Physical Therapy Internship in Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is an incredibly beautiful and scenic place, and spending time here was a welcome change from colder seasons back home. I loved hiking, relaxing at the beaches, and exploring the local restaurants and cafés around the city. Living here also taught me a lot about myself, especially the importance of budgeting and being there for friends when they need support. I will really miss the warm weather, the nightlife, and the late-night conversations and debriefs with friends.

During my internship with a sports and community-focused organization, I learned the basics of athletic training and gained a better understanding of how important time management and a willingness to learn are in a professional setting. I stayed for about two months, which felt like the perfect amount of time to settle in and experience the city. The VACorps staff were incredibly kind and supportive, and they helped make the experience both memorable and meaningful.

Living and learning in Cape Town gave me the chance to immerse myself in a vibrant culture, work in a setting that pushed me to grow as a clinician, and form connections that I will carry with me long after this rotation. I will always remember the joy and laughter of the children I worked with at Athlone School for the Blind—their determination inspired me every single day.

One of my goals was to provide services to underprivileged youth, and I’m grateful that Athlone gave me the opportunity to do exactly that. The students also taught me so much in return. Working with diagnoses I had never encountered before forced me to strengthen my clinical reasoning. I spent time researching conditions, adapting my treatment approach, and thinking critically about what each child needed and why. This pushed me to grow in a way that would not have been possible in a more familiar environment.

I also wanted to understand a different health system, so I asked many questions about local hospitals and even visited the OTP clinic while I was here. Seeing firsthand where resources are limited and how challenging access can be for families deepened my perspective on global healthcare and the barriers many communities face.

Outside of my internship, the Friday excursions with VAC helped me find balance and space for reflection during an intense learning experience. Culture Nights added another dimension to my time here, offering a deeper understanding of the people, stories, and history of South Africa.

The memories of the children, the community, and this breathtaking city will continue to shape me—both as a future physical therapist and as a person.

My 2.5 months in South Africa have truly been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Working at Athlone School for the Blind has been life-changing, both personally and professionally. I loved having the opportunity to see what physiotherapy looks like here compared to physical therapy in the U.S., and the differences gave me a new appreciation for the flexibility and creativity this field can require.

One of the things I am most proud of is how adaptable I became during this rotation. Athlone has far fewer resources than what I’m used to in school or in U.S. clinics, which meant I had to be very creative with my exercise prescriptions. Every student has a unique skill set and different impairments, so tailoring each session to the individual pushed me to think quickly and problem-solve in real time. This challenged me in the best way and helped me grow significantly as a future clinician.

The VACorps staff were incredibly supportive throughout my time abroad, and the weekly activities were a great way to get out, explore, and truly experience Cape Town. Overall, this program exceeded my expectations, and I’m so grateful I had this opportunity. I will definitely be back!

I chose Cape Town for my internship because the opportunity to work with a professional rugby club was one I couldn’t pass up. As a physical therapy student, I wanted to be challenged in a setting that would push me professionally, and rugby in South Africa is on a level unlike anywhere else. The chance to learn in that environment while living in a vibrant and diverse city made the decision easy.

What I valued most about interning in Cape Town was the blend of professional growth and personal adventure. Every day at the rugby club brought something new—working with elite athletes, observing the rehab process, and seeing the teamwork and resilience required at the highest level. One of my goals was to gain hands-on experience in a professional sports rehab setting, and I achieved that by observing injury assessments, learning about return-to-play protocols, and engaging with both athletes and staff. I especially enjoyed shadowing the medical team during training sessions and seeing how physiotherapy, strength and conditioning, and coaching intersect. A highlight was observing rehab progressions in real time and understanding how small adjustments can significantly impact performance. Some of my favorite moments were being on the sidelines during training, watching the medical and performance teams collaborate, and getting to know the players beyond the game. Those experiences reminded me why I chose this profession—to help athletes reach their potential and return to what they love.

Outside of work, Cape Town constantly amazed me. The mountains, beaches, and the rhythm of the city made every free moment feel like an adventure. During my time here, I learned that I can adapt quickly to new environments and find confidence even in unfamiliar situations. It was humbling and motivating to step into a high-performance sports environment and realize how much I could learn alongside experienced professionals.

Living in Cape Town was just as memorable as the internship itself. I loved the mix of cultures, the food, and the natural beauty surrounding the city. Most of all, I’ll miss the people I met—both through the rugby club and through VACorps. The friendships and sense of community here are truly special.

I stayed for about three months, and I’d recommend that length to future interns if possible. The longer you stay, the more you can settle in and take full advantage of the professional and personal opportunities. My biggest tip is to arrive with an open mind and say yes to as much as you can—whether it’s trying something new at your site or joining a spontaneous weekend trip.

The VACorps staff were incredible throughout my stay. The weekly activities made it easy to connect with other interns, and their support behind the scenes made the transition to life in Cape Town smooth and stress-free. I’m especially grateful for the community they foster, which made this experience so much more than just an internship.

My time with the rugby club and in Cape Town has been one of the most impactful experiences of my life. I’m leaving with new skills, new friendships, and memories I’ll carry with me forever.

I chose Cape Town because it offered a unique cultural experience unlike anything I had encountered before. I was drawn to the city after reading about its breathtaking scenery, welcoming people, and exciting activities. The opportunity to experience South Africa while also working at a school for children with special needs was something I couldn’t pass up.

I chose to work at the school because its mission resonated deeply with me. Their dedication to serving underserved students and providing physiotherapy to those in need aligned perfectly with my own values. Everything about this experience was incredible—from working with students to trying new foods and activities. The people were warm, friendly, and eager to learn about me, which made adjusting to a new place even more special.

In total, I spent 75 days in Cape Town and 50 days at the school. If I had one piece of advice for future participants, it would be to give yourself enough time on both ends of your trip. Having a cushion allows you to adjust to the change, plan big activities, and fully soak in the experience. Some internships can be quite demanding, so having that extra flexibility helps ensure you don’t miss out on the things you truly want to do.

One of the highlights of my time here was the organized weekly adventures. Traveling with a large group not only made me feel safe but also allowed me to explore incredible places while having so much fun. I’m especially grateful to the staff for making Cape Town feel like a home away from home.

Cape Town was an incredible experience! Everyone at the VAC was welcoming and supportive throughout my time there. They did a fantastic job organizing fun and diverse activities every Friday, where I had the chance to meet many new people and get to know Kus and Kholi well. 🙂

I completed a Physical Therapy internship at an outpatient rehabilitation facility that serves both the private and public healthcare sectors. I worked independently and was exposed to a variety of complex patients. The staff at the clinic was incredibly helpful and welcoming, making me feel comfortable asking anyone anything; they were always willing to assist. It’s a great clinic, and I learned so much!

One of my biggest personal achievements during this internship was boosting my confidence. Being completely independent pushed me to trust my instincts and capabilities. I struggled with confidence in my skills before this internship, but I’m leaving with a much stronger sense of self-assurance.

I packed so many activities into my time here and definitely kept busy! Some highlights included hiking to Table Mountain (a must-do), exploring all the restaurants at the Waterfront (I loved Den Anker and Sevruga), visiting various weekend markets (Old Biscuit Mill, Oranjz, Muizenberg), enjoying plenty of wine (the wine tram in Franschhoek was both beautiful and fun), and, of course, experiencing the breathtaking views along the Garden Route (plus bungy jumping!).

Spending 10 weeks here felt just right, but if you’re visiting in winter, make sure to bring warm clothes, especially for sleeping! I will truly miss everyone at VAC and have cherished every conversation I had with them. They were an amazing highlight of my trip. I had the experience of a lifetime and can’t wait to come back and visit!

My experience with the VACorps program genuinely has changed my life as to who I am. I adored every second of being here and learning about myself and the different cultures here. If I had the chance to come back I would in a heartbeat and I made several life-long friends during my stay.

My internship really helped me have job clarity because I was unsure if I was in the right major. However, once I had spent several days at my internship site, I was reassured that my job choice in the field of PT is great for me as I look ahead to the future.

I had the opportunity through my graduate program to complete one of my physiotherapy internships abroad in Cape Town. My school partners with the VACorps and we were paired with various sites around Cape Town. This was an amazing place to do an internship - the people were so welcoming, the food was incredible, and there was so much to do after work and on the weekends between nature, markets, and nightlife. I will miss the energy and joy here in Cape Town the most, along with the food and access to nature. We really enjoyed being out on the weekends and would always make new friends as everyone is so friendly and welcoming.

I loved working at my internship site because we got to meet and collaborate with local physio students, and work with children with a variety of diagnoses and abilities. I was able to practice being independent with my physio treatment and challenged myself to try new interventions. It was a great learning experience and I will never forget my time there.

The VACorps staff was so welcoming and felt like family from the second we arrived. They were there for anything we needed and we always felt so supported. They are the kindest group of people and made every Friday activity so much fun!