt about. They organized trips to Kruger National Park as well as travelling along the Garden Route. They also provided many opportunities for service learning. Perhaps the most important thing IES Abroad did was help us adjust to the South African lifestyle regarding safety, budgeting and helping us get around in general. I’m so thankful IES was there helping me from the time I submitted my paperwork up until today.

This was a fantastic program for anyone interested in Public Health or Medicine. We were able to work in various hospital environments, observing much more than we as undergraduate students would be able to see in the United States. From general check-ups to brain surgery, we saw it all! We also attended lectures that focused on health issues in South Africa, as well as the changing healthcare system.
When we were not in class or at the hospital, IES organized many excursions and experiences that allowed us to make the most of our time in and around Cape Town. We visited cultural sites like Robben Island and the Apartheid Museum, toured the Garden Route, and ventured to Kruger National park among other amazing experiences. It was a fantastic experience, and I would recommend it to everyone.

I did a 7 week long health studies program in Cape Town through IES. This included a a course about healthcare in South Africa as well as a service learning component in primary and tertiary hospitals in South Africa. The class component could have been better planned however I learned a lot from the service learning component. There was sometimes poor communication between the teacher and IES that could have been improved. IES organized for us to observe at several healthcare clinics around Cape Town. We were able to experience a lot of things that we would not be able to observe in hospitals in the US. In addition IES did a good job planning activities for us the were included in the tuition fee such as a peninsula tour and wine tour. Cape Town is an awesome city with so much to do. The is a lot of hiking and places to see!

Studying abroad usually means going to a foreign country and experience things that they have never. It was different for me as I grew up in South Africa and my family still lives there so I took the semester to not only go back to the place I once grew up, but also spend time with my family. Seeing the country you had so many memories in ten years later is a weird feeling as it feels familiar yet so strange. I've experienced a good amount of Cape Town life and spent a large amount of time with my family. I met a lot of good friends and soaked up every bit of fun with them. This was definitely an experience of a lifetime and I'd recommend it to anyone.

My semester abroad with IES was nothing short of amazing!! IES provided support throughout my entire stay in South Africa. Going to UWC was the best decision I could've made. I absolutely loved my semester abroad. IES planned activities that made the experience worth while. IES is affordable and accessible.

My experiences with IES Abroad's Cape Town - UCT Direct Enrollment program were world class, life-changing, and unforgettable. The staff did a fantastic job of ensuring our safety and did everything possible to set us up for success in the classroom and - arguably more importantly - in the greater Cape Town area. IES equipped us with top-notch resources and truly did their best in allocating available scholarship funds to those in financial need. The field trips covered just about every experience of your typical 'Top 5 Things to do in South Africa' in addition to providing hands-on service learning within the community. These five months resulted in countless friendships including several of which I have since kept in touch with, visited, and even lived with post-college! This program was the perfect mix of structure and independence to result in a truly life-changing time abroad.