VACorps

Why choose VACorps?

The VACorps internship program creates tailored placements in Cape Town, South Africa. We consistently receive rave reviews from program participants, parents and university administrators alike because we devote all our energy to one purpose -- helping you have a personally and professionally rewarding internship experience in Cape Town.

As a participant of our program, you will join a community that feels like a family. When you arrive in South Africa, we make it incredibly easy for you to adjust to life in Cape Town and call this city your home. From your very first day in the country, we will guide you through a comprehensive orientation that ensures you will take full advantage of every moment in South Africa. You will immediately be networked with other participants so that you have a peer group to relate with as you quickly adapt to life in a new city you'll soon be calling home.

Website

www.vacorps.com

Founded

2006

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Community Photos

Elephants along the Garden Route, South Africa

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Reviews

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.

My time with VACorps has been nothing short of amazing. I have made many memories that will last a lifetime. I built incredibly strong relationships with the staff as well as other interns, and it has been extremely emotional having to say goodbye to everyone. I got to do so many things during this journey, including scuba diving, hiking Lion's Head, many beach days, quad biking in the sand dunes, skydiving, and much, much more! My internship placement was the greatest place I have ever worked, and I absolutely adored the people I worked with. If anyone is hesitant about doing this program, I would fully encourage them to just do it as this will change their life in so many ways. It makes me sad having to say goodbye to all the people and the place, but I feel so lucky to have had this wonderful experience.

I’ve cherished my time in Cape Town and am immensely grateful for the incredible experience provided by VACorps. When I was searching for gap year programs, VACorps stood out as the perfect blend of freedom and support. After spending 2.5 months here, I can confidently say I made the right choice.

Upon arrival, the VACorps staff ensured our comfort and readiness for life in this amazing city through thorough orientation. Even after orientation ended, the staff remained accessible for questions and recommendations. I appreciated the balance of working in an internship while also having the opportunity to explore Cape Town during our Friday activities. This experience taught me a great deal and fostered my independence.

Cape Town offers a plethora of activities, and I found myself stepping out of my comfort zone and trying new things. Moreover, I formed meaningful connections with fellow students, thanks to the orientation and shared living arrangements. Their support and camaraderie added immeasurable value to my experience.

I did my internship at a marketing and brank management company. It was very hands-on, and not only did I learn a lot, but I felt like the work I was doing made a meaningful contribution to the company. I was given opportunities to work directly with brands and go to real life events to shoot content. I enjoyed seeing the posts I made on the different brands social media platforms. The work environment was wonderful, and I felt very included and a part of it. My supervisor was very supportive and made time for us to check in everyday, which was very helpful.

I owe much of my personal growth, lifelong friendships, and unforgettable memories to VACorps, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to others.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Cape Town and South Africa. I formed lifelong friendships and created unforgettable memories. Cape Town truly offers something for everyone, from its pristine beaches and expansive ocean views to its vineyards and beautiful mountains. It is undeniably an amazing place to visit.

The staff at VA Corps are exceptionally helpful and dedicated to the success of each student, ensuring they are placed in meaningful internships. During my time with a boating conservation company, I not only learned a great deal but also felt like a valued member of the team.

Beyond my internship, I had the opportunity to explore the vibrant city of Cape Town and its surrounding areas. The possibilities for activities seemed endless, ranging from surfing, paragliding, and exploring sand dunes to wine tasting and immersing myself in the local culture.

I fell in love with this beautiful city, its landscapes, and its people. I decided to come here as a political science student because the history of this country fascinated me. This internship at a sustainable development NGO helped me gain a better understanding of it and nuanced my knowledge. It was my end-of-master’s internship and my first professional experience in my field of activity. It helped me have a clearer vision of what I want to do, and I was involved in several projects regarding the Sustainable Development Goals. It was really interesting and worth it!

South Africa

4.50 •2 reviews

VACorps counselling and psychology internships will expose you to the...

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Interview

Why did you choose this program?

I fell in love with South Africa on my 9th grade spring break trip to Johannesburg with my high school. After that experience, I knew I always wanted to come back. So when I took a gap year, I knew I needed to take advantage of this opportunity to travel to Cape Town. After doing some research online and speaking to past VaCorps alumni, it seemed like the perfect fit for me: an informative and immersive internship experience supplemented with the freedom to explore Cape Town's beauty and endless adventure.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

VaCorps was proactive in matching me with an internship placement. I filled out an in depth questionnaire about my interests and the placement advisors then provided potential matches and organized interviews to find the best fit. I eventually decided to intern at Bush Radio and loved every minute of it.

When I first arrived in Cape Town, VaCorps organized a 2 week orientation which included a weekend trip on the Garden Route, an in depth safety presentation, and various activities to better understand South African culture and bond with other gappers before starting our internships.

VaCorps also provided weekly Friday activities which were a great way to not only relax after a long week and prepare for the weekend but also explore more of Cape Town with friends. My favorite activities were sailing in the V&A waterfront, seeing penguins in Simonstown, and hiking the Boomslang caves.

Outside of work hours and the Friday VAC activities, it was up to us to decide how we wanted to spend our free time. From beach days, to hiking Table Mountain, or day trips to the Stellenbosch wine estates, there really is no shortage of adventure.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Be open to new opportunities!

During my gap year, I prioritized doing things outside of my comfort zone. You really never know where it may lead you: a new friendship, a new hobby, or a lifelong memory. Cape Town is full of surprises and things to do so just go out and explore and I promise you won't ever want to leave!

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Weekdays:
Morning: Working at internship site
Afternoon/Evenings: Go to the gym, going out to dinner, checking out different neighborhoods in Cape Town, beach for sunset

Friday and Weekends:
Friday afternoon VAC activities, going out with friends, beach days, surfing, hikes, food markets, weekend day trips outside of the city, special events (festivals, food halls, etc...)

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I had traveled quite a bit growing up but nothing compared to my experience in Cape Town. This was the first time living alone over 7000 miles from home and with a 7 hour time difference. The fear of uncertainty terrified me. I didn't know what to expect at all and came knowing no one. Once I got to Cape Town, however, I immediately found that sense of community amongst my friends and with my co-workers at Bush Radio. My best advice is to find those people that bring out the best in you and those you can express your authentic self around. Explore new places that excite you and incorporate daily habits from home in your daily routine when abroad. Within a couple weeks, Cape Town truly started to feel like my home away from home and I cried when I left. Once I stopped letting my fear of uncertainty consume me, I was excited when new experiences and opportunities were presented and could live freely in the present moment.

Share your favorite story from this program.

One weekend, my friends and I decided to tackle Table Mountain, one of the seven wonders of the natural world and the most challenging hike we'd done so far. Less than 1 hour into our 6 hour hike, I felt my body giving up on me. I kept telling myself that it was too challenging and that I was never going to make it. I was so tempted to just head back and grab some lunch by the beach. But I had to finish what I had started and snap out of this mindset, considering I still had 5 hours left. It was in this moment, sitting on top of a rock overlooking the nature below, when I reminded myself of the promise I made to myself: that I'd do things outside of my comfort zone that scare me and make me doubt myself. I learned that my mind often gives up before my body does and the moment I felt like giving up was the moment I had to revisit why I was here and keep pushing. After this change in mindset, I embraced the present moment and cheered myself on even when I wanted to give up. I was doing this for me and no one else. The sense of accomplishment I felt when I reached the peak, overlooking panoramic views of the city below, was indescribable.

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Lachlan O'Neill

2019 Alum

Jackie Berger

Mark McKown

2014 Alum

Josh Hoeg

2017 Alum

Rob Weidner

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Athena Lamberis

Program

Internships in Cape Town with VACorps

Athena has lived, worked and studied in over twelve countries around the world before graduating from Michigan State University in 2005. She loves diving into cross-cultural experiences, language learning and documenting beauty and creativity around every corner. Cape Town has been home since 2008, where her love for experiential education, natural spaces and the search for the next tasty meal collide.

Having been a semester abroad student in South Africa herself, she adds her own personal knowledge and enthusiasm for those ready to embark on their own learning adventure abroad!

Athena Lamberis - Education International

What is your favorite travel memory?

One of my favorite travel memories was being in Athens during the 2004 Summer Olympics.

The city was pumping with so much energy from around the world. A casual stroll down the road felt like a global carnival. I passed by a corner where there was a scene of Brazilians were playing capoeira, while a band of Ugandan drummers danced past the group of Japanese fans cheering about a victory, all on my way to watch the sunset behind the Parthenon with friends from Mexico, Turkey, and Australia.

It was one of the most joyful cross-cultural experiences I have experienced in addition to celebrating solidarity and amazing human endeavors!

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Although I had lived in South Africa for 6 years prior to working with VACorps, the work and relationships I have been able to form these past 4 years have granted me a more in-depth exposure to different South African realities.

I have grown in compassion, become a better listener, and am more engaged in learning more about current issues that motivate leaders to make innovative business or organizational choices and create positive social change.

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What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

I often receive the 'wish I was still there' emails and enjoy viewing the video collages students tend to make and share across their social media channels. The best stories for me, though, are the students that integrate their experience abroad directly into their lives. This has ranged from a legal intern student going onto working in the UN, a communications student producing their own local show, and a social work graduate who went on to initiate their own community project.

No matter what field of study the students are engaged with: it's always amazing to hear about how everyone's perspective abroad directly impacts the choices they make.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

This changes from week to week. Why? Because I am someone who is typically extremely inspired by passionate people and so many organizations and businesses in Cape Town have dynamic teams that motivate people to get involved!

The changing socio-political landscape of Cape Town makes diving into social justice advocacy programs important, but joining a start-up business incubator is also exhilarating. There are times I am inspired to assist in social work or counseling programs or even help produce digital media for youth development or sustainable community food gardens. I am always intrigued by environmental education and conservation programs because being surrounded by Cape Town's amazing biodiversity is like nowhere else in the world. Because I love learning more about languages and cultures, there is always something to contribute to that supports refugee and asylum-seeking communities and overall social cohesion in Cape Town.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Everyone involved with VACorps has a genuine interest in education and connecting students to exciting and engaging learning experiences. I have had the privilege to meet and get to know local leaders in a variety of fields who lead and manage operations that aim for positive social impact and innovations. I am proud that we support their initiatives, attend their events and think of creative ways for students to assist in achieving their vision for the greater good.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

The work we do is purposeful, and this drives the company to make positive decisions, additions, and adaptations to our program offerings. I believe this ability to reflect, improve and evolve as a team creates success and enhances the entrepreneurial spirit of a company. We depend on each other to bring positive and meaningful passion into our work and this, in return, is appreciated by each student that joins the program.