Finance Internships in South 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 chose Cape Town because I had always wanted to visit South Africa, but I was also very interested in the country from an economic perspective. Doing an internship in venture capital gave me the opportunity to understand much more about how startups, innovation and investment contribute to the local economy. My internship gave me exposure to several different parts of the venture-capital process. I helped write a funding proposal that was accepted, supported financial models for startups and the venture fund itself, screened startup applications and contributed to work around raising capital and monitoring existing portfolio companies. Through that experience, I gained a much better understanding of how venture funds work, what investors look for in an early-stage business and some of the factors that help startups succeed. I especially enjoyed being able to work with companies focused on innovation and seeing how financial decisions can influence whether those ideas are able to grow. The internship also taught me to be proactive. There were times when everyone was busy, so I learned that it was important to clarify my skills, ask what I could work on next and actively look for ways to contribute. That is something I would recommend to future interns as well. Outside of work, I loved the lifestyle in Cape Town. The combination of the city, nature, music and people made every week feel different. I travelled along the Garden Route, went on safari, did a bungee jump and spent a lot of time with friends in Observatory. I also strengthened my English and learned a lot about myself by living and working in a completely different environment. Seven weeks went by very quickly. If I were doing it again, I would stay longer. The experience gave me a much clearer picture of venture capital, startups and the kind of innovative work I would like to be involved in in the future.

I came to Cape Town wanting to gain experience in sales and business development before starting university, and my internship gave me a much better understanding of what that kind of work actually involves. One of the most valuable parts of the experience was working directly with customers. During one week, we visited distribution centres around Cape Town, where I explained the company’s healthcare product to employees, spoke with them about how it worked and helped people sign up. It pushed me outside my comfort zone and gave me much more confidence speaking to people I had never met before. The internship also helped me learn something important about my future career. I discovered that I really enjoy talking to people, explaining products and the sales side of business, but I also realised that I would not want a role focused entirely on sales. I would like a career where I can combine that with other areas of business as well. That kind of clarity was one of the biggest things I took away from the experience. I also appreciated being able to see how a growing healthcare business was trying to make its services easier and more affordable for people to access. Being involved in introducing the product to new customers gave me a practical sense of how sales and business development connect to the wider goals of a company. Outside of work, Cape Town became a place I felt very comfortable very quickly. Living close to the other participants made it easy to spend time together, and the friendships I made were a huge part of the experience. I also knew that VAC was there when I needed support, which made living independently in another country much easier. I would definitely recommend staying for at least three months if you can. It takes time to settle into the city, build friendships and really feel part of everyday life here. My time in Cape Town gave me professional experience, more confidence and a much clearer idea of the kind of business career I would like to pursue.

I visited Cape Town before and fell in love and knew I would come back. I wanted to try living abroad for a short period of time, and the tech industry in South Africa is really developing, so I wanted to be part of that. I had an amazing process, to be honest. Rowan communicated every detail and took what I was looking for into consideration, so just keep up the good work. One of my personal goals was simple: I wanted a job and I got it. I really appreciated the internship placement, the support and knowing I could call VAC staff if I needed anything, the weekly activities, Culture Series, and VAC staff support. Orientation was very informative and fun. We were a small group, so it felt like chatting with friends. My advice for future interns is to have fun, learn, and try to enjoy every second. It goes by very quickly.

My internship became an experience that will always hold a special place in my heart. The team, working environment, and focus on creating positive change aligned closely with my own values. I especially appreciated the conversations with my colleagues, sometimes subtle, but always thought-provoking. Being surrounded by a dynamic and experienced team strengthened my confidence, shaped how I think about entrepreneurship, and left me even more motivated to put my skills to use. During my internship with a technology-focused startup, I was trusted with real responsibility and given the creative freedom to work on full-stack products for clients. One of my main projects involved building a digital dashboard for a nonprofit client using React, Next.js, and SQL. My goal was to strengthen my portfolio and demonstrate my technical abilities, but the experience gave me much more than that. It showed me how relatively simple technical solutions can create genuine value when they respond to real-world needs. The overall experience with VAC was seamless, and I could see how much work happened behind the scenes to make that possible. I am grateful for the support, trust, and opportunities I was given throughout my time in Cape Town. I leave with greater confidence in my abilities, a more refined perspective on entrepreneurship, and an even stronger desire to use my skills to create meaningful change.

My experience in Cape Town has been one of the most rewarding and memorable parts of my university journey. Coming from Zambia and studying in the UK, interning in South Africa gave me the opportunity to experience a different professional and cultural environment while still being somewhere that felt familiar in certain ways. During my internship with a business advisory organization, I gained valuable exposure to areas such as business valuations, market research, sales processes, and international expansion. I especially enjoyed mapping out the company’s sales process, as it challenged me to understand how the business operates and communicate that clearly from an outsider’s perspective. Beyond the technical skills, I learned how to adapt to a new professional culture, communicate with people from different backgrounds, and become more comfortable outside of my usual environment. Living independently also helped me become more confident, adaptable, and responsible. Through VAC, I met people from around the world, formed new friendships, and experienced so much of Cape Town, from hiking and exploring the city to jet skiing, ATV riding, and abseiling. Looking back, the greatest value of my time in Cape Town was the combination of professional development and personal growth. The experience pushed me outside my comfort zone, broadened my perspective on international work, and gave me a clearer understanding of the kind of professional environment I want to build my career in. I’m leaving Cape Town with new skills, new connections, incredible memories, and a much broader perspective on both work and life.

Cape Town gave me the opportunity to explore both my professional goals and what I wanted from life outside of work. My Southern African background was a big part of what drew me here, and having fond memories of South Africa made me curious about what life here could look like long term. One of the things I appreciated most was finding a balance between my internship, social life, and personal interests. It taught me a lot about the routines and priorities that contribute to my own sense of fulfillment. During my internship with a financial technology company focused on improving financial inclusion, I had the opportunity to apply what I had learned in school to a real business environment. I worked with data to identify patterns and better understand some of the challenges limiting the organization’s impact. It was rewarding to see how analytical skills could be used to support a wider social purpose and gave me valuable insight into the kind of work I may want to pursue in the future.

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.

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.

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.