Culinary and Welding Fall Break Study Abroad in South Africa
This interdisciplinary program combines culinary arts and welding to create a unique, immersive experience in Cape Town, South Africa. Students engage with the region’s rich history and culture through hands-on activities and site visits, including a Cape Malay cooking workshop, sustainable welding collaborations, and volunteering with local community kitchens. The program aims to foster intercultural competence as well as social and environmental awareness through engagements with inspiring individuals and community-led initiatives such as exploring life on Robben Island with former freedom fighter Lionel Davis, visiting the !Khwa ttu San Heritage Centre, and delving into sustainable food systems with Veld & Sea.
Travel Dates
Fall Break: October 10-19, 2025
Program Eligibility
- For the Welding cohort: Must be a Welding, Culinary, Baking and Pastry Arts, NDE, Construction, Skilled Trades, or HVAC student with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- For the Culinary cohort: Must be a Culinary, Baking and Pastry Arts, or Hospitality curriculum student with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- All participants must be over 18 or accompanied by a guardian.
Associated Courses
- Culinary Course options (pick one):
- CUL 287/CUL 287A Cultural Experience*
- Note, this course requires pre-requisite courses (D); please meet with your advisor to see if you are eligible before applying.
- Welding Course option: WLD 143 - Metallurgy
Please note: If you receive financial aid assistance with tuition costs, if the course you select is not within your degree plan, it may not be covered under financial aid. It is your responsibility to meet with your academic advisor AND your financial aid advisor.
Program Leaders
Culinary
Welding
Program Highlights
- Interactive engagement with Welding and Hospitality students at False Bay College in Cape Town.
- Visits to beautiful Table Mountain, V&A Waterfront, and an African penguin colony.
- Take part in an exchange with local welding students both prior to traveling to South Africa and while in country.
- Learn about Sustainable Welding Practices at the South African Institute of Welding (SAIW) with a focus on how the welding industry addresses global challenges and advances sustainable development initiatives.
- Engage in urban sustainable farming workshops at the Oranjezicht City Farm to learn about supporting food ecosystems, a kelp cooking workshop with Veld & Sea, and an interactive Cape Malay cooking experience with a family in the Bo Kaap community.
- Visit Robben Island and Khayelitsha Township, and participate in an interactive discussion with Dr. Lionel Davis, a former freedom fighter and political prisoner during South Africa’s apartheid era.
- Visit the !Khwa ttu San Heritage Center. The San guided experiences offer fascinating insight into the culture, heritage, knowledge, skills, and contemporary life of the San people - Southern Africa's earliest hunter-gatherers.
Predeparture Engagement Requirements
This will be a hybrid study abroad program. Central Piedmont students will participate in a virtual exchange with South African students at False Bay College prior to travel.
Money Matters
Estimated Cost of the Program: $4,692 +$100 application fee
This estimated cost includes:
- Airfare and transportation
- Lodging
- Some meals
- Program costs
- Travel insurance
Payment Deadlines
$100 due at time of application
- June 2: $670 due
- June 16: $670 due
- June 23: Final Application Deadline
- July 1: $670 due
- July 15: $670 due
- July 31: Deadline for passport, COVID card, Agreement/Release forms
- August 1: $670 due
- August 15: $670 due
- September 1: $670 due
Refund Policies
If you unenroll from your study abroad program between July 28-September 5, you will receive a 60% refund on land arrangements.
After August 22, you will not receive a refund for airfare costs.
After September 5, you will not receive a refund for land arrangements.
Scholarship Opportunities
The scholarship application is closed.
Additional Expenses
The following expenses are not included in the program fee:
- Passport and visa fees (if applicable)
- Personal expenses, such as meals not included, souvenirs, activities outside of itinerary
- Course registration fees at Central Piedmont that are associated with the program
Application Instructions
The application for this program is closed.
Please email any questions to The Center for Global Engagement.