Pre-Requisites
- Minimum GPA: 2.60
- Judicial Check
- Must have valid passport or have passport application in progress at time of application
Currently Accepting Applications for:
- Fall 22: TBD
Highlights
- Study in the oldest college town in South Africa
- Take excursions around Cape Town, the Stellenbosch Winelands, and Table Mountain
- Stay in a private room, close to campus
About the Program
SMCM-CIS in South Africa allows students the opportunity to study at the world-class Stellenbosch University in the heart of South African wine country. The campus and surrounding communities are a melting pot of cultures. You’ll find a beautiful, safe campus with many international students. You can take innovative courses taught by highly qualified professors, and you’ll have access to Stellenbosch University’s amazing facilities, including a gigantic underground library, a music conservatory, open-air amphitheater, and a student center that has everything a student could want.
Affectionately known as “maties,” Stellenbosch University students (that means you!) can join a wide variety of student organizations, club sports, and social organizations. You can join university trips to Oudshoorn, shark cage diving, a color run, hiking, a trip to the Langa suburb of Cape Town, and a wine weekend! If you want to organize your own adventure, there’s something for everybody in and around Stellenbosch. Take a trip to a nature preserve to meet native South African species, make a toast at a world-famous vineyard, or simply grab a homemade ice cream at a relaxing cafe in town.
Academics
4 South African credits equals 1 US credit. Students taking 16 US credits will have 64 South African credits.
Make sure you select only those classes that say “Yes” in the Study Abroad column, and double-check that the class is offered during the month you are starting the Semester in South Africa program. See the CIS Academics resource for more detailed information.
Service-learning option
This course is an experiential learning, writing-intensive, academic credit bearing, community engagement course. This course includes both theoretical and practical work where students will learn about eradicating poverty through partnerships. Students will work with a farm school for the practical option. This course is 9 US credits.
Housing and Meals
SMCM students will live in one of the two international student accommodations, which are only a five-to-ten minute walk from the heart of campus.The university offers a student center, where students spend time together and also visit the many coffee shops, restaurants, clothing stores, banks, bookstores, and adventure and travel stores located inside. Living on campus will allow you to explore the area at your own pace; you’ll be in a great position to learn more about the South African culture and the people, which will only enhance your study abroad experience!
Amenities:
- Private room in shared apartment
- Shared kitchen, bathroom, and living space
- Kitchen utensils and bed linens, as well as a bed, desk, chair, dining table and chairs, and a wardrobe for clothes
- Self-catered apartments with kitchen facilities, which means students will need to either prepare their own meals or dine out
Meals are not provided, but students may either cook for themselves in the shared kitchen or enjoy eating on campus.
Student Life
Upon arrival, SMCM students will be picked up at the airport, and take part in both the university and CISabroad orientation program. You’ll learn the “do’s and don’ts” of South African life, like how to get around by public transportation, how to stay safe, what to do in case of an emergency and who to contact if you have any questions. CIS staff also tell you all about their favorite places in town (restaurants, museums, markets etc), and you’ll join in on a welcome meal, something traditional and yummy (ever heard of “Bobotie?”) so that you can start to taste the local flavor.
Important Links
Transfer Credit Policy
How credits taken abroad will transfer back to SMCM.
Academic and Judicial Policies
The academic and judicial requirements for any student considering studying abroad.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
How financial aid will apply towards your study abroad program and what scholarships are available.
Payments and Services
Payment processes for semester-long, short-term, and non-SMCM study abroad programs.
