ciee - council on international educational exchange
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featured programs

Study in China
beijing - chinese language + culture

Study in France
paris - critical studies

Study in Nicaragua
managua - liberal arts

Study in the Czech Republic
prague - film studies

Study in Italy
naples - liberal arts

Study in Italy
naples - classical studies

Study in Germany
berlin - language + culture

Study in Thailand
khon kaen - community public health

Study in Australia
perth - sustainability + the environment

Is this program right for you?

This program is appropriate for students from all academic disciplines who have experience with community service and/or volunteerism and who are highly motivated to engage in community service while taking part in a rigorous academic program of language study, social research methodology, African studies, and independent research.

Program Snapshot

  • Fully integrated “holistic” service program that combines a strong academic program and service to the local community with integrated activities designed to support the academic service-learning goals, both in and out of the classroom
  • Cultural activities, including visits to local theater, music, and dance productions, as well as visits to museums, rural cooperatives, and cricket and rugby matches; excursions to sites of cultural importance in Cape Town and in the Western Cape
  • Students design and implement capstone project based on community needs and personal interest

Subject Areas

  • African Studies
  • Afrikaans Language
  • Development & Planning
  • Independent Study
  • isiXhosa Lanaguage
  • Research Methods
  • Service-Learning
  • Sociology

About Cape Town

Situated on the southern tip of Africa, Cape Town is a vibrant multicultural city with a rich selection of day and night activities. Water sports, mountaineering, nightclubs, and restaurants are readily available. The city is also a microcosm of the challenges facing many African countries in transition: how to successfully operate within a global economy, while at the same time grappling with the vast socio-economic inequalities that are the legacy of its colonial and apartheid past.

Where You'll Study

Students’ Health and Welfare Centres Organisation

The Students’ Health and Welfare Centres Organisation (SHAWCO) is a South African welfare organization with over sixty years experience engaging students in marginalized communities of the Cape Peninsula. SHAWCO provides placement and oversight of the service component of the CIEE Service-Learning program.

University of Cape Town

Established as the South African College in 1829, the University of Cape Town is internationally recognized as one of Africa’s leading research universities. Its campus
has sweeping lawns, pathways, trees, ponds, and waterfalls that combine with attractive physical structures and extensive playing fields to create a pleasant study environment. A range of commercial, medical, recreational, and sporting facilities is available on campus. These include a swimming pool, gymnasium, basketball, tennis, badminton and squash courts, and a weight room.

Thoughts From Abroad

For those participating in the Service-Learning program in Cape Town, volunteering is not just a weekend gig. This is an all-encompassing, semester-long academic program rooted in the communities of Cape Town and the surrounding areas and located at the University of Cape Town (UCT), one of the most prestigious institutions of higher education in the Southern Hemisphere. Your classroom will not only be on the campus of UCT, but also in the townships in and around Cape Town. You’ll engage in sociological research on a daily basis and decode cross-cultural clues and cues, making sense of the reality of today’s South Africa. This program will provide you with many challenges and many opportunities to grow and to enjoy a transformative experience in one of the most exciting cities in the world.

— Quinton Redcliffe, Resident Director

Staff Bios

Born and bred in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Quinton Redcliffe previously worked in the International Office at the University of Cape Town as the manager responsible for international student programs. Quinton earned his B.A. Honors degree in Religious Studies from the University of the Western Cape, and his M.A. in Conflict and Conflict Management from the University of Port Elizabeth. His research interests include religious education in public schools, religion and democracy, religion and development, and religion and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Other CIEE Staff

Angela Mias, Resident Coordinator, obtained her B.A. in Psychology and Sociology. She also received a Teacher’s Diploma in ballet at the University of Cape Town. For several years, Angela worked with the CIEE Cape Town Arts and Sciences program as the Volunteer Coordinator and is well-connected with local volunteer and service-learning organizations.

Dr. Gerald Ouma, Academic Coordinator, received his Ph.D. from the University of Cape Town and his M.A. from the Kenyatta University in Kenya. He is currently doing a post-doctoral fellowship in the Faculty of Education at the University of the Western Cape, where he also coordinates the NOMA-sponsored M.Ed programme in Higher Education Studies. Dr. Ouma oversees the service-learning curriculum, teaches one of the CIEE courses each semester, and supervises the student capstone projects.

Ronel Stevens, Program Assistant, works with CIEE in both the Service-Learning and Arts and Sciences programs. She received a B.S. in politics and history and is currently completing a law degree at the University of Cape Town. Ronel has worked with CIEE students at the University of Cape Town for several years.

Recommended Credit

semester: 16 semester/24 quarter hours

Eligibility Requirements

  • Overall GPA 3.0
  • Junior standing and above
  • Volunteer experience 
  • Independent research experience

Program Dates

Fall 20097/13/2009 - 11/20/2009
Spring 20101/19/2010 - 6/5/2010  Alternate End Date: 6/5/2010

Application Deadlines

Fall 20093/15/2009
Spring 201010/15/2009

Click here to check for deadline extensions.

Duration

Fall 200918 weeks
early July - mid-November
Spring 201018 weeks
late January - early June

CIEE Costs

CIEE program fees, inclusions, and estimated additional costs, are outlined below. Please note that CIEE reserves the right to adjust its fees in the event of significant change in exchange rates or other factors beyond its control. The actual cost of the programs may vary slightly for students from different institutions.

For comprehensive fee breakdowns and estimated additional costs, click the costs below:

  • Fall 2009 $13,750
    The CIEE program fees includes tuition, housing, orientation, optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, visa fees, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Housing$2,450
    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$11,094
    Visa Fee$132
    Medical Insurance$74
    Total$13,750

    The CIEE program fees includes tuition, housing, orientation, optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, visa fees, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Meals$1,200
    Local Transportation$500
    Books and Supplies$150
    Personal Expenses$2,000
    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$2,200
    Total$6,050


  • Spring 2010 $13,750
    The CIEE program fees includes tuition, housing, orientation, optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, visa fees, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Medical Insurance$74
    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$11,091
    Housing$2,450
    Visa Fee$135
    Total$13,750

    The CIEE program fees includes tuition, housing, orientation, optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, visa fees, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$2,200
    Meals$1,200
    Personal Expenses$2,000
    Books and Supplies$150
    Local Transportation$300
    Total$5,850


Scholarship Information

For a complete list of scholarships available, please vist our Scholarships section.