Summer Schools

It is always a good idea to break the process of getting ready into smaller steps. Here are an overview of some of the steps to follow.

Step 1 – The Summer School Host

You have applied and have officially been accepted by the host university. The host university will now contact you to provide and request the following information and documents:

• Housing Preferences

• Request for personal information

• Payment Information: In case you need to pay certain fees the summer school will provide you with banking details.

• Letter of Acceptance: The summer school will issue an official letter of acceptance, which is very important in case you need to apply for a visa.

• Request flight information: You will be requested to provide your arrival date and time, as well as your departure date and time.

Step 2 – Travel Bursary and Flight Ticket

After you have been accepted to the summer school, you will be informed by SU International regarding the amount of your travel bursary (it is also indicated on the SU International website). After this amount has been confirmed a bursary letter with all the bursary requirements will be issued to you. In addition to this document a bank details form will also be issued to you, which you need to complete in full and submit to SU International for payment. (We can’t process the payment without this form.)

The travel bursary will then be paid into your bank account and you are then responsible for buying your flight ticket. You can decide how you would like to buy your flight, online or via a travel agency. There are benefits and downsides for both options – so our suggestion is that you shop around.

Flight Ticket Dates:

The dates of your flight tickets must be based on when you need to be there for the orientation. The orientation is before the start of the classes. You can’t however arrive on the day of the orientation.

You should also not arrive too early that you need to make use of temporary accommodation, because you can’t yet move into your semester or summer school accommodation.

Normally, the host university will also provide suggestion in terms of when to arrive. Listen to their advice.

Step 3 – Visa

If you are a South African passport holder, you will in most cases need to apply for a visa specifically if you will be visiting the US, Britain, Europe, China, Japan and Australia.

You can do a Google search for the respective consulate or embassy's website. They will indicate on their website the visa requirements. Make sure that you are using the official embassy or consulate website.

Your responsibilities

• You are responsible to apply for the correct visa at the nearest country representative (embassy or consulate) in South Africa;

• Please confirm the category and requirements for your visa application with the representative where you plan to submit your application;

• You must ensure that you have a valid visa before you depart for the respective country.

SU International will be provide assistance in providing supporting documents, for example proof of registration, exchange confirmations etc.

Although the visa application processes of countries are different, most request the following documents:

• Passport;

• A completed visa application form;

• A recent bio-metric passport photo;

• Proof of medical insurance valid for the period abroad;

• Proof of sufficient funds (can request bank statement for 3 months, but not credit card statements);

• Letter of acceptance from the host summer school;

• Proof or reservation of accommodation;

• Document confirming student status at Stellenbosch University (proof of registration and exchange confirmation). You can request this document from SU International.

Step 4 – Plan your Trip

Please refer to the topics in this guidebook for more information.

Step 5 - Attend the pre-departure orientation process

SU International will arrange a pre-departure orientation which you need to attend.