International Relations Study Abroad Programs in South Africa

I graduated from high school a semester early, and the only way I wanted to spend my semester was by being abroad. I've known about Semester at Sea for around 6 years and I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity. I searched up the requirements to be accepted and luckily fit all the requirements most importantly being 18, so immediately I applied. I then got an email back the next morning saying I got accepted into the program and that email brought me to tears in the middle of one of my classes. I couldn't wait to board the MV World Odyssey and embark on this journey of a lifetime. On the ship, I gained so much knowledge about different cultures and I was able to be fully immersed in them, not just sticking to the touristy things offered. Semester at Sea does an amazing job keeping the students' safety in country as a priority with having mandatory “Pre-Port meetings” the night before arriving in a country, and offering field programs which are ship run excursions with ship faculty leading them. The community on the ship was nothing I have ever experienced before. We were so close knit and it felt like I was truly in a connected, caring, and welcoming environment. I met the people I never imagined I'd connect with, and they ended up becoming the best connections I've ever made with people. Semester at Sea also helped me get out of my comfort zone which led me to have experiences I would have never imagined I'd have, best example being running a half marathon in Vigo, Spain even though I'm not a runner and have never been a runner. Semester at Sea has given me the world and the opportunity to appreciate it to its fullest. I left the ship with my passport full, but my heart is even fuller with people, memories, and connections I will forever cherish. Semester at Sea was truly the best experience I have ever had and would recommend it to anyone as it was life changing.

One of the most underrated aspect of semester at sea is the ship campus itself. Being able to live so close to your friends and just walking a few flight of stairs to your classroom and being able to sit down with your professors for lunch is such an amazing experience. It's eternal sunsets, it's endless travel stories from your friends, it's lifetime of memories. Highly recommend. One of the best decisions I made. And still day dream about this experience, still talk and travel to meet my SAS friends 4 years later.

I have not experienced anything like semester at sea before, therefore giving me a whole lot of different lenses to look at the world with. I completely enjoyed my experience and understand the importance of understanding others concerns, communication, communities, and countries. A overall wonderful experience that has changed my views as well as the way I live and who I am as a person.

The SIT program in Durban has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life! One of the greatest gifts of this program is that it would be impossible to recreate on your own or with any other company. The opportunity to meet with so many local people in Durban working to make change, attend book talks/lectures by a variety of professors, hear the experiences of local people working to make change post-apartheid, and about their experiences during apartheid, and living in home-stays is only possible through this SIT program. From day one, the cohort felt like a family, and learning from Dr. Buccus a privilege. The program offers safety, diversity in experience and excursions, fosters community between students, and was responsive to the individual passions and interests that each of us brought. I truly cannot overstate my gratitude towards the staff of SIT for offering such a well-rounded, academically rigorous, and culturally immersive program.

I loved every moment of this abroad experience. From the relationships I built with SIT staff, to the meaningful conversations I had with local community leaders and organizations we worked with, to my fellow students, who are now family for life, to every little moment of learning and laughter. A once in a life time experience that I wouldn't trade for the world. Thank you SIT!

When I decided I wanted to go abroad, I was nervous about a lot of things. First off, I was scared that when I went abroad I would have to settle for a location I did not want to be in because I needed my credits to transfer over. Luckily AIFS had a program in a wonderful city with a bunch of classes that would transfer back to my home university super well. When I chose this program, I was overjoyed but nervous about living in a homestay. When I got there I was happily surprised to find that my host family was amazing and provided me with an experience I would not have been able to have if I had been in a dorm/apt. The people that I met in the program were some of the coolest people I have ever known and am happy to call them my friends to this day. If you are looking for a great program in Paris where you have the freedom to meet new people, travel, and find yourself in a new place, I would 100% recommend this to you!

I just studied abroad with SAS in spring of 2025. To say this experience changed my life would be an understatement. I cannot recommend this enough. The learning opportunities are amazing, the staff and faculty do everything they can to make this your home away from home, and the traveling experiences are ONCE IN A LIFETIME!

When I completed Semester At Sea in the fall of 2024, it was my first time traveling over seas. Growing up going on cruise’s I was super excited to start this new journey on the floating campus. Going in knowing no one else I was nervous but soon felt so welcomed, the community on the ship is amazing. Getting to travel the world with other college kids that have the same interest as you is such a wonderful experience. The professors and other staff members are there to make your learning come to life and it was magical to watch that happen, exploring your learning in each country was eye opening. Not only getting to explore a country but 10 countries allowed for a broad variety of cultures that we get to dive into and explore was so rewarding. I would 1000% go on Semester At Sea again and would recommend it to everyone if you’re deciding to study abroad.

I don’t even know where to begin! Semester at Sea was truly a life-changing experience. There’s no other program where you can see so many different places in a single semester. For example, I visited 10 countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe, experiencing diverse cultures and meeting people from all over the world. Semester at Sea also gives you incredible freedom: while docked, you can join field programs or explore each country independently. Through this journey, I not only learned about the world but also about myself. I became more independent, more confident, and gained a global perspective that has completely changed the way I see the world.

I think I was perfectly underprepared for this experience in that the best way to approach this program is to have no expectations, to leave Western perspectives at the door, and to exist as a perpetual student in and beyond the classroom. As an American, one of the most important things to me is learning and experiencing life from completely different perspectives and positionalities. The beauty of this program is that for every difference, there are at least 3 similarities of shared humanity across cultures that made my 3 months of school and work transform into a period of introspection and changemaking that will impact me for a lifetime. I learned a lot about concepts like development theory that help my aspirations of a career in peacemaking, conflict resolution, and diplomacy. Furthermore, I got to begin this career by interning at the #1 continential NGO working on peace and conflict resolution: The African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD). It was the experience of a lifetime that has directly impacted my future plans academically and professionally.

Semester at Sea was truly the most enriching and inspiring experience of my life. It was invaluable being exposed to so many beautiful cultures, connecting with students, faculty, and staff from around the world, and learning that the world is so vast and yet so interconnected. Because of SAS, I am a more empowered, empathetic, and curious person—and I will forever be grateful for my voyage.

Semester at Sea was by far the best experience I’ve ever decided to do in college! I got to travel to places that I never thought I would visit in my lifetime while also taking college courses. I also created so many lifelong friendships that I will cherish forever.

Studying abroad with Semester at Sea was hands down the best semester of my life. I had the chance to travel the world, meet amazing people, and experience so many different cultures (all of which helped me grow in ways I never expected). Every stop along the way challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and grow in ways a classroom never could. If you’re looking for a sign to just commit and do it, this is it. You won’t regret it!

Almost three years ago, I decided to apply for SAS and give this once far-fetched idea a try. As I covered logistics with my study abroad office, watched tons of videos about it, and read every handbook I could find, I thought I had it all figured out. But little did I know what would await. From newfound confidence in social situations, I learned many life skills, that have had a significant impact in personal growth. Today, whenever people ask me how my semester at sea was, I give them the biggest smile I can and attempt to summarize an experience that no words will ever do justice. I use adjectives like “amazing” and “life-changing” to describe something that was truly more than that. The thought of what this program was and what it did for me brings back so many memories, and I can’t even begin to describe them all in just 30 seconds. I instantly think of the daily bing bong announcements, Berlin story times, and never knowing what day of the week it was. Semester at Sea wasn’t just studying abroad, and traveling the world with some awesome friends. It was an experience built with challenges that translated to how I now view the world, and to me, that’s one of the greatest beauties of this program.

My experience with Semester at Sea was amazing and I would do it again if I could! Its such a unique study abroad program since you go to 10+ countries. I can confidently say it was the most transformative and impactful semester throughout my college experience.

This study abroad deeply changed my perspective and thinking in terms of the Global South position in International Affairs. My positionality in which I approach academics and my professional trajectory has been deeply informed by my time here. Dr. Imraan Buccus, the Academic Director, is an amazing source of information and connections for whatever you are curious about. The program also allows for lots of time to explore the natural beauty of the country through hikes, a safari, and spend time at Durban's beaches. This program allows you to explore the major cities of SA, thoroughly travel the Province of KwaZulu Natal, get to know Durban, and also visit Mozambique. During the program, you will take 4 courses plus an internship or research project. On the program, you live with 3 homestays and then also move around a lot with travel and independent accommodation. The program emphasizes experiential learning with field trips, activities, and speakers. Truly an amazing time abroad!

Semester at Sea was simply the best thing I have ever done. It's more than just a normal study abroad experience. With SAS, you get to travel the world while having a ship as your campus; I don't think anything can compare to that. They offer a wide variety of classes for any major, but they also have many classes that explore different aspects of the countries you are visiting to learn more about them. I took World Religions, World History, World Music, and everyone is required to take Global Studies. The professors are all so knowledgeable, and you can tell that they are all so passionate about what they teach. This program really exposes you to all sorts of different cultures and experiences that most people will never get to experience. The sailing aspect also allows you to connect with the other people in such a unique way. It's always so hard to describe it, but the people I met on this voyage will always hold such a special place in my heart, and I know we will still be in each others lives until the end of time. The whole experience really pushes you out of your comfort zone, and I know that I left such a better person than when I first got on. I recommend anyone who has the opportunity to go on one of these voyages, it is something you would never regret and would treasure for the rest of your life.

Of all the decisions I’ve made, choosing Semester at Sea as my study abroad program was by far the best. I knew I wanted to explore multiple countries rather than stay immersed in just one, and when I discovered SAS in my university’s offerings, I immediately knew it was the perfect fit. Over four unforgettable months, I traveled to 10+ countries across 3 continents, creating lifelong memories along the way. The shipboard community is truly one-of-a-kind—tight-knit, supportive, and full of energy. I made some of my closest friends while learning about new cultures in the most hands-on way possible. From visiting the Taj Mahal to riding camels in the Sahara Desert, each moment was unforgettable. I couldn’t have asked for a more enriching, exciting, or transformative experience. I’m forever grateful for Semester at Sea—and I hope you find a journey just as meaningful.

I honestly can say this program changed my perspective of the world. The title lives up to its name, "International Relations in the Global South," as you learn about South Africa's apartheid history, how its history shaped its relations with neighbors, and how those inform a Global South view of international relations. You learn all about these things through both lectures from incredible guest speakers as well as field trips/site visits to various NGOs and political offices around Durban. The program starts with a week in Johannesburg, spends the majority of the time in Durban, and ends with a few days in Cape Town. During the semester you also have excursions to Mozambique and the South Coast in South Africa. You also spend a week in a rural town where you use the isiZulu language you've been practicing during the semester. Every day is filled with activities and opportunities to learn as much as possible. I highly recommend this program for people interested in international politics and history as well as an interest in learning about South African cultures. It's an adventure everyday, so be flexible and have fun!

Semester at Sea changed my life in more ways than I thought possible. I had incredible travel experiences like visiting the Taj Mahal in India, spending a night under the stars in the Western Sahara Desert in Morocco, and seeing penguins at Boulders Beach in South Africa. But all of my travel memories were made so much more meaningful through the classes I took while on Semester at Sea. Learning about the diverse cultures of the countries we visited through lenses of literature, religion, social change, and global studies was an unmatched opportunity. Additionally, I took oceanography during a span where the ocean was truly my home. In addition to my travels and academics, Semester at Sea brought me lifelong friends from all around the globe. In 4 short months, the strangers I boarded the ship with became my family. If you are considering doing SAS, this is your sign!! I have 0 regrets and will cherish this experience for the rest of my life. I am already a year out and I still find a way to bring up SAS in conversation every single day.