Environmental Studies Internships in Africa

I had a good time here. The VAC staff were so welcoming and friendly and definitely one of the best parts. My internship was fulfilling, the doctors were patient and friendly, and I got to do a lot of things as well!! During my internship, I pushed myself to be a bit more confident and not afraid to try new things at the hospital. My advice for future interns is to be open and friendly, learn some isiXhosa, and don’t hold yourself back. I stayed for four weeks and definitely see how staying longer would be even more beneficial educationally. Outside of the internship, there were some fun things to do in Cape Town and lots of places to try. The pre-arrival information had so much detail and made me feel reassured, and the airport pickup was very friendly and reassuring. I also really appreciated the internship placement and the weekly activities.

I chose Cape Town because I wanted to understand how youth programs work here because I’m interested in working for a youth program back in the States. During my internship, I was able to learn more about different political issues here in Cape Town. I also really appreciated the weekly activities, the support and knowing I could call VAC staff if I needed anything. I really love the VAC staff <3

My internship gave me the opportunity to grow both creatively and personally. It was an incredibly open-minded and creative environment, with a strong sense of belonging and community. There were so many opportunities to get involved, build meaningful relationships with the students, and contribute to different creative projects. During my time there, I gained much more confidence in my creative process as an artist and developed a clearer sense of direction about what I want to pursue in the future. I was able to contribute to projects that supported the organization’s mission while also supporting students on their own creative journeys as artists. What stood out to me most was seeing how music and creativity can create opportunities for young people to express themselves, heal, and shape the direction of their lives. Being part of an environment driven by creativity and a genuine sense of community made my internship especially meaningful. I also really appreciated the support I received from VAC. The calls and communication before arriving made me feel much more confident about joining the program, and I especially appreciated how responsive my placement advisor was throughout the process. Once in Cape Town, I enjoyed the weekly check-ins, Friday meetups, and Monday culture series, which gave us opportunities to connect throughout the program. My advice to future interns is to really take advantage of the opportunities around you. Get involved, make connections with the people at your internship, and don’t be afraid to ask if there are projects you can help with. There is an abundance of opportunity if you’re willing to put yourself out there.

I was excited by the opportunity to expand my horizons through an internship abroad and chose Cape Town for its vibrant culture and incredible natural landscapes. From the ocean and mountains to the greenery surrounding the city, the natural beauty was easily one of my favorite parts of the experience. Whether exploring botanical gardens, visiting the coastline, or simply taking in scenery unlike anything back home, Cape Town constantly gave me something new to appreciate. As my first experience traveling abroad, my eight weeks here challenged me in ways I didn’t expect. I left with a greater sense of gratitude, cultural awareness, and a broader perspective on the world. During my internship with a local environmental conservation organization, I researched and wrote about threatened wildlife species and environmental awareness. One of my favorite projects challenged my own assumptions about an animal I had previously been wary of and gave me the chance to learn about its importance within the ecosystem. I also joined colleagues on an overnight conservation trip to a nature reserve, which became one of the highlights of my time in South Africa. My internship also helped me better understand what I value in a future workplace and the kind of environment I hope to work in. Although two months gave me plenty of time to experience Cape Town, I still left feeling like there was more to discover. I’m especially grateful for the warmth and generosity of the VAC team and for the experiences they created throughout my stay.

My internship as a market and financial analyst was an excellent opportunity for me to gain professional experience dealing with real business needs and personnel. The submersion taught me many technical skills and built my confidence, which I am sure have helped prepare me for my future positions.

What an amazing internship experience! It was an unforgettable month that pushed me out of my comfort zone, gave me experiences I’d never have at home, and allowed me to learn about conservation while meeting some amazing people. I learned a great deal and the entire experience definitely exceeded my expectations! I really enjoyed game drives. It was a good way to explore the reserve, learn lots about the environment and wildlife, get to know other participants and no drive was ever the same. Seeing all the animals, sunrise and sunsets on drives and getting to know new people made the experience truly unforgettable.

The time spent doing my GIS internship at the Gondwana Game Reserve exceeded my expectations in both the knowledge I received and the amazing views I was fortunate enough to see. I learned a great deal, saw a lot of amazing animals and it was extremely rewarding to learn so much about GIS and wildlife.

The Marine Biology & Reef Conservation internship in Sodwana Bay (South Africa) was an amazing experience! I learned a great deal - had an awesome time and met some wonderful people! It was unforgettable to see the manta rays too!

I had such a wonderful experience working at a Whiskey Distillery in Dublin. The staff were all so genuinely nice and made me feel right at home. Rotating through the cafe, reception, and the back bar allowed me to understand all the different phases of a working distillery, and meeting the bosses was a great addition to the program. Dublin attracts so much tourism, I really enjoyed meeting so many different people from all over the world at my work. It felt like a true mix of diversity, which allowed me to learn so many unique things from everyone I encountered. I was also incredibly glad to use my Mandarin skills to help out. On my days off, I had the best time exploring Dublin, traveling around Ireland, and adventuring into other European countries. It was a beautiful journey both professionally and personally!

interned at the a private hospital in the operating room, where I observed the anesthesiologists and surgeons. This experience helped me gain a lot of insight in the healthcare system is like in a different country. I spent two months in Buenos Aires and it was wonderful with weekly events on the weekends coordinated by Brenda and Maru. Thanks to Connect-123 I was able to strengthen education and gain real life experience that will help me with my future profession.

Meeting the people in my flat really changed my experiences. They were so kind. I was lucky with my internship with having people supporting me and also wanting to get to know me. I highly recommend this to someone.

I loved my time in Cape Town. Two months was a great amount of time, although I think staying for two and a half to three months would have allowed me to experience even more than I did. I really appreciated how the VACorps program was structured, it provided plenty of support while still giving us the freedom to explore independently. The two-week orientation was a highlight, and I made friendships that I know will last well beyond my time here. From day one, the VACorps staff made me feel welcomed, comfortable, and supported. My internship with a community-based organization gave me the opportunity to learn by observing experienced professionals and seeing how their work made a difference. One of the biggest lessons I took away was that you don't need to have the biggest role to make a meaningful impact. That realization gave me a new appreciation for teamwork and the importance of every contribution, no matter how small it may seem.

Karen and Kristal at Intern Abroad HQ were wonderful at assisting me and my study abroad counselor throughout the whole process (esp. with the academic credits). Thank you to them! What I enjoyed most about the Public Health internship in Cape Town was being able to work closely and connect with such qualified, educated, and passionate professionals in my field. Being exposed to the work that they do gave me a clearer idea of what I want to do in my own professional career and gave me insight into what it takes to get there. Furthermore, I enjoyed being mentored by my internship supervisor and being able to take charge of my own internship project.

The thing that I enjoyed the most in the Reserve Management & Research internship was being able to see all of the wildlife that is unique to the area in Kruger National Park, while also being surrounded by nature and actually contributing to something as a visitor to the area; rather than just being a spectator on the sidelines. Personally, this internship gave me the unique opportunity to see animals (that I have only seen in a zoo) in the wild and in their natural habitat. The internship has also given me more confidence in different areas like communication and being social, while also making me more knowledgeable about how people are from different countries, alongside with making friends from all over the world. Professionally, this internship contributed to my development by providing me experience in an area that will be relevant along with completing a project associated in the field. This will help me stand out from others when it comes to job applications and it has given me the edge.

My opportunity to intern was one of the best things I've been blessed enough to be a part of. It taught me so much about the world, the field of International Policy, culture, and working with people from other cultures. It contributed so much to how I developed as a person, how I travel, and how I live life, and the whole experience was incredibly eye-opening, both professionally and personally. I am incredibly glad that I decided to take part in this internship, it was one of the most amazing things I've gotten to be a part of.

I think Intern Abroad HQ was a great program because it provided and coordinated all that I needed. It was encouraging to not have to have every bit of my internship figured out and to know everything that was included would be reliable.

Connect-123 did an amazing job connecting me with an internship company that was similar to my interests. During my remote internship that was based out of Cape Town, I felt valued and that I played an important role in helping and shaping my clients and my company's future. My supervisor and his personal assistant were super kind, understanding, positive, and respectful towards me, and I felt very appreciated by them. Connect-123 did an amazing job of offering career-readiness tips and advice, including having three Zoom call sessions about developing different career-development skills that were very interactive and engaging. Carla, my program and internship coordinator, did an outstanding job communicating and helping me find an internship company that combined my values, interests, and career goals, as it was a very smooth process and transition. During my two-month internship, she would check in with me often, offer me advice, and be very supportive and encouraging to me. I highly recommend Connect-123 to anyone who is looking for an organization that will help set them up for career success.

The Reserve Management & Research internship at the Kruger National Park made my future possible. My stay in South Africa exceeded my expectations as I learned so much while I was there, and I couldn't imagine a better experience for me. I stayed for 12 weeks, and each week brought new experiences, excitement, and people. I’ve learned so much about South Africa, reserve management, wildlife, poaching, ecology, and plant life. Before going to South Africa, I was unsure about which direction I wanted to go for my future. It is now crystal clear that I want to work in conservation in Africa.

I have had an amazing experience interning abroad in Barcelona. It was wonderful to see how passionate those at the non-profit I worked in were in regards to giving kids at the Casal a summer full of fun memories and connections. I got to learn so much from the kids I worked with and got to learn more about myself. Additionally, everyone from my host site to those in connect-123 were always really supportive throughout my time here, so not once did I feel afraid of being in another country so far from home for the first time!!

I want to thank you and your team for helping me get to my GIS & Reserve Management internship in South Africa and fulfill a lifelong dream. I loved every second of my time in the Gondwana Game Reserve and it applied directly to my career goals.Everything exceeded my expectations. The people are fantastic, the wildlife incredible, and the experience gained unmatched.