Refugee Research Internship in Cape Town, South Africa
Program Overview
Explore a meaningful opportunity to tackle global challenges related to human displacement through an internship with the Scalabrini Institute of Human Mobility in Africa (SIHMA). Spanning five to six months and based in Cape Town, this internship focuses on scientific research and data analysis, providing an in-depth exploration of human rights issues in the context of migration. SIHMA actively advocates for the rights of refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants, disseminating crucial information on policies that safeguard the rights of individuals in motion. Your responsibilities will include collecting and analyzing data, participating in forums and workshops for donors, conducting thorough literature reviews, and crafting insightful write-ups.
To qualify, candidates should hold a degree in a pertinent field (Human Rights, Social Sciences, Statistics, etc.), possess experience in both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, demonstrate strong organizational skills with a keen attention to detail, and English fluency. If you’re passionate about the well-being of migrants and refugees, this internship offers a unique platform for making a positive impact.
Ready to dive deeper into this program?
Jump to the full breakdown of dates, costs, eligibility, and more.
Program Highlights
What's Included
Quick Details
- 3-6 Months
- Human Rights
- Human Rights
- Writing
- 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
- Ghanaian
- 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
Updated Jan 15, 2026
Program Details
Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know
Locations
- Cape Town, South Africa
Types & Subjects
- Fields
- Human Rights
- Causes
- Human Rights
- Writing
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
- Ghanaian
- 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
- Bachelor’s degree
Accommodation Options
- Group living
- Guest House
Application Procedures
- Online Application
Age Requirement
21+
Duration
- 3-6 Months
Starts At
Program Reviews
Hear what past participants have to say about Roots Interns
Be the first to review Roots Interns
If you've participated in this program, your review helps future students decide.
Review this ProgramInquire
Inquire about this program
Have a question? Send us a message and the program team will get back to you.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to all the most common questions about Roots Interns.
What is the Refugee Research Internship with SIHMA all about?
The SIHMA Refugee Research Internship provides an exceptional opportunity for individuals with research skills and a passion for human rights to contribute to significant change. Interns collaborate with an organization in Cape Town to conduct scientific research, publish journals and reports, and advocate for legislative changes that promote the rights and dignity of migrants in South Africa.
What is the Scalabrini Institute for Human Mobility in Africa?
SIHMA is a Cape Town-based research institute that advocates for the rights of migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. Its mission is to conduct and disseminate research to increase our understanding of human mobility. By producing valuable insights into the challenges and experiences of people on the move, SIHMA aims to inform policies that uphold their rights and dignity.
What skills and experiences can I gain from the internship?
The internship provides a variety of valuable skills and experiences, such as hands-on research experience, data collecting and analysis, academic writing, and policy advocacy knowledge. Interns also benefit from working in a collaborative environment, gaining insights into NGO operations, and participating in activities that improve the lives of disadvantaged communities.
Are there any other fees that the program fee does not cover?
Yes, the program costs exclude flights, visas, medical and travel insurance, lunch, drinks, snacks, personal goods, weekend meals, transportation to and from the office, and expenditures related to optional excursions or activities.
How can I apply for this internship?
Examine whether the program matches your skills, preferences, and objectives. Check the qualifications and deadlines, and then request information by clicking the "Inquire Here" button or "Apply Now" if you believe the program is right for you.
Recognitions & Awards
Awards and accreditations earned by this provider
Related Programs
Browse programs you might like
Roots Interns
No reviews yet
Step into the role of a working researcher and contribute to projects tackling some of the most pressing social issues facing communities across ...
Roots Interns
No reviews yet
Become part of social change in South Africa as a communicator who contributes through writing and community involvement to address real-world so...
Roots Interns
No reviews yet
Between research, material development, and community engagement, contribute to human rights advocacy through initiatives addressing some of Sout...
Have more questions?
We're here to help!
The GoAbroad team is here to support you as you choose the best program for you, and Roots Interns is also happy to answer any questions you have.
Trusted by millions of travelers worldwide since 1997