Academic Program

This program is a 3-week, 3 s.h faculty-led course based in Cape Town, South Africa. Students will have the opportunity to learn from staff in a variety of hospital and clinical settings. Students interested in health and child life are welcome to participate regardless of major or skill level.

Objectives and Goals

• To understand the scope of when and where Child Life Professionals work and provide services, and to discuss the development of the profession internationally.
• To prepare students to work with children and their families in a variety of healthcare settings. Students will understand the impact of illness, injury, trauma, and healthcare environments on patients and families in South Africa and help them develop appropriate coping strategies.
• To examine psychosocial and developmental issues and how they are impacted by childhood illness and hospitalization in South Africa; also, to understand how that affects communication, preparation, bereavement, and support for children and families coping with stressful situations.
• To explore how the Red Cross Children’s Hospital, Maitland Cottage Home, and Sarah Fox Convalescent Hospital operate on a daily basis and the activities these organizations provide to families.
• To allow students a hands on opportunity to view a variety of tasks involved with the Red Cross Children’s Hospital and Maitland Cottage Home

Academic and Cultural Activities

Students will engage in a variety of activities on this program. Clinical visits may include:

• University of Stellenbosch
• PaedsPal
• ChildSafe
• University of Western Cape
• Association for People with Disabilities
• Red Cross Children's Hospital

Cultural visits may include:

• Peninsula Tour
• Aquila (including a game drive)
• Bo-Kaap Cooking Tour

Program Dates

The course dates are May 18, 2026 to June 4, 2026. Students will likely need to depart the US on May 17 to arrive on May 18. During these dates students are expected to attend all course activities.

For More Information

Information about the academics of the program should be directed to the faculty leader. Information about the application process or other program logistics should be directed towards the study abroad program coordinator.

Lindsay Budde, Study Abroad Program Coordinator
Email: lindsay-budde@uiowa.edu

Please note that this program is highly competitive and there is a possibility that we will have to cap participation. We recommend that you apply for the program after it opens as soon as possible. Students are not advised to wait until closer to the deadline to apply as they will risk being waitlisted. We cannot guarantee placement in the program if students are waitlisted.

Cape Town, South Africa

Perched between the ocean and the mountains, with a national park at its heart, there is nowhere like Cape Town. Cape Town, the "Mother City," is the oldest city in South Africa and has a cultural heritage spanning more than 300 years. Cape Town is the 2nd most populous city in South Africa, behind Johannesburg, with over a million people living within the city limits.

South Africa

Situated at the southern tip of Africa, South Africa has a landmass of 1,233,404 km². It is edged on 3 sides by a nearly 3,000-km coastline comprised of both the Indian and Atlantic Ocean. It is bordered in the north by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, and also wraps itself around two independent countries, the Lesotho and Swaziland.

The South African population of more than 49 million people is extremely diverse.

Since the demise of apartheid, international tourist arrivals have surged, making tourism one of the fastest growing sectors in the country. The tourism industry is well-established with an exciting array of emerging entrepreneurs. The country is strong on adventure, sport, nature, and wildlife and is a pioneer and global leader in responsible tourism.

US Department of State Country Information

The US Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.

Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to help decide whether traveling to any given country is right for you. Non-US citizen travelers may also wish to seek guidance from the embassy of their country of citizenship. The UI International Travel Policy for Students addresses restrictions on student travel to high-risk locations and engagement in high-risk activities abroad.

Housing

Students will stay in guesthouse accommodations. Guest houses are centrally-located near the Center in Rondebosch, a visitor friendly residential part of Cape Town. Students will share a one-bedroom self-catering room with private bathroom. Daily breakfast included. Restaurants and supermarkets nearby.

Passport

If you do not have a passport, apply for one as soon as possible to ensure you receive it before the program begins.

The UI Passport Office processes new U.S. passport applications and child/minor renewal applications.

US citizens can find more information about how to renew a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

Important notice:
Students with a valid passport should check the expiration date. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months AFTER the anticipated return to the US from studying abroad. If yours is not, you must renew your passport.

Expedited processing service is available for US passports (although this still takes several weeks and is at an additional cost). UI Study Abroad encourages students to ask the passport agency at the time of application whether expedited service is recommended.

Non-US Citizens

Students who are not US citizens should contact their consulate for more information if they need to get a new passport or renew their passport.

Travel Arrangements

A suggested flight itinerary will be shared with students accepted to the program. Students are strongly encouraged to book the suggested flight itinerary or an alternative itinerary that arrives in South Africa at approximately the same time. Transportation from the airport to the hotel will be provided for those on the suggested group flight.

Participants who are unable to meet onsite staff at the group arrival point in the airport are responsible for checking in at the designated arrival point at the appointed date and time and are responsible for all transfer arrangements and costs.

Transportation for all course activities in Cape Town is included in the program cost.

Eligibility

This program is open to degree-seeking University of Iowa students who fulfill the following requirements:

• Minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA: Students must have at least a 2.75 GPA. Students with a GPA of a 2.74-2.5 may be considered on a case-by-case basis by scheduling an interview with the faculty director. Please bring an academic letter of reference from a faculty/TA at the University of Iowa to your interview.
• Rising Junior Status: Students are required to have junior status by the time the program departs. Students who do not meet this requirement can be considered on a case-by-case basis by meeting with the faculty director. Please bring an academic letter of reference from a faculty/TA at the University of Iowa to your interview.
• Major Requirements: This program is open to all majors - no prior knowledge of Child Life is required, but applicants should be interested in the topic. To learn about how this course could apply to your program of study, check with your academic advisor.
• Attendance at mandatory orientation programming: Students must attend all in-person and online pre-departure orientation programming.
• Good academic and disciplinary standing: Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at the University of Iowa. Academic and disciplinary history will also be considered when determining whether a student is prepared to represent the University of Iowa as part of this program. Students who, even after being accepted into a program, are put on either academic and/or disciplinary probation for any period of time overlapping with the study abroad program dates are ineligible to study abroad. In these cases, students must forfeit their acceptance, will not be allowed to study abroad, and are wholly responsible for any and all financial expenses incurred.
• Demonstrated preparedness and maturity: Students must meet entry requirements for the countries and venues visited by the program. Students must demonstrate preparedness to take on the heightened responsibilities associated with international study and travel and demonstrate a commitment to behave responsibly abroad while respecting cultural differences. Students are expected to obey both local laws and program directives conveyed to participants before and during the program. The University of Iowa Code of Student Life applies to all program participants while abroad.

Costs

The cost sheet outlines the total estimated costs associated with participating in this program and can be used for financial aid and planning purposes. It includes fees charged on students’ U-Bill ($50 application fee, course fee, Study Abroad Administrative Fee, and mandatory Iowa Regents CISI Travel Insurance), as well as out-of-pocket expenses. Actual out-of-pocket expenses will vary from individual to individual. Please see the respective websites for further details. Contact the UI Study Abroad Program Coordinator with questions regarding the cost sheet.

The 2024 course sheet is posted below. The course fee does not include the Application Fee, Study Abroad Administrative Fee, CISI Travel Insurance, or out-of-pocket expenses, all of which are listed in the cost sheet. It does include academic instruction, guided tours in South Africa, in-country transportation, some meals, and accommodations. A 2026 cost sheet will be posted here in late December/early January.

Summer 2024 Cost Sheet

Key points to note are:

• The $50 application fee is billed to students' U-bills after submitting the online application.
• The Course Fee, Study Abroad Fee, and CISI Insurance fee are billed to confirmed students' U-bills after registration.  
• All other amounts are estimated out-of-pocket expenses and will vary for each participant.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Students are encouraged to apply for Need-based, Merit, and Global Access Ambassador scholarships awarded by Study Abroad. More information is available on the Scholarships page.

Students who receive a Federal Pell Grant are eligible to apply for the Gilman International Scholarship, an external scholarship awarded by the Department of State. Learn more here.

Financial aid received to attend the University of Iowa (scholarships, grants, and loans) may be applied toward the program cost. Students are encouraged to speak with someone in Financial Aid to explore financial aid options.

How to Apply

• Meet with your academic advisor(s) to discuss how this program might fit your graduation plans, and to ensure that it meets your academic and personal goals.
• If you and your academic advisor agree that this program is a good match for you, complete the UI Study Abroad application. Please note that the non-refundable $50 application fee will be charged to your U-Bill as part of this online application.
• Submit the online application before the application deadline. We recommend completing the application as close to the application open date as possible to avoid being waitlisted.
• The faculty director and UI Study Abroad will review your application materials and, if you meet the requirements for the program, you will be contacted with your acceptance status after the application deadline.

Please note that this program is highly competitive and there is a possibility that we will have to cap participation We recommend that you apply for the program after it opens as soon as possible. Students are not advised to wait until closer to the deadline to apply as they will risk being waitlisted. We cannot guarantee placement in the program if students are waitlisted.

Application Information

The application will open January 1, 2026 and close January 29, 2026.z

A link to the study abroad application can be found here: UI Study Abroad Application

Application Deadline

January 29, 2026

Late applications will not be accepted.

Health & Safety Planning

Students should carefully review the following materials starting at least two months prior to departure:

Prepare for Departure

Health and Safety

Iowa Regents CISI Health Insurance Information

Students are also encouraged to complete the Health Preparation Guide for International Travelform with their medical practitioner. This document is intended to help you plan for your medical needs abroad. Please DO NOT turn this form in to UI Study Abroad.

Flights

Students will receive instructions for booking flights after the Confirmation Deadline. A suggested group flight will be shared with the group and students will make their own arrangements. Those who do not have extensive travel experience are encouraged to book the suggested group flight.

Orientation

In order to prepare for your time abroad, you are required by the University of Iowa to complete two orientations. These may be in addition to orientations provided by your on-site provider. See below for more information.

Online Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation

You are required to complete the International Programs ICON course “Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation” prior to departure. This orientation is mandatory for all students going abroad under the auspices of the University of Iowa. It covers many practical matters about living overseas, such as health and safety, communication, money, goals, and much more. You will be enrolled in this course by International Programs and an email will be sent to you once enrolled. If you have questions, you can email safety-abroad@uiowa.edu.

Program-Specific Orientation

A mandatory, in-person orientation will be facilitated by the Faculty Leader and Study Abroad Coordinator before departure and will cover content specific to your program and host country.