South Africa | Summer Abroad - University of Toronto

Student in yellow jacket by side of mountain

Sunrise hike to the Lion's Head, a mountain in Cape Town.

Group of students on beach at Camps Bay.

Students during a beach break near Camps Bay, South Africa.

Enjoying the sunset view at Camp's Bay.

Student on mountain looking out to city and water

Summer Abroad - Cape Town, South Africa

Summer Abroad - Cape Town, South Africa

Students and staff smiling inside a building in South Africa

Students and staff smiling for a photo (South Africa 2025)

Camps Bay (2026)

Sea Point (2026)

South Africa: Cape Town

Dates: TBD

MGT396Y0 Special Topics: Inclusive Consulting with Micro-Enterprises

Online classes (Dates TBD) before and after on-site period.
In-person in South Africa: Dates TBD.
Online on-on-one debrief with instructor, Prof. Armstrong: Dates TBD

This program provides a unique opportunity for students in Commerce, Engineering or Social Science disciplines to gain hands-on experience in an emerging market and learn about the business challenges and opportunities at the base of the economic pyramid.

SOC393Y0 Selected Topics in Sociological Research

More details coming soon

Students standing at BoKaap - a row of colourful buildings - blue, teal, yellow, pink

About Cape Town, South Africa

South Africa, with more than 58 million people, is the world's 24th most populous nation. Considered to be a newly industrialized country, its economy is the second largest in Africa. South Africa is a multi-ethnic society encompassing a wide variety of cultures, languages and religions. Its pluralistic makeup is reflected in the constitution's recognition of 11 official languages, which is among the highest number of any country in the world.
Cape Town is the second-largest city in South Africa and the legislative capital of the country. It is renown for its historic harbour, beautiful natural setting and nearby wineries, as well as Table Mountain and Cape Point. Cape Town was named the World Design Capital in 2014 as well as the "best place in the world to visit" by The New York Times.

Useful Link:

South Africa Tourism Site

Program Activities

For the MGT396 course, students will participate in seminars and lectures before beginning a consulting mission with a micro-entrepreneur in the townships of Cape Town. Guest speakers include local and international experts in the fields of finance, politics, media, and more. To conclude the program, students will review the personal impact of the learning journey on their understanding of, and appreciation for, working in the bottom of the pyramid.

More details regarding SOC393 course activities will be updated soon.

South Africa Summer Abroad: Highlights and Testimonials

Learn more about the South Africa Summer Abroad Program through videos, past events and articles.

Questions? Email: southafrica.abroad@utoronto.ca or book a virtual appointment.