Astronomy in Cape Town
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Cape Town gives students access to the skies, the science, and the community—a perfect launchpad for exploring astronomy. Every CIEE Faculty-Led & Custom program is a unique combination of high-quality academics and co-curricular activities and excursions that offer real-world experiences to enhance classroom learning.
Destination
Cape Town, one of the world’s most important science hubs, offers a unique combination of rich history, modern facilities, and a vibrant scientific community. The Southern Hemisphere sky offers a view of the Milky Way’s galactic center, which can’t be seen from northern latitudes. Students will have an opportunity to witness and participate in the world’s most exciting astronomy projects.
Co-Curricular Activities
LECTURES
CIEE’s partnership with University of Cape Town, renowned for astrophysics, physics, data science, and engineering, gives us a unique access to top-notch guest speakers in the astronomy field. The Astronomy in Cape Town program can include the following on-site lectures:
- Southern Sky Astronomy
- South Africa’s Astronomical Legacy
SITE VISITS
Here are just a few of the possibilities for co-curricular activities and excursions in Cape Town:
- A guided tour of South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) where students will view telescopes and learn about South Africa’s role in space science.
- A guided visit to Iziko Planetarium and Digital Dome which offers an impressive array of immersive shows blending art, science, entertainment, and an unparalleled 360° cinematic experience.
- A stargazing event, a magical and educational experience, blending science, storytelling, and a deep appreciation for the night sky.
- A multinight excursion to Sutherland that includes a guided visit to Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), the largest single optical telescope in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the largest in the world
What's Included
Every program is tailored to suit the needs of your academic goals – so every program has unique program inclusions and pricing based on your needs. In addition to the programmatic and cultural inclusions above, a standard CIEE custom program includes on-site orientation, 24/7 emergency support, in-country transportation, accommodations, some meals, classroom space, comprehensive insurance coverage and logistical support from our on-site CIEE staff. We also offer marketing templates and other valuable tools to help you get the word out to students.
Health, Safety, & Security
CIEE has over seven decades of experience creating engaging and reliable study abroad programs around the world, with an excellent safety record. Each of our sites is regularly assessed using international risk management standards and data to facilitate successful programs. In addition, our custom and faculty-led programs include pre-departure and on-site orientations, iNext travel insurance, the support of trained CIEE staff members on-site, and 24/7 emergency support in-country. Learn more at ciee.org/safety.