Gap Year Programs in Johannesburg,South Africa

The animals at this wildlife sanctuary have been injured or orphaned, leaving them in need of some assistance if they have any hope for survival. The animals become tame during their rehabilitation so they cannot be reintroduced to the wild, but this does allow for an unforgettable experience since volunteers can work closely with the animals and establish relationships. The sanctuary provides aid to zebras, cheetahs, elephants, and many more animals in need. The program starts monthly, and volunteers can stay from 2 to 12 weeks. This allows for flexibility and duration that can fit into anyone’s schedule. The sanctuary is located near the small resort town of Hartbeespoort, locally known as Harties, which is only 40 minutes from the giant metropolis of Johannesburg. Volunteers can experience a little of each place through actually living inside the sanctuary and Johannesburg in their free time. Volunteers can work in a variety of interesting projects such as vulture kitchen, which provides vultures with a healthy supply of meat. The birds are endangered because many people poison them with bad meat.

IGS has placed students in some of the world’s most exciting museums. Our internship placements typically fall into two categories: working on the floor or conducting research and marketing behind the scenes. Floor work includes assisting the docent in the setup and interpretation of current exhibits and galleries. This may include constructing backdrops and computer modeling. Once the exhibit is in place, you are asked to learn the history of the showcased items and share your knowledge with the visiting public. Behind-the-scenes work may include conducting original research on life histories or local historical events. This may include online research and library visits. Likewise, you may be asked to conduct interviews in the community and record knowledge that is in danger of being lost forever. Duties are usually associated with the following: Set up exhibits Conduct online research Interpret for the public Interview local residents Write for the museum’s website Social media outreach