aerial view cape town coast
Cape Town, South Africa

January in Cape Town

Study Program

Dates

-

3 weeks

Costs

Credit

3 semester hours

4.5 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

Apply Now

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Overview

Have you ever considered trading the northern hemisphere mid-winter for the southern hemisphere mid-summer? You can do precisely that by spending January studying abroad in Cape Town! 

South Africa's "Mother City" consistently ranks in the world's top three tourist destinations, and January is one of its best months of the year! During your three weeks, you'll learn about power, privilege, injustices, reconciliation, and the changes taking place across this vibrant destination. Outside the classroom, you'll explore Cape Town's stunning beaches, majestic mountains, and most beloved vineyards. In addition to hiking, surfing, and sightseeing, you will participate in immersive co-curricular activities organized by CIEE to increase your cultural understanding of South Africa's second-largest city.

Unique Experiences

STUDY IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

a wonderful tourist location for adventure

EXPERIENCE THE BEAUTY

of the summer season in the Southern Hemisphere

GAIN INSIGHT

into the historical and political transition from Apartheid (segregation) to a democratic South African society

IN 2006

FIRST AFRICAN COUNTRY TO RECOGNIZE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

1994

FIRST DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF SOUTH AFRICA: NELSON MANDELA

STERKFONTEIN

ORIGIN OF MODERN HUMANS 4.5 – 2.5 MILLION YEARS AGO

Experience
  • students overlooking city cape town ocean
  • rhino safari tour study abroad

Your Destination

The beautiful coastal city of Cape Town, with its glorious beaches and mountains, is called many names: the Mother City, the Cape of Good Hope, the Cape of Storms, and the Gateway to Africa. Cape Town is two worlds in one. From wealthy developments with great shopping centers to vibrant townships, there’s never a shortage of things to do and experience in Cape Town – especially for those on a student budget.

Cape Town’s Mediterranean climate means that January brings warm, sunny days and average daily high temperatures are level around 76°F. January is the height of summer here!

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Cape Town.

The Culture

student volunteers gardening cape town

EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES

Featured excursion

As part of your course, you’ll visit the Robben Island Museum, a World Heritage Site where the first democratically elected President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, was imprisoned under apartheid laws. You will walk in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela, tour the island’s rich fauna and flora treasures, visit the lime quarry where the political prisoners worked, and see the village where former warders lived. 

Other activities

  • Table Mountain visit 
  • Langa community visit 
  • Walking tour of Cape Town 
  • Exploring the District Six Museum 
  • Visiting the Slave Lodge 
  • Participating in community engagement activities in under-served communities

Program Blogs

From CIEE

Table Mountain adventures for January in Cape Town

By Cape Town Centre at CIEE

What better way to kickstart our three-week January in Cape Town programme than a trip to one of the New7Wonders of Nature, Table Mountain? Last Saturday our students had the... keep reading

From CIEE

Local flavors at Eziko, Cape Town

By Cape Town Centre at CIEE

January means summer in Cape Town, and our J Term students certainly got 2020 off to a tasty start! To make the most of the sunshine, this week our J... keep reading

From CIEE

Explore Cape Town Vineyards and Earn Credits in J-term!

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

It may sound too good to be true. But it's actually 100% real. Bring your sommelier skills to the beautiful, diverse city of Cape Town and engage in hands-on learning... keep reading

What People are Saying

  • "The people, places, food, and landscape are absolutely amazing!"

    Logan F., Susquehanna University

  • "It was an incredible experience and everyone should be able to experience it."

    Patrick W., Wofford College

  • "It is such a great experience and you learn so much in a short period of time."

    Robert L., Wofford College

  • "Awesome experience studying abroad in another country."

    Tatum H., St Olaf College

Housing
Academics

Academics

Classes are held at CIEE Cape Town. The center includes classrooms, a lounge, Wi-Fi, and experienced staff that support day-to-day life in Cape Town.  

Our strong relationships with Cape Town’s most-respected universities and research institutions allow us to offer top-quality courses, taught by local faculty. A core group of CIEE faculty members serve as professors and work with CIEE resident staff to arrange guest lectures, excursions, field trips, co-curricular activities, and more. 

CIEE Cape Town is located in the Rondebosch district, near the University of Cape Town campus.

GPA

2.5

Language Requirements

There are no specific language requirements for this program.

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Requirements

All students take one 3-credit course.

Program Credit

Total credit: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits

Course Credit

CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Academic Culture

The program is made up of three weeks of classes with an intensive orientation beforehand. CIEE classes are designed to follow U.S. academic culture. Class attendance is strictly enforced both for classes and required co-curricular excursions. Independent learning and active participation in class are necessary to achieve satisfactory academic performance.

Class Format

Courses taught at CIEE Cape Town are for CIEE students only. Courses are taught Monday – Friday, with some activities taking place on weekends. Instruction is supported and augmented online by our learning management system, Canvas.

Grading

Assessment is based on the individual’s overall performance in the course, including essays, coursework, and final examinations or papers. Students must check with their professors to find out exam and project presentation dates. Under no circumstances will CIEE alter deadlines or exam dates for study abroad students who have made conflicting travel plans. The U.S. grading scale of A-F is used.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Language of Instruction

English

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Courses

Course Information

History, Philosophy, Religion

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.

Scholarships

Scholarships & Grants

CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.

Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:

  • Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants

To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing

Program January 2025 3 weeks Application Due Deadline Passed Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $3,950

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300*

Educational Costs = $3,070**

Housing = $500***

Insurance = $80

Total Fees = $3,950

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $195

International Airfare = $1,450††

Local Transportation = $100†††

Books & Supplies = $20

Personal expenses = $130††††

Total Costs = $1,895

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

*non-refundable fee

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.

For groceries if you plan on making your own meals, budget more money if you plan on eating out regularly.

††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

†††Students usually prefer to use Uber

††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

What's Included

Tuition

Housing

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

On-site Staff

Full-time program leadership and support in your city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Excursions and/or Study Tours

Travel Protection

CIEE iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Staff

Our Staff

Nompilo Ndlovu

Center Director

Dr. Nompilo Ndlovu has over a decade of experience working within the academic, policy and non-profit sectors, focused on the African continent.

Caleb Kay

Student Life Coordinator

Caleb has a degree in Political Science, Governance, and Sociology from the University of Cape Town.

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Start an Application

You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!

2

Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office

Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.

3

Contact Us

Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.

Request Info