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Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa

Sustainable Smart Cities

Study Program Part-Time Internship

Tentative Dates

-

18 weeks

Eligibility

3.0 Overall GPA

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Overview

Your Sustainable Smart Cites program in Cape Town lasts a full semester and provides an in-depth look at how South Africa's capital is using innovative urban design solutions to prepare for the future. You will enroll in at least one sustainability course that explores how urban planning, technology, and public policy contribute to sustainability in Cape Town while also enrolling in your choice of business, communications, STEM, language, and other courses. This program offers a wide range of CIEE courses, host institution courses, and courses taught online through CIEE's global academic partner, ASU. Enhance your experience with cross-disciplinary cultural and extracurricular activities related to sustainability. Live and learn in Cape Town!

Explore our sustainable smart cities courses

Unique Experiences:

VISIT PORTSIDE TOWER

CAPE TOWN'S TALLEST BUILDING THAT INCORPORATES ENERGY-EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGIES

TOUR THE MYCITI BUS OPERATIONS CENTER

TO LEARN ABOUT HOW SMART TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS ARE IMPLEMENTED TO ENHANCE URBAN MOBILITY

EXPLORE THE MILKWOOD CITY PROJECT

A PROPOSED LARGE-SCALE DEVELOPMENT AIMING TO INTEGRATE SUSTAINABLE LIVING WITH SMART CITY TECHNOLOGIES

Experience
  • cape town
  • aerial view of cape town south africa coast

Your Destination

Cape Town is a sustainable smart city renowned for its innovative water conservation efforts, renewable energy initiatives, and commitment to urban green spaces. The city integrates smart technology, efficient public transport, and eco-friendly infrastructure to promote sustainable living. Students can explore breathtaking natural landmarks like Table Mountain, vibrant cultural districts, and leading research institutions. Whether you are studying environmental science, business, engineering, technology, communications, psychology, health sciences, liberal arts, language, or fine arts, Cape Town offers a dynamic and inspiring study abroad experience.

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. 

cape-town-students-planting-trees

Program Highlights 

  • Featured Courses: Choose from a set of related courses that explore how innovative cities utilize digital technologies and modern strategies to prepare for the future and impact the environment.
  • Sustainability in Practice Workshop: Take part in an optional workshop to compare different models of sustainability in your host country and around the world. Topics may include business, public policy, technology, waste-management, and more.  
  • Immersive Experiences: Participate in networking events with local sustainability initiatives, activities that address how urban planning and technology can help lessen the impact on the environment, meaningful volunteer work with local organizations, and study tours to meet local changemakers and companies driving sustainability efforts. 
  • Academic Projects: Enroll in a for-credit internship, directed independent research project, or service-learning to develop integrated sustainable solutions that address economic, social, and environmental challenges.  
cape town smiling coastline

Excursions & Activities 

CIEE’s excursions and cultural activities in Cape Town will open doors for you to explore South Africa’s rich diversity, language, culture, history, contemporary trends, vibrant art, and timeless beauty in ways that will enhance your time abroad. 

Samples of excursions and activities:   

  • Tour Green Point Urban Park to learn about its eco-friendly water management systems, biodiversity conservation efforts, and role as a green space promoting community well-being 
  • Visit Cape Town's smart city initiatives and meet with government officials and stakeholders to learn about the city's efforts in leveraging technology for sustainable urban development 
  • Participate in hands-on urban sustainability projects that focus on renewable energy, water conservation, and waste management 

Please note: Activities are based on past programs and are subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience. 

Program Blogs

study abroad cape town fdgf
From CIEE

Reflecting on South Africa as a Frederick Douglass Global Fellow

By College Study Abroad Ambassador at CIEE

By: Sam Li Stepping off the plane in Cape Town felt like stepping into a whirlwind of vibrant energy, complex history, and breathtaking landscapes. This wasn't just any summer adventure... keep reading

ultimate guide to studying abroad in south africa
From CIEE

South Africa Study Abroad: The Ultimate Guide

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

South Africa is simply astonishing. From its varied topography and rich culture to its complex history and diverse wildlife, a South Africa study abroad program promises the adventure of a... keep reading

Kai snorkelling, having a seal of a time in the water!
From CIEE

The Cape Seal of Approval

By Cape Town Centre at CIEE

Authored by Kai Edem (she/her) (Kai is a second-year undergraduate student at Agnes Scott College, majoring in Neuroscience. She is excited to discover more about research opportunities available during her... keep reading

Housing

Housing & Meals

Housing

CIEE Cape Town offers diverse housing options to ensure you're comfortable in your home away from home. In our single room or shared apartments, we will strive for your accommodation preferences to be met. All housing has convenient access to basic amenities including nearby medical care including pharmacies, shopping places, supermarkets, restaurants, and public transportation.  

  • Standard Housing: Includes double accommodation in shared living arrangements within a 25-minute walk of CIEE Cape Town.
  • Select Housing: Includes single accommodation in shared living arrangements within a 25-minute walk of CIEE Cape Town. Select housing requires an additional fee.  

A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive.  

Meals

Meals are not included. Students are responsible for purchasing and preparing their own meals in self-catering accommodation.  

cape town housing apartment bedroom

Standard Housing

Single bedroom in shared apartment

Academics

Academics

CIEE Cape Town: Study in the vibrant student-friendly suburb of Rondebosch near central Cape Town. CIEE Cape Town boasts two main classrooms, a small meeting room, a student lounge, a student life office, and an academic advising office.

University of Cape Town (UCT): CIEE has active institutional agreements with UCT as a host university which allows CIEE students to take courses from various departments – with all its courses offered in English. The University of Cape Town was established in 1829 and is home to 28,000 students and 5,000 staff representing more than 100 nationalities from Africa and abroad. The University has six faculties –Commerce, Law, Humanities, Engineering & the Built Environment, Health Sciences, and Science. It remains globally renowned for its academic excellence and commitment to social transformation, development, and equity.  

Arizona State University (ASU): Brought to you by CIEE in partnership with ASU, enhance your international coursework with online classes that align with your degree requirements. ASU offers thousands of online courses in asynchronous 7.5-week sessions that fit within the CIEE academic calendar.  

GPA

3.0

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 Cape Town Sustainable Smart Cities students enroll in 3-4 courses for a total of 12-18 credits per semester. At least one course in the area of sustainability is required. Students select from:  

  • CIEE courses 
  • 2-3 courses at the University of Cape Town  
  • Up to two ASU online courses (max 8 total credits) 
  • In the Spring term, students will be limited to ASU session B 

Program Credit

Total credit: 12-18 (15-16 recommended) U.S. semester credits/18-27 quarter credits.    

Course Credit

  • CIEE Courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours 
  1. CIEE Internship: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours (15 seminar hours, 100-120 internship placement hours) 
  2. CIEE Directed Independent Research: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours (15 contact hours, 100-120 research hours) 
  3. CIEE Service-Learning Project: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 seminar hours (15 seminar hours, 90 service hours) 
  4. UCT Courses: Typically, 4-6.5 U.S. semester/3.75-9.75 quarter credits; 120-300 notional hours per course
  5. ASU Online Courses: Typically, 3 U.S. semester/4.5-6 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

CIEE courses are designed to follow U.S. academic culture and standards. The class environment typically features a combination of traditional lecture and discussion with co-curricular excursions and activities. Heavy emphasis is placed on student engagement. Similar to classes at U.S. institutions, students should expect to spend an average of two hours of preparation and study for each hour in CIEE classes. Attendance is mandatory for CIEE courses. 

CIEE courses typically run from Monday through Thursday, providing students with a concentrated schedule that allows for intensive study and exploration. This condensed format encourages students to fully engage with the material and make the most of their time.    

University of Cape Town (UCT): Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Students are expected to attend at least 75-80% of the courses face-to-face sessions. Students usually have weekly tutorial assignments and readings informed by the instructor on an online Amathuba platform for the course or via email. STEM subjects also have weekly Lab practicals with a teaching assistant. UCT lectures do not often include local field trips but will have guest speakers to help students gain a better understanding of the subject matter and local culture relevance. Students are not required to buy books, most of the bibliographical materials are provided by the course facilitator on the online platform and it is usually available in the host institution library. 

ASU Courses: Most ASU online courses are asynchronous. You may find yourself in classes with students from ASU, other American universities, and students from around the world. You’ll receive direct and individualized support from faculty, 100% online.  

Class Format

CIEE classes are for CIEE students only. Classes are small, typically with up to 15 students per class, and emphasize communication and work in small groups. Instruction is supported and augmented online with our learning management system, Canvas.  

University of Cape Town (UCT): In general, UCT lecturing is more teacher-centered, seen as the instructor mainly leading the lectures and facilitating the course discussions. The presence of international students in local courses is normative as UCT universities have huge international representation and academic partnerships globally. Classes and tutorials per course at UCT are typically scheduled in 45-minute slots, four times a week. However, practical's, workshops, and seminars tend to be longer. 

ASU online courses meet in “sessions” that are 7.5-weeks long in the semester, and all work must be completed within the session dates regardless of when your other CIEE courses begin or end.  

Grading

The U.S. grading scale of A-F is used. In CIEE courses, students are graded on the basis of attendance, class engagement, homework, project work, presentations, and mid-term and final examinations Learning outcomes assessment is continuous through personal reflections, evaluation feedback, self-assessment, and requirements as set out in course syllabi.  

UCT courses all include continuous assessment, often (but not necessarily always), with 50% of the final grade based on the final exam, which is moderated by external examiners. Grades are based on a South African scale of 100 and CIEE reports final grades for host institution courses using recommended U.S. letter grade equivalencies, following a predetermined grade conversion scale 

ASU grading follows the same format and standards as ASU courses taught in-person. “Pass/fail” or “Audit” is not allowed for CIEE students. More information about ASU’s grading policy can be found online. 

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

  • University of Cape Town follows the South African Higher Education Qualifications Framework (HEQF) credit system.
  • 1 HEQF credit typically equals .222 U.S. semester credits and represents approximately 10 notional hours
  • Most courses are worth 12-30 HEQF credits
  • Courses may be taken in all University of Cape Town Departments, except Health Sciences and the Graduate School of Business. 

Featured Courses

CIEE Courses (in-person)University of Cape Town (UCT)ASU Courses (online) 

Building Sustainable Cities 

Sustainable Development in the 21st Century 

Business & Sustainability 

Engineering, Sustainability & Society 

Sustainable Tourism 

Urban Design Africa

CHE4056Z Special Topics in Sustainable Development

APG4023S Urban Economic Development Processes

APG4021F Urban Infrastructure 

Introduction to Sustainability 

Sustainable World 
 
Sustainable Energy Technology and Systems

Pathways to Sustainability

Below is a list of the faculties available at the University of Cape Town. For specific course listings, please refer to the UCT Handbook. Please note that not all courses within UCT faculties or departments are suitable for program participants, and many have prerequisites.  

Faculties available to CIEE students at UCT:

  • Faculty of Commerce
  • Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment
  • Faculty of Humanities
  • Faculty of Science

Sample Ecology and Sustainability courses which may be available:

  • Urban Design Africa
  • CHE4056Z Special Topics in Sustainable Development
  • APG4023S Urban Economic Development Processes
  • APG4021F Urban Infrastructure 

CIEE proudly partners with ASU to deliver asynchronous, 100% online coursework that aligns with your degree requirements from anywhere you study abroad.

CIEE and ASU offer courses online per program eligibility, at no additional charge. Be sure to review online courses with your home school advisor.

Check the CIEE Program Dates and ASU start dates below to maximize course options within your program! 

Search ASU Online Courses BROWSE FAQs for more INFO

 

Program Options
Program Options
  • Building Sustainable Cities
  • Sustainable Development in the 21st Century
  • Business and Sustainability
  • Engineering, Sustainability, and Society
  • Sustainable Tourism
  • Global Change and the Environment
  • Global Environmental Policy
  • Principles of Ecology  
  • Atlantic Crossings
  • Culture and Cuisine in South Africa
  • Economics of Wine
  • Global African Arts
  • Internship Seminar
  • Service-Learning Project
  • Directed Independent Research 

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.

Internships

Discover Internship Opportunities

We're excited you're considering this program! Next, explore the types of internships you can choose from for an epic internship abroad with CIEE Study Abroad.

Explore Industry Options

The work culture in Cape Town is laid-back yet professional, emphasizing work-life balance, creativity, and innovation. Interns can expect to work with local NGOs, startups, or established businesses. There’s a strong sense of community, and colleagues often socialize after work in a friendly, multicultural environment. 

A female intern picks crops from a field

Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Gain experience in agricultural markets, agribusiness companies, and NGOs to study food production and global processes.

An intern works on a design in a workshop

Architecture and Construction

Develop hands-on technical skills and responsible building planning while working for global architecture firms abroad.

A female intern works on a computer server

Information Technology

Explore diverse tech environments, cutting-edge innovation, and emerging technologies in South Korea, Spain, and more.

A lawyer and an intern reviewing documents in an office

Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security

Experience international legal systems, global justice issues, and law enforcement challenges in courts, firms, and agencies.

Marketing interns pose at a Loki premiere event

Marketing, Sales and Service

Explore global market dynamics, cross-cultural consumer engagement, and sales techniques in firms, agencies, and companies.

Two female interns work on an engineering project

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Gain hands-on skills in sustainable technologies, research projects, and scientific studies in Costa Rica, Mexico, and more.

Browse Internship Opportunities

Explore internship placements available through this program to find the right fit for your academic and professional goals.

Find Internship Options

Disclaimer: Internship placements are subject to availability and host employer hiring discretion. Application and payment of CIEE fees does not guarantee specific placement. This internship listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party.

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:

  • Wollitzer Merit Scholarships in Area or Comparative Studies
  • Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
  • CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
  • MSI Grant
  • Trailblazer Grant

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 Spring 2026 18 weeks Start Date * End Date *

*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.

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.

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

Estimated Costs

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

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

Nompila Ndlovu

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.

Thandeka Dladla

Thandeka Dladla

Student Life Manager

Thandeka holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Cape Town (UCT). She worked as a mentor and teacher at the Butterfly Project, an education-based NGO focused on...

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 internship abroad experience!

Apply Now

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 CIEE

We're here to help! Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.

Contact Us

4

Interested in an optional internship?

After being accepted to this program and submitting the required internship documents, work with CIEE staff on your internship goals and select which positions to interview for. CIEE will reach out to companies that would be a good fit for you, your interests, and your qualifications. Finalize your internship placement upon arrival!

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