If you’re looking for a place to study and would like to combine this with a bit of adventure and travel, then you should start your search in South Africa. The country has a vibrant fashion scene with great fashion institutes to consider. Here’s a look at some other reasons South Africa is such a compelling destination for international students.
1. Fantastic weather
With around 300 days of sunshine in the year across many parts of the country, South Africa’s weather will certainly elevate your mood. The summers are warm and sunny, with the inland winters temperate and sunny. In Johannesburg, for example, you can enjoy an incredibly mild climate without too much heat or humidity. There are about six weeks of chill in mid-winter, from July to August, with summer a fantastic sunny time of year with warm evenings. This is great if you’re into outdoor sports, hiking, biking or just relaxing in the sun. If you’re studying in South Africa, you will be kept busy with traditional South African ‘braais’ (barbeques) outdoors, festivals and adventures in the great outdoors.
2. English is prevalent
The Rainbow Nation, as it’s fondly known, is a multi-cultural society with an impressive 11 official languages. Despite this, English is the dominant language so you’ll be able to communicate easily on a day-to-day basis. The majority of institutions will instruct in English, so there is no language barrier to contend with. This is also a great chance for you to learn another language, with many willing instructors around.
3. Affordability
One of the most compelling factors for studying in South Africa is the low cost of the fashion schools and programmes found here. South Africa has a much lower cost of living than most European or American countries, which makes your money go that much further. South Africa’s private healthcare is of an international standard and more affordable than in other parts of the world. If you’re looking at affordability, then your foreign currency will go a long way when studying at a South African institution.
4. Places to explore
South Africa is one of the top tourist destinations because of the incredible wealth of natural resources and sites on offer. It’s incredibly easy to rent a car or catch a plane from one part of the country to another to discover the many exciting things to do and see. Some of the country’s top tourist sites include:
- The iconic Table Mountain in Cape Town
- Beautiful beaches along KwaZulu-Natal
- The Drakensberg
- Kruger National Park
- Addo Elephant National Park
- Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
- Durban Botanic Gardens
- Diving at Sodwana, Aliwal Shoal or Protea Banks
- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
- Wine farms
- iSimangaliso Wetland Park (a World Heritage Site)
- Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
- Robben Island
- Sabi Sands Game Reserve
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5. Great institutions
South Africa is home to international-standard fashion institutes where you can get an affordable fashion degree recognised anywhere in the world. The calibre of these institutions is elevated by the high-quality teaching and learning that takes place here. Certain fashion institutes in South Africa also have international connections, making for a really modern diploma or degree.
Read More: Benefits of Studying Fashion Design in South Africa
If you’re considering studying fashion design in South Africa, then Villioti Fashion Institute in Johannesburg is the top one to consider. This accredited tertiary education institution is led by Spero Villioti who has run a successful fashion brand for more than 30 years. The institution has international affiliations with Parsons New York, FIT (NY) and London College of Fashion, offering an international benchmark and opportunity to study further at another institution.
