Internships in South Africa: Welcome!

• Marketing: For marketing interns there are lots of options since almost every company has a need for marketing. NGO's are also willing to hire a marketing interns. A big advantage of marketing is the upcoming social media. Knowledge and social media skills are basically always required when applying for a marketing internship.
• Tourism and Hotel management: South Africa becomes more and more popular for travelers. Cape Town attracts most tourists, but since South Africa is providing easy and safe ways to travel around, tourism and hotel management internships are almost everywhere, for example: Krugerpark, Coffee bay, Port Elizabeth and Port St. Jones. You can think of internships such as hotel receptionist, tour guide, diving instructor, but there is also a demand for vet students in lots of game reserves.

Planning Your Internship in South Africa

When and Where to Look for an Internship:

Finding a suitable internship in a foreign country definitely takes some time. The best time to go to South Africa is between November and April. It is recommended to start searching for an internship four to six months before, so you have time to find a suitable place and to make all the arrangements such as accommodation, visa, vaccinations, etc. There are organizations that can help you find an internship and sometimes support you with finding accommodation. These agencies often charge quite a lot of money, but their services can be very useful. You can find these in every country on the internet or ask for information at your university or travel agency. The internet is always a good source for internships (even social media such as LinkedIn).

Elephants in Hluhluwe Game Reserve

Cost of Living in South Africa:

The prices for accommodation vary a lot. When you work for a charity, they often provide accommodation, sometimes for free. Working for a marketing company will obviously be in the city center where you will pay around $300 monthly rent for a room.

Transportation is also an aspect that depends on the job and the environment. In city centers you can use the local taxis which are around $0.50, but this can be unsafe in some areas. In some cities the bus can be an option, same goes for trains. Make sure you are aware of the situation when preparing your internship.

Work Culture in South Africa:

• Etiquette: Generally, South Africa is a relaxed culture. It will be very useful when going to South Africa to read something about the South African culture. It is very different from Europe or the United States, and preparing yourself will definitely help you with these cultural differences. South Africans are proud of their country and are warm and hospitable people. It is polite to welcome your colleagues in the morning, and they will always ask you how you are doing that day. A simple 'good morning' will brighten up your day. The hierarchy really depends on the company you work for, but mostly they really appreciate the effort and work you'll put in the company.
• Language: The main language is English, so a good understanding of English is required. South Africa has 11 languages, but every school teaches English. There will definitely be a language barrier in the rural areas, but when you are interning there that should not be a problem.
• Racism: Unfortunately, racism is still present in South Africa. Lots of people who visit the country have experienced this and found it useful to talk about this. This is not really something that you can prepare, but it might help to talk to someone who have already been to South Africa or read blogs about their experiences.

Work and Labor Laws in South Africa

Because of the high number of unemployment, South Africa is very strict on volunteering projects. They want to make sure that no volunteer gets paid, so no jobs will be given to foreigners. If you apply for a visa or an extension, you should have proof that you don't get paid.

At the top of Amphitheatre Mountain in Drakensberg

Why Intern in South Africa?

South Africa really is an amazing country where you can learn a lot about the field you will be working in and the African way of living. You will develop your English, gain job experience and learn how to work with people from different cultures. You will experience the kindness of people, their generosity and hospitality, their amazing love for sports and the importance of friends and family. They say that going to Africa may cause an African addiction or fever, simply because you can't get enough!