I stayed with VAC for a 12-week internship and absolutely loved my time in Cape Town. There is so much to do in the city, from outdoor adventures to art and entertainment. When I first arrived, Cape Town felt daunting and unfamiliar, but everyone—both inside and outside of VAC—made everything approachable and comforting.

My internship experience was fantastic. The organization I interned with supports infrastructure development in Africa by providing engineering consulting and lowering the barrier of entry for industry. I worked with people who were friendly, welcoming, and fun to talk to—both about the work and about life beyond the job. I especially enjoyed the hands-on nature of the work, including material property testing such as compression, tensile, and bend tests. They were genuinely interested in me as a person and wanted to help me grow in my career.

Leaving after 12 weeks now feels like leaving a second home. It’s a place where I met amazing people, explored new things, and created wonderful memories and connections. Cape Town is an easy place to thrive, but I especially appreciate the ongoing support from the VAC staff. They’re always there for you, and you can truly see how much they care about everyone who joins the program. I couldn’t recommend them highly enough.

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 am grateful every day that I took a leap of faith and moved to Cape Town. My internship at the Legal Resources Centre has strengthened my commitment to using law as a tool to secure justice and create systemic change. It was a privilege to assist attorneys with case and policy research on issues such as refugee protections, LGBTQ rights, and public housing. I hope to carry forward not only the skills I gained, but also the ethos of advocating for society’s most vulnerable.

Throughout my internship, I gained extensive experience in research and memo writing. Some of my favorite projects included analyzing Department of Home Affairs regulations on citizenship application requirements and conducting cross-country research on how courts interpret constitutional guarantees to the right to food. Seeing the real-world impact of these issues on people’s lives reaffirmed my desire to pursue work that meaningfully improves access to justice.

VACorps did an excellent job facilitating an immersive experience—from managing day-to-day logistics to helping us build meaningful connections. Through the Culture Series, museum visits, and everyday conversations with locals, I gained valuable insight into a political and social landscape very different from my own, and one shaped by a recent democratic transition.

There were no dull moments during my 11 weeks here. Each sunset, hike, beach outing, trivia night, and winery visit has made this an incredibly memorable experience—and has made saying goodbye all the more bittersweet.

I chose Cape Town for my internship because I heard someone describe their incredible experience here, and I was curious to see it for myself—especially the penguins! From the very beginning, VACorps exceeded my expectations. The internship was both flexible and local, which made it easy to balance meaningful work with exploring the city.

What truly stood out was how much I learned about myself. I discovered how much I love meeting new people and connecting across cultures. The VAC team made the entire journey seamless. They were welcoming, reliable, and always available to guide me through this new environment. Because of them, Cape Town quickly felt like home.

My highlights included the breathtaking views and unforgettable hikes. I also feel lucky to have worked alongside such amazing colleagues—especially Asanda, who was endlessly patient and kind while showing me the ropes. In just two months, I felt like I was able to experience almost everything Cape Town has to offer, and I’d recommend this program to anyone considering it.

VACorps creates the perfect balance between meaningful work experience and cultural adventure. Their consistency, efficiency, and warm environment truly set them apart. Rowan was instrumental in helping me find this internship, while Kholi became someone I connected with on a deeper level. And of course, Kus and Chris brought incredible energy and enthusiasm to every activity.

I chose to intern and study abroad in Cape Town because it was the farthest place from home, and I knew that if I was going to study abroad, I wanted to make the absolute most of it by experiencing as many new things as possible. What I loved most about my internship here is that it never felt like I was only here to work—I was also able to enjoy myself and discover more than I could have ever imagined.

Being in Cape Town taught me that I can do anything I set my mind to. I traveled outside of my home country for the first time, did it alone, and placed myself in an entirely new environment. Yet I thrived, and I’ve never been happier. I’ll never forget the warm, welcoming environment at my internship site or how my colleagues made me feel like I belonged. Living in Cape Town felt like an adventure every single day.

What I’ll miss most are the people: my colleagues, the VACorps staff, the students from around the world who also came to intern or study abroad, and the local friends I made. Every person I met made an impact on my life, and it’s hard to accept that my time here isn’t forever. Because of the relationships I built, it felt like I was creating a whole new life—and it only took two months for that to happen.

If you’re coming to Cape Town to intern or study abroad, I think 2–3 months is perfect. There’s so much to do and see, and once you add work into your routine, you’ll need to use your free time wisely. Don’t limit yourself to one activity per day—fit in as much as you can. Even if something feels intimidating or outside your comfort zone, push yourself to do it anyway. After work on weekdays, get out, meet people, and explore as much as possible.

I completed my internship at an NGO that supports pregnant women and children, and my time in Cape Town has been truly unforgettable. What I loved most about being here was the warm and welcoming culture—both at my workplace and throughout the city. There is a genuine sense of community and kindness that made me feel comfortable, included, and at home wherever I went.

VACorps provided steady, reliable support throughout my stay, offering helpful guidance and ensuring I had what I needed to settle in and enjoy Cape Town.

I also appreciated the laid-back, relaxed atmosphere that defines life in Cape Town. People take time to connect, to talk, and to enjoy the moment. During my eight weeks here, I built close friendships and formed connections that I will genuinely miss. For anyone considering this experience, I would recommend staying six to eight weeks—you need that time to settle in, build relationships, and fully immerse yourself.

One of the most rewarding parts of my internship was conducting assessments, especially with women and families from different countries and regions of South Africa. This experience supported my personal goal of learning how to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. It was meaningful, eye-opening work that helped me grow both personally and professionally.

Looking back, I’m grateful for every moment—every conversation, every shared experience, and every opportunity to learn. Cape Town has given me memories and skills that I’ll carry with me long after I leave.

I chose to come to Cape Town because I wanted the chance to experience a new culture and enjoy meaningful new experiences. I felt that an internship abroad would help me understand how the health system and health research differ from Australia. During my internship, I met many new friends from around the world and had the opportunity to live independently while gaining valuable work experience. I also grew more confident in myself, becoming more independent and outgoing. Cape Town is a beautiful city with a wide variety of activities, which I enjoyed both on my own and with friends.