Internships in Cape Town with VACorps

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!

I chose Cape Town as the place to intern abroad because I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone and travel to a new place! Cape Town is BEAUTIFUL! Truly, it is the best place to visit!

My internship as an elective student at UCT in the audiology department at Groote Schuur Hospital was AMAZING! The staff and students were so friendly! We enjoyed learning from each other and sharing our stories every day. All of my supervisors challenged me to think deeper and apply my knowledge with each patient we saw. They trusted me to help teach their students and guide them through clinical procedures. The biggest highlight at my site was being able to observe two ear surgeries in person! It was the BEST day of my life!

Reflecting on my stay, I can see how much I have changed as a person. I am more open-minded, more outgoing, and more accepting of change. I would recommend VACorps to anyone who wants to grow as a person! Cape Town and VACorps will forever hold a special place in my heart!

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Cape Town. My internship was fantastic, and I felt I gained exactly what I was hoping for. My favorite part of interning in Cape Town was the opportunity to experience a culture different from that in the States. I appreciated the legal research I conducted on the ongoing conversation about Expropriation without compensation in South Africa. It felt incredibly relevant to the real issues currently facing the country and beneficial for my personal goals regarding my legal career back in the States.

There were plenty of opportunities, both within my internship and outside of it, to immerse myself in the culture of Cape Town and its surrounding areas. I believe the three-month duration of my stay was ideal for experiencing the local culture.

The VACorps staff were awesome—super friendly, easy to talk to, and, most importantly, very accessible in case of any issues. Overall, the program was very well organized, and I felt confident reaching out if I ever needed assistance.

God’s Own Country is how I would best describe Cape Town! Blessed by the vast nature, incredible culture, beautiful people and friends, I had the most surreal experience of a lifetime in Cape Town- I would gladly do it all again starting from my first full day riding in the Red Bus City Tour to the Cango Caves at the end of the Safari Garden Route. I have to say I was a little worried staying here for a solid 2 months as I thought it was large chunk of time, but it genuinely flew by in the wink of an eye! Looking back, we did so much and had a true adventure because at the end of the day it was an immersive cultural and internship experience whereby I am leaving South Africa fulfilled and content with more than I came: a lovely bunch of friends, strong network connection, and gorgeous memories!

I chose to intern with VA Corps to gain valuable experience in medicine. As a pre-med student focused on cultural awareness in healthcare, being immersed in South Africa's healthcare system was both educational and eye-opening. At my internship site, I connected with the staff and learned a great deal from their unique perspectives on medicine and patient care. I encountered a variety of trauma cases, child deliveries, vaccinations, and more. My time at the Retreat Clinic has given me a broader understanding of medicine and enhanced my medical knowledge overall. I particularly enjoyed working in the Maternity unit, where I had the incredible opportunity to witness two births. Building relationships with both the staff and patients allowed me to learn a lot, and this experience reaffirmed my passion for women’s healthcare.

In addition to my internship, I thoroughly enjoyed exploring Cape Town with the friends I made through VA Corps. The Friday activities, ranging from wine tastings to surfing, provided fantastic opportunities to see the city and connect with other interns. I also spent time hiking, shopping, and trying a variety of new foods! My time in Cape Town helped me form friendships and create memories that will last a lifetime!

I chose to do my internship abroad in Cape Town to challenge myself and gain cultural exposure while building my personal and professional skills as a counselor. One of my main goals was to work with large groups, and I’m grateful for the opportunity I had to do so. I was able to improve in areas where I felt less confident, such as speaking up and taking on leadership roles, especially outside of my comfort zone. Initially, I felt reserved and nervous about expressing myself, but I appreciated how I was constantly encouraged to share my thoughts. I always felt free to ask questions or seek help from the entire staff.

During my first month, I struggled with homesickness, but everyone was incredibly supportive. The staff communicated with me in ways that boosted my confidence and made me feel like a valued part of the team. They also helped me meet all my school requirements by signing off on paperwork and meeting with me monthly.

I achieved another goal by observing professionals in various roles within my field, such as occupational therapists, psychologists, and nurses. The diverse experiences I gained exceeded my expectations, and I formed lifelong relationships along the way.

I am beyond grateful for everything I learned and for the genuine support and love I received. Even after my internship ended, I’ve been visiting the site at least every other week because I love it so much! :) My journey here was more enriching than I could have ever imagined.

The sense of belonging I felt was the best part of the trip—being so far from home yet comforted by warm, smiling faces in every interaction made it truly feel like I had a family here. I also enjoyed the weekly cultural series and the open conversations about various topics and issues.

Originally, I planned to stay for three months, but I ended up extending my stay to six because I fell in love with the people of Cape Town. What I will miss most are the beautiful beaches, mountains, friendly faces, and delicious food.

Cape Town was not what I expected. I never imagined I would learn so much in just five weeks. The experiences I gained during my internship were truly invaluable and unlike anything I could have found elsewhere. The clinic where I interned was incredibly open, always willing to teach and show me everything.

I came here to see if I enjoyed being part of the medical field and whether it was something I wanted to pursue. While I didn’t come to a definite answer, I now have much more insight to guide my decision-making process, and I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.

On top of that, the people at VACorps are some of the kindest I’ve ever met. I feel like I’ve made lifelong friends during this trip. Cape Town is truly a special destination, and five weeks wasn’t nearly enough time to fully experience it. I’ll definitely be coming back soon, and I highly recommend this experience to everyone!

My internship experience with VACorps has undoubtedly been one of the best experiences of my life. Volunteering at Khayelitsha Clinic (Site B) was a unique opportunity that deepened my passion for medicine and confirmed that I’m on the right career path. Beyond my work, I got to explore new things around the city, which made the experience even more enriching.

Being placed in the Mental Health unit was especially valuable, as it will help me earn school credit and gave me the chance to develop skills I wouldn’t have gained elsewhere. One of the highlights of this trip was the incredible friendships I made. The other interns I met, as well as the VACorps staff, have become like family to me. They made my free time so enjoyable, and I never once felt lonely. I now have friendships that I hope will last a lifetime.

The four weeks flew by, but I learned, experienced, and achieved so much. I grew as a person, living and working in another country. While I’m sad that my time in South Africa has come to an end, I’m leaving with a heart full of love and admiration for this program.