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SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa's historical and cultural context provides an ideal environment to learn about human rights.

YOUR CITY

Cape Town

Crowned by the iconic Table Mountain and stretching to the beautiful blue coastline, Cape Town is a stunning city ready to take your breath away. One of South Africa’s three capitals, Cape Town is a lively metropolis that is proudly multicultural. Since the end of Apartheid in 1994, South Africa has become a leader in the human rights space with one of the most progressive constitutions in the world. The work to promote and protect human rights continues today, with many social justice initiatives calling Cape Town home.

In a traditional classroom, most things are theory. When you come here, you actually see where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, how the history is unfolding, how diverse Cape Town is because of its history.”

Natasha S. | Kenya

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Observatory

Just a ten minute ride from downtown, Observatory – known to locals as Obs – is a vibrant and diverse neighborhood with a bohemian feel. Popular with artists and students from the nearby University, Observatory is brimming with quirky shops, cozy cafes, and a wide variety of restaurants. As you walk around, you’ll find eclectic thrift shops, bookstores, and some amazing street art.

 

YOUR HOME

Live together with your cohort

Within the Obs neighborhood, we provide several houses for Take Action Lab students. You’ll get to live together with several students coming from countries all over the world – adding another layer of cultural immersion to your experience. Each student has their own private bedroom with a bed, desk, and storage. Communal spaces – like the living room and fully equipped kitchen – make it easy to gather and socialize. 

I sit around the dinner table every night with a Filipino, a Kenyan, and a Mexican – eating food from all of those places, learning about the cultures, the languages, the people, the stories. It's so beautiful – we all have our different biases because we've grown up in different contexts, but we also have so much that brings us together.”

Madhav P. | India

What amenities does housing include?

Each student will have their own private individual bedroom with a bed frame, mattress, bed sheets & blanket, pillow & pillow cover, desk, mirror and wardrobe/dresser. Each shared house is unique, but all are equipped with:

  • Common recreational/lounging areas
  • Shared bathrooms: showers & toilets
  • Kitchen with a range, tableware, cookware and cooking utensils, microwave, refrigerator, kettle, toaster
  • Laundry facilities: washing & drying machines
  • Smoke alarms
  • Security alarm systems
  • Wifi internet

Are meals provided?

Meals are not provided. Students should be prepared to purchase their own food and prepare in the shared kitchen space. Each shared house comes with an equipped kitchen including a range, tableware, cookware and cooking utensils, microwave, refrigerator, kettle, toaster.