What inspired you to go abroad?
I wanted to add depth and contrast to my college experience, and by my third year was looking for something new. As an Anthropology and Political Science major, South Africa was the perfect place for me to study and learn about people and the junctures of their social and political cultures.
Sabie Falls with other IES students, Mpumalanga province
Why did you choose IES Abroad?
When comparing different organizations online, I saw major differences between IES and other contemporary programs. IES provided the most information and clarity, and questions I directed towards representatives were always thoughtfully, thoroughly, and quickly answered. The grant I received for attending a public university also facilitated my study abroad financially, and impacted my decision to choose IES.
What was your favorite part about Cape Town?
Cape Town has the lifeblood and attractions of a major city blended, with the college town atmosphere of the best university on the continent. At times, it is alternately laid-back California beachy, colonial imprinted, and artsy cosmopolitan. South Africa as a whole has gorgeous, lush, and wild natural environments, and its biodiversity is absolutely stunning to be surrounded by.
Table Mountain seen looking up from the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town
What made your experience abroad unique?
While abroad, I decided that the best way to integrate myself into a new university and lifestyle was to really engage in extracurriculars. Between independently planned outings, IES excursions, and clubs (called "societies") at UCT, I got to do a little bit of everything and explore the ranges of my interests. A particular example of my study abroad experience being made unique was definitively the student-run NGO I joined in Cape Town called SHAWCO Education. By helping to build up the community in the Western Cape, I was able to immerse myself and learn more about South Africa's history and social conditions, as well as establish positive and beneficial relationships with young learners.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
Local IES staff were always receptive to students, and made an obvious and conscious effort to give us all the resources we could need before, during, and after our time abroad.
Camps Bay, Cape Town
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?
Packed earlier. Leaving it to the last minute (in my case, the last day) made my final hours at home stressful, and it would have been nicer to have one last comfortable day. Especially as something to look back on and bolster you for the next day or so of travel, I think packing early is important, and I should have respected that more. Also, if you haven't worn it in a while at home, you're not going to end up wearing it abroad. And leave room in your bags for souvenirs!
Describe a typical day in the life of your program.
A typical day in my school life abroad would involve waking up around 10:00 a.m., getting dressed, and making myself coffee in the kitchenette of my one-bedroom apartment. After breakfast (ideally containing South African rooibos tea and rusks), I would walk to the campus bus stop five minutes away with friends who lived on the same floor of my building. Lectures punctuated by free periods allow for time spent meeting up on campus or sitting on a sunny picnic bench, studying with a panoramic view of the city. After the brief shuttle ride and walk home from school, I normally would have a snack and do some work or readings on the outdoor terrace of my building. Once I finished my daily share of work, I made plans for the night with friends, watched Netflix, or read for leisure.
Cheetah Outreach in Somerset West, Cape Town metropolitan municipality
What did you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time, I love spending time outside, being around animals, and going to markets.
What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?
I lived in a small single-room apartment with a kitchenette and bathroom, and I found it to be perfect for my needs. I appreciated the autonomy and calm of not sharing a room, and still got to make close friends with all my neighbors who lived on my floor or elsewhere in the building. It was very modern and safe, and its proximity to campus made it convenient and not a trek to return home to every day.
What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?
Before going abroad, I read Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane, which I would recommend to anyone considering studying abroad in South Africa. It's a memoir of a boy growing up in a township of Johannesburg under apartheid, and it informs readers unfamiliar with South African legacies and history through powerful storytelling.
Elephant Sanctuary in Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape province
Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?
My time abroad helped me discern what really matters to me. It also gave me the confidence and experience of having lived and set down roots in a foreign country, and showed me my own dexterity in different situations.
Would you recommend IES Abroad to others? Why?
I would readily recommend IES Abroad as a program provider to other students because of the quality and value of the service I received. When I needed support or questions answered, IES always came through. Their clear dedication and extensive range of student involvement opportunities within the organization always impressed me, and are definitely a big draw.
