Program Reviews

I chose Cape Town for my internship because I heard someone describe their incredible experience here, and I was curious to see it for myself—especially the penguins! From the very beginning, VACorps exceeded my expectations. The internship was both flexible and local, which made it easy to balance meaningful work with exploring the city.

What truly stood out was how much I learned about myself. I discovered how much I love meeting new people and connecting across cultures. The VAC team made the entire journey seamless. They were welcoming, reliable, and always available to guide me through this new environment. Because of them, Cape Town quickly felt like home.

My highlights included the breathtaking views and unforgettable hikes. I also feel lucky to have worked alongside such amazing colleagues—especially Asanda, who was endlessly patient and kind while showing me the ropes. In just two months, I felt like I was able to experience almost everything Cape Town has to offer, and I’d recommend this program to anyone considering it.

VACorps creates the perfect balance between meaningful work experience and cultural adventure. Their consistency, efficiency, and warm environment truly set them apart. Rowan was instrumental in helping me find this internship, while Kholi became someone I connected with on a deeper level. And of course, Kus and Chris brought incredible energy and enthusiasm to every activity.

I chose to intern and study abroad in Cape Town because it was the farthest place from home, and I knew that if I was going to study abroad, I wanted to make the absolute most of it by experiencing as many new things as possible. What I loved most about my internship here is that it never felt like I was only here to work—I was also able to enjoy myself and discover more than I could have ever imagined.

Being in Cape Town taught me that I can do anything I set my mind to. I traveled outside of my home country for the first time, did it alone, and placed myself in an entirely new environment. Yet I thrived, and I’ve never been happier. I’ll never forget the warm, welcoming environment at my internship site or how my colleagues made me feel like I belonged. Living in Cape Town felt like an adventure every single day.

What I’ll miss most are the people: my colleagues, the VACorps staff, the students from around the world who also came to intern or study abroad, and the local friends I made. Every person I met made an impact on my life, and it’s hard to accept that my time here isn’t forever. Because of the relationships I built, it felt like I was creating a whole new life—and it only took two months for that to happen.

If you’re coming to Cape Town to intern or study abroad, I think 2–3 months is perfect. There’s so much to do and see, and once you add work into your routine, you’ll need to use your free time wisely. Don’t limit yourself to one activity per day—fit in as much as you can. Even if something feels intimidating or outside your comfort zone, push yourself to do it anyway. After work on weekdays, get out, meet people, and explore as much as possible.

I completed my internship at an NGO that supports pregnant women and children, and my time in Cape Town has been truly unforgettable. What I loved most about being here was the warm and welcoming culture—both at my workplace and throughout the city. There is a genuine sense of community and kindness that made me feel comfortable, included, and at home wherever I went.

VACorps provided steady, reliable support throughout my stay, offering helpful guidance and ensuring I had what I needed to settle in and enjoy Cape Town.

I also appreciated the laid-back, relaxed atmosphere that defines life in Cape Town. People take time to connect, to talk, and to enjoy the moment. During my eight weeks here, I built close friendships and formed connections that I will genuinely miss. For anyone considering this experience, I would recommend staying six to eight weeks—you need that time to settle in, build relationships, and fully immerse yourself.

One of the most rewarding parts of my internship was conducting assessments, especially with women and families from different countries and regions of South Africa. This experience supported my personal goal of learning how to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. It was meaningful, eye-opening work that helped me grow both personally and professionally.

Looking back, I’m grateful for every moment—every conversation, every shared experience, and every opportunity to learn. Cape Town has given me memories and skills that I’ll carry with me long after I leave.

I chose to come to Cape Town because I wanted the chance to experience a new culture and enjoy meaningful new experiences. I felt that an internship abroad would help me understand how the health system and health research differ from Australia. During my internship, I met many new friends from around the world and had the opportunity to live independently while gaining valuable work experience. I also grew more confident in myself, becoming more independent and outgoing. Cape Town is a beautiful city with a wide variety of activities, which I enjoyed both on my own and with friends.

As a student majoring in education, I was very interested in learning about the South African education system, especially given the country’s history of apartheid. People in Cape Town are incredibly friendly, and I felt that I could connect with them deeply beyond the boundaries of gender or race. The opportunity VACorps provided to visit the township was truly eye-opening. Seeing the educational gaps firsthand helped me understand the real power and importance of education.

South Africa is also rich in natural beauty, which fascinated me every day. I enjoyed hiking, canoeing, and jogging with my roommates and VAC members—these experiences have become some of my favourite memories. As an Asian student, I was surprised to find that people often stared at me, simply because Asian visitors are still relatively rare here. However, I learned that their curiosity comes from genuine interest. If you keep an open mind, it becomes a wonderful opportunity for cultural exchange. I recommend embracing the experience of being a minority!

VACorps’ Friday activities are incredibly diverse and gave us the chance to explore all the essential places in Cape Town. I am truly grateful for the many places they took us and for all the beautiful memories created along the way.

Interning in Cape Town through VACorps has been an incredibly rewarding professional experience. I had the opportunity to work in a placement that aligned with my professional goals and allowed me to expand my skill set, including adapting to a new legal and cultural context. This experience deepened my understanding of how the law intersects with social realities and provided invaluable exposure to international perspectives on justice, policy, and human rights. The mentorship I received, along with a variety of hands-on work, strengthened my skills and confidence beyond what could be attained in a traditional classroom or internship setting.

Beyond the work itself, Cape Town offered a vibrant and diverse backdrop for professional growth. Collaborating with local colleagues allowed me to witness resilience, innovation, and community-driven change in action. I will carry the lessons I learned here into every stage of my career. VACorps provided phenomenal support and engaging activities that made this not only a professional milestone but also a personally transformative chapter of my life.

My time in Cape Town has been the most unforgettable few weeks, and I am beyond grateful to have experienced it. I grew in confidence, learned from others, and immersed myself in a new culture. Whether it was stepping out of my comfort zone to meet new people, discovering my passion for teaching, or exploring everything Cape Town has to offer, this trip has truly changed my life.

I loved getting to know other interns from around the world and sharing so many new experiences together. Interning at the schools taught me more than I ever anticipated. I wanted international experience to help me pursue my dream of becoming a teacher, and working at Kiddies College and Observatory Junior School gave me exactly that.

I felt at home in the classroom—whether I was teaching at the board, walking around to help students at their desks, or making sure each child felt supported. One of my personal goals was to get to know each student individually and be someone they could rely on inside and outside the classroom. I enjoyed grading their work, helping them understand their mistakes, and showing them how to improve. Assisting with their concert dance at Observatory Junior School was another highlight.

I am most thankful for the people I met, the students I worked with, and the supervisors who guided me. Cape Town has so much to offer, and I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to experience it.

This was my second summer interning abroad—after spending last summer in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and solo traveling across the United Kingdom—and I couldn’t be happier with my decision to choose Cape Town for my second international internship experience. Over the past two and a half months, I held a dual placement that allowed me to work at the intersection of public policy, research, and community-led justice. My work supported efforts to institutionalize South Africa’s National Strategic Plan (NSP) on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) and to ensure that national commitments translate into meaningful, localized outcomes.

A major part of my role involved contributing to monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) frameworks. I facilitated focus groups with adolescents, analyzed emergent themes, and documented service delivery gaps—hands-on work that deepened my understanding of how policy impacts communities on the ground. I also contributed to research on NSP implementation across all nine provinces, analyzed departmental performance plans and budgets, and produced policy briefs aimed at improving policy localization. Throughout my internship, I participated in stakeholder engagements, court support systems, and community-led initiatives, giving me a comprehensive view of how justice systems operate at both institutional and community levels. One of my proudest accomplishments was delivering a final presentation synthesizing my findings and offering recommendations for future alignment and impact.

Beyond the professional experience, what made this summer truly special were the people—the friends I made, the VAC staff, and the broader Cape Town community. When I first moved into 73 Arnold, I hoped my roommates and orientation group would become close friends—and that hope exceeded all expectations. Some of my favorite memories include backpacking in the Cederberg Mountains, booking an Airbnb in Stellenbosch, attending the Springboks’ opening game, enjoying First Thursdays, hopping on the Franschhoek Wine Tram, and hiking Devil’s Peak and Lion’s Head. Each adventure was unforgettable, and the people I shared them with made them even more meaningful.

To Ila, Esmee, Jordan, Maarten, and Ava—thank you for being some of the most incredible people I’ve ever met. And to the VAC staff, thank you for your support, care, and warmth; you help turn Cape Town into a true home for so many of us. To anyone feeling nervous about coming to Cape Town, know that the friends you make here—along with the VAC staff and community—will become your support system. They will shape your experience in the best possible way. Savor every moment.

Interning at a human rights research NGO in Cape Town was an incredibly rewarding experience. I chose Cape Town because I wanted to gain real-world experience in human rights, and South Africa—given its rich constitutional framework and history of social justice—was the perfect place to do that.

During my internship, I engaged in meaningful research, particularly on children’s rights, a field I’m deeply passionate about. After completing some foundational tasks, I was invited to contribute to one of the NGO’s official publications. This was a significant milestone for me, as it aligned with my goal of engaging in policy-relevant writing. I’m grateful for the trust placed in me and approached this opportunity with the same care and commitment I brought to the rest of my work. Being surrounded by professionals dedicated to advocacy and policy reform was inspiring and gave me a deeper understanding of how law and development intersect to promote human dignity, equity, and justice.

Outside of work, Cape Town truly stole my heart. I’ll never forget seeing the African penguins at Simon’s Town, hiking to Cape Point with fellow interns, and going on a weekend safari that felt like stepping into a dream. These shared adventures created memories and friendships I’ll cherish for life.

The VACorps staff were phenomenal—always supportive, approachable, and genuinely committed to creating a meaningful experience for each intern. The weekly activities were not only fun but also helped us better understand South Africa’s history and culture.

I’m especially grateful for the community that VACorps fosters. Having that support system made a huge difference, both professionally and personally. Thank you, VACorps, for an unforgettable journey. I’m leaving Cape Town with new perspectives and a renewed passion for human rights work.

My experience in Cape Town was truly unforgettable. I’m incredibly grateful to the entire VACorps team for their kindness and support throughout my stay. From day one, they made me feel welcome, safe, and part of a community.

The internship itself far exceeded my expectations. I loved being able to work hands-on with patients and learn about medicine in under-resourced township communities. This experience helped me achieve my goal of gaining real-world clinical exposure while deepening my understanding of healthcare challenges in these settings. I also learned to navigate language barriers—something I encounter at home—and now feel far more confident communicating across them.

Beyond the internship, I had the chance to explore Cape Town’s many wonders—from the mountains and ocean to its incredible food and vibrant culture. I learned so much, gained valuable professional experience, and felt that my work made a meaningful contribution.

Overall, my time in Cape Town with VACorps was an experience I’ll always cherish. I highly recommend this program to anyone seeking a rewarding internship abroad and the chance to immerse themselves in one of the world’s most unique and beautiful cities.