Program Reviews

When I decided to take a gap year, I was initially wonderfully overwhelmed with the amount of options that the world presented me. With each google search I discovered a new country, new possibility, and new adventure. I battled the decision between a structured program, traveling all around, or living more long term in a foreign place. When I found VAC I was immediately interested. Cape Town has been on my list of top cities to visit for quite a while. Growing up in Manhattan, I’m a city girl through and through and definitely consider that important in places I want to stay, but I love the outdoors and active adventures. All my life I had pretty much accepted the two lifestyles were mutually exclusive, except coming to Cape Town I realized I had found the exception. It provides a bustling city with numerous options, combined with dramatic and beautiful mountains, all bordering the sea. It still blows my mind that such a combination exists. The city has so much depth and culture and is home to a huge variety of people. With VAC’s help, the city is easy to navigate and easy to integrate within. There are activities every week to expose you to different facets of Cape Town living and they are encouraging of branching out and exploring all different neighborhoods and interacting with all different people. I found the transition seamless upon arrival and in no time at all I felt like I had been here forever. My internship provided me a daily routine and a place to stretch myself in a professional environment in a way I have not yet had the opportunity to do. VAC orients you thoroughly to South African culture and provides plenty of prep and knowledge on how to assimilate to whatever job you are doing. There is so much opportunity to meet amazing people and in my three months in Cape Town I have made friends I have no doubt I will keep in touch with long after my departure. The interns that come here through VAC come from all different backgrounds, but share the commonality of all loving Cape Town and seeking new friends. We are all joined easily by VAC activities and our proximity through housing in Observatory. Throughout the duration of my stay here, I struggled to find a single day when there wasn’t something I wanted to do, wether that was a braai at a neighbors house, an outdoor movie, a sunrise hike, a surf day, concerts, road trips, excursions, or just good food and good fun with amazing company. I lost appreciated the accessibility of VAC, whose office is just a short walk away at all times. Quick to respond and ready to help, I found that they put all worries about living in a totally different country at ease and provided all the support one could want. wether it is your first time traveling or you are a veteran, VAC gives you all the tools and options you need and leaves it to you to take what you chose and participate to your desired level, making it an ideal program for any aspiring intern.

Along with my journey around the world, I knew I wanted to see more diverse cultures. Coming from New York and traveling to Australia and New Zealand this past year you really get to learn a lot about the different cultures. Cape Town has its up and downs but there's always new places to see and new things to do. My internship was probably my favorite throughout my journey. From working hands-on with editing films or doing graphic design, I can truly secure what I want to do in the future. Moonsport Tv treated me like family and I thank them for that. My internship being so close, there was always time for new activities. Through Vac with the culture series and Friday excursions, you always are treated like family. Not to mention making new life long friends along the way, No matter how long or short your stay is in Cape Town you will always have a different experience. From going on the garden route trip, which I highly recommend, you truly get to experience a new side of the world. From the people here and my roommates, I've learned so much about the different cultures around the world. Everyone has a different story and it makes you want to help those who need it. In the end, this is Definity an opportunity you should take in life.

I spent five weeks in Cape Town but I would recommend six weeks to take into account the first-week being orientation week. I would have enjoyed one more week at my internship site.

I found the staff to be very supportive and friendly and quick to respond to any question or worries.

I enjoyed living in Obz, as its only small I got familiar with it quickly and there was plenty of choice of breakfast places and cafes for coffee and a variety of places to eat in the evening.
I loved that I was able to meet people who wanted to explore and try different activities whether that be hiking or going to a yoga class and even the bungee jump.

In my five weeks, I did see a lot and I did cram quite a few activities in that time, so my tip would be budget wisely and take more than you think you will need even if it is for a shorter time than you go.

I loved how many different markets there were and people making and selling some really delicious food that catered for vegetarians and vegans so much good choice.

My internship was eye-opening listening to the stories of the girls I worked with, they showed so much strength and resilience to some of the challenges they face and I wish them well. I could see the benefit and necessity of the work my internship site was doing

I have loved my time in Cape Town! I chose Cape Town as a place to intern abroad so I can learn more about policy and social issues in South Africa. I have loved working at PMG and learning about how government works in South Africa. I loved my internship placement, working with other interns, and my co-workers. I learned that I am much more capable and independent than I thought. This internship and work experience is one that I am very proud of, and I look forward to applying these skills to my work and school at home.

I am going to miss the people most! I have enjoyed time with my roommates, other VAC program interns, my co-workers, and the VAC staff! I will miss the wonderful people I have met in Cape Town the most. I spent 10 weeks at my internship, and I recommend a 10-week stay. That is enough time to get acclimated to Cape Town and your internship site. I am most grateful fort he weekly activities and support from the VAC staff.

My internship was one of the best experiences of my life. At first I felt as though I was paired with the wrong internship however after one day I fell in love with my surroundings. Every staff member and counsellor became my family and treated me as such. I have never felt so at home while being so far away. The work that I had to do was very tough mentally, however it helped me grow as a human being. I was able to learn compassion by doing and not by someone telling me. The unconventional ways that TZP councils women was eye opening and showed me that following a strict clinical path to for mental health is not always the best. I know that the methods and knowledge that I have learned from my internship will greatly help me in my future endeavours.

My experience here in Cape Town with VACorps was incredible. I met so many people, did so many amazing things, and learned so much about medicine. I worked at Retreat Clinic and it was truly eye opening the things I saw and got to help out with. The nurses and doctors I met were truly amazing and taught me so many things I wouldn't trade for the world. In my time here I fell in love with the city while gaining invaluable medical experience. While I was only here for a month, I am so grateful for my time here and will never forget what I learned. My VACorps internship helped me realize my love for material medicine for that I will be forever grateful. Also, I loved the weekly activities and cultures series' that allowed me to keep in touch with new friends and learn more about South African culture. Looking back I would've stayed for longer than 5 weeks.

I chose Cape Town as the place where I wanted intern abroad because of the amazing nature and wildlife biodiversity that there is here. I interned at The Cape Town Environmental Education Trust and worked with The Gantouw Project, a conservation project that has introduced eland antelope to the Cape Flats Dune Strandveld in order to conserve the biodiversity of this endangered habitat. I interned there for for three months and was able to connect with nature and learn about the native flora and fauna of South Africa and Cape Town. I loved being able to work outside during my internship and it was very special experience to get work with and interact with the eland.
Cape Town has also been a great place to explore outside of my internship. I really enjoyed getting explore all of the outdoor experiences and adventures that Cape Town has to offer in my free time. I also loved being immersed in the Culture of Cape Town and really getting to know everything about this amazing city. The weekly activities with VACorps were also a lot of fun and provided tons of opportunities to have fun and explore Cape Town. Overall Cape Town has been an amazing experience where I have made memories that I will always cherish and I hope to come back soon!

Cape Town has been an amazing place to work and live. I chose Cape Town because I had never been out of my comfort zone, and I was fascinated by the rich history of the area. I am interested in pursuing a career in government and experiencing the Parliamentary system of South Africa has been fantastic and eye-opening experience. Over the past 3 months, I met some amazing people, from all walks of life, and together we cultivated unforgettable memories all over the country and beyond! I will miss so much about this place, the hikes, views, food, people, lifestyle...ect. The VAC staff and weekly activities have been incredible as well. I'd like to thank my supervisors Rashaad and Monique for their guidance, insight, and friendliness. I had never been excited about coming into work until I started at PMG and will truly miss the office dynamic. I would advise everyone to fly to SA, stay for 90 days if you can, and try everything possible! It doesn't get much better than this.

I chose to intern in Cape Town because of the rich culture that is South Africa. At my university, I learned about the resiliency of the South African people and how they draw power from their culture to change their communities for the better. I wanted to come to Cape Town to experience this sense of bravery with my own eyes. I decided to do an internship because I wanted to lend my skills, knowledge, and care to the people of South Africa. My goal was not to step into South African communities and tell their members what they needed to do; rather, I came to South Africa wanting to meet the needs of the people I intended to serve. Instead of meeting South African people halfway, I wanted to meet them where they were at.

Within my first few days in Cape Town, I fell in love with South Africa, especially the South African people. The individuals I had the privilege of meeting welcomed me with open arms and open hearts. Initially, I was scared that I would feel homesick since I was thousands of miles away from home, but this feeling could not have been farther from the truth. Even though I did not have my friends and immediate family with me, I was able to find a community in South Africa that made me feel loved, cared for, and accepted. Thanks to the guidance and support of the VACorps team, I was able to develop a sense of belonging here in South Africa.

The thing I will miss the most when I leave is the people. I never expected myself to connect with so many individuals on such a deep level. Each week at my internship site, I had the opportunity to listen to my co-workers stories and learn about their experiences living in South Africa. Every story I heard was told with conviction, humility, and love–I always left feeling inspired by their words and in awe with their presence. Hearing people's story helped me realize how important it is to create spaces for people to speak. Throughout my stay in South Africa, I learned how powerful listening is. When you listen, you help others find power in their voice and the strength in their stories.

While my time in Cape Town, South Africa is coming to an end, the experiences I had and the lessons I learned will be taken with me wherever I am in the world. Thank you South Africa for sharing your beauty with me.

Cape Town is amazing, but would made the experience even better was VAC. From pre arrival to orientation, I was constantly supported. VAC's staff and the weekly activities were great. I would suggest that people budget before they come here. And definitely go to Mozambique, it's a once in a lifetime experience!

I think the application process was perfect. The effort to match the right internship site with the right person really shows.

And lastly, I enjoyed that I felt the support from VAC before I arrived, and the second I was on the ground. It eases the transition period.