Program Reviews

Cape Town is an incredible place to gain experience working with diverse communities in the field of mental health. During my internship at a community-based mental health organization, I had the opportunity to work with clients from many different backgrounds and see firsthand the realities people face across the city. Despite these challenges, I met some of the most inspiring individuals who maintained a positive spirit and resilience. Working directly with clients helped me gain practical insight that no classroom lecture could provide and played an important role in shaping the direction I want to take in my future career.

My time in Cape Town was also made special by the support of the VACorps staff and the experiences outside of the internship. The activities they organized helped me explore the city and its culture, and they were always there whenever support was needed. Living in a city surrounded by nature while sharing the experience with friends from around the world made the journey unforgettable. I am truly grateful for the opportunity and for the chance to grow both personally and professionally.

I chose Cape Town because I wanted an experience completely different from anything I had done before. Being here for two months exceeded my expectations. I made lifelong friends, had unforgettable experiences, and grew a lot as a person. During my internship at a public healthcare clinic in one of Cape Town’s suburbs, I had the opportunity to rotate through different departments and observe medicine firsthand. The doctors were welcoming and always willing to answer questions, and conversations with both doctors and patients became the most meaningful part of the experience. These interactions helped me understand the importance of culture, communication, and connection in healthcare.

Outside of the internship, Cape Town itself was incredible. The VAC staff were welcoming and supportive from the moment I arrived, which made me feel right at home. The weekly activities and cultural evenings were always fun and insightful, and I learned something new each time. Overall, this has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. It strengthened my interest in medicine and showed me how important communication and support are in providing even the most basic patient care.

I absolutely loved my placement. Initially, I thought I would rotate through a different unit each week, but I ended up spending most of my time in the maternity ward because I enjoyed it so much. During my internship, I observed 23 deliveries and a number of interesting medical cases. I also learned a great deal about how the healthcare system here operates.

Overall, the medical officers and professional nurses were wonderful to work with. They are often more direct than doctors and nurses in the U.S., but I came to appreciate that approach and found it to be very effective.

I am incredibly grateful for my time in South Africa and will carry this experience with me throughout my future career in healthcare. One of my personal goals in coming to Cape Town was to spend time away from home and learn how to navigate my anxiety in a healthy and effective way. I feel proud that I was able to do that, and it made the experience even more meaningful.

The VAC intern abroad program has opened my eyes to a new way of life. Living in South Africa has been such a blessing in which I am so abundantly grateful for. For the duration of my time in Cape Town, I have felt endlessly supported by the members of the VAC program. Not only was I able to embrace my adventurous side by exploring a whole new city, but I also had the structure and stability of an internship that provided me with direct experience in my field of study.

The VAC program set the foundation for the most special experience and memories that will last a lifetime. My favourite memory of my stay in Cape Town was swimming in the ocean for one of the first times. I loved getting to explore the beaches, and I will definitely miss the ocean, the mountains, the sunshine and the palm trees. I feel so lucky to have had such amazing opportunities throughout my time in Cape Town. I would not change anything about my experience. I feel as though I have learned and grown so much in the past 6 weeks. I feel as though I am now ready to embark on the new chapter of my life, and to embrace wherever it is it takes me.

I had a really great experience in Cape Town over the last couple of months—from the apartments we stayed in, to all the activities both in and outside the program, and of course my internship. I was very happy with where I ended up for my placement, as it allowed me to see so much more of Cape Town than I ever would have on my own. I worked in a school in Athlone and in Camps Bay, giving me the chance to interact with children across different communities and observe the cultural differences throughout the city. The people I met through my internship were incredible—people I will never forget. Knowing that if I come back to Cape Town I’ll have places to stay and familiar faces to reconnect with means a lot. They really welcomed me and made me feel comfortable during my time here. I’m also very happy with VAC. They allowed me to be independent throughout my stay while still offering guidance and opportunities when needed. Everyone I met through the program was fantastic. Overall, I had a unique and amazing experience in Cape Town. There were learning curves and some ups and downs along the way, but it was truly awesome.

Living and learning in Cape Town gave me the chance to immerse myself in a vibrant culture, work in a setting that pushed me to grow as a clinician, and form connections that I will carry with me long after this rotation. I will always remember the joy and laughter of the children I worked with at Athlone School for the Blind—their determination inspired me every single day.

One of my goals was to provide services to underprivileged youth, and I’m grateful that Athlone gave me the opportunity to do exactly that. The students also taught me so much in return. Working with diagnoses I had never encountered before forced me to strengthen my clinical reasoning. I spent time researching conditions, adapting my treatment approach, and thinking critically about what each child needed and why. This pushed me to grow in a way that would not have been possible in a more familiar environment.

I also wanted to understand a different health system, so I asked many questions about local hospitals and even visited the OTP clinic while I was here. Seeing firsthand where resources are limited and how challenging access can be for families deepened my perspective on global healthcare and the barriers many communities face.

Outside of my internship, the Friday excursions with VAC helped me find balance and space for reflection during an intense learning experience. Culture Nights added another dimension to my time here, offering a deeper understanding of the people, stories, and history of South Africa.

The memories of the children, the community, and this breathtaking city will continue to shape me—both as a future physical therapist and as a person.

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.