Public Administration & Government Internships in South Africa

As a participant of our program in Cape Town, South Africa, you tell us what type of internship experience you are looking for, and we will create a tailored placement based on your specific interests. We’ll place you within an environment where you will make a positive contribution to your host organization while gaining invaluable and distinctive international work experience. We find placements for any type of participant, regardless of the area of study or professional focus. We only offer internships in Cape Town because, quite simply, this is the most beautiful and dynamic city in the world. Visit our program testimonials to learn more about why our participants regularly have life-changing experiences in our program.

South Africa is a rainbow nation that features diverse people, unique languages, and distinct history. The country's medical industry is extremely well planned out, while its other industries offer an interesting platform – such as business development, finance, and marketing – for students to kick-start their careers. Through AIP’s award-winning international internship program, you are guaranteed a customized placement based on your career goals and aspirations. Interning abroad in South Africa exposes you to international work environments while developing your professional network of business contacts and relationships. Partnering with an extensive number of companies including multinational corporations, rapidly growing startups, and charitable NGOs allows us to provide students with a wide range of placement opportunities. Apply today and take advantage of this incredible internship opportunity in South Africa!

Gain a global perspective on legal practice, justice, advocacy, and social equity with Intern Abroad HQ, the world’s most affordable and top-rated provider of Law & Human Rights Support internships. Our programs offer aspiring legal and human rights professionals meaningful, real-world experience in diverse cultural and legal contexts. Choose from impactful placements in Argentina, Belize, Greece, Ireland, Jordan, Morocco, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Tanzania, and the USA. Whether you're studying law, international relations, political science, or social justice, our internships are designed to match your academic and career goals. Programs range from 2 to 24 weeks and include guaranteed placements with vetted organizations, quality housing, airport pickup, orientation, and 24/7 in-country support. You also have the possibility of earning up to 16 US academic credits through our School of Record or receive guidance to gain credit through your home university. Start building a career that creates positive change. Apply today to begin your transformative legal or human rights internship abroad with Intern Abroad HQ.

Looking for an international internship that will set you apart—and give you the skills, experience, and confidence to thrive in your career? Connect-123 designs fully customized programs that match your background and goals, offering hands-on experience in some of the world’s most exciting cities: Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Dublin, and Sydney. Whether you’re a student, recent graduate, or experienced professional, our programs span dozens of fields including business, finance, medicine, public health, journalism, marketing, human rights, law, sustainability, education, and more. You’ll gain meaningful, career-related experience while also exploring life in a new culture. We take care of the details so you can focus on making the most of your time abroad. From the moment you apply, our team helps guide you through the process, secure your placement, and prepare you for your new adventure. With flexible start dates and customizable program lengths, your life-changing internship begins on your schedule.

CIEE offers the most extensive network of internship programs. Are you a U.S. college student looking to study and intern abroad? We have full-time and part-time placements across 40+ locations worldwide and in diverse fields, from AI and engineering to public policy and business administration. Find the right fit for you! Live, learn, and work abroad on an internship program with CIEE! CIEE Summer Internships CIEE Summer Global Internships are 6-credit, 8-week programs with full-time working hours (approximately 30 hours weekly) and a seminar. CIEE Summer Intern and Study Abroad are 6 to 7-credit, 6-week programs with a part-time internship (approximately 20 hours weekly), a seminar, and a 3-credit academic course. CIEE Semester Internships CIEE Semester Global Internships are 9 to 13-credit, 12-week programs that feature a full-time internship (approximately 30 hours weekly), a seminar, and an optional 3 to 4-credit academic course online. CIEE Semester Intern and Study Abroad Programs are 12 to 14-credit, 12-week programs that feature a part-time internship​ (approximately 20 hours weekly), a seminar, and two academic courses.

Institute for Global Studies offers internship placements, which involve the following tracks, in the field of Politics and Government in several destinations worldwide: Track One: Work for a political advocacy group. Lobbyists come in all shapes and sizes. We aim to match students with organizations they support. Lobbyists imbed themselves in the halls of power and use their connections to enact change or maintain the status quo. Advocates master the art of “getting the word out” and understand how political spin can shape issues. Track Two: Cover politics for a community newspaper. City Pages newspapers lean left and provide coverage and commentary on a host of issues that affect their community. Past IGS students have been assigned field topics on divisive political issues and have had their work published. Whether you are interviewing a local politician or covering a protest, you have a chance to be in the heart of it all. Track Three: Promote a political candidate. Join the campaign trail and lend your support to a candidate. IGS students have assisted candidates both in the United States and abroad in their quest for leadership.

IES Abroad offers 140+ programs in more than 35 locations worldwide for undergraduate students. We're a little obsessed with study abroad, and not at all ashamed to admit it. We are a highly-charged force of study abroad enthusiasts. Every day we have the privilege of witnessing how study abroad changes our students' lives. That's the reason we do what we do: to provide once-in-a-lifetime educational adventures. Everything we do is about the IES Abroad student. Our goal is to provide personal support and guidance throughout your application and enrollment process. Whether it's housing or cultural events or field trips, our job is to make sure you have the most authentic study abroad experience possible. Study with us for a summer, semester, or year. No matter the term, our world-class faculty and courses will engage you as you discover new ways of learning both inside and outside the classroom. How will study abroad redefine you? We can't wait to find out.

Prepare for a career in diplomacy, conflict resolution, or global affairs while interning at a civil society NGO in South Africa. This program emphasizes non-Western perspectives on international relations, South-South cooperation, and multilateral diplomacy. Through internship engagements with NGOs, visits with ambassadors, expert lectures, and excursions, you will learn about South Africa’s successes and continued challenges as it transitions from apartheid to democracy. The core component is a five-week internship with a partner organization. MONEY MATTERS SIT has given an average of over $1.3 million in scholarships and grants to SIT Study Abroad students in recent years and is committed to ensuring you have the information necessary to apply for such funding. Our program costs include academics, excursions, accommodations, airport transfers, and health insurance. Meal arrangements vary by program. Be sure to discuss how study abroad costs are handled at your school with your study abroad advisor and read the website for more specific information.

You don’t have to break the bank to learn a new language, explore a new culture, or acquire compulsory work experience in another country. Whether you seek an internship or a volunteering opportunity, Magister will help you realize that dream trip to South Africa. At Magister South Africa, we have matched and placed participants in various programs – from internships in companies to volunteer projects with local communities – since 2000. Besides offering a wonderful experience, we guarantee safety and security as well as immersion through regular events and activities. If you are seeking a challenging internship or simply wishing to experience a cosmopolitan lifestyle while contributing to a good cause, we can definitely lead you in the right direction!

International development is a notoriously difficult area to break into. Projects Abroad's International Development internship in Cape Town could give you experience to set your resume apart from the pack. Cape Town is one of the strongest and most developed cities in Africa, but outside of the major industrial centers, South Africa still suffers from a severe lack of development, with many people still living below the poverty line. Participating in an international development internship here is a great way to make an effort to help tip this balance. Interns work with a variety of NGOs situated in areas around Cape Town. The organizations are non-profit foundations that aim to empower, support, and enhance the surrounding communities. The foundations offer a variety of services and programs such as life and leadership skills, food campaigns, soup kitchens, sewing projects, sports programs linked to awareness education, and training support projects. Some of the foundations also focus on issues of unemployment, crime, domestic violence, drugs, alcohol abuse, prostitution, teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, and general health.

As an intern from any academic background, you’ll take part in meaningful projects that blend strategic thinking with creative problem-solving. Working alongside energetic teams, you’ll help assess markets, design financial strategies, and contribute innovative ideas to support growth within our NGO, a partner NGO, or a nature resort. This opportunity lets you dive into the dynamic business environment while playing a key role in socially driven initiatives. You’ll connect technical, environmental, or social processes with effective business strategies. Your work may involve improving operations, streamlining systems, and applying practical solutions to boost organizational performance. From data analysis to supporting project coordination, your contribution will help drive sustainable and impactful practices across our international programs. Travel to Rwanda or South Africa and step into a completely new experience. If you’re passionate about societal or environmental development and come from a technical, social, environmental, hospitality, or tourism background—sign up for our unique internship program in Rwanda or South Africa.