"I came to South Africa because I wanted to see something new and different. I wanted to see some new and vibrant cultural experience and since I have heard only good things about South Africa, especially Cape Town, I think there is something special here. This culture is very interesting and attractive." – Laura Cancellieri, exchange student at Stellenbosch University from Munich.
Laura is one of more than 400 new international students who will be pursuing studies at Stellenbosch University, starting this second semester of 2013. Students from countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, France and the USA form part of the 2013 second semester cohort of students who will either commence full-degree postgraduate studies or undertake a short semester exchange at SU.
The Postgraduate and International Office (PGIO) has been preparing for their arrival and subsequent welcoming and orientation and, as the central administrative hub for international students, will facilitate aspects of their stay in Stellenbosch this semester. From 17 – 19 July, the PGIO welcoming and orientation programme started with an introduction to living in Stellenbosch, an overview of the institution, presentations on culture shock and community interaction and included a spirited welcome dinner on 18 July at Opskop.
Aside from the allure of different cultures meeting and the new experience in South Africa, students did express initial concerns over safety and when asked what they expected, some indicated that they were strongly cautioned before their arrival. As safety and security are two integral aspects of a positive study-abroad experience, the PGIO also presented a Safety and Security session during the orientation programme and advised students to be vigilant and sensible about their safety as they would be anywhere in the world. They were advised to stay in groups, not to walk alone, especially late at night and were equipped with safety tips and important emergency number cards.
Despite the concern of safety and security, international students are keen to engage with their South African counterparts, and this will further enhance their experience and offer a deeper understanding of the university, town and country. To this end, the PGIO's international student organisation (ISOS) has over the years actively facilitated the interaction between international and South African students, enhancing their Stellenbosch experience. Local students are welcome to participate – contact Werner de Wit at isos@sun.ac.za.
As an institution of choice for many international students, Stellenbosch University provides an attractive academic offering across its faculties and a customised offering through IPSU courses (modules tailored by the PGIO in collaboration with SU departments) aided by the blend of cultures that over the years have increasingly attracted more international students. Currently, international students comprise close to 13% of the student populace, representing 110 nationalities.
The University annually receives the majority of its full-degree international students from African countries at the start of the academic year, whereas the bulk of exchange students come from the USA and Europe. Adding to the significance of the PGIO's "20 years of internationalisation" celebration, is the fact that the PGIO also welcomed the first semester-exchange group from the People's Republic of China from the Zhejiang Normal University in Jinhua.
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For more information on the International Welcome and Orientation programme, contact Ms Lidia du Plessis: lidia@sun.ac.za | 021 808 2607.
