Sending a teenager to South Africa: guardianship, consent and supervision

One: an unabridged (full) birth certificate, translated into English and attested. Two: an affidavit of consent signed by both parents, notarised and attested by your foreign ministry and the South African mission. Three: the school's guardianship letter, which names the guardian, states their address and confirms they accept legal responsibility. Four: proof of accommodation booked for the full course. Border officials do check.

For a 15 to 17-year-old, insist on: a homestay or supervised residence with a curfew, airport transfer both ways, a named staff member as first point of contact, a weekly progress email to parents, and a 24-hour emergency number that a human answers. Ask whether students are escorted to and from school in the first week, and whether the school restricts weekend travel.

A 17-year-old in an adult class often thrives; a 14-year-old rarely does. Schools with a dedicated junior programme group teenagers together, run supervised afternoon activities, and keep evenings structured. If a school will place your 15-year-old in a class with 25-year-olds and no separate activity programme, keep looking.