AADS in South Africa
African American and Diaspora Studies at the University of Cape Town allows students to explore a range of courses in the humanities, music, fine arts, commerce, sciences, engineering, and African languages. The program allows Vanderbilt students the opportunity to immerse themselves in a sort of “new democracy studies,” (South Africa celebrated its 20th year anniversary as a democracy—1994-2014), where they will be observer-participants of the development of a democracy attempting to overcome its legacy of Apartheid, deal head on the with politics of race, an emergent women’s right movement as well as health crises. The program is administered through CIEE.
Students will also participate in a homestay with the Cape "Brown" (formerly known as Cape Coloreds) and Moslem communities, previously disadvantaged groups under Apartheid. The CIEE program also offers other community service opportunities for interested students (e.g., Robben Island). All students will have the opportunity to pursue a CIEE Certificate of Achievement in International Education based on performance in the program and CIEE-planned extra-academic and community-based curricular activities for an additional fee. AADS will pay this fee for interested and qualified majors.
Cape Town is a vibrant, diverse and beautiful city as it is situated between mountains (Table Mountain and the Twelve Apostles), the ocean (the Atlantic), beaches and Winelands. The campus is located on the Atlantic coast, 15 minutes from downtown Cape Town. Students would be housed on-campus with other UCT students.
Interested students should contact the Global Education Office for more information on international programs and financial aid. AADS students should also consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies as they plan their program of study.