Inside One of BU’s Newest Study Abroad Programs in Cape Town, South Africa

in Global Matters, Global Profiles
March 21st, 2023

Student’s time in South Africa reaffirmed his interest in African politics, expanded his perspective 

Recently, Aidan Flanigan (CAS ’23) was one of the first BU students to take part in BU’s new Cape Town, South Africa study abroad program. Flanigan says he’s always been curious about this region of the world but had not had the opportunity to visit sub-Saharan Africa until participating in the fall 2022 program.

“I’m fascinated by African politics,” he says. “This program seemed like the perfect fit for me, as someone who enjoys trying new experiences.”

As an international relations major, Africa and the Middle East is Flanigan’s regional track. Having developed a strong understanding of the economic, political, historic, and geographic factors that influence and shape Africa through his coursework, Flanigan was keen to study within the politics department at the University of Cape Town, where he enrolled directly. He also wanted to meet a new network of people and push beyond his comfort zone, selecting a program in a place he had never been before and not knowing anyone in the program.

“The program allowed me to do this because all of my classes covered African politics, and this reaffirmed my interest in this discipline,” he says. “I left the program feeling confident in my chosen studies and with a new excitement for my major, having lived in the region I had focused on for so long.”

He also reflected on how being immersed in the region that he has studied allowed him to deepen and broaden his perspective. “Before South Africa, my views were more Eurocentric and ‘westernized’, but with this expansion I think it will benefit me in not only the classroom but also in my personal, professional endeavors that I will soon embark on after I graduate this spring.”

I would strongly recommend doing the program if you want to build on your knowledge of African political structures.
Aidan Flanigan

Flanigan describes Cape Town, which is surrounded by natural wonders and Table Mountain, as one of the most beautiful cities he has ever visited. He notes, however, that the city still deals with the legacies of apartheid through crime and inequality.

“I am glad I did this because the program, although throwing me in the deep end initially, forced me to make the extra effort to meet other students, who I still keep in contact with and made the experience memorable,” he says. “I would strongly recommend doing the program if you want to build on your knowledge of African political structures. UCT is an incredible institution, where you can meet so many interesting and diverse people. For me personally, I was able to meet future politicians and lawyers with strong ambitions that in turn inspired me.”