4 Reasons To Study Abroad In South Africa

By Francine Fluetsch on June 13, 2016

Are you thinking about studying abroad? There are always those info meetings that we say we’ll go to and never do, or there is money to worry about, or just the nerves of being away for a couple of months, but if you have any interest at all in studying abroad, you should really look more into it!

You will be gaining a new view of the world, making new memories and friends, and will change yourself for the better. No one can ever take your travelling experiences away from you, and they will be something you will cherish for a lifetime.

If you have decided that you want to study abroad, you may be overwhelmed by how many places there are to choose from. Each place will give you something different, so you should definitely choose carefully.

image via www.abercrombiekent.com.au

If you’re looking for a unique experience where you will be stunned by the beautiful scenery and the wildlife, why not consider studying abroad in South Africa? Here are some reasons why you should really consider it:

You can see the “big five.”

Of course, your studies when you are studying abroad are important, but you also want to pick a place that has awesome things to do when you aren’t stuck in the classroom or doing homework. South Africa is home of the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, where you can see the big five: lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes and rhinoceroses, oh my!

You will get amazing viewing opportunities of these animals in the form of self-guided drives, guided walks, or by boat. How cool is that? There aren’t really any other places where you would get the chance to see these magnificent creatures in their natural habitats, so this is definitely something to cross off that bucket list if you do decide to study abroad in South Africa.

Blyde River Canyon

No study abroad session is complete without having a reason to pull out that selfie stick and do things that will make everyone back home jealous. Blyde River Canyon is one of these places that will give you some awesome pictures and a fun-packed day. The canyon is gorgeous, its lush greenery framed by wetlands, that will give you postcard-worthy shots.

You’ll be trekking through and have chances to take pictures of waterfalls, take a selfie with a croc or a hippo that is hanging out by the water, and see if you can spot all of South Africa’s primates as you take a journey on foot. Don’t forget that Fitbit because you’ll be getting tons of steps in.

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Garden Route

Who doesn’t love road trips? Get some of your study abroad friends and take a drive on the Garden Route, one of the world’s most amazing drives to take. Why? Well, you’ll be passing mountain ranges that will take your breath away, wetlands with animals frolicking in them, white-sand beaches that are just begging you to take pictures of them, and adorable little towns that are only about 45 minutes apart from one another.

This drive will give you so much to take in and see, and tons of pictures to document your adventure with. You can stop along the way for various activities like water sports, hikes, canopy tours, visiting ostrich farms, and exploring caves. This will be a wonderful vacation, even if you can’t stay long, and won’t be too rough on your wallet either since you can drive to all of the wonders that this beautiful place has to offer.

Port Elizabeth, known as the Friendly City, is towards the end of this drive and definitely worth checking out as well. There are tons of beaches to check out, nightclubs that you can watch the sunset from, and shops where you can buy your family members souvenirs from your time away.

Make a difference.

While studying abroad is going to be so much fun, you can also devote some of your time to helping out with some amazing volunteer projects, which will help people out and will be a great resume booster for you. You could help preserve wildlife, help with orphans living in South Africa, empower girls, teach about healthcare, and so much more. You have the amazing opportunity to be attending a university, and here is where you could really put it to use.

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As you can see, South Africa would be a wonderful study abroad choice. You will be furthering your studies, delving into a new culture and way of life, will have a chance to see gorgeous, once in a life-time sights, will get to see animals up close and personal, and will be able to help out your newfound community while making friends along the way. What’s not to love?

So pack the sunscreen and selfie stick and get ready to embark on your wild adventure.

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