I started my first year at Stellenbosch University in 2019, studying for a BA in International Relations. The course was very interesting and I enjoyed every part of it. History has always been my favourite subject, and it played a big role in why I chose International Relations. Over time I developed a strong love for political science as well.
I studied for four years, with two of those years falling during the COVID 19 period. It was challenging to keep up with the workload, but with determination I managed to complete the course, including studying Mandarin.
I would highly recommend Stellenbosch University. It is one of the most prestigious universities in South Africa, on the continent, and in the world. The lecturers were all highly educated and genuinely supportive of their students.
One downside I experienced was the language situation. Stellenbosch is an Afrikaans town, and many buildings and courses were administered in Afrikaans. If you were not an Afrikaans speaker, you often had to use listening devices with translators converting the lectures into English. I found this frustrating because it felt like the meaning sometimes got lost in translation.
Overall, Stellenbosch University is an amazing institution and I truly value my time there.