Study Abroad in South Africa
By Trish Smith
A study abroad South Africa trip consists not only of a glimpse inside a
spiritual and historical people, but also face-to-face encounters with some of
the most beautiful wildlife and landscapes in the world.
If you travel to South Africa for a summer abroad you can have a
once-in-a-lifetime experience jumping from Bloukrans Bridge, the highest bungee
jump destination in the world.
If you happen to be in the South African town of Hermanus in the months of
August to November for a semester abroad, you'll be able to watch whales from
some of the most amazing cliffs in Africa.
From exotic cuisine to never-before-seen animals, South Africa will be one of
the memorable study abroad experiences you will ever have.
South Africa Study Abroad Programs
Any university that you choose to visit in South Africa will be full of new and
exciting things to do and see.
For a diverse South African experience you can join a study abroad program at
Stellenbosch University, which has one of the oldest international offices in
South Africa.
You can take classes in everything from African studies and political science to
art and history, and you can meet a wide variety of international students from
Rwanda, Australia, India, Greece and many other countries. Stellenbosch is
considered an institution of excellence and encourages diverse ideas and
perspective from its staff and students.
If you're interested in engineering, the environment, humanities, law and
science, the University of Cape Town is the perfect place for you to gain
undergraduate college credit. This is the oldest university in all of South
Africa, and it prides itself in its top-rated teaching and research facilities.
In fact, it's home to over a quarter of all the highest-rated researchers in the
world in their field of study. Most importantly, the University of Cape Town
continually supports HIV/AIDS prevention and research in a wide variety of
programs administered by students and staff.
Another South African institution where you can find a good study abroad program
is at North-West University.
South Africa Transportation Options
South Africa has the largest economy in all of Africa, so that means there are
many modes of transportation individuals use to get from one place to the next.
The most important mode of transportation in South Africa is the railway system,
which is also the most advanced system in Africa. People use the railway every
day because it connects all major cities through its network.
South Africa is known for its luxury railway system called the Blue Train, which
travels from the cities of Pretoria and Cape Town. The Blue Train features
suites that have their own marble-tiled bathrooms and temperature controlled
units, and there is a full-time staff of executive chefs, butlers and waiters to
accommodate your needs.
One of the easiest ways to travel in South Africa is to grab a taxi ride or ride
a bus. Both taxi cab services and bus companies will take you anywhere that you
need to go, and they can be found in all major cities in South Africa. If you
would like to travel by taxi you can choose the Grab a Cab service, or you can
choose a bus transportation service like Translux to tour the biggest cities in
South Africa.
Car rental is another option in South Africa. The Car Rental South Africa
website offers services from companies such as Avis and Hertz, and allows you to
compare prices to see which type of service you can afford.
Finally, if you're interested in mountain biking or cycling around the South
African landscape, you can always take a tour from a company like Downhill
Adventures or just rent a bike to explore the area on your own.
Always follow health and safety guidelines no matter how you travel in South
Africa, just to prepare yourself for the unexpected. In a foreign country
halfway across the globe from your home, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Exchange Rates for South African Currency
South African currency is known as the rand. The rand was introduced in 1961
when the Republic of South Africa was established.
Here's what you need to know about the rand:
* Coins = 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2 and R5
* Bills = 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200
You can use a South African currency converter to compare other amounts of U.S.
dollars against the rand.
Best Locations to Visit in South Africa
There are many must-see cities you should visit when you study in South Africa.
Johannesburg, which is the largest city in South Africa, has an endless list of
things to do.
Art enthusiasts can visit the Johannesburg Art Gallery, which features Dutch,
British, European and South African art, and outdoor explorers can visit the
caves in Sterkfontein, where fossils dating back as far as 3.5 million years ago
have been found.
The second largest city in South Africa is Cape Town. This city has become a
popular tourist destination because of its parks, beaches and other cultural
attractions. The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens features over 9,000
plants, and is a great place to relax and read a book.
Adventure-seekers can go hiking or rock climbing on Table Mountain, and people
looking for good food and shopping can visit the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront,
where you can also take boat and helicopter rides.
Finally, Durban, the third largest city in South Africa, is the perfect place to
go on a self-guided tour and view beautiful beaches and ports. The Golden Mile
is a long stretch of sand that you can walk along and see waterfront properties,
fishing piers, restaurants, museums and skate parks.
Durban is also home to uShaka Marine World, which has the fifth largest aquarium
in the world and one of the largest ocean parks in Africa.
Trish Smith is a copywriter for Green Student U,
Student Finance Domain and Study Abroad Domain,
websites that are devoted to providing college students with helpful
environmental, financial and study abroad advice.