International students on a city tour of Durban.Ricksha Bus Tour for International Students
As part of the International Student Office’s continuation of Orientation, foreign students based on UKZN’s Durban campuses recently enjoyed a tour of the city aboard the Ricksha bus, visiting a variety of attractions and familiarising themselves with their new surroundings.
Part of the aim of the tour was to help international students identify city streets, markets, public gathering places and emergency centres.
The University has about 3 000 international students from more than 82 countries. Students on the tour were from Canada, the United States of America, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Germany, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Belgium, Kenya, Swaziland, Ethiopia, Egypt and India.
The tour started at the Durban mobile Tourism Office and headed to Ushaka Marine World along the Golden Mile where the students experienced the beachfront in perfect weather conditions and also got a glimpse of the Point Waterfront. From there the bus went into the CBD taking in the harbour, the Emmanuel Cathedral Church, Victoria Street Market, Juma Musjid Mosque, the City Hall, Francis Farewell Square and the KwaMuhle Museum.
The tour then stopped at the Cube on Innes Road where a group photo was taken, before going on to Mitchell Park, Florida Road, Moses Mabhida Stadium, the Suncoast Casino, Blue Lagoon and back to the Durban Tourism Office.
The tour guide was very informative pointing out the various sights and giving students a brief history of all the attractions, best places to shop and emergency centres.
The outing ended with lunch on the beachfront.
Words: Christian Ishimwe: ishimwec@ukzn.ac.za