Program Reviews

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!

I am so happy that I chose to intern abroad in Cape Town with VAC; looking back, it was definitely a highlight of my Gap Year. Cape Town is an incredible city, rich in history and full of fun activities. Obs, specifically, has a lot of really cute coffee shops and thrift stores, and I loved exploring Lower Main.

Living in an environment surrounded by other like-minded Gap Year students who were passionate about their respective internships was truly inspiring. Even though we all had separate internships, we were experiencing Cape Town together, and I loved hearing about the different work everyone was doing.

I am particularly grateful for my time working with my internship supervisor. I learned so much from spending time in the office, attending high court sessions, writing and drafting opinions, reading cases, researching case law, and sitting in on client meetings. Witnessing my supervisor in every aspect of his job was an incredible learning experience. It was fascinating to learn about South African Law, especially after studying American Law, and being able to compare and contrast the similarities and differences. Some of the highlights of my internship included sitting in on client meetings and researching and analyzing case law relevant to the cases my supervisor was working on.

I not only learned a lot from my internship but also gained valuable life skills during this experience—like managing my free time, living with others, and navigating day-to-day life in another country. I stayed for 8 weeks, but I definitely could have stayed longer. It was the perfect amount of time to settle into my internship and environment, as well as do all the activities I wanted. Anything less would have been too short.

My favorite activities involved spending time outdoors—whether it was hiking, going to the beach, or just exploring. The sunsets in Cape Town are incredible, and I would highly recommend going to the beach for a sunset picnic. Additionally, the VAC staff were so kind and helpful; they were always there if I needed anything.

From my very first day and night in Cape Town, I felt a deep sense of nostalgia. Whether gazing out of my bedroom window, strolling the streets of Obs, or absorbing the air, water, and mountains, it felt as though I had been here before. This sensation was both confusing and comforting. Even before meeting the people who would become my friends and family, I felt a strong sense of belonging.

This feeling was only reinforced during orientation and throughout the following three months. As I explored the city on tours and rode the red bus, I felt my life unfolding and expanding in ways I had never experienced before. I was introduced to new sights, sounds, thoughts, and emotions—nearly overwhelming, yet empowering as I saw myself growing more capable.

I worked at a communications agency focused on partnering with brands that drive positive change. The environment was incredibly welcoming, inclusive, and spiritually enriching, with a team dedicated to improving the lives of others. Although the hours were manageable, the impact was profound. The office was small and intimate, providing a comforting, homey atmosphere.

Lucky opportunities allowed me to travel and meet fascinating people across Cape Town and South Africa. For instance, I accompanied my boss to George for a two-day shoot in February, which offered a chance to explore the countryside and broaden my perspective on both South Africa and myself. I also completed a short documentary about gardening in the townships, which is a valuable addition to my filmmaking portfolio and a key marketing tool for Life Brand and the client.

As I continued to embrace new activities, experiences, and people, I immersed myself fully in every moment. Now, three months later, I am the same person I was when I arrived, but only because of my time here. The coincidences and experiences make me wonder if this was all chance or fate. I am profoundly grateful for this place, these people, and this experience.

VAC is such an amazing program! Through this program, I have been connected to great people, adventures, and an amazing internship. I’m so grateful for this experience. I learned confidence communication, faith and gained insight into new cultures and the way of life in Cape Town.

When I was doing research VAC was so clear and made the process so easy. It stayed true to its words and made my stay so smooth and fun! Thank you to all the vac people!

To others who will be joining this program in the future, make the most of your time! It will go by fast but dive into it quickly and deeply. Make connections with your coworkers they are amazing people.

I came to Cape Town with an open mind, eager to learn about everything it had to offer. Now, as this program comes to an end, I find myself completely in love with this city. I spent my days at the beautiful beaches and participated in so many exciting activities through VACorps. One of the highlights for me was the trip along the Garden Route. I went bungee jumping, kayaked through stunning cliffs, walked with elephants, and had an incredible bonding experience with my peers on this program.

While exploring the breathtaking sights of Cape Town was a lot of fun, I also had the privilege of interning at GAPA. Working closely with the elderly women in Khayelitsha was such a rewarding experience. I deeply value being a part of an incredibly close-knit, loving community.

I’m honestly so sad to be leaving Cape Town because there’s still so much left for me to see and do. But I know for sure—I’ll definitely be coming back!

After considering several options for my gap year, I chose Cape Town because of its unique geography and culture, which promised a new and enriching experience. I knew I wanted to spend my gap year doing an internship to keep myself engaged in learning and to immerse myself in a completely new environment. Cape Town, with its beaches and mountains, offered the perfect backdrop for my adventure. The city has so many diverse parts to explore, allowing me to experience various cultures, observe nature, and meet interesting people. During my time in Cape Town, I engaged in a lot of self-reflection, which helped me identify my core values and determine what matters most to me as I transition into the next chapter of my life. Being away from my familiar surroundings forced me to become more confident in my independence and embrace the discomfort of the unknown.

I spent eight weeks in Cape Town, which felt like an ideal duration, though I wouldn’t have minded staying longer. By the end of my stay, I had grown comfortable with the city’s layout and my neighborhood, Obz, where I made many friends among the locals and found favorite spots like cafes and beaches. Before arriving, I had some uncertainty about my internship on the farm, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Watching the progression of produce from seed to harvest was uniquely rewarding. One highlight was meeting customers at the farm who were genuinely grateful for their fresh produce. I felt fulfilled being part of a community-serving initiative. The VACorps staff were supportive, always willing to help, and organized weekly activities that brought everyone together. I am grateful for the friendships I formed through the program and with people outside of it. Before coming, it’s helpful to learn about South Africa’s history, city layout, safety tips, and cultural nuances to fully appreciate the experience.

I chose VACorps because they were an incredible stepping stone for traveling abroad on my own. They first meet with you and introduce you to the program, then pair you with a program advisor who is incredibly helpful in finding an internship that aligns with your goals. Not only do they place you in a great internship, but they also provide housing options filled with roommates who are part of the program. Living in a house with others who are on the same journey—exploring the world, interning abroad, and meeting like-minded people—makes a world of difference. The individuals I have met in the program are some of the most incredible, kind, and amazing people I have ever met. I have truly made lifelong friends on this journey, thanks to VAC's housing options.

Along with housing, VACorps makes it easy to explore and bond with the people you meet through their weekly activities. The program organizes excursions, taking the pressure off you to plan everything. They organize activities like surfing, city tours, wine tasting, market visits, and hikes, which allowed me to explore with ease and bond with fellow interns.

Not only are the housing, excursions, and overall experience amazing, but VACorps is also the most incredible organization for those looking to intern abroad alone for the first time. They provide a sense of security that is incredibly comforting when traveling so far from home at a young age while also giving you the freedom to explore on your own. There was a point during my stay when I became quite sick, and I was able to message Kholi, a member of the VACorps staff, who immediately organized a doctor’s visit for me. She came with me to the doctor and waited for my appointment to be over, which was a small act but made a world of difference when traveling alone. The staff and program are set up so well that I would recommend them to anyone and everyone!

I cannot articulate how incredible this experience was for me! The internship, friendships, and support were amazing. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be part of the program and will cherish these memories forever! :)

Before coming to Cape Town, I had never lived away from home or in a different country. This was the best gap year experience I could have had. I learned so much every day by exploring this amazing city, which I had never visited before. Additionally, I gained incredible work experience and discovered a lot about what I want to study when I start school next fall. This program provided exactly what I was looking for this fall.

My personal goals for my internship experience were to determine if content creation for social media and photography were interests I wanted to pursue at university. I discovered that I really enjoy this type of work and would like to continue it in the future. I loved my internship because it offered a mix of activities; sometimes, I even got to get in the water with clients and help teach, which was super fun. Through my work, I met clients from all over the world, which was both fun and interesting.

The people I met during my time with VAC have become lifelong friends. Everyone working at VAC was always available whenever my roommates or I needed anything, and they made Cape Town feel like home as soon as I stepped off the plane. The Friday and Monday activities were amazing because they allowed me to see everyone from VAC, have a great time, and share lots of laughs while participating in super cool activities. Overall, my time in Cape Town was transformative, leaving me with unforgettable memories, new friendships, valuable skills, and a clearer direction for my future studies and career.

I chose Cape Town for my gap year because it’s a place I’ve never been to before, and friends who have done gap year programs in South Africa before loved it, so I thought, why not? I decided to do an internship to gain work experience before starting college. There are many things I love about interning, one of them being the opportunity to learn more about myself and what I am capable of as an individual. I realized that I am a lot stronger than I thought and pushed myself to do things I would never have done before. I will never forget the lifelong friends I made at my site and will always be thankful for my internship.

While working was a huge highlight of my trip, living in Observatory and being able to walk everywhere was also amazing. Coffee shops and stores were so close by, and I loved every second of it. I will miss it when I go home. I stayed in Cape Town with VACorps for about three months. If you adjust quickly, I’d say that’s the perfect amount of time. For me, I wish I could stay longer because it’s just now starting to feel like home. What really helped me adjust to a new place was the staff and the group activities we did, which were definitely one of the highlights of my trip.

VACorps not only gives off a familial vibe but has actively transformed it into a reality for us. I am immensely thankful to VACorps for numerous reasons. The assurance that our entire household could depend on them during a frightening situation was profoundly meaningful and comforting.

I experienced a profound sense of satisfaction when I discovered my capability to engage in and successfully navigate activities that were entirely new to me. Witnessing my own growth and adaptability in tackling unfamiliar challenges provided a sense of accomplishment and fostered newfound confidence in my abilities. This revelation not only expanded my skill set but also significantly contributed to my personal development, highlighting the value of embracing and conquering novel experiences. Overall, this was an amazing experience with amazing people, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything!