Request Info
Start Your Summer 2024 Adventure View Programs!
Fall 2024/Spring 2025 Programs Available View Programs!
View January Term 2025 Programs! View Programs!

Study Abroad | Stellenbosch

South Africa | Stellenbosch University | Summer 2024
Girl taking a picture.
Person in caverns.
Aerial view of Stellenbosch.

Select Your Program Option:

  • Summer 2024

Overview

Spend a summer in the student-friendly city of Stellenbosch, South Africa, with AIFS! Study a variety of academic program options at Stellenbosch University, located in the Cape Winelands. The university has a student population of over 28,000 and boasts state-of-the-art sports facilities, including an indoor pool, cycling studios and aerobic halls.

What’s Included

The AIFS inclusive program fee includes all of the great features below in addition to many pre-departure, on-site and upon-return services to help students make the most of their time abroad.

Review Our Policies
  • Tuition

    6 credits for the General Elective Program, 7 credits for the Public Health Care or Doing Business in Southern Africa Programs, 8 credits for Global Service Learning

  • Courses

    Courses offered in art, biodiversity, communications, economics, engineering, film, global affairs, health care, history, literature, marketing, philosophy, political science, religious studies, sociology, general elective program plus specialized programs in doing business in Southern Africa, public health care and global service learning

  • Housing

    University residence halls

  • Meals

    Daily breakfast in the residence hall

  • Excursions & Day Trips

    West Coast weekend excursion including accommodations and all meals (3 days) plus, visits to: Cape Town and Table Mountain, Robben Island, Cape of Good Hope

  • Cultural & Social Activities

    Group meals, vineyard tours and hiking

  • On-Site Program Director

    to help with any questions or advice you may need throughout the program

  • Health & Safety

    24/7 emergency support and comprehensive insurance
  • Personal/Professional Development

    Access to the renowned Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment and alumni network
  • Green Initiative

Additional Options & Opportunities

Program Details: Study Abroad | Stellenbosch Doing Business in Southern Africa with Garden Route Tour

Dates

June 22, 2024July 24, 2024

Term

Summer

Institution

Stellenbosch University

Application Deadline

March 1, 2024

Inclusive Fees

$7,290

Eligibility

Open to First Year, Sophomore, Junior, Senior

Minimum of 2.8 GPA

Additional requirements may vary by course selection. See Academic section below.

Visa Requirements

A visa may be required for this program. Please contact your advisor or log into your portal for more information.

Areas of Interest

  • Area Studies
  • Business
  • Economics
  • History
  • International Business
  • Political Science

Global Themes

  • Business, Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship
  • Language, History and Culture
Learn More About Global Themes

Academics

AIFS Abroad offers a unique global educational experience for students on this program, with the following academic options available:

Since its founding in 1918, Stellenbosch University (SU) has evolved into a multilingual melting- pot of cultures. Today, close to 28,000 students representing more than 110 nationalities attend the university. The university is among South Africa’s leading institutions based on research output, student success and rated scientists, and is recognized internationally as an academic institution of excellence. 

Its campus includes state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly facilities and technology. 

  • Area Studies
  • Business
  • Economics
  • History
  • International Business
  • Political Science

The aim of this program is to give students an introduction to and an overview of South African history, politics, art, literature, science, culture and business. Each course is presented by lecturers from the university, the Institute of Justice and Reconciliation and various presenters from the private sector. An academic staff member will accompany students on all excursions that are included in the official program.

Students take 3 courses in total on this program. All students must take Course 1: Introduction to South Africa’s Political History for 2 credits. The two remaining courses are selected from Courses 2 to 15. Each course is worth 2 credits, giving a total of 6 credits. See Extra Credits section for details on how to obtain 3 credits per course. A minimum of 5 students must register for a particular course in order for it to be presented.

African countries are experiencing rapid growth. This program aims to help students investigate the unique institutional and policy conditions in Southern African countries which will not only allow future entrepreneurs and managers to understand the challenges that will confront their businesses but also allow them to identify the opportunities that this rapidly growing region offers.

All students must take Course 1: Introduction to South Africa’s Political History for 2 credits. 

The public health care program introduces students to the health care system in South Africa with themes including HIV and AIDS, malnutrition and poverty, environmental health and world views of health. The program includes the opportunity to enhance classroom learning with exposures to health care facilities in the Western Cape Province.

All students must take Course 1: Introduction to South Africa’s Political History for 2 credits. 

In an era of increasing globalization, it is becoming ever more important for students to develop an understanding of the world they live in. It is widely recognized that a period of service learning overseas can greatly enhance intercultural understanding and promote an awareness of global issues. As well as getting an in-depth look at another culture and learning new skills, students choosing a service learning option can also gain immense satisfaction from knowing that they are making a real contribution to the society they are living and studying in.

View All Courses For Doing Business in Southern Africa with Garden Route Tour
Boy walking in desert.

Living Abroad

RESIDENCE HALL

  • Double room with another participant in the program
  • 5 minutes’ walk from the classroom

MEALS

  • Daily breakfast
  • Welcome and farewell meals
  • Lunch during the AIFS orientation
  • Mid-program AIFS group meal and a dinner (a seafood and local buffet meal) at a beach restaurant on the West Coast weekend along with a wine tasting experience

Geography

Surrounded by rolling vineyards and dramatic mountains, Stellenbosch, only around 30 minutes from Cape Town, offers the best in Western Cape warmth and hospitality.

Cuisine

Restaurants are plentiful in Stellenbosch. The prices are competitive, and the variety is great!

Culture

South Africa’s constitution recognizes 12 official languages, which is among the highest number of any country in the world!

AIFS in Stellenbosch Director, Summer Program

Hestea headshot.

Hestea de Wet

Hallo! I’ve been the Program Director here in Stellenbosch since 2003 and I previously worked in the International Office handling student accommodations. I received both my BA (Hons) degree in Psychology and a post-graduate diploma in Education from Stellenbosch University. I have previously worked as a high school English teacher, a tour guide for Americans visiting South Africa and also in a school and home for disabled and disadvantaged children and adults. I am a bit of a traveler myself and have visited the U.S. plus many countries in Europe and Africa.

The Program Director provides academic advice, introduces you to the community and handles communication with the University.

Learning does not begin or end in the classroom. To help you get a true taste of South African culture, a wide range of cultural activities and excursions are included in your program fee. In addition, the AIFS staff organizes cultural activities which in the past have included wine or craft beer tastings and hiking. 

The following excursions are included for all students on the Stellenbosch summer program regardless of program selection: 

  • Cape Town and Table Mountain Visit the vibrant city center and Table Mountain from where you can view the panorama of the magnificent Western Cape in all its splendor 
  • Cape of Good Hope An academic visit to this stunning natural heritage site where you will learn more about the biodiversity of a local nature reserve surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean 
  • Robben Island Visit by ferry to the island prison where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his life

On arrival in Stellenbosch AIFS staff will conduct an orientation regarding the AIFS program to help you settle in and learn more about the upcoming weeks, including a welcome meal giving you an opportunity to meet your fellow participants. 

On the following day the Stellenbosch University orientation takes place. This includes a campus tour, an academic orientation, an intercultural orientation, information about the social and cultural events available and an opening dinner. 

South Africa is a proud sporting nation and Stellenbosch University has great sporting facilities including a gymnasium with weight training and cycling studios, an indoor pool and 6 aerobic halls offering a variety of classes. Students interested in using these facilities can purchase a one-month gym membership when on-site.

Excursions

This program offers a range of day trips and excursions that will take you outside Stellenbosch and deepen your social, historical and cultural understanding of South Africa. Previous excursions have included:

South Africa coast.

West Coast

Visit to Langebaan, a scenic town that borders the West Coast National Park. Opportunity to spend a day on the beach or pay an extra fee for activities like jet skiing, yacht cruises and wind surfing. Includes round-trip transportation, accommodations, all meals and a wine tasting experience.

  • South Africa
  • 3 Days
  • Included in Program Fee
Garden Route.

Garden Route

Guided sightseeing tours including the Cango Caves, an ostrich farm, Addo National Park, the Heads of Knysna, Wilderness National Park, Tsitsikamma National Park and more. Optional activities such as an extra 4×4 safari, elephant observation nature bush walk , surf lessons or sandboarding or beach horseback riding. Includes round-trip transportation, accommodations, and breakfast.

  • South Africa
  • 5 Days
  • Not Included in Program Fee
Barcelona,Spain
A group of happy students at a carnival.
A view of Prague.

Social identity & access

One of the best things you can do before departure is enter into the journey knowing that your time abroad will be unique to this experience. The resources, community, and support available to you when abroad will likely be different as well. In order to help you prepare for your experience, we have compiled many resources about social identity and access in specific locations abroad. Your program staff will also provide you with more details pre-departure and during orientation.

Learn more

Important Dates & Deadlines

Request Info

Open

Dates & Deadlines

Details

  • Early Application Deadline*
  • Application Deadline
    March 1, 2024
  • Deposit Deadline
    March 20, 2024
  • Scholarship Deadline
    March 1, 2024
  • Visa Deadline****
  • Optional Departure Flight from US***
    June 21, 2024
  • Program Begins
    June 22, 2024
  • Program Ends
    July 24, 2024
  • Optional Return Flight to US***
    July 24, 2024
  • *** Included for students on AIFS flight package.
  • **** AIFS Abroad offers visa processing services to applicants who enroll into the program by this date. All other applicants who enroll after this date will be responsible for securing their own visa with guidance from AIFS Abroad.

Optional Flight Package

Students can select an optional transportation package for all AIFS programs. Students who choose to book their own flights should meet up with group at the program location and will need to make their own ground transportation arrangements.

Below are fees by departure city based on average historical costs and subject to change. If you select this option on your application, the total flight package price will be confirmed in your account 6 months prior to departure. (Program fee is guaranteed.)

Depature City

Fee

  • Atlanta
    $2,760
  • Boston
    $2,620
  • Buffalo
    $2,620
  • Charlotte
    $2,620
  • Chicago
    $2,620
  • Cincinnati
    $2,620
  • Columbus
    $2,620
  • Dallas
    $2,660
  • Denver
    $2,720
  • Des Moines
    $2,660
  • Detroit
    $2,760
  • Houston
    $2,540
  • Los Angeles
    $2,720
  • Miami
    $2,660
  • Minneapolis
    $2,820
  • New York
    $2,620
  • Newark
    $2,420
  • Orlando
    $2,660
  • Philadelphia
    $2,620
  • Phoenix
    $2,720
  • Pittsburgh
    $2,620
  • Raleigh/Durham
    $2,660
  • San Francisco
    $2,720
  • Seattle
    $2,720
  • St. Louis
    $2,460
  • Washington/Dulles
    $2,420
  • View more View less

See what others are saying

Two students walking in a field.

Ready to Study Abroad in Stellenbosch?

For more dates or questions, contact your program consultant:
(203) 399-5163 or email: aifsabroad@aifs.com