Manhattan Review Test Prep Services in Durban (South Africa)

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Durban is a popular coastal city in South Africa for people who are looking to continue their education, launch a career, or generally take the next step in their lives. With a greater than average number of residents in the Durban area pursuing higher education, competition at universities is becoming increasingly fierce. Because of this, students may find themselves looking to advance their odds of getting into the school of their dreams by seeking out study assistance when preparing for a particular standardized exam. Students in and around Durban looking to set themselves up for academic and professional success should look to Manhattan Review for the greatest variety of local options in standardized test prep. Students who choose to work with Manhattan Review have a wide variety of options to choose from in their course of study, whether they are focusing on the GMAT, GRE, LSAT, SAT, ACT, TOEFL, or IELTS.

Students who work with Manhattan Review will have access to experienced instructors who have helped many students in and around Durban with their standardized test prep. We are proud to offer test prep options including classroom-style group courses, online courses, and private tutoring sessions. Whether you prefer to learn in the company of others, need the flexibility of online instruction, or desire the individualized attention only available through private tutoring, we have an option that is certain to work for you and your schedule. Manhattan Review has been providing world-class test prep for students and professionals since 1999, and we pride ourselves on keeping our curricula and practice tests updated to ensure students have an accurate reflection of the formatting and content of the most frequently taken standardized tests.

Durban, often referred to by the nickname "Durbs," is the third most populous city in South Africa after Johannesburg and Cape Town. Located in the southeastern part of the KwaZulu-Natal province, it is the chief seaport of South Africa and one of the largest cities bordering the Indian Ocean to be found on the African continent. Based on archeological evidence from the nearby Drakensberg mountains, the Durban area has been inhabited by communities of hunter-gatherers since 100,000 BC, and while a strong oral tradition was passed on under the Zulu nation who inhabited the region before colonists, the first written history of the area was not inscribed until 1497, when Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama sailed alongside the Durban coast searching for a route from Europe to India. He named the area "Natal," the Portuguese for the word "Christmas," which coincided with the time of his voyage. 

The modern city of Durban dates back to 1824, at which time Henry Francis Fynn befriended Shaka, the Zulu King, after helping him recover from an assassination attempt. King Shaka gifted Fynn a 25-mile strip of coast, including the Bay of Natal. In June 1835, a decision was made to name the capital town after Sir Benjamin D'Urban, who was serving as governor of the Cape Colony at the time. Fierce fighting plagued the area for many years afterwards until military pressure was used to ensure local Afrikaners accepted the British annexation in 1844. Afterwards, the Borough of Durban was established in 1854, and the South Africa Act of 1909 brought together the four previously separate British colonies of Cape Colony, Colony of Natal, Transvaal Colony, and Orange River Colony. South Africa became a sovereign nation state within the British Empire in 1934 before becoming the Republic of South Africa in 1961. 

Durban continues to be South Africa's main cargo port and serves a significant portion of the southern part of the African continent. This seaside town has experienced significant growth in the past few decades, and since 2009, the main employment sectors in the city include community services, finance, trade and manufacturing, and tourism. The city serves as an economic hub for the KwaZulu-Natal area and boasts an ethnically diverse population of Zulus, Indians, Asians, and Whites. English is the most frequently spoken language, followed by Zulu, and there is a cultural richness that derives from the varied beliefs and traditions of those living in the city. 

Durban is frequently referred to as "South Africa's playground" and is known as the ultimate holiday destination due to its fantastic weather. Sunny skies, the sparkling Indian Ocean, and the warmth provided by the Mozambique Current ensure Durban stays much warmer than the rest of South Africa. Education is important in Durban, which is home to both public and private primary and secondary schools, as well as colleges and universities, including Durban Institute of Technology, Regent Business School, the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and the University of South Africa, to name but a few. 

Durban is proud to be home to the Natural Science Museum, as well as the Durban Art Gallery on the first floor of City Hall. The Durban Local History Museum was the first public building built in Durban after European settlement in 1866. Other museums not to be missed include the Mahatma Gandhi House, Sugar Terminal, the Port Natal Maritime Museum, and the Killie Campbell African Museum. 

Durban is home to the uShaka Marine World, the fifth largest aquarium in the world. The aquarium sits at the end of Durban's famous "Golden Mile," an idyllic stretch of beaches known for world-class surfing, as well as snorkeling and unparalleled diving. Kayaking and windsurfing are also popular water activities. A short distance outside the city travelers can visit Oribi Gorge, famed for its cliffs, waterfalls, hiking trails, and forests. The tree canopy can be explored through the Aerial Cable Trail, and the location is perfect for abseiling. 

Durban has established itself as a true foodie city and is sometimes referred to as "the curry capital of South Africa," in honor of the proliferation of Indian food. Street food from food trucks and local vendors in the Victoria Street Market is quite popular, in addition to fresh seafood and beloved South African steaks. Whatever you're craving, there's something delicious to be found in this food-loving town.

Manhattan Review has helped a wide variety of Durban-based students pursue their individual academic goals: attending graduate school via the GMAT and GRE, college via the SAT and ACT, law school via the LSAT, and learning the English language via the TOEFL and IELTS. Students have paired the guidance they have received with their own dedication and hard work, earning themselves coveted acceptance offers to top-tier colleges and universities, including Harvard University, Stanford University, Duke University, MIT, Yale University, Princeton University, Columbia University, New York University, the University of California at Los Angeles, the University of Southern California, Oxford University, the University of Cambridge, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Dartmouth College, to name but a few. Former Manhattan Review clients have used their stellar educations to establish meaningful and successful careers around the globe, counting their work with us as a significant contributor to their well-deserved success. If you, too, seek collegiate and professional success, we encourage you to contact us today to find out how we can partner with you to assist you in achieving your goals and making your dreams come true.

Meet a Durban Tutor: Kendra D.

Kendra D. grew up in New York City, where her mother was a respected professor at a leading university, and she recalls being fortunate to grow up in a home where learning was encouraged and valued. "I always knew I wanted to be a teacher," shares Kendra. "I'd sit in on my mom's lectures sometimes, and seeing how excited students were when they finally grasped a difficult concept made me want to find a way to make a positive difference in people's lives." Kendra worked incredibly hard during high school, writing for her school's online newspaper, hosting a current events podcast with her best friend, and competing in varsity water polo, track, and tennis. She participated in organizations dedicated to improving social justice and won a state-wide speech and debate competition. Kendra's school offered students the opportunity to participate in group SAT prep programs and in addition to this, Kendra also worked with a retired teacher to prepare for the test, "just to make sure I wasn't overlooking anything." Kendra's hard work and dedication were rewarded when she scored in the 98^th percentile on the SAT and received numerous offers of admission to colleges across the United States. 

While Kendra loved New York, she was also excited to live someplace new and although her family was sad to see her leave, they fully supported her decision to attend Stanford University. Kendra loved her time at Stanford, making close friends and developing strong professional connections. After graduating with an undergraduate degree in education, Kendra obtained a master's degree in teaching from the University of California at Berkeley. She then accepted a consulting position with an organization focused on providing high-quality education to students with varied academic needs and diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. As she climbed the corporate ladder and accepted well-deserved promotions, Kendra found herself missing the direct interaction she'd had with students during her time in the classroom. When her husband's company offered the family the chance to relocate to Durban, she enthusiastically supported the move and hoped to find a way to work with students once again.

When an opening for an instructor appeared at the Durban office of Manhattan Review, Kendra applied and was almost immediately welcomed to the instructional team. Students love her straightforward method of teaching, but also appreciate her sense of humor and her ability to use real-world examples from her own experiences. She offers group courses, as well as private tutoring, and there is regularly a wait list to work with her. "I'm incredibly lucky to have a job doing what I love most," smiles Kendra. "Teaching is such a privilege, and nothing makes me happier than seeing students I've worked with enjoy their own successes." When Kendra isn't preparing the next generation of college students for their own academic success, she can be found watching sunsets along the Golden Mile, enjoying the nightlife along Florida Road, and taking her son to uShaka Marine World for interactive animal shows.