Accommodation
Housing: Housing will be at, and be arranged by, the University of Pretoria. Apartments (flats)
will probably have multiple bedrooms, and a common kitchen (with cooking facilities) and living
room. Sheets and blankets, but not towels, are supplied.
Meals: Meals can be prepared in your apartment or you may go out to eat. There are many
interesting and inexpensive places to eat in Pretoria. Supermarkets and restaurants are within
easy walking distance of university housing.
Power: The electricity in South Africa is 240 volts. Because U.S. electricity is 110 volts, most
mains-operated appliances (e.g., hair dryers) will not work in South Africa (i.e., they will burn
out if you try). Hairdryers can be bought inexpensively in Pretoria. Many laptop computers have
a power pack that can handle 240 volts, but be sure to check that your one is able to! Students
will need to buy an adaptor for the plug; plug adaptors are easiest bought in Pretoria.
Medical Considerations
Shots: Students do not need any vaccinations for travel to South Africa.
Malaria: There is no malaria threat in Pretoria. However there are malaria mosquitoes in Kruger
Park. Students will be visiting Kruger in the winter, when the risk of malaria is minimal because
there are almost no mosquitoes, therefore students will need to make their own decision about
whether or not to take anti-malaria medication before traveling. We do no make a
recommendation but recommend talking with your doctor or health clinic.
Allergies: Some students find that they experience allergies from the dry, dusty environment in
Pretoria. Students may wish to bring allergy medication with them, if they are susceptible.
Communication
Telephones: Accommodation at the University of Pretoria does not typically have telephones.
Phone cards for long distance calls can be bought locally. Not all prepaid phone cards that were
bought in the U.S. worked in Pretoria.
Email: Email access will be available for Purdue students at the University of Pretoria, however
it has typically taken about a week for student accounts to get set up. Students may also use
internet facilities at local internet cafes.
Money
South Africa used the Rand. Approximately 6 Rand equals 1 $U.S., however this rate varies. As
a guide, you can check the current exchange rate on: http://www.x-rates.com/.