If you walked across Stellenbosch University’s campus at any point in 2025, you could feel it: the energy, the accents, the conversations spilling out of lecture halls and coffee shops. This was the year that Stellenbosch University International (SUI) reached a new milestone with 333 students, 25 programmes, and a campus buzzing with the world.

What began as a modest initiative years ago has now grown into one of SUI’s most dynamic and impactful offerings. The Short Programmes portfolio has officially become a flagship of international engagement, drawing students from 24 countries and weaving a colourful tapestry of cultures, disciplines and voices.

From Japan to Guatemala, from Ghana to Sweden, from the United States to Yemen; Stellenbosch became a meeting place for ideas shaped by continents far apart yet connected here in the Cape Winelands.

Learning That Moves Beyond the Classroom

This year’s programme collection read like a global catalogue of curiosity.

One group was deep in the Jonkershoek mountains studying sustainability and environmental resilience. Another was mapping human environment systems in Geography & GIS. Down the road, students debated political history and global health, while others explored biomedical engineering innovations, sport performance, leadership, forestry, language identity and social justice.

It wasn’t just the breadth of topics; it was the way learning moved.

Students were out in communities, interviewing local entrepreneurs, conducting field research, stepping into nature reserves, exploring historical landmarks and tackling real world case studies. The programmes combined academic excellence with the immersive context South Africa uniquely provides.

And it showed. For many, this was not just a study trip, but a life changing experience.

Two New Programmes Making Waves

2025 also saw exciting new arrivals on the Short Programmes scene.

Global Consulting Programme (Ohio University)

Imagine flying across the world and stepping straight into a consulting role with a real South African business. That was the reality for students in this new collaboration with Ohio University. Teams worked with local enterprises, an unforgettable crash course in entrepreneurship, cross cultural collaboration and strategic problem solving. “It felt like the classroom came to life,” one participant shared.

Polarisation Summer School (University of Groningen)

In a world increasingly divided, this programme struck a powerful chord. Students examined how polarisation takes root through politics, media, identity and social dynamics, and explored ways to foster dialogue and cohesion. The conversations were honest, challenging, and often deeply personal. “I left with new tools, but also a new understanding of myself,” another student reflected.

A Year of Shared Stories, New Friendships and Fresh Perspectives

What truly defined the 2025 programmes wasn’t just the academics, it was the people.

Shared meals, bus trips, late night study sessions, laughter over mispronounced Afrikaans words, quiet moments in the Botanical Garden, spirited debates about global issues, and the friendships that sprang up across cultures and continents.

For many students, Stellenbosch became a space of discovery of South Africa, of their studies, and of each other.

Charting the Path Ahead

This record-breaking year is more than a number. It signals the growing global appeal of Stellenbosch University, and the trust international partners place in the educational experience offered here.

Looking ahead, SUI is already exploring new collaborations, new themes and new opportunities to deepen the impact of Short Programmes. The goal is clear: create transformative learning experiences that connect students with the world, and the world with Stellenbosch.

As we close the chapter on 2025, one thing is certain: the future of SUI’s Short Programmes is bright, bold and unmistakably global.