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

Enjoying a hike with friends on Lion's Head

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Reviews

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!

My time in Cape Town is one I will never forget. With wonderful people, great food, stunning scenery, and fun activities, this is definitely the hardest place for me to say goodbye to. From the moment I arrived, I was greeted with smiling faces and enthusiasm from the staff. They not only ensured I felt safe and cared for but also treated everyone they encountered with kindness.

My internship was at a medical clinic where I spent time in the Mother and Baby unit. Witnessing new life enter this world is a blessing beyond belief, and I’m incredibly grateful to have been part of such an intimate experience—one that the mothers and I will never forget. I formed lasting relationships with patients and staff at the clinic that will always stay with me. Through my internship, I had the opportunity to empower women during labor and realized that even a simple gesture, like holding someone’s hand, can mean the world to another person.

Outside of work, I cherished watching sunsets from Signal Hill, enjoyed exhilarating hikes (I highly recommend Lion’s Head Mountain), and experienced the unforgettable Garden Route Safari. During my time here, I grew immensely as an individual, cultivating relationships that will last a lifetime while also stepping out of my comfort zone and facing my fears. Cape Town has profoundly impacted who I am as a person, and I feel good knowing that I made a positive impact here as well.

I chose Cape Town because I absolutely love it here. I visited last year, fell in love with the city, and knew I wanted to come back and work. Especially in film, the city offers so much opportunity. What I loved most was the projects I got to work on. Filming a documentary about the U20 Rugby World Cup winners was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Being part of creating a documentary that’s now been seen by thousands of people has been an absolute pleasure. The connections I’ve made through this experience will last a lifetime.

I learned that no matter where I am, I love working in film and collaborating with like-minded creatives from around the world. What I'll miss most are the people, especially at my internship, where I was surrounded by amazing friends. I stayed for three months, which was on the longer side, but I enjoyed it because I had friends here already, even after the other VAC friends returned to the USA.

The VAC weekly activities were an awesome way to explore the surrounding areas and learn more about Cape Town. It was also a nice break from work. Everyone at VAC is so welcoming and friendly, and it was truly amazing to be a part of that.

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.

What would you improve about this program?

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.