Undergraduate Study Abroad

I studied abroad in Cape Town, South Africa, where I took courses at the University of Cape Town (UCT). The university itself is built into the side of a mountain, so getting to class sometimes felt like a short hike! But once you made it up, the views were unmatched.

I took two courses that I really enjoyed while abroad: African Music and Political Economy of Africa.

My African Music course focused on different instruments used throughout traditional African societies, their historical context, cultural influence, and how they are used today. The class involved a lot of watching, listening, and analyzing music from across the continent. We also had several opportunities to actually play the instruments ourselves, create music together as a class, and even make our own amapiano soundtrack! It was definitely one of those classes where I was learning without realizing how much I was learning because we were having so much fun.

In Political Economy of Africa, we explored pre-colonial societies and civilizations across the African continent. One of the most unique parts of the course was learning about these societies from African professors who were connected to the cultures and histories we were discussing. Hearing these perspectives firsthand gave me a deeper understanding of how different societies developed and how their histories have shaped the continent today.

Outside of the classroom, I took advantage of every opportunity to explore Cape Town. The city is surrounded by a huge mountain range, with Table Mountain, one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, sitting at its northern end. The mountains create these different pockets of communities, activities, and cultures throughout the city.

If you want the energy of a city but with a little more greenery, you can explore the Central Business District. If you want beaches and restaurants right along the water, take a sunset trip to Camps Bay. If you want to stay active while taking in some amazing views, Sea Point is the place to go. There were so many different areas to explore that every day felt like an opportunity to discover something new. Some days that meant going to a weekly market filled with food vendors and small businesses, while other days meant finding a new hiking trail and taking in the scenery.

Beyond the beautiful landscapes, there was so much culture and history woven throughout the city. South Africa is incredibly diverse, with many different cultural and ethnic communities, including various Indigenous African groups, Coloured, Indian, and Afrikaner communities. While in Cape Town, I had the opportunity to try foods from many of these different cultures. Walking around the city, I heard Xhosa, Afrikaans, Zulu, and English being spoken around me. I also saw how different cultural traditions and dishes came together in restaurants and throughout different communities.

What I appreciated most was how welcomed I felt in many of these spaces. People were often willing to share their experiences and answer my questions, which helped me better understand the cultures and histories that make South Africa so unique.

South Africa is definitely a place I would highly recommend to anyone looking for an active, fun, and warm study abroad experience in a country with so much history, culture, and natural beauty!