The TCNJ Center for Global Engagement and the International Studies Abroad (ISA), have established a semester-long program for TCNJ students in the heart of Cape Town, South Africa. Students – particularly sophomores and juniors – may participate in the fall or spring semesters. Students will be able to study for a semester at the University of Cape Town (UCT) in the Republic of South Africa. The Cape Town program will be complemented with cultural activities, day trips and excursions outside of the host city. Students also have the option to participate in a Service Learning component as part of their study abroad experience.

Location

Cape Town, affectionately known as the Mother City, was founded in 1652 and is South Africa's oldest city. Cape Town is rated as one of the most beautiful cities in the world with a backdrop of flat-topped Table Mountain juxtaposed by the sweep of the Atlantic Ocean in the foreground. You can hike or take a cable-car ride up Table Mountain to enjoy the breathtaking view of the city and peninsula, take a ferry to the historic Robben Island, or visit the Cape of Good Hope.

Academic Program

Established in 1829 as a school for boys, the University of Cape Town (UCT) is South Africa's oldest university and one of the continent's leading teaching and research institutions. University of Cape Town comprises over 80 departments with 1,980 Academic staff and with 2, 520 Administrative staff. The University of Cape Town has a population of approximately 23 500 students and over 4000 international students. The University of Cape Town is officially recognized as an educational institution by the Republic of South Africa's Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). The DHET is a governmental department responsible for the establishment and oversight of universities and other post-secondary institutions in South Africa.

The main teaching campus, known as Upper Campus is centered on UCT's iconic Jameson Hall. This breathtaking location looks out onto the city and up at Devil's Peak. Upper Campus is home to the majority of academic buildings and ISA's Cape Town office. UCT student will get to enjoy over 30 different social clubs and sports throughout the semester.For 2015, QS World University Rankings, the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the Academic Ranking of World Universities all ranked The University of Cape Town as the highest of any African university, and #14 among all BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) universities. University of Cape Town is also home to the first cardiac surgeon Dr. Christian Barnard who successfully performed a human to human heart transplant.

TCNJ Cape Town students will enroll in three to five courses of their choosing at UCT. Please consult the course listings for descriptions & syllabi. Courses listed here have already been reviewed and given course equivalents by TCNJ faculty. All course will count as one TCNJ unit and the grades will factor into your GPA.

*Note: This program is currently suspended for Spring 2021. Students interested in Fall 2021 study or future terms can consult ISA's webpage.

Service Learning Option

TCNJ students will also have the option to participate in an ISA-Service Learning opportunity with ongoing service-learning projects in the Cape Town area in order to create a positive and lasting impact in the community. Students will work between 5-10 hours at their host organization in addition to their university courses. ISA offers the following in Service-Learning options in these areas:

• Political Science
• Social Work
• Business and Marketing
• Communications and Journalism
• Education
• Health
• IT and Computer Science

Student Life

ISA Cape Town staff will welcome students and faculty upon arrival, lead all excursions, facilitate the orientation program and serve as a cultural liaison for the group throughout the program. Students have the opportunity to experience aspects of the Cape Town lifestyle that are inaccessible to the average visitor of South Africa.

The experience of living in another culture will be both educational and rewarding so long as you stay open-minded and reasonable. There are differences in culture and lifestyle between life in South Africa and the U.S. that will quickly become apparent upon your arrival. Remember: the key to a positive experience is flexibility! Students Residence is approximately 15 minutes away from UCT campus. Students will usually be housed in single room or double rooms with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. Coin-operated laundry facilities are located on the bottom floor. Meals and laundry service are not included.

Students will also be able to take part in ISA's Bridging Cultures program with activities and excursions (including entry fees and hotel accommodations for overnight excursions) like the Aquila Game Reserve and Community Visit & Robben Island Tour. See here for an idea of these and other activities/excursions.

Want more information? Have questions? Interested in applying?

Set up an advising appointment with this program's advisor or contact CGE at goglobal@tcnj.edu or 609-771-2596.