Study in South Africa!
Institution
AIFS is recognized as a leading provider of study abroad programs. Since 1964, over 1.5 million students have traveled abroad with AIFS. With more than 50 years of experience, we have the resources and experience to provide what our students want and need in a study abroad program, and to safeguard their welfare around the globe.
Location
Stellenbosch University has four campuses and a student population of 19,000, a third of whom are post-graduates. 98 percent of the diverse University population speak English as their first or second language. Study art, history, literature, political science, service learning, African studies and more during a summer, semester or year abroad with AIFS in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Academic Calendar
- Fall Semester: Early July to Mid November
- Spring Semester: Late January to Mid June
- Summer Semester: Late June to Mid July
For more information about the Academic Calendar please visit the
AIFS Stellenbosch web page.
Housing
The main university campus is located in the town itself just 5 minutes walk to the center of campus. The “res” is at the heart of campus life allowing you to make new friends, be part of the community and be independent while having the convenience of access to classrooms and other University services. AIFS students live in single rooms with fully-equipped kitchenettes (crockery and cutlery, microwave, fridge and oven).
The cost of housing will be included in the invoice that AIFS sends to Appalachian and students will be billed through their Appalachian term bill.
Financial
Program Costs
Students participating on AIFS programs will be billed through Appalachian the AIFS program cost. This will replace the Appalachian tuition & fees for the term they are abroad. In addition to the AIFS costs students will also be responsible for submitting a $200 OIED Program Development Fee upon acceptance by the Education Abroad Office. The fee payment confirms your spot and is non-refundable.
Paid to Appalachian State
| |
Semester |
Summer |
| 1AIFS Program Fee |
See AIFS |
See AIFS |
| 2OIED Program Development Fee |
$200 |
$200 |
| Intl Health Development Fee |
$60 |
$60 |
1AIFS Program Fee includes tuition, housing, some program excursions, and insurance. Summer fee includes daily breakfast.
2The OIED Program Development Fee will be placed on students’ accounts upon acceptance by the Education Abroad Office. The fee payment confirms your spot and is non-refundable.
Estimated Additional Costs
| |
Semester |
Summer |
| AIFS Application Fee |
$95 |
$95 |
| Airfare |
$1400 - $2000 |
$1400 - $2000 |
| Refundable Housing Deposit |
$250 |
$250 |
| Meals |
$1200 - $1600 |
$300 - $500 |
| 1Personal Expenses |
$800 - $1500 |
$400 - $800 |
| Books and Materials |
$250 |
$150 |
| Local Transportation |
$200 - $400 |
$100 - $200 |
| 2Visa (for US Citizens) |
$135 |
NA |
| Travel to NY Consulate for Visa (NC Residents) |
$300 |
NA |
| Passport |
$150 |
$150 |
| 3US Based Health Insurance |
Varies |
Varies |
| 4Personal Travel and Spending |
$800 - $1500 |
$200 - $500 |
1Personal expenses includes but is not limited to: toiletries, cell phone, emergency funds, laundry, basic travel and spending, etc.
2Visa estimate includes the cost of the FBI report.
3Students are encouraged to maintain a US based health insurance plan while abroad (to exempt out of AppState insurance students must follow the App exemption process - proving that they have insurance coverage for the entirety of the semester.
4Personal Travel and Spending amounts will vary by student and will be affected by how often a student goes out, travels, and the items they purchase.
Please note that non-billable costs are estimates only and will be affected by personal spending habits, currency fluctuations, etc. Prices listed in USD unless otherwise noted.
Students are encouraged to start planning for their study abroad program costs well in advance. Please use the Student Financial Planning Worksheet to help estimate your anticipated expenses and your anticipated financial resources. When planning for estimated additional costs students are encouraged to research currency conversion rates.
Financial Aid
The majority of financial aid and scholarships can apply to semester and year-long study abroad programs. For more information please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid web page.
Scholarships
AIFS Scholarships
AIFS offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for students. Scholarship awards range from $200 to $5000.
OIED Scholarships
Each semester OIED offers a variety of different scholarship opportunities for students. Scholarship awards range from $500 to $2000.
Benjamin A Gilman Scholarship
The Gilman Scholarship Program application is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study and intern abroad programs worldwide.
Fund for Education Abroad
Applicants from groups underrepresented in study abroad and those destined for non-traditional locations are given preference, in an effort to make the demographics of U.S. undergraduates studying abroad reflect the rich diversity of the U.S. population.
For information about additional scholarships please visit our External Scholarships web page.
Academics
Semester
The AIFS Stellenbosch program offers two tracks to students:
Full Curriculum Track - Choose from a select number of courses taught in English offered from the various Stellenbosch faculties.
Service Learning Track - Students take a mandatory 9-credit Learning for Sustainable Community Engagement course plus one or two courses from the Full Curriculum Program for a total of 12-15 credits.
Summer
The AIFS Stellenbosch summer program offers 3 tracks to students:
General Elective Track - 3 courses for a total of 6 credits
Doing Business in Southern Africa - 2 courses for a total of 7 credits
Public Health Care - 2 courses for a total of 7 credits
Summer Community Engagement
Students participating on the summer engagement program will take two courses for a total of 8 credits:
Intro to South Africa's Political History
Learning, Sustainability and Community Engagement
All students are expected to maintain at least the equivalent of a full time course load according to Appalachian State and the host university while abroad (whichever is greater). Students participating on the Stellenbosch program will take 12-15 credits during the semester and 6-8 during the summer. For more information about study abroad enrollment policies, credit approval, and credit and grade conversions please visit the Academics section of our website.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and some programs may fill up before the listed deadline. Each year applications for Fall, Spring, and Summer will open up on August 1st. Once open the deadline will be listed below and an Apply Now button will be available at the top and bottom of this page. Most applications will have a 2 part application process so students are encouraged to complete their OIED application well before the listed deadline.
Students applying to an AIFS program should complete the
AIFS application while also completing the Appalachian application.
For more information about deadlines and how to apply please visit our
Guide Me web page.
