Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Cape Town: Living My Best Life & Learning Along the Way August 25, 2026

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/17/2026 to 05/16/2026 with

IES Abroad: Cape Town - Health, Culture & Development

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained so much from my time abroad, both personally and academically. I learned how to navigate a completely new environment, became more independent and open-minded, and learned so much about South African history, culture, and everyday life. It was absolutely worthwhile and honestly one of the best experiences I’ve had in college.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Yes. I would choose the same program again because it gave me the perfect balance of learning, exploring Cape Town, meeting new people, and genuinely having fun. I learned so much both inside and outside of the classroom, and it became one of the most memorable experiences of my college career.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $150-250
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Give yourself a weekly/monthly budget and stick to it!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The people – Meeting new people and building friendships I’ll always remember.
  • Exploring Cape Town – The beaches, food, nightlife, activities, and just getting to experience the city for myself.
  • Learning outside the classroom – Getting to learn about South African history, culture, inequality, and community while actually living there made everything feel so much more real.
* What could be improved?
  • More interaction with local students – More opportunities to actually meet and build friendships with South African students.
  • More food options – More variety in the meals provided, especially options that work for different tastes and dietary preferences.
  • More interaction with local communities
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew just how quickly the semester would go by! I would’ve pushed myself to explore even more, try more things, and really take advantage of every opportunity from the very beginning.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!