What is Cape Town like?

[Anonymous]

I spent 2 weeks there 5 years ago at age 33. I am an American woman of color. Obviously different experience than study abroad college age.
One of the most fantastic cities in the world. I was admittedly staying in Camps Bay, sightseeing, going to great restaurants, Stellenbosch for wine tasting and having an amazing time.
I also had a local friend there. She is an American who moved to there for work. She took me to township parties and to visit some of her friends.
I did not feel scared or concerned for my safety, but I was also vigilant and alert.
I also was treated generally well by locals.
One of the most beautiful cities in the world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I spent 2 weeks there 5 years ago at age 33. I am an American woman of color. Obviously different experience than study abroad college age.
One of the most fantastic cities in the world. I was admittedly staying in Camps Bay, sightseeing, going to great restaurants, Stellenbosch for wine tasting and having an amazing time.
I also had a local friend there. She is an American who moved to there for work. She took me to township parties and to visit some of her friends.
I did not feel scared or concerned for my safety, but I was also vigilant and alert.
I also was treated generally well by locals.
One of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Editing to add-
Joburg was a different story. The hotel I stayed at advised us to not walk anywhere at night and to use extreme caution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I spent 2 weeks there 5 years ago at age 33. I am an American woman of color. Obviously different experience than study abroad college age.
One of the most fantastic cities in the world. I was admittedly staying in Camps Bay, sightseeing, going to great restaurants, Stellenbosch for wine tasting and having an amazing time.
I also had a local friend there. She is an American who moved to there for work. She took me to township parties and to visit some of her friends.
I did not feel scared or concerned for my safety, but I was also vigilant and alert.
I also was treated generally well by locals.
One of the most beautiful cities in the world.

I was there for a month 15 years ago when I was 30, visiting an American friend who was working there - also in Camps Bay. I’m white, and didn’t go to the townships, but I had a similar experience. I did an incredible amount of sightseeing alone. I wasn’t nervous or uncomfortable but I did pay attention to my surroundings and take precautions. I didn’t go anywhere alone after dark. I didn’t get drunk in public, I didn’t carry anything valuable or wear jewelry. I did a few excursions alone - private hire driver to go shark diving and the train to Boulders Beach. It was fine and a couple of young men were very helpful and friendly on the train. I did a lot of solo hiking. It was an amazing experience. It is a beautiful city. It was 15 years ago, but from what I’ve read things aren’t too different in Cape Town than they were then, and with some care and reasonable precautions is as safe as anywhere else (my mom was mugged at gunpoint in a suburban shopping mall parking lot; multiple friends were assaulted at college - is the US very dangerous for women?)

Does your child have experience traveling? Is she mature and responsible? Will she follow the university guidelines or is she going to be drinking at the club all night? These are the things I would consider more than the destination. London can be a dangerous study abroad experience for someone who is irresponsible and intoxicated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I spent 2 weeks there 5 years ago at age 33. I am an American woman of color. Obviously different experience than study abroad college age.
One of the most fantastic cities in the world. I was admittedly staying in Camps Bay, sightseeing, going to great restaurants, Stellenbosch for wine tasting and having an amazing time.
I also had a local friend there. She is an American who moved to there for work. She took me to township parties and to visit some of her friends.
I did not feel scared or concerned for my safety, but I was also vigilant and alert.
I also was treated generally well by locals.
One of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Editing to add-
Joburg was a different story. The hotel I stayed at advised us to not walk anywhere at night and to use extreme caution.

PP here. Your post reminded me that the story about being "guarded" as we walked from our conference bus to beach reception happened in Johannesburg.

The rest of my post applies to Cape Town, however. It is one of the most stunning cities (for physical beauty) that I have seen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I spent 2 weeks there 5 years ago at age 33. I am an American woman of color. Obviously different experience than study abroad college age.
One of the most fantastic cities in the world. I was admittedly staying in Camps Bay, sightseeing, going to great restaurants, Stellenbosch for wine tasting and having an amazing time.
I also had a local friend there. She is an American who moved to there for work. She took me to township parties and to visit some of her friends.
I did not feel scared or concerned for my safety, but I was also vigilant and alert.
I also was treated generally well by locals.
One of the most beautiful cities in the world.

I was there for a month 15 years ago when I was 30, visiting an American friend who was working there - also in Camps Bay. I’m white, and didn’t go to the townships, but I had a similar experience. I did an incredible amount of sightseeing alone. I wasn’t nervous or uncomfortable but I did pay attention to my surroundings and take precautions. I didn’t go anywhere alone after dark. I didn’t get drunk in public, I didn’t carry anything valuable or wear jewelry. I did a few excursions alone - private hire driver to go shark diving and the train to Boulders Beach. It was fine and a couple of young men were very helpful and friendly on the train. I did a lot of solo hiking. It was an amazing experience. It is a beautiful city. It was 15 years ago, but from what I’ve read things aren’t too different in Cape Town than they were then, and with some care and reasonable precautions is as safe as anywhere else (my mom was mugged at gunpoint in a suburban shopping mall parking lot; multiple friends were assaulted at college - is the US very dangerous for women?)

Does your child have experience traveling? Is she mature and responsible? Will she follow the university guidelines or is she going to be drinking at the club all night? These are the things I would consider more than the destination. London can be a dangerous study abroad experience for someone who is irresponsible and intoxicated.

South Africa is much more dangerous for women, sorry. 72 reported rapes per 100,000 vs 44 in the U.S.

https://theconversation.com/rape-is-endemic-in-south-africa-why-the-anc-government-keeps-missing-the-mark-188235

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I spent 2 weeks there 5 years ago at age 33. I am an American woman of color. Obviously different experience than study abroad college age.
One of the most fantastic cities in the world. I was admittedly staying in Camps Bay, sightseeing, going to great restaurants, Stellenbosch for wine tasting and having an amazing time.
I also had a local friend there. She is an American who moved to there for work. She took me to township parties and to visit some of her friends.
I did not feel scared or concerned for my safety, but I was also vigilant and alert.
I also was treated generally well by locals.
One of the most beautiful cities in the world.

I was there for a month 15 years ago when I was 30, visiting an American friend who was working there - also in Camps Bay. I’m white, and didn’t go to the townships, but I had a similar experience. I did an incredible amount of sightseeing alone. I wasn’t nervous or uncomfortable but I did pay attention to my surroundings and take precautions. I didn’t go anywhere alone after dark. I didn’t get drunk in public, I didn’t carry anything valuable or wear jewelry. I did a few excursions alone - private hire driver to go shark diving and the train to Boulders Beach. It was fine and a couple of young men were very helpful and friendly on the train. I did a lot of solo hiking. It was an amazing experience. It is a beautiful city. It was 15 years ago, but from what I’ve read things aren’t too different in Cape Town than they were then, and with some care and reasonable precautions is as safe as anywhere else (my mom was mugged at gunpoint in a suburban shopping mall parking lot; multiple friends were assaulted at college - is the US very dangerous for women?)

Does your child have experience traveling? Is she mature and responsible? Will she follow the university guidelines or is she going to be drinking at the club all night? These are the things I would consider more than the destination. London can be a dangerous study abroad experience for someone who is irresponsible and intoxicated.

South Africa is much more dangerous for women, sorry. 72 reported rapes per 100,000 vs 44 in the U.S.

https://theconversation.com/rape-is-endemic-in-south-africa-why-the-anc-government-keeps-missing-the-mark-188235

It really didn't feel dangerous to me and I was 19 years old studying there. In the University area I was out with friends all the time and it was like any other college town.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I spent 2 weeks there 5 years ago at age 33. I am an American woman of color. Obviously different experience than study abroad college age.
One of the most fantastic cities in the world. I was admittedly staying in Camps Bay, sightseeing, going to great restaurants, Stellenbosch for wine tasting and having an amazing time.
I also had a local friend there. She is an American who moved to there for work. She took me to township parties and to visit some of her friends.
I did not feel scared or concerned for my safety, but I was also vigilant and alert.
I also was treated generally well by locals.
One of the most beautiful cities in the world.

I was there for a month 15 years ago when I was 30, visiting an American friend who was working there - also in Camps Bay. I’m white, and didn’t go to the townships, but I had a similar experience. I did an incredible amount of sightseeing alone. I wasn’t nervous or uncomfortable but I did pay attention to my surroundings and take precautions. I didn’t go anywhere alone after dark. I didn’t get drunk in public, I didn’t carry anything valuable or wear jewelry. I did a few excursions alone - private hire driver to go shark diving and the train to Boulders Beach. It was fine and a couple of young men were very helpful and friendly on the train. I did a lot of solo hiking. It was an amazing experience. It is a beautiful city. It was 15 years ago, but from what I’ve read things aren’t too different in Cape Town than they were then, and with some care and reasonable precautions is as safe as anywhere else (my mom was mugged at gunpoint in a suburban shopping mall parking lot; multiple friends were assaulted at college - is the US very dangerous for women?)

Does your child have experience traveling? Is she mature and responsible? Will she follow the university guidelines or is she going to be drinking at the club all night? These are the things I would consider more than the destination. London can be a dangerous study abroad experience for someone who is irresponsible and intoxicated.

South Africa is much more dangerous for women, sorry. 72 reported rapes per 100,000 vs 44 in the U.S.

https://theconversation.com/rape-is-endemic-in-south-africa-why-the-anc-government-keeps-missing-the-mark-188235

It really didn't feel dangerous to me and I was 19 years old studying there. In the University area I was out with friends all the time and it was like any other college town.

Well if you aren’t raised, you generally don’t spend a lot of time dwelling on the fact that someone else was.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I spent 2 weeks there 5 years ago at age 33. I am an American woman of color. Obviously different experience than study abroad college age.
One of the most fantastic cities in the world. I was admittedly staying in Camps Bay, sightseeing, going to great restaurants, Stellenbosch for wine tasting and having an amazing time.
I also had a local friend there. She is an American who moved to there for work. She took me to township parties and to visit some of her friends.
I did not feel scared or concerned for my safety, but I was also vigilant and alert.
I also was treated generally well by locals.
One of the most beautiful cities in the world.

I was there for a month 15 years ago when I was 30, visiting an American friend who was working there - also in Camps Bay. I’m white, and didn’t go to the townships, but I had a similar experience. I did an incredible amount of sightseeing alone. I wasn’t nervous or uncomfortable but I did pay attention to my surroundings and take precautions. I didn’t go anywhere alone after dark. I didn’t get drunk in public, I didn’t carry anything valuable or wear jewelry. I did a few excursions alone - private hire driver to go shark diving and the train to Boulders Beach. It was fine and a couple of young men were very helpful and friendly on the train. I did a lot of solo hiking. It was an amazing experience. It is a beautiful city. It was 15 years ago, but from what I’ve read things aren’t too different in Cape Town than they were then, and with some care and reasonable precautions is as safe as anywhere else (my mom was mugged at gunpoint in a suburban shopping mall parking lot; multiple friends were assaulted at college - is the US very dangerous for women?)

Does your child have experience traveling? Is she mature and responsible? Will she follow the university guidelines or is she going to be drinking at the club all night? These are the things I would consider more than the destination. London can be a dangerous study abroad experience for someone who is irresponsible and intoxicated.

South Africa is much more dangerous for women, sorry. 72 reported rapes per 100,000 vs 44 in the U.S.

https://theconversation.com/rape-is-endemic-in-south-africa-why-the-anc-government-keeps-missing-the-mark-188235

It really didn't feel dangerous to me and I was 19 years old studying there. In the University area I was out with friends all the time and it was like any other college town.

Well if you aren’t raised, you generally don’t spend a lot of time dwelling on the fact that someone else was.

Yeah...but I also went to high school and plenty of girls were raped. I'm just saying it didn't seem all that dangerous and I was an actual 19 year old studying abroad at University of Cape Town from the USA. No one else has provided that perspective yet..

[Anonymous]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/06/south-africa-faces-national-crisis-of-violence-against-women-says-president

[Anonymous]

Can we dispense with the man in the bushes being ready to savage (yep I said that deliberately), young co-eds? The rapes that happen here and abroad are mainly by people you know and trust. Not a boogeyman. That's easier for small minds to process, but won't make you any more safe.

I spent over a month there years ago, primarily in Pretoria for work - a lot of the time alone. It felt no different than NYC, which I walk around alone but aware of my surroundings. I have heard the stories about red-light car robbers, etc, but lock your doors and keep your windows up - it's not that hard. Also went to Cape Town - amazingly beautiful, great food and super friendly people. Went to Soweto, while staying in Jo'Burg with a guide from the hotel - an incredible experience. Also went to Sun City, which was interesting.

[Anonymous]

Don’t go out at night. Follow all rules. No train and no Uber. Too dangerous. Beautiful city and excellent food. Stay out of the townships. Never go anywhere alone. If you abide by this, you will have a great time.

[Anonymous]

Don’t eat the clams in Camps Bay! I got deathly ill and the owners of the house we rented said: “Oh, all the tourists get sick on the clams!” Um, ok: how about suggesting they don’t eat clams LOL

Cape Town and Camps Bay are beautiful but the security is “next level”. We had a 90 min walk through of the house we rented because there were so many security features to understand.

Why is there so much security? Because a minority population kept so many people (majority population) in subjugation for so long. Awful

[Anonymous]

It's dangerous in most cities and Cape Town is on the more dangerous side. However, if you are aware of this and you have some sense about you, have travelled before internationally, you should be fine, esp students. No school is going to risk having their kids getting killed that easily.. I'm sure it will be spelled out clearly what rules and safety precautions to take. As a mom, I would be OK with it knowing that my kid is sensible. It's the real world - they could get in trouble in any major US city too.

[Anonymous]

It has a very high violent crime rate: https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2022/11/23/crime-worrying-in-south-africa-7000-murdered-in-three-months

[Anonymous]

My ex husband is South African and I have heard horror stories. I would not send my children there alone.