Why Study in Cape Town?

Affectionately known as “the Mother City,” Cape Town was founded in 1652 and is South Africa’s oldest city. Situated on the southern tip of Africa, Cape Town is a vibrant multicultural city with a reputation of also being one of the most beautiful urban areas in the world, with the backdrop of flat-topped Table Mountain juxtaposed by the sweep of the Atlantic Ocean. Due to its good year-round climate, natural setting, well-developed infrastructure, and many beaches, Cape Town has become the most popular international destination in all of Africa.

Cape Town has a very complex history and culture, as does all of South Africa. From 1948 to 1994, South Africa’s governing party enforced apartheid, a system of racial segregation put in place by the white minority. During this time, Cape Town was home to many leaders of the anti-apartheid movement; meanwhile, nearby Robben Island, the infamous penitentiary only 6 miles from the city by ferry, held many political prisoners for years. In changing times, though, Nelson Mandela made his first public speech after his release in 1990 from the balcony of the Cape Town City Hall, heralding a new era for the country, and four years later South Africa began true democratic elections. Today Cape Town is a thriving metropolis with a reputation of being the most entrepreneurial, multicultural, and equalitarian city of the country, and is considered an ideal venue for studying abroad.

CLICK HERE TO SEE A VIDEO OF WHAT SOME OF OUR STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY.

Highlights of Cape Town

•  Our summer program to Cape Town is open to students age 18 and older who are not on academic probation or dismissal.
•  Optional flight transportation package (minimum: 10 students) for approximately $1,800 that includes round-trip airfare and overseas transfers between the airport and Cape Town housing
• Accommodation in multi-bedded rooms on a self-catering basis in a student lodge in Cape Town. Student bedrooms will be a combination of twin, triple and possibly quad rooms with shared bathrooms, kitchen and living areas and access to WIFI.
• Take two lower division courses (RELS 1 and NRM 12) that are CSU/UC transferable for Bachelor’s degree credit.
• Program includes orientation program; sightseeing tour of Cape Town; multi-course welcome meal with African drumming; group public transportation to and from all scheduled visits in Cape Town; visit to the District Six Museum, the Jewish Museum, and St. George’s Cathedral; and various half-day, full-day, and multi-day excursions. Excursions include:

• Half-day excursion by private bus to the Conservation of Coastal Birds and to Boulder’s Beach penguin colony
• Half-day excursion by private bus to Lynedoch Eco Village and Stellenbosch Winery
• Full-day excursion to Table Mountain by private bus including tickets for the Aerial Cableway and entrance to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
• A four-day, three-night guided excursion by private bus along the Garden Route that will include visits to a private game reserve, Wilderness National Park, and an elephant bushwalk (with dorm style accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis). Click here for tentative itinerary (PDF).
• A four-day, three-night full board excursion to the Kalahari, including round-trip flights and ground transportation, guided minivan tour through Augrabies Falls National Park and Riemvasmaak Community Conservatory, with three nights housing in chalets, three meals per day, and all entrances as listed in itinerary. Click here for tentative itinerary (PDF).
• An extended daytrip by private bus to Franschhoek, including tickets to Franschhoek Bastille Festival, Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve and a group dinner at Haute Cabriere.

An experienced AIFS staff member will be available throughout the program to assist in Cape Town and accompany the group on overnight trips.

Why Choose this Program?

This program is offered to enable students to study abroad while making normal progress toward their degree objectives, and earning units in courses taught by Santa Rosa Junior College faculty. This program is offered in partnership with the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS), which arranges transportation, living accommodations, and a wide range of student and instructional support services. Units earned on this trip will appear on transcripts issued by Santa Rosa Junior College.

Dates and Meetings

Program Dates

• Depart the US: Tuesday, June 13, 2017
• Arrive in Cape Town: Wednesday, Jun 14, 2017
• Depart Cape Town for the U.S.: Monday, July 17, 2017

Important Dates

• Friday, March 10, 2017 – Application deadline.   Please note that this program is first come, first served and once it reaches its full capacity of 30 students, the program will be closed. 
• TBA – There may be one or two mandatory orientation classes and/or meetings prior to the trip; dates to be determined.http://aifs.com/

Program Costs/Scholarships/Financial Aid

•    AIFS Program Costs: What Is and is Not Included (PDF)
•    Scholarships Information and Application (PDF), Word doc version
•    Financial Aid: Unfortunately, there is very little financial aid in the summer and there are no summer loans. Students can possibly get the BOG fee waiver based on their current FAFSA.

AIFS REFUND DATES

Refund requests must be done in writing to AIFS. They accept emails and that is generally the easiest way (aifspartnerships@aifs.com). See official AIFS refund policy on your Agreement & Release form on AIFS application. Dates to remember regarding AIFS refunds once you are enrolled in the program:
--March 17, 2017: Last day to request refund of $450 deposit less $150 processing & non-refundable deposit fees. After March 17, AIFS will not refund any of the $450 deposit.
--April 19, 2017: Total program fee is due. NO REFUNDS OF PAYMENTS after this date.