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Psychology Internship in Cape Town, South Africa

Roots Interns logo

by Roots Interns

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Root InternsView all photos
$2,000-$5,000, $5,000+Program Costs
VerifiedProvider
4.7 / 5Overall Rating
3Reviews
2016Year established

Program Overview

Gain valuable work experience in the field of psychology and contribute to worthwhile mental health projects at the same time. You’ll spend part of your time at a community development center in Masiphumelele, a township on the outskirts of Cape Town. The center offers a safe and stimulating space for large groups of children who would otherwise have nowhere to go while their caretakers work. Many children suffer from traumas, and you'll be involved in giving them the necessary emotional support.

You'll also assist at mental health facilities in and around Cape Town. You'll be matched with programs that best match your skill set, passion, and academic focus area. These could include safe houses, female empowerment programs, child centers, family and trauma counseling services, or rehab centers.

Throughout this eight to twenty-six-week psychology internship, you’ll be mentored by a local mental health professional who ensures you gain the necessary experience and who guides you in all you do.

To join this internship, you'll need a relevant academic background and ideally some relevant working experience.

Ready to dive deeper into this program?

Jump to the full breakdown of dates, costs, eligibility, and more.

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Program Highlights

Gain practical experience in the mental health field.
Contribute to important support programs in South Africa.
Receive guidance by a local professional health practitioner.
Live and work in Cape Town, a hugely vibrant and stunning city.
Have the opportunity to travel through South Africa during weekends off.

What's Included

Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
Airport Transfer (Pick-Up)
Airport Transfer (Drop-Off)
On-Site / In-Country Staff Support
Internship Placement

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Cape Town, South Africa

Available Terms / Availability

  • Years Offered
  • Year Round

Eligible Nationalities

  • Albanian
  • American
  • Andorran
  • Antarctica
  • Antiguan & Barbudan
  • Argentinian
  • Armenian
  • Aruban
  • Asian
  • Australian
  • Austrian
  • Azerbaijani
  • Bahamian
  • Bahraini
  • Barbadian
  • Belarusian
  • Belgian
  • Belizean
  • Bermudian
  • Bhutanese
  • Bissau-Guinean
  • Bolivian
  • Bonaire
  • Bosnian
  • Brazilian
  • British
  • British Virgin Islander
  • Bruneian
  • Bulgarian
  • Cambodian
  • Canadian
  • Cape Verdean
  • Caymanian
  • Channel Islander
  • Chilean
  • Chinese
  • Colombian
  • Comoran
  • Cook Islander
  • Costa Rican
  • Creole
  • Croatian
  • Cuban
  • Curacao
  • Cypriot
  • Czech
  • Danish
  • Dominican
  • Dutch
  • Ecuadorian
  • Egyptian
  • Emirati
  • English
  • Estonian
  • European
  • Fijian
  • Finnish
  • French
  • Georgian
  • German
  • Gibraltarian
  • Greek
  • Greenlandic
  • Grenadian
  • Guadeloupian
  • Guatemalan
  • Guinean
  • Guyanese
  • Haitian
  • Hawaiian
  • Honduran
  • Hungarian
  • I-Kiribati
  • Icelandic
  • Indonesian
  • Iranian
  • Iraqi
  • Irish
  • Israeli
  • Italian
  • Jamaican
  • Japanese
  • Jordanian
  • Kazakhstani
  • Kittitian, Nevisian
  • Kiwi
  • Korean
  • Kuwaiti
  • Kyrgyzstani
  • Lao or Laotian
  • Latvian
  • Lebanese
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuanian
  • Luxembourg
  • Macedonian
  • Malagasy
  • Malaysian
  • Maldivian
  • Malian
  • Maltese
  • Manx
  • Marshallese
  • Martiniquais
  • Mauritanian
  • Mauritian
  • Mexican
  • Micronesian
  • Moldovan
  • Monegasque
  • Mongolian
  • Montenegrin
  • Montserratian
  • Moroccan
  • multi
  • Myanmar
  • Nauruan
  • Nepalese
  • New Caledonian
  • Ni-Vanuatu
  • Nicaraguan
  • Niuean
  • Norwegian
  • Omani
  • Palauan
  • Palestinian
  • Panamanian
  • Papua New Guinean
  • Paraguayan
  • Peruvian
  • Polish
  • Polynesian
  • Portuguese
  • Puerto Rican
  • Qatari
  • Reunionese
  • Romanian
  • Russian
  • Saban
  • Sahrawian, Sahraouian
  • Saint Helenian
  • Saint Lucian
  • Saint Vincentian or Vincentian
  • Salvadoran
  • Sammarinese
  • Samoan
  • Sao Tomean
  • Saudi Arabian
  • Scottish
  • Serbian
  • Serbian; Montenegrin
  • Seychelles
  • Singaporean
  • Slovak
  • Slovenian
  • Solomon Islander
  • Spanish
  • St. Barts
  • Statian
  • Surinamese
  • Swedish
  • Swiss
  • Syrian
  • Tahiti
  • Taiwanese
  • Tajikistani
  • Thai
  • The Vatican
  • Tibet
  • Timorese
  • Tongan
  • Trinidadian, Tobagonian
  • Turkish
  • Turkmen
  • Turks and Caicos
  • Tuvaluan
  • Ukrainian
  • Uruguayan
  • Uzbekistani
  • Venezuelan
  • Vietnamese
  • Virgin Islander
  • Welsh
  • Yemeni
  • This Program is also open to Solo

Education Levels & Language

  • Language
  • English
  • Education
  • University Freshman (1st Year)
  • University Sophomore (2nd Year)
  • University Junior (3rd Year)
  • University Senior (4th Year)
  • University 5th Year or More

Accommodation Options

  • Dormitory

Application Procedures

  • Resume
  • Phone/Video Interview
  • Online Application

Age Requirement

18+

Duration

  • 1-3 Months
  • 3-6 Months

Starts At

$2,000-$5,000, $5,000+

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about Roots Interns

4.7
3 reviews

Rating breakdown

5
2
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0

Top categories

Internship Placement
4.7
Program Administration
4.7
Living Situation
4.7
Work Environment
4.7
Health & Safety
4.7
Social Life
4.7

Participated in this program? Share your experience now.

Review this Program

Showing 1-3 of 3 reviews

BellaNovember 2023

Absolutely incredible internship

I decided to volunteer in Cape Town as part of my university degree. The experience has given me so much knowledge about the grass root of mental health issues and will greatly assist me with my future career. I worked at the GLO House, where I helped to run an after school program, created a sensory garden and assisted in the local creche. The organisation was extremely well run and looked after me well, catering to all of my needs. I build incredible relationships with all of the kids along with all the staff. I have so many happy memories from all aspects of the experience including my accommodation, my work, day trips, social life and so much more. Roots were incredible at organising this whole trip for me and my mentor was very supportive, checking up on me weekly. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone!

DaniSeptember 2021

One of the best experiences of my life

I went there without any expectations and I ended up being in a beautiful place, with very friendly people, surrounded by nature and the ocean, amazing food, beautiful night skies and sunsets, and unforgettable wildlife experiences. I highly recommend this marine science internship.

MallorieJanuary 2020

Absolutely amazing

My time as an intern was absolutely amazing. Frances set up a program for me to work in a women’s safe house twice a week, and once a week at a recovery center. The program she made put me doing things that helped me gain more experience in the field of psychology I want to have a career in. Coming to South Africa, I believed I would be giving so much to a community in need. I thought I would help to make a difference. Instead, my experiences here provided me with so many new skills and realizing my true potential. I learned so much more from the women at the Safe House than I could have ever expected. What they gave me was a new mindset of what resilience and strength truly are. I could not have asked for a better experience, and I know that my short time here will open so many more doors for me in my future.

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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to all the most common questions about Roots Interns.

Do I have to speak the local language?

No, proficiency in the local language is not required for this internship in South Africa as English is the primary language of communication within the organization.

What meals will be provided during the internship?

This depends on your accommodation option, so it’s imperative that you check out this internship listing on the Roots website for the exact inclusions and exclusions of the program.

What academic experience is required for this program?

Experience requirements vary depending on the type of counseling involved, although an academic background is necessary to be accepted.. For non-psychotherapeutic counseling, an undergraduate degree in Psychology is required. For psychotherapeutic counseling, a graduate degree is necessary.

Recognitions & Awards

Awards and accreditations earned by this provider

Innovative New Program, Intern Abroad Winner 2022
Innovative New Program – Intern Abroad Finalist 2022
Top Rated Internship Organizations of 2020 Notable Mentions
Innovative New Program Intern Abroad 2020 Finalist
Innovative New Program, Intern Abroad 2020 Winner
Global Youth Travel Awards 2019

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