Course content

Orientation week: Ice Break Camp

An Ice Break Camp is arranged for the first week where students spend a few days of fun and adventure at a picturesque nature reserve on the banks of the Vaal River. The focus is on teambuilding activities and enjoyable games that help students relax and get to know each other before they embark on the year’s study programme. 

Module 1: Lifestyle and balance: learn to thrive 
Learn:

• the A-Z of a balanced lifestyle
• how to achieve your utmost level of well-being
• how to stay motivated for an exercise programme
• to find balance between work, play and other activities
• how to maintain your ideal body weight
• how to prevent lifestyle illnesses

Module 2: Culinary skills: simple and scrumptious
Learn:

• to plan a balanced daily eating plan for yourself
• how to buy and budget for groceries
• all about kitchen organization and utensils
• basic cooking techniques
• important cooking terminology
• various uses of herbs in food

Module 3: Positive thinking: the sky is the limit
Learn how to:

• deal with failure in a constructive way
• use positive thinking to achieve success
• overcome fear, worry and doubt about your own abilities
• develop a winning attitude in life
• boost your happiness through an optimistic mind-set
• establish a grateful outlook on life

Module 4: Safety and self-defence: stay alive
Learn how to:

• prevent and deal with crime circumstances
• do important self-defence techniques
• avoid being a drug victim at social events
• practice vital safety principles when you go out at night
• change a flat tire
• practice road safety principles when travelling

Module 5: Emotional intelligence: feel in control
Learn:

• to understand the origins of your emotions
• how to handle criticism and negative feedback
• how to remain calm during a crisis
• to find a balance between expressing and controlling your emotions
• to deal with your emotions during a conflict situation
• how to leave emotional baggage behind and move on

Module 6: Character building: establish your values
Learn:

• to write your personal vision statement
• to establish your individual set of values
• to grow more trustworthy, honest and respectful
• to accept responsibility for your actions and decisions
• how to build courage, willpower and self-discipline

Module 7: Relationship skills: the key to happiness
Learn to:

• build long-lasting and healthy relationships in your life
• forgive and heal from past relationships
• deal effectively with conflict and disagreements
• important guidelines for choosing a life partner
• do’s and don’ts for dating and sexual relationships
• what to expect from a marriage
  

The New Life Camp: discover meaning in life (optional Christian camp)
The New Life Camp is an optional Christian camp that explores the main tenets of Christianity and help students to grow spiritually. It consists of informative talks, fun and leisure activities, one-on-one counselling sessions, testimonials and informal small group discussions.

Module 8: Health and nutrition: life is a feast
Learn how:

• eating habits influence your mood and well-being
• to prepare healthy snacks and meals
• to look radiant and feel beautiful
• to detoxify your body
• to eat for abundant energy
• to prevent degenerative diseases

Module 9: Herbs and well-being: feel fantastic
Learn:

• the value and uses of culinary herbs and spices
• how to grow your own herb garden
• how to apply Aromatherapy to enhance your life
• how to use Reflexology to boost your well-being
• how to make herbal remedies
• how to harvest and preserve herbs

Module 10: Self-image: celebrate yourself!
Learn to:

• appreciate your uniqueness
• accept your weaknesses and celebrate your strengths
• apply thinking strategies to improve your self-esteem
• to accept and love yourself
• how to control your inner critic
• boost your self-confidence

Student Career Seminar:
For the purpose of this seminar, each student research a career field of his or her choice and do a short PowerPoint presentation of the career. The presentation elucidates the career field’s job opportunities, study options, job hours, remuneration, skills needed and characteristics required.

Module 11: CAREER GUIDANCE Part 1: Self-knowledge
This course makes use of a range of scientifically developed psychometric tests and a Self-knowledge Workbook to gain in depth self-knowledge that is applied to make a career decision.
You will:

• identify your unique talents, strengths and weaknesses
• determine your true passions and interests
• understand your personality type
• discover your work style preferences
• establish your work related values
• draw up a summary of your personality profile
  

Module 12: CAREER GUIDANCE Part 2: Find your niche
Students receive individual counselling and are guided to make a semi-final career decision.
You will:

• design your personal career path
• learn to think systematically and analytically about your career choice
• learn how to do practical career research effectively
• learn proper networking skills for career research
• learn how to conduct an interview
• write your personal CV

CAREER RESEARCH Part 1: Research study options
Students complete a practical Career Research Assignment at one or more tertiary institutions.
You will:

• gain insight into the requirements for admission to selected courses
• determine what career possibilities are made possible by each qualification
• discover what each subject in a particular qualification entails
• find out the costs involved in each tertiary course
• find out about selection procedures, bursaries and accommodation options
• learn more about the student and academic culture of each tertiary institution
  

CAREER RESEARCH Part 2: Interviews and job shadowing
Students complete a practical Career Research Assignment in one or more industries that they are interested to follow as a career.
You will:

• conduct interviews with at least three people that work in your chosen career field
• discover new trends and job possibilities in your chosen career field
• spend time in one or more work environments to observe what each job entails
• learn more about the ups and downs of each job
• gain firsthand knowledge of the day-to-day realities of each job situation
• learn what skills and personality traits are needed for your chosen career
• find out about potential income and promotion options

Module 13: First aid: know what to do (Level 1 Certificate)
Learn how to:

• perform CPR and treat drowning or choking
• check for vital signs, unconsciousness and fainting
• take care of wounds, bleeding and burns
• treat fractures, do bandaging and splinting
• handle head and spinal injuries
• treat bites, stings and poisoning

Module 14: Etiquette: do it in style
Learn:

• modern e-mail and cell phone etiquette
• golden rules of social etiquette
• correct and elegant table etiquette
• appropriate host and hostess etiquette
• respectful and polite conversation skills
• graceful dating etiquette
  

Module 15: Entertaining: do it with fun and flair
Learn:

• how to plan a successful party or social event
• to prepare easy but elegant snacks
• how to prepare welcoming drinks and cocktails
• to do colourful and tasty menu planning
• how to create innovative table decorations
• how to garnish to impress

Module 16: Style and wardrobe: dress to impress
Learn:

• how to make the most of your unique features
• which colours suit your complexion the best
• to define your personal style
• valuable guidelines for wardrobe planning
• which styles suit your body type the best
• how to look after your clothes to maintain their quality

Module 17: Wine: delight your senses
The course will be enhanced by practical wine tasting and wine-and-food pairing sessions.
Learn:

• why moderation of alcohol intake is important
• all about the making, tradition and culture of wine
• how to appreciate the unique qualities of each wine
• how to serve and store wine correctly
• what stemware to use for each beverage
• all about wine and food pairing

Module 18: Philosophy: unlock your mind
The course will be enhanced by practical wine tasting and wine-and-food pairing sessions.
Learn to:

• think about the difficult questions of life
• think creatively and out of the box
• understand why you think the way you do
• to think critically about the world around you
• appreciate the way that others think
• define and analyse your personal worldview

Module 19: Study skills: learn to excel
Learn:

• to identify your unique style of learning
• effective note-taking and study techniques for tertiary study
• to improve your memory, concentration and listening skills
• effective ways to handle test and examination anxiety
• how to plan and organize studies effectively
• how to improve intrinsic motivation for studies

Module 20: Financial skills: follow your dreams
Learn:

• to manage your personal finances effectively
• to budget for short-term and long-term financial commitments
• to set financial goals and achieve those goals
• the best ways to save money
• the best way to plan and make an investment
• the ins-and-outs of the stock market

Module 21: Time management: learn to flourish
Learn how to:

• prioritise according to your values
• adopt a relaxed, yet efficient lifestyle
• feel in control of your life at all times
• establish a sense of balance in your life
• enjoy life while getting things done
• use effective ways to organise daily tasks and activities

The Talent and Passion Festival
The annual Talent and Passion Festival pay tribute to each student’s unique talent and abilities. This entertaining week give students an opportunity to showcase their hobbies, musical talents and any type of expertise that they have acquired.

Module 22: Basic legal skills: know your rights
Learn:

• about common legal mistakes that people tend to make
• the essentials of entering into contracts, including marital contracts
• what your rights are when in a car accident
• when you can act in self-defence
• what to look out for in employment contracts
• what your rights are when you rent or buy a flat or a home

Module 23: Communication skills: boost your confidence
Learn:

• how to improve your persuasion skills
• everything about body language
• effective conversation and social skills
• to enhance your active listening skills
• to do public speaking with confidence
• to define your unique communication style

Module 24: Interior design: creative and practical
Learn how to:

• acquire a range of do-it-yourself skills in and around the house
• built a eco-friendly interior and save electricity
• construct aesthetic interiors that reflect your individual lifestyle
• use colours, lighting, space and fabrics creatively
• establish different atmospheres in and around your house
• bring life to old furniture and renovate an interior

Adventure Breakaway: stretch your limits
The Adventure Breakaway is an unforgettable highlight of the gap year course. The breakaway usually takes place at a scenic nature reserve in the pristine hills surrounding the Vaalriver at Parys. The breakaway give students an opportunity to take part in a series of adventure challenges designed to build self-confidence, interpersonal communication and perseverance. Challenges include white-water river rafting, abseiling, hiking, a number of fun games and problem-solving activities.

Module 25: Photography: shoot like a pro
Learn:

• the basics of a camera’s mechanism
• the principles of good photographic composition
• how to take excellent nature and landscape photography
• how to do portraiture and people photography

Community Project
Students take part in a community project and develop an understanding for the needs of less privileged people in society. They get actively involved in community work and implement creative methods to help others.

Film Festival
The annual Film Festival hosts a series of the best quality movies that was shown on the circuit in the past decades. The movies are used to facilitate an assignment-based exploration about what is truly important in life. Students take part in lively discussions surrounding the issue of what gives meaning in life…

The European tour
The year ends on a high note with an optional Contiki tour to Europe that offers students an unforgettable experience in the company of their classmates. The purpose of the tour is to develop our student’s understanding of the world, other cultures and European lifestyles.