January in Cape Town
Unique Experiences
Study surrounded by natural beauty
where you can combine academic pursuits with outdoor adventures like hiking, surfing, and wildlife safaris
Experience the beauty of summer
and enjoy Cape Town's mild climate, long days, and sunshine, perfect for exploring the city's coastline, beaches, and attractions
Gain insight into South Africa's complex history
and its transition from apartheid to democracy, learning about the country's turbulent past and the struggle for freedom
Your Destination
Cape Town is South Africa's stunning coastal city, celebrated for its hot summer climate and rich cultural heritage. January is the perfect time to experience the city's charm with long days and sunshine while exploring iconic landmarks like Table Mountain and the V&A Waterfront and enjoying outdoor activities like surfing and hiking. Whether you are majoring in business, science, engineering, technology, communications, psychology, health sciences, liberal arts, language, or fine arts, Cape Town is the perfect place to study abroad on winter break.
Program Highlights
- Academic Course: Take one CIEE course delivered in-person at the CIEE Center.
- Immersive Experiences: Participate in activities, excursions, study tours, and more that showcase your host city's culture, values, and local art, film, music, cuisine, and sports scenes.
Excursions & Activities
CIEE’s excursions and cultural activities in Cape Town will open doors for you to explore South Africa's rich diversity, language, culture, history, and timeless beauty in ways that will enhance your time abroad.
Samples of past excursions and activities:
- Take in breathtaking views of Cape Town from the top of Table Mountain, one of the world's most iconic natural wonders
- Discover Langa and other Cape Town townships while mastering a traditional local recipe
- Learn to surf in Muizenberg, one of the best spots in the world
Please note: Activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.
Program Blogs
Table Mountain adventures for January in Cape Town
What better way to kickstart our three-week January in Cape Town programme than a trip to one of the New7Wonders of Nature, Table Mountain? Last Saturday our students had the... keep reading
Local flavors at Eziko, Cape Town
January means summer in Cape Town, and our J Term students certainly got 2020 off to a tasty start! To make the most of the sunshine, this week our J... keep reading
Explore Cape Town Vineyards and Earn Credits in J-term!
It may sound too good to be true. But it's actually 100% real. Bring your sommelier skills to the beautiful, diverse city of Cape Town and engage in hands-on learning... keep reading
Housing & Meals
Housing
CIEE Cape Town offers comfortable, fully furnished shared accommodation conveniently located within easy reach of CIEE Cape Town, public transportation, shops, and other essential amenities.
Standard Housing: Includes double or triple accommodation in a shared apartment or single accommodation (if available). Apartments are located within a 25-minute commute of CIEE Cape Town, offering a convenient balance between independence and accessibility.
- All Housing: Housing is designed to foster both social interaction and academic focus. Shared communal spaces provide opportunities to connect with fellow participants and local South African students, while quieter areas are available for individual study or group work. Cooking facilities are shared in a communal kitchen, and essential living amenities such as cookware, cutlery, crockery, and bed linens are provided. Students are required to bring their own towels. In all accommodation types, each student will have their own bedroom.
- Triple Accommodation: The triple accommodation includes a shared kitchen, lounge, and bathroom area.
- Double Accommodation: The double accommodation includes a shared kitchen and bathroom.
A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive. Non-standard housing options require an additional fee that can be found in the program Dates and Fees.
Meals
Meals are not included. Students prepare meals in their apartments or make use of the many restaurants and takeaway options nearby.
Transportation
Students usually make use of Uber or ride-share services. Public transport is strongly discouraged for safety reasons. Uber costs are approximately $0.60 USD per kilometer, which makes this an affordable option for many.
Academics
CIEE Cape Town: Study in the vibrant student-friendly suburb of Rondebosch near central Cape Town. CIEE Cape Town boasts two main classrooms, a small meeting room, a student lounge, a student life office, and an academic advising office.
Course Information
Social Sciences
History, Philosophy, Religion
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Scholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.
Dates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program January 2027 3 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | ||
| Program January 2026 3 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $4,150 |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
| Participation Confirmation | $300 * |
| Educational Costs | $3,270 ** |
| Housing | $500 |
| Insurance | $80 |
| Total Fees | $4,150 |
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
| Meals not included in program fee | $221 † |
| International Airfare | $1,450 †† |
| Local Transportation | $100 ††† |
| Books & Supplies | $20 |
| Personal expenses | $135 †††† |
| Total Costs | $1,926 |
*non-refundable fee
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
†For groceries if you plan on making your own meals, budget more money if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††Students usually prefer to use Uber
††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Our Staff
Faeza Khan
Center Director
Faeza holds a Ph.D. in social work from the University of the Western Cape and brings more than a decade of senior leadership experience across higher education and international development...
Joy Marjawar
Academic Manager
Joy specializes in curriculum development, creating engaging learning experiences, and fostering student growth through a transformative, Freirean-inspired teaching approach.
Thandeka Dladla
Student Life Manager
Thandeka Dladla has a strong foundation in education, youth development, and program coordination. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music from UCT and has taught learners across primary, high school...
Get Started
1
2
Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.
3
Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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