VACorps

I chose to come to Cape Town because I wanted to explore a new place and its stunning landscapes and beautiful scenery were a big attraction for me. South Africa’s history fascinated me, especially since it relates to my career aspirations. Opting for an internship was my way of figuring out what I enjoy, particularly because I aim to work in diverse settings and cultures.

What I cherished most about Cape Town? Definitely the people. They’re incredibly warm and welcoming, and the community here buzzes with energy. Cape Town has been a classroom of self-discovery for me, helping me solidify my career path and appreciate diverse perspectives.

I owe a lot of this experience to Kus, Kohli, Rowan, Loyiso, and the rest of the VAC team. They made me feel right at home. The cultural series and Friday activities were fantastic opportunities to bond with fellow interns and delve deeper into South African culture.

Although I initially planned to stay for just two months, I’ve extended my stay by a month, and I am not looking forward to saying goodbye to this beautiful city and all the amazing people I have met here! I’d recommend anyone visiting Cape Town to stay for three months to truly soak in its beauty.

I’m immensely grateful for the enriching experiences at work, exploring townships and schools, and meeting inspiring colleagues. Cape Town and VAC hold a special place in my heart, and I can’t wait to return one day.

I chose Cape Town initially to experience a culture more removed from the Westernized American and European cultures I had experienced prior. I am so happy to say that I did! My experience in South Africa was so warm, welcoming, and playful! It taught me that the workplace has a place for compassion, friendship, and silliness. I connected with many wonderful people who extended their friendship and homes to me as a visitor. In addition to this life-changing social experience, I was also able to use my time away from work to explore the beautiful nature of Cape Town like the beaches and Table Mountain! I also thoroughly enjoyed the Garden Route and visiting Kruger, and was able to see all the wonderful animals! Working with Kelly and the women of MOSAIC was inspiring and eye-opening into the realities of gender-based violence and social work here, and helped me shape my ideas about my future career. I will miss the kindness and friendliness of everyone in Cape Town the most! I stayed for 8 weeks and found it was just enough time to get comfortable here and experience what I wanted to. I would tell people to research South Africa and educate themselves so they can make the most of their experience here. I am so incredibly grateful for the VACorps staff and their love and support; they were the perfect family away from home!

After consulting with the VACorps staff, I confidently selected Cape Town as my preferred internship destination. Their support and guidance gave me the assurance to explore a new field of work, and their continuous assistance throughout my time in Cape Town was invaluable. I felt thoroughly prepared for every aspect of my internship. During my two-month stay, I worked at a marketing and brand management company, where I had the opportunity to collaborate with various non-profit organizations within the company's portfolio. Despite lacking a heavy background in marketing or business, I engaged in diverse projects and particularly enjoyed working in the townships. Cape Town offers an abundance of activities to fill your time, and the weekly organized events were both enjoyable and well-coordinated. I deeply appreciate the staff's unwavering availability and assistance. Cape Town offers a rich tapestry of cultures, providing an immersive experience unlike any other!

VACorps provides their interns with amazing adventures and loving attitudes. The first week for orientation was my favorite time, building relationships with other interns and the staff was wonderful. I enjoyed all the experiences I attended that VAC curated and facilitated for us. Our amazing hosts, Kholi and Kus, always made the excursions more exciting and comfortable. There are so many opportunities to learn about South African culture and places to explore with VAC with their culture nights and weekly excursions.

The internship VAC was able to connect me with was truly wonderful. I am so grateful to have experienced such a wonderful institution and to have been able to give back to the community with the services I provided. I am an Occupational Therapy student and I interned at an intermediate care practice for children with chronic illness and disabilities. I fell in love with the kids and the staff as they were the most welcoming and warm hearted people I have ever met. What I truly loved about the site is that they prided themselves on always greeting each other throughout the facility, no matter who you were. It allowed all of us who were new to greet others even if we didn’t know each other, provided comfort in knowing it was a safe space. After 2 months I felt as if I was a staff member of the institution, walking the halls, greeting everyone, hugging the kids, I felt at home. One nurse saw me as I was making my usual rounds and she said to me, “you look like you belong here, I hope you stay”. At that moment I realized this internship will come to an end and I was hit with a wave of grief. I have felt such intense emotions since I arrived in Cape Town, now that my time has ended I am filled with intense emotions once again.

For this entire experience I am truly grateful and humbled and appreciate all the support I was provided from VAC and my internship site. I highly recommend VAC to anyone who is interested in exploring Cape Town and has an interest in giving back to communities. Thank you VAC for everything, you hold a special place in my heart. Until next time, cheers 🙂

I chose to intern in Cape Town because of its unparalleled beauty and diverse offerings, from the mountains to the gorgeous beaches and the vibrant culture of its people. I have had an amazing experience getting to know this city and have been so grateful to live here for the past two months.

I did my internship with an immigration law firm and learned so much during my time there. I was entrusted with significant responsibilities and felt that my contributions were both impactful and valued. I was able to draft documents, search for case law, sit in on trials, and deliver documents to the high court. This internship gave me immense insight into the field of immigration law, and I’m leaving Cape Town knowing that it is, in fact, something I am incredibly passionate about and cannot wait to pursue as a potential future career path.

I truly believe that the people make the place and will never forget the connections I’ve made here. Living with other interns made this experience so much more fun because I always had people to hang out with whether at our apartments, exploring Cape Town, getting food, or going out. Some of my favorite activities I did with my friends were taking the cable car up Table Mountain for sunset, visiting Robben Island, walking to our favorite restaurants in Observatory, wine tasting in the beautiful vineyards, seeing penguins at Boulders Beach, and exploring the city on the red bus tour.

The staff at VACorps are so helpful and supportive, and I knew that I could go to them with any questions or problems, or if I ever just wanted to say hi. The Friday activities scheduled by the staff were always a highlight of my week. Bringing together the gap year students and college students was a fun way to connect with even more people. One of my favorite Friday activities was our last one where we got to go out on a boat and see seals, dolphins, penguins, and a beautiful view of the city. Other favorites were visiting seal island, a surfing lesson at Muizenberg Beach, and exploring Cape Point.

Reflecting on my time in Cape Town fills me with gratitude and fond memories. The supportive community at my internship site and VACorps, coupled with unforgettable experiences shared with newfound friends, have left an indelible mark on me. I leave with a profound appreciation for this enriching journey and am already looking forward to returning to this extraordinary city.