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.

My time in Cape Town has been nothing short of incredible. The mix of unforgettable adventures and valuable medical experience was exactly what I was hoping for when I came here. I worked at a public day clinic, and I feel like I’ve gained a real understanding of how medicine operates differently in South Africa, with plenty of hands-on patient exposure. I’ve learned how doctors here adapt to limited resources and how the community faces the challenges of infectious diseases and the high prevalence of trauma.

The doctors were always more than willing to teach us about their treatment approaches, and they gave us many opportunities to help out where appropriate. I’ve gained a new perspective on how medicine works in a developing area and how communities find ways to cope with limited resources. I’ll take this experience back to the States, as it’s really broadened my overall understanding of the field.

As for my experiences in Cape Town itself, VAC provided amazing opportunities to explore and learn about the city in ways I couldn’t have done on my own. Kus and Kholi have been incredible directors, and I’ll miss them and the program so much. Thank you all again for this amazing opportunity!

The Cape Town internship with VAC has been one of the best experiences of my life. I was so nervous coming here, not knowing anyone and never having been to Africa before. But the VAC staff was incredibly welcoming, and all the interns treated me with such kindness and warmth. I’ve never made friends faster or met such a wonderful and diverse group of people. I absolutely loved my house and housemates—it truly felt like a dream to connect with them!

I did my internship at a public health research company, where I got to observe the entire public health intervention process from start to finish, which was fascinating. It taught me a lot about how to run a study and what challenges or obstacles to look out for. I also learned how to handle unexpected issues, like technical problems with online forms or money transfers. The experience was so informative and gave me skills I hadn’t gained in school!

There’s so much to see here in Cape Town, and the VAC staff organized many amazing activities. I’m going to miss sunsets at the beach, hiking around Table Mountain, and exploring all the cool coffee shops and restaurants in the area. If you’re considering this internship, PLEASE DO IT! Cape Town is absolutely magical, and it will definitely be one of the best experiences of your life.

I understand safety is a concern for many when thinking about this trip (it was for me), but once I arrived, I quickly learned how to stay safe and be vigilant. I haven’t had any bad experiences here! As long as you have street smarts, you’ll be perfectly fine. This truly has been an incredible experience, and I’ll cherish the memories and friendships I made here for life.

To anyone thinking about joining the VAC program, I strongly encourage you to go for it. You’ll gain valuable work experience and meet some of the best people you’ll ever know!

I am very happy with my decision to come to Cape Town for my first internship experience within the field of human rights and public interest law. My decision was based on several reasons, but the main one was that the work being done in South Africa in the field of human rights was very inspiring to me. I felt this was the perfect place to observe how human rights issues were being addressed within an organization. Doing an internship in Cape Town with the human rights law internship allowed me to experience the type of work attorneys and candidate attorneys were involved in. I am very grateful for the opportunity to contribute, even in a small way, through the research, notes, and tasks assigned to me within the organization.

One of the most valuable experiences for me at the human rights law internship was getting to know the people who worked there and hearing their experiences. I also appreciated the chance to visit schools in different areas of Cape Town to understand the variations within the school systems. The organization had a very welcoming environment; everyone was open to talking with and getting to know the interns and allowed us to be part of their work. This was a great experience, and I would definitely recommend future interns take the opportunity to work there.

Living in Cape Town was also a wonderful experience. I met many amazing people and formed friendships that I believe will last a lifetime. I will miss everyone and the vibrant atmosphere that Cape Town offered. I stayed in Cape Town for about five weeks, and although I managed to experience many events, places, and cultures within the city, I would recommend future interns stay a bit longer to fully explore and enjoy everything they want to, as time flies by quickly!

The weekly activities offered by VACorps included a wide range of experiences, from surfing and visiting Seal Island to hiking and wine tasting. Combined with cultural nights where we learned about South African traditions such as beaded jewelry, food, and films, these experiences allowed me to get to know Cape Town in a way that I wouldn’t have been able to by just visiting as a tourist. I am grateful to the VACorps staff for being kind, fun, and welcoming, and for introducing me to amazing people and the city of Cape Town. I will never forget this experience!