Semester Study Abroad
Overview: What to bring
The climate in South Africa is generally milder than in some parts of the USA and Europe, and the temperatures do not reach the extremes that they do there. Keep in mind, however, that the seasons are reversed and that you will be arriving in the opposite season if you are coming from the northern hemisphere.
In February, it will be summer in Cape Town and can get quite hot. Temperatures vary between 15°C and 35°C (59°F and 95°F). In Cape Town, summer time is very casual, with students wearing shorts and T-shirts to lectures. You will certainly need beachwear for your leisure time! Don't forget to bring or buy an excellent sunscreen with a high protection factor, as the sun can be fierce.
If you are coming for the first semester, the weather will slowly get cooler and, with the onset of winter, the rainy season begins. By the time you depart in June/July, temperatures will have dropped to between 3°C and 18°C (38°F and 65°F).
Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate, with dry summers and wet winters. Umbrellas are pretty useless in Cape Town, owing to the strength of the winter winds, but a raincoat will be very useful to you.
Bear in mind that in winter it may well feel cooler to you than the temperature would indicate. This is because most buildings do not have central heating. You will want to bring clothes that can be layered. You'll find that in South Africa most students cannot afford to follow the cutting-edge international fashion trends, as the exchange rate makes imported luxury goods very expensive for local students.
Besides clothes for class, you'll want to bring at least one smarter outfit (a dress for women, a coat and tie for men), something suitable for special events. Many formal or semi-formal events in South Africa ask that guests wear formal or traditional attire.
Specific items you may want to bring include:
- medication, if you take a prescription drug on a regular basis
- sleeping bag (if you want to go camping)
- winter coat (not your heaviest)
- raincoat
- shoes for hiking or all-day walks
- towels (can also be purchased cheaply in Cape Town)
- sheets and bedding (can be purchased for about $50)
- laptop - if you are bringing a laptop, please make sure that the computer can operate on 240 volts or that you have the necessary transformer for the current. You will also need to purchase an adapter plug once in South Africa which enables you to plug your computer into an outlet. (The transformer may be hard to find in South Africa, but the adapter plug is easy to obtain in Cape Town.) If you are bringing a laptop or other electronic equipment, please ensure that it is adequately insured against loss or theft, and be vigilant in protecting your property at all times.
- camera - film is cheaper in South Africa than in many other countries.
Other electric equipment - if you intend to bring electric equipment (e.g. hairdryer), please make sure that it can operate on 240 volts. Alternatively, consider purchasing what you need in South Africa
