Program Reviews

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.

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!