Spend January Term in the scenic city of Stellenbosch, South Africa, home to world-renowned vineyards and natural beauty in the Western Cape. This intensive 17-day program at Stellenbosch University offers you a choice between two distinctive 3-credit courses: Travel Photography or Winemaking in South Africa. If you choose Photography, you'll begin with site visits around Stellenbosch before embarking on a 5-night practical journey through the Garden Route with university faculty, improving your skills while photographing dramatic coastal and forest landscapes, visiting Tsitsikamma National Park, and experiencing an Addo Elephant Park game drive. If you select Winemaking, you'll gain insider knowledge from the university's prestigious Viticulture and Oenology department, exploring South Africa's famed wine industry through technical winetasting workshops and vineyard visits while learning about the region's environmental initiatives in wine production.

You'll live in a single room within a shared student residence on Stellenbosch University's campus, with access to kitchen facilities for self-catering and abundant local restaurants offering competitive prices and diverse cuisines. The program's inclusive fee covers tuition, housing, comprehensive 24/7 emergency support and health insurance, a welcome event to orient you to campus and the region, and a rich calendar of cultural activities. Beyond your coursework, all students visit Robben Island and its prison museum and take a day trip to the iconic Cape of Good Hope, immersing yourself in South Africa's complex history and natural wonders.

Stellenbosch itself is a gem: nestled just 30 minutes from Cape Town and surrounded by rolling vineyards and dramatic mountains, it embodies the warmth and hospitality of the Western Cape. Stellenbosch University, founded in 1918, is a multilingual institution of excellence with nearly 28,000 students from over 110 nations and is consistently ranked among South Africa's leading research universities. You'll benefit from state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly facilities and the guidance of an experienced on-site coordinator who provides academic advice and community integration.

This program is open to first-year through senior undergraduates with a minimum 2.7 GPA. AIFS Abroad includes carbon offsetting for all participants' flights as part of their green initiative commitment. An optional travel package is available offering round-trip flights from 25 U.S. gateways (typically $2,740–$2,880 depending on departure city) and airport transfers, or you can arrange your own transportation. With rolling admissions and acceptance confirmation within 2 working days, this January Term experience delivers an academically rigorous, culturally immersive adventure in one of the world's most beautiful wine regions.