Study Abroad in South Africa

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 like the one here 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.