aerial view cape town coast
Cape Town, South Africa

January in Cape Town

Study Program

Dates

-

3 weeks

Costs

Credit

3 semester hours

4.5 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Overview

Your January in Cape Town program lasts 3 weeks and is designed for students from all academic backgrounds. You will enroll in one CIEE course taught at CIEE Cape Town. Enhance your experience with extracurricular activities while immersing yourself in South African culture. Live and learn 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

enjoying 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

Experience
  • Cape Town Surfing

Your Destination

Cape Town is South Africa's stunning coastal city, celebrated for its mild 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.

cape town student group posing in street

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.
student volunteers gardening cape town

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
  • Visit the Robben Island Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you'll walk in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela and explore the island's history
  • Embark on a guided walking tour of Cape Town, discovering the city's rich history, architecture, and cultural heritage

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

From CIEE

Table Mountain adventures for January in Cape Town

By Cape Town Centre at CIEE

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

From CIEE

Local flavors at Eziko, Cape Town

By Cape Town Centre at CIEE

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

From CIEE

Explore Cape Town Vineyards and Earn Credits in J-term!

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

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

What People are Saying

  • "The people, places, food, and landscape are absolutely amazing!"

    Logan F., Susquehanna University

  • "It was an incredible experience and everyone should be able to experience it."

    Patrick W., Wofford College

  • "It is such a great experience and you learn so much in a short period of time."

    Robert L., Wofford College

  • "Awesome experience studying abroad in another country."

    Tatum H., St Olaf College

Housing
Academics

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.

GPA

2.5

Language Requirements

There are no specific language requirements for this program.

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Requirements

All students take one 3-credit course.

Program Credit

Total credit: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits

Course Credit

CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Academic Culture

The program is made up of three weeks of classes with an intensive orientation beforehand. CIEE classes are designed to follow U.S. academic culture. Class attendance is strictly enforced both for classes and required co-curricular excursions. Independent learning and active participation in class are necessary to achieve satisfactory academic performance.

Class Format

Courses taught at CIEE Cape Town are for CIEE students only. Courses are taught Monday – Friday, with some activities taking place on weekends. Instruction is supported and augmented online by our learning management system, Canvas.

Grading

Assessment is based on the individual’s overall performance in the course, including essays, coursework, and final examinations or papers. Students must check with their professors to find out exam and project presentation dates. Under no circumstances will CIEE alter deadlines or exam dates for study abroad students who have made conflicting travel plans. The U.S. grading scale of A-F is used.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Language of Instruction

English

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Courses

Course Information

History, Philosophy, Religion

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Social Sciences

Course
Language
Semester Credit

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

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.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

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 2026 3 weeks Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $4,150

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.

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 and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

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

Staff

Our Staff

Caleb Kay

Student Life Coordinator

Caleb has a degree in Political Science, Governance, and Sociology from the University of Cape Town.

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Start an Application

You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!

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.

Request Info