Internships Abroad in South Africa

I did my month and a half long herpetological internship there. It is an amazing place in the heart of the South African savannah. If you really enjoy fieldwork, as I do, this is the right place to spend time in. The people working in the reserve are also very kind, friendly, and helpful. I would definitely like to come back one day.

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 have loved my time here in Cape Town. My internship was a perfect fit for me, and having the independence to drive myself to my internship was a nice bonus to my stay here. I gained a lot of experience in areas that weren’t familiar to me during my studies. I designed PCB boards on DipTrace, saw the ordering process, as well as the coding behind certain PCB boards. I also designed and purchased boards which will be used on their models and in their everyday testing. Having this kind of responsibility was really nice and ensured a good working standard. I felt useful in the company and not like I was just a temporary addition. The employees were lovely and welcoming, and it was a relaxed working environment where everyone was helpful and wanted to teach. My advice for future interns would be to get involved. It can seem like a lot at first, but ask your questions so that you make the most out of the experience. I also really enjoyed the housing during my time in Cape Town and feel like I have made friends for life. I appreciated knowing that I could call VAC staff if I needed anything, and Kus and Serena were always quick to respond. I want to personally thank them for being so welcoming and making my stay extra enjoyable.

My experience in Cape Town was truly amazing. I was able to learn so much about the history of South Africa and the way that apartheid is continuing to affect communities. I have loved the access to nature, with both the oceans and the mountains so close. During my internship, I was able to create a Climate Change manual for migrant women that describes what it is and how it disproportionately affects migrant women. I also went to visit several schools and was able to work with young learners on a walkway games and art project, which was super fun. The organization I worked with is directly involved in community work in many of Cape Town’s townships, contributing to social cohesion and human rights. Once I got adjusted, I loved the ability to go out into communities, work on really cool projects, and work with young people. I will never forget watching the sunrise on top of Lion’s Head and swimming during incredible sunsets at Llandudno. But most of all, I will miss the people that I met along my journey and the friends I made, both from South Africa and from all over the world. The VACtivities and Culture Series were so fun and a great way to experience all the different parts of Cape Town, from the food to music to hiking.

I chose Cape Town because of South Africa’s vibrant film industry and because I wanted to do an internship abroad somewhere other than Los Angeles. I also needed to complete a semester-long media internship for my university honors program, so Cape Town felt like an exciting opportunity to get the practical experience I was looking for. I loved how hands-on my internship was. I got experience with actual television production and was able to do a little bit of everything. Some days were spent in the studio, while others involved going out on location to shoot events around Cape Town. I edited about five inserts that aired on television and shot all but one of them myself. I’m really proud of the work I did and especially proud that those pieces were actually broadcast. Outside of the internship, Cape Town was a wonderful experience. I met amazing people, saw incredible places, ate great food, and had a phenomenal time overall. The weekly VAC activities were great opportunities to explore different parts of South Africa, and the Culture Series events gave us a chance to learn more about the many cultures of the Cape. My advice to future interns is to keep an open mind and be ready to learn. At an internship like mine, you might find yourself doing something completely different from one day to the next, which is part of what makes it so interesting. Stay aware of your surroundings when you’re out, and if you ever have an issue, don’t be afraid to speak to someone at VAC. I always felt like the team was there if I needed help. I spent three months in Cape Town, and if I could, I would do it all over again.

Interning in Cape Town has been a great experience. I feel that I have grown a lot as a person, and navigating life here has taught me about self-trust. I’ve learnt to be open to trying new things and activities. I really enjoyed making new friends and creating memories together. I started my internship hoping to learn a lot more about Cape Town’s history, and I certainly achieved this. I was exposed to a lot of information and had the chance to engage in interesting and insightful conversations with a variety of people from different backgrounds. The organization I worked with aims to decolonize its history by centering the experiences of those who have been silenced by forces of oppression. It critically examines past narratives and questions whether these messages truly reflect the history of the Cape and its people. I was able to support this objective by working with the marketing department to develop a social media strategy that would help raise awareness of the organization and its objectives to both international and domestic tourists. My advice for future interns is to come in with an open mind and feel free to ask questions about the history. There is a lot to learn, so take the time to get familiar with the different exhibitions as this will help develop your understanding. The weekly activities with VAC were also a highlight for me, as I got to do things that I typically wouldn’t have done before. The Culture Series provided an opportunity to be exposed to and learn more about the diverse cultures that make Cape Town what it is. There was a lot of variety in the weekly activities, which meant there was always something to look forward to.

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 enjoyed my time in Cape Town and at my internship. The people from VAC were kind to me and helped me and the other interns better integrate ourselves. They also organized fun and thoughtful activities each week for our great pleasure. The people at my internship were also welcoming, especially the engineering team, who helped me learn more and become a better engineer. During my internship, I was able to do more lab testing and 3D CAD designs. The organization is working on medical implants, and I helped with lab tests and designing tools and apparatus for the tests. My advice for future interns is to communicate early on what you want to learn, and communicate it every week. Overall, I enjoyed my time in Cape Town and would definitely recommend it to someone else.

I chose Cape Town as my place for an internship because I wanted to explore the world and get job experience. I had heard so many great things about Cape Town that when I saw this program, I just had to do it. During my internship, I reaffirmed my decision that engineering is the right path for me and that I will be going back to school to finish my degree. The organization I worked with is developing green-energy aviation technology that can be used for purposes such as ground scanning and cargo delivery. The technology provides a cheaper and more eco-friendly alternative to using satellite or airplane imagery. My advice for future interns is not to be shy about asking questions. Everyone was very friendly, and if you’re interested in engineering and computer science, there is a lot to learn. My favorite thing about my time in Cape Town was the social interactions with all the friends I made. I am so grateful to have experienced this with them. I am very sad to be leaving, as I will miss the daily activities with friends and the weekend expeditions. If I could, I would definitely stay longer!

I wanted to experience new possibilities abroad, both culturally and to gain medical experience before finishing university. I met incredible people and felt so welcomed that Cape Town truly became a second home for me. I will always remember this time and the adventures I had here with VAC. I will definitely come back. Cape Town and the people from VAC have a place in my heart. During my internship, I got to see pathologies that are not common in Austria and work with people living in different circumstances. It gave me the opportunity to experience healthcare in a very authentic way and close to traditional culture and changes in society. My advice for future interns is to be friendly and willing to see and learn. The people who work there really appreciate your curiosity. I really appreciated the internship placement, the support and knowing I could call VAC staff if I needed anything, the weekly activities and the Culture Series. The Culture Series was very interesting and gave me the opportunity to dive into the culture. From the beginning, I felt really safe and welcomed. The orientation was a good start to daily life and provided important information. I also liked having direct contact before coming to Cape Town, so I could meet the people beforehand.

I first became interested in interning in Cape Town because of my desire to apply my studies in countries other than my own. As someone who studies Public Health and Law, I am always interested in how the government works to support its people, and I believe the best way to learn is to speak directly with the community. I quickly realized that Cape Town was a great city for this because of how friendly and willing to chat the locals are. My personal goal was to simply learn more about the legal system in South Africa. I anticipated this to come from my work, but I found that my best learning happened when I was speaking with locals throughout the day. I am particularly interested in social services and how a community is supported by the government and local organizations. Through my internship, I was able to learn directly from community members about how they navigate their legal issues and how South Africa has been supporting them. The organization provides underprivileged community members with access to essential legal services for free. Many clients are unfamiliar with the legal system and need guidance navigating important tasks such as drafting wills, reporting deceased estates and handling disputes. My role primarily consisted of face-to-face contact with clients. I assisted with their applications and helped gather relevant documentation. As I was often the first point of contact, I tried my best to be friendly and kind to ensure community members felt comfortable going through the process of receiving the assistance they needed. My advice for future interns is to keep an open mind and be prepared to speak with a large variety of people from different backgrounds each day. You will speak with people who are experiencing significant hardship, and it is important to stay empathetic. I stayed in Cape Town for four months, and I believe this was the perfect amount of time to fully immerse myself in the area. I was able to visit all the classic tourist spots, but also had enough time to explore on my own and discover my favorite hidden places around the city. The weekly VAC activities also provided me with a great opportunity to explore new places with other interns, and I am grateful to the VAC team for organizing these events and for their support.

My internship in Cape Town gave me the opportunity to learn much more about South Africa’s legal and political systems while gaining practical experience in a community-focused legal environment. I especially enjoyed contributing to projects connected to community participation and paralegal education. One of the most interesting parts of the experience was seeing how legal knowledge can be shared outside traditional legal settings and used to support people who are already active in their communities. I learned about efforts to equip community activists with practical legal knowledge so they can better support the people around them. The internship also taught me the importance of being patient and proactive when entering a new workplace. It took a little time to understand the flow of the organization, but once I settled in, I found the team incredibly welcoming. My advice to future interns would be to ask where you can help rather than waiting for someone to give you something to do. Taking that initiative made it much easier to become involved and learn from the people around me. I also valued the opportunity to network and learn from people working within a legal system different from the one I was familiar with at home. It gave me a broader perspective on the relationship between law, politics and community advocacy. VAC made the overall experience feel very supportive. From the beginning, I knew there were people I could turn to if I needed help, which made settling into life in Cape Town much easier. Overall, the experience gave me greater insight into community-based legal work and helped me understand how legal education can contribute to improving access to justice.

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.

I was introduced to this opportunity through an alumnus of the program, which inspired me to pursue the internship. The hands-on exposure was invaluable, offering distinct practical insights that are rarely accessible in standard domestic tracks. This experience served as a powerful confirmation of my dedication to this field and my future career goals. I grew so much as a hopeful physician. I learned so many medical techniques and skills that have increased my knowledge tenfold. My advice for future interns is to be prepared to see some things you don’t expect to see back home. Make sure to take advantage of your time and show initiative. Collaborating and living with a proactive, adventurous cohort of peers added immense value to my time here, making the transition home bittersweet. Reflecting on my growth, my main takeaway is the importance of immediate proactivity. I am incredibly grateful to VAC for their stellar organizational support and the excellent weekly events they hosted.

I chose Cape Town for my place to intern abroad because I have been interested in South Africa and its history for a very long time. Additionally, because I am African American, I have always wanted to go to Africa and experience the land my ancestors were taken from. I decided to do my internship because I wanted to get real-world experience in my field as well as help people in need. In my internship, I worked in a legal clearing house helping to connect people needing free legal assistance with lawyers able to provide such assistance. In my time there, I became familiar with the legal system of South Africa and significantly bolstered my skills in administrative work and with people in general, making it a great experience overall. My role was to help with administrative work. I helped clients fill out paperwork and worked on their files. One of the personal goals I reached during my internship was becoming more independent and gaining real-world experience. I feel really good now that I have worked a real job in my field. My advice for future interns is to make sure you are good with people and are able to focus for long periods of time. This internship is valuable experience, but it feels like a real job. You are not just shadowing people, and there is a lot of reading and writing. I really appreciated the support and knowing I could call VAC staff if I needed anything, as well as the weekly activities and Culture Series. The orientation activities were the best and definitely gave me some positive memories I will never forget. The Friday meetups and Monday Culture Series were also super fun and enjoyable.

I had an amazing experience in Cape Town and really loved getting to live in the city and spend so much time here. I think four to six weeks is a great amount of time to fully experience everything, although staying longer would also be amazing if you have the opportunity. I especially loved my medical internship and am so grateful for everything I learned from it. It was such a unique experience getting to see a different healthcare environment and learn from so many incredible people. I enjoyed being hands-on with the patients and talking to the doctors. I also really enjoyed seeing how South African healthcare and training are different from the US. The organization provides free healthcare to people who really need it. For future interns, be prepared to handle blood and intense injuries. It’s an intense internship, but you can also do as much as you want to. I also met so many amazing people during my time here, and everyone was genuinely so welcoming and kind, which made the experience even more special. I really appreciated the internship placement, the weekly activities, the Culture Series, and knowing I could call VAC staff if I needed anything.

My time with VAC was nothing short of transformative. My home away from home, the people here have become family and Cape Town has become a place that will forever be in my heart. Without a doubt I will be back, to enjoy South Africa as well as see my VAC family again. My personal goal was to learn as much as possible about the South African legal system as well as just be a sponge for any situation. I definitely did this. I learned so much and feel like I’ve become so much more aware of how the law operates in South Africa and all over Africa. My internship organization contributes to long-term community change through free legal help and workshops explaining different parts of the law. My role was helping consultants with intake sheets to ensure a smooth consultation, as well as research and client-facing roles to support the attorneys. My tip for future interns would be to never forget you are truly helping people in a way that is truly special. Legal burdens are debilitating, and helping those who cannot afford it is rewarding in many ways. Work hard and remember you are changing people’s lives! Besides being instantly welcomed, VAC not only placed me in an amazing internship, but between the Culture Series, Friday adventures, and overall being supportive, they helped me understand and experience South Africa in the best way possible. I can’t put into words how grateful I am for my experience here, and I will forever tell everyone about the best two months ever! Thank you VAC! <3 I felt, during my entire time here, supported fully and knew that if I needed something the VAC family would be there. I truly appreciated it and thought the program did a wonderful job of being involved and letting us know they are there for anything.