8
Eager to step into the footsteps of a college student who did a study abroad program in South Africa? We recently caught up with AIFS Abroad participant Brianna from Clark University who spent her fall semester studying abroad in the scenic city of Stellenbosch.
Read on to learn more about Brianna’s experience with AIFS Abroad and the impact of being an international student in Stellenbosch.
Choosing a Study Abroad Program Destination & Term
Deciding when and where to study abroad can be a challenge for many students (our team can help with that!), but no matter which program you choose, you’re in for the adventure of a lifetime! Brianna chose to go abroad during her fall semester so she wouldn’t miss out on the rowing season that occurs during the spring at her home university:
“I chose to go in the fall because I am on the rowing team at my university, and our official season is in the spring, so I didn’t want to miss that. This was a great time to go because the program ended before Thanksgiving so I could go home for that!”
As far as destination goes, there’s nothing wrong with choosing a popular European study abroad destination (they’re popular for a reason!), but Brianna chose South Africa because she wanted a challenge:
“I chose this country because I knew I wanted to go somewhere unique. Everyone at my school goes to Europe, but I wanted to go somewhere that might not be as easy to go to. I am also an environmental science student and South Africa has a lot to offer in terms of the environment and conservation.”
Academics
While studying abroad is a perfect opportunity to travel the world and immerse yourself in new cultures, the academic side of things is very important as well (it is called study abroad after all!). Wherever you end up, you’ll find that your international university experience will be full of new experiences, like Brianna explains:
“I stayed at Stellenbosch University. This was a good experience for me since I go to a small school without a lot of students. The [university] has a lot more students than mine, so I was able to meet many people and go to a lot of events, such as the school’s rugby games. My school doesn’t have any big sporting events, so that was cool to experience.”
Regardless of your area of study, classes are a vital part of your study abroad experience. AIFS Abroad offers a wide range of programs for students with all kinds of academic interests. Brianna studies environmental science, so she took courses that aligned with her major, like Practical Conservation and Sustainable Gardening, along with Photography and Global Service Learning courses. Hear her discuss her experience taking classes as an AIFS Abroad student studying in Stellenbosch:
“Classes were very similar to my home universities. They were small, which I enjoyed since you have more opportunities to connect with your professors. One of the differences was that we only met once a week, and the classes were still pretty short, which was nice. This allowed me to go on a lot of trips! My classes also included international/AIFS students.”
One of her favorite academic experiences in Stellenbosch was a field trip, a unique experience she would’ve missed out on if she had stayed in the U.S.:
“What stood out the most for me was my one-week field trip to Kruger National Park with my practical conservation class. It was definitely one of the best things I did while abroad.”
Friendships and Social Life
While some people choose to study abroad with friends from home, many others, like Brianna, set out on their own. This can be a daunting yet thrilling experience and an excellent opportunity to make new friends. Remember, whichever destination you choose, there will be other AIFS Abroad participants just like you who want to have fun and make friends!
In addition to making friends with other students, you may find that professors are a great resource, like Brianna did:
“I was able to build a great relationship with my professors. If I ever plan on [getting] a job or visiting South Africa again, I know I can reach out to them! So my advice would be to connect with your professors, especially since [they’re locals]. They know cool places to go and have great stories to tell!”
Language Barriers
Did you know that you are not required to be fluent in another language to study abroad? While certain courses do require some level of proficiency, many do not. Not only is fluency not required, but there are plenty of course options without language learning classes at all. So, whether you want to study abroad to learn a new language or you’d rather stick to English, there are programs perfectly suited to your academic and language preferences. For example, Brianna didn’t know any of the local languages in South Africa:
“South Africa has 13 official languages, so when traveling around, people speak differently. One of the main communication challenges was when I would go to primary school for my Global Service Learning class. None of the students spoke English, but I still had to teach them, so that was a challenge but a rewarding experience.”
For anyone who doesn’t want to deal with language difficulties, there are plenty of locations in English-speaking countries, which makes communication a breeze!
Culture Shock
Culture shock is a common experience for many study abroad and international internship participants, but we promise it sounds scarier than it is! Culture shock looks a little bit different for everyone, but at its core, it’s a reaction to a new environment, and people experience it in varying degrees. Even though the culture in Stellenbosch is very different from America’s, Brianna’s personal experience with culture shock was pretty mild:
“I didn’t experience much culture shock. Most things were the same. Riding in cars was weird since they drove on the opposite side of the road and they drove somewhat crazy.”
While adapting to a new culture may feel uncomfortable at first, it will be a very rewarding experience. After all, cultural immersion is one of the greatest benefits of studying abroad!
Why Choose AIFS Abroad?
Students choose AIFS Abroad for a wide variety of reasons—the high-quality programs we offer, the range of destinations and academic interests we cover, and all of our valuable inclusions from student housing to on-site support staff. Hear why Brianna chose AIFS Abroad and why she’s so happy she did:
“I chose AIFS Abroad because I wanted a program that offered an on-campus environment with great support staff. I knew I wanted to be enrolled directly through a university to meet other students, not just those in my program. I also wanted to make sure there was a lot of support if needed. My parents and siblings had never been out of the country, so they were more scared than I was. At the time, it was the longest they had gone without seeing me, so they wanted to ensure I was in good hands before sending me away.
Throughout my program, from the application process to after [returning home], I had a tremendous amount of support. My advisors before going to South Africa were helpful when answering my questions pre-departure. While I was in South Africa, I had the privilege of having Hestea as my [Program Director]. She was AMAZING! No matter what, she was always one phone call away and doing the most for all of us. I loved her so much!”
Final Thoughts & Advice
Study abroad is the experience of a lifetime. Students come back with unforgettable memories and experiences that shape their futures, both academically and personally. Here’s what Brianna has to say to anyone who’s going to study abroad:
“First of all, congratulations! You’re about to embark on an experience that will leave you with stories you’ll carry for a lifetime. There will be moments of pure excitement but also moments of discomfort. You might feel lost (literally and figuratively), homesick, or overwhelmed by cultural differences. That’s normal. The key is to embrace it all—the awkward, the uncertain, the frustrating—because those are the moments that shape you the most.
One of the big things that helped me to have the best experience is saying yes to new things! I tried bungee jumping and skydiving, and I don’t regret it! I also asked for help whenever I needed it; whether it’s directions, academic support, or a recommendation for the best local coffee shop, people are often happy to share what they know. Most importantly, soak it all in. This experience will pass faster than you expect, but the ways it will change you will last far beyond your time abroad.
I loved studying abroad! It was such a great experience, and I would recommend it to anyone!”
Are you a student who’s ready to take the leap and study abroad like Brianna did in Stellenbosch with AIFS Abroad? We’d love to help you start your journey!
Here at AIFS Abroad, we know a thing or two about helping college students study abroad. Our programs come with many valuable inclusions, which takes a lot of the stress out of planning. From coordinating your housing to providing things like cultural and social activities, excursions, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, on-site staff, and more, you’ll take comfort in knowing you’ll have support throughout your entire experience abroad.