The Lexia in Cape Town program is affiliated with the University of the Western Cape. Among the most progressive and innovative universities in the country, the University of the Western Cape currently enrolls more than 15,000 students, with a growing international student population. The facilities are in a suburb of the city, Bellville, approximately 12 miles from the city center. The program is designed to be academically challenging and demanding, but it allows ample time for students to become acquainted with the local culture. During the first few days of each term, all students are involved with the Lexia Orientation to South Africa, which outlines the academic requirements and the logistics of living in South Africa.
Orientation is a required, but non-graded, program component.
Participation in the remainder of the program is contingent upon attendance during Orientation. Students meet the staff and other participants and are introduced to the Lexia approach of staggered courses and components. They also become familiar with their new home through lectures, field trips, group discussions, walking tours, selected readings, films and social gatherings. The Resident Director and staff address topics such as housing, health and safety, transportation and recreation in the host city and country. General issues concerning living in a foreign culture and being an American or Canadian abroad are considered, as well as the challenges of cross-cultural learning and living.