Education Internships in Cape Town

I chose Cape Town because I wanted to experience a different culture while gaining hands-on experience in education. What I loved most was getting to experience everyday life rather than simply visiting as a tourist. Through my internship at a local primary school, I was able to build connections with students and teachers while learning about the community firsthand. One of my main goals was to better understand education outside of the United States and see how a school responds to the needs of its community. I spent time observing younger learners, seeing how teachers supported different learning and behavioral needs, and having meaningful conversations with staff about their experiences and the challenges facing their students. Seeing the relationships teachers built with their students was one of the biggest highlights of my internship. I stayed for about eight weeks, which gave me enough time to adjust and really experience the culture. The VAC staff and weekly activities made settling into a new country much easier and introduced me to parts of Cape Town I probably would not have discovered on my own. I am especially grateful for the people I met and the opportunity to experience education and community from a completely different perspective.

Photos

I chose Cape Town because I wanted an experience that felt different from the typical study abroad path. What I loved most was having the freedom to balance my internships with everything else Cape Town had to offer. My internship sites were flexible and supportive, which gave me the chance to gain meaningful experience while still making time for plenty of adventures. Along the way, I discovered how much I enjoy being spontaneous, exploring on my own, and meeting new people, something that became one of the best parts of my time here. Through my work with two youth-focused community organizations, I also reaffirmed how much I love teaching and working with young people. The VAC team made the experience even better, and the weekly activities were always a highlight and a great way to spend time with everyone. I came to Cape Town looking for something unique, and that is exactly what I found.

Photos

I had a great experience during my time in Cape Town. I chose the program because of the location, the internship opportunities, and the chance to be part of a group. While I was here, I made the most of everything the city has to offer, hiking, swimming, bungee jumping, and more. During my internships, I worked both in person at a local primary school and remotely with a legal-focused organization. At the school, I enjoyed helping in the classroom by supporting lessons, creating worksheets, and assisting with grading. This gave me a chance to connect with the community and learn more about the local culture. Through my legal work, I gained insight into how policy and history have shaped modern-day Cape Town, which was incredibly interesting and eye-opening. Living with other interns and participating in VACorps activities made the experience even more meaningful. I’m leaving with a deeper understanding of the city’s past and present, a greater appreciation for its natural beauty, and more confidence from stepping out of my comfort zone and meeting new people. I’m very grateful for this experience.

Interning in Cape Town through VACorps has been an incredibly rewarding professional experience. I had the opportunity to work in a placement that aligned with my professional goals and allowed me to expand my skill set, including adapting to a new legal and cultural context. This experience deepened my understanding of how the law intersects with social realities and provided invaluable exposure to international perspectives on justice, policy, and human rights. The mentorship I received, along with a variety of hands-on work, strengthened my skills and confidence beyond what could be attained in a traditional classroom or internship setting. Beyond the work itself, Cape Town offered a vibrant and diverse backdrop for professional growth. Collaborating with local colleagues allowed me to witness resilience, innovation, and community-driven change in action. I will carry the lessons I learned here into every stage of my career. VACorps provided phenomenal support and engaging activities that made this not only a professional milestone but also a personally transformative chapter of my life.

Photos

My time in Cape Town has been the most unforgettable few weeks, and I am beyond grateful to have experienced it. I grew in confidence, learned from others, and immersed myself in a new culture. Whether it was stepping out of my comfort zone to meet new people, discovering my passion for teaching, or exploring everything Cape Town has to offer, this trip has truly changed my life. I loved getting to know other interns from around the world and sharing so many new experiences together. Interning at the schools taught me more than I ever anticipated. I wanted international experience to help me pursue my dream of becoming a teacher, and working at Kiddies College and Observatory Junior School gave me exactly that. I felt at home in the classroom—whether I was teaching at the board, walking around to help students at their desks, or making sure each child felt supported. One of my personal goals was to get to know each student individually and be someone they could rely on inside and outside the classroom. I enjoyed grading their work, helping them understand their mistakes, and showing them how to improve. Assisting with their concert dance at Observatory Junior School was another highlight. I am most thankful for the people I met, the students I worked with, and the supervisors who guided me. Cape Town has so much to offer, and I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to experience it.

Photos

The city was excellent as a new place to learn and grow. I loved meeting new people, sharing stories, and talking about our future plans. It was amazing to get to know the children at the primary school where I worked. I would strongly recommend the experience. I will never forget the one-on-one teaching with the children; I love teaching and inspiring the youth. I would recommend staying for a few months because there is so much to experience in the area, with its rich history. The staff and weekly activities were amazing. I loved hiking the mountains and trying new foods. Most of all, I am grateful for having such a loving and caring support system with Vacorps. Leave expectations behind. Be open, be helpful, and be respectful. Let the children ask questions and interact, because in doing so, we inspire them. I was able to fully connect with the children as well as the staff, and I feel like I have created a place of belonging and joined a community.

I chose to come to Cape Town because I wanted to explore a new place and its stunning landscapes and beautiful scenery were a big attraction for me. South Africa’s history fascinated me, especially since it relates to my career aspirations. Opting for an internship was my way of figuring out what I enjoy, particularly because I aim to work in diverse settings and cultures. What I cherished most about Cape Town? Definitely the people. They’re incredibly warm and welcoming, and the community here buzzes with energy. Cape Town has been a classroom of self-discovery for me, helping me solidify my career path and appreciate diverse perspectives. I owe a lot of this experience to Kus, Kohli, Rowan, Loyiso, and the rest of the VAC team. They made me feel right at home. The cultural series and Friday activities were fantastic opportunities to bond with fellow interns and delve deeper into South African culture. Although I initially planned to stay for just two months, I’ve extended my stay by a month, and I am not looking forward to saying goodbye to this beautiful city and all the amazing people I have met here! I’d recommend anyone visiting Cape Town to stay for three months to truly soak in its beauty. I’m immensely grateful for the enriching experiences at work, exploring townships and schools, and meeting inspiring colleagues. Cape Town and VAC hold a special place in my heart, and I can’t wait to return one day.

Photos

When I stumbled upon the VAC program, I found a unique opportunity for personal and academic growth. By participating in this program, I expanded my horizons beyond the classroom, gaining real-world experiences that transcend cultural and socioeconomic boundaries. Interacting with children in a volunteer capacity provided me with a chance to develop empathy, resilience, and leadership skills while making a positive impact on young lives. Moreover, this experience has served as a valuable exploration of my passions, allowing me to discover the joy and fulfillment derived from making a meaningful contribution to society. Through the VAC program, I have not only been able to give back but also uncover insights that will shape my future endeavors and foster a deepened sense of purpose.

Choosing to do an internship in South Africa was my way of stepping into the unknown and discovering more about the world. Cape Town stole my heart with its breathtaking beauty and friendly people. In this experience, I learned I'm capable of much more than I imagined. At first, I felt overwhelmed and struggled during my initial orientation week. But with time, I found comfort and friendship among my roommates and VACorps staff. Working at the clinic opened my eyes to how much I still have to learn about healthcare, and the dedication of the doctors and nurses inspired me every day. I cherished every opportunity to learn and grow, especially the hands-on experiences I could never have in a classroom. Saying goodbye after four weeks was tough—I wished I could stay longer. I encourage others to stay for 6-8 weeks to truly embrace the culture and community. Being part of weekly culture series and group activities brought me so much joy. And I can't thank the VACorps staff enough for guiding me through this unforgettable experience. It's been a journey of self-discovery and gratitude—one I'll treasure forever.

Being a part of VACorps has been amazing for a number of reasons. Not only did I learn about myself as an individual living alone, but I also learned about the unique cultures and people of South Africa. At my internship, I was given incredible opportunities and responsibilities that taught me more than 4 years in a classroom could have. I especially loved when I was thrown right into the deep end at my internship site and was asked to fill in for a guest on live TV on my second day of work. I loved the community here and the freedom, not to mention the insane landscape and natural beauty. I stayed for three months and enjoyed every second of it, though at some points I did feel very far from home. For interns coming in, they should know that they really will be living on their own and figuring out how to live independently. I loved every member of the staff and especially loved hanging out with Kholi and Kuselwa. I am grateful for the accessibility and generosity of the staff. No matter the issue, I was always able to text Oliver, Leanne, or any others with questions and the response was quick and helpful. I will miss everything about Cape Town but mostly the food and the group of interns at VACorps.

Photos

I chose Cape Town because I knew it had culture and history that I wanted to get to know. I have always been interested in Africa so I took the opportunity and went with it. For my internship I knew I wanted to do something involving the community and Cape Town has so many wonderful organizations focused on helping the community and I was really drawn to that. I love the atmosphere at my office. Me and my supervisor get along really well and I am very thankful for her and for my placement. one of my favorite moments though was getting to go to a primary school and see an Oaky lesson be taught. My internship has taught me that I definitely do not want a desk job. But it has also taught me how to handle family businesses/organizations, how to handle unkind behavior in a positive, manageable way. I personally have grown in independence and my ability to get work done. I will next forget going to the primary schools and the excitement on the kids faces. Specifically this one kid who wants to become an astronaut and said he wanted to learn to read just so he could teach his little brother. I also will never forget all the cover and coffees. I have loved getting to explore new foods and all the different experiences I have gotten to have exploring Cape Town. I am glad I stayed for 8 weeks and not 6 because I had more time to do things as well as just enjoy the city. I wish I had more time though, but at the same time I am ready to go home. It is many mixed emotions. I would recommend VAC because the staff is very nice, welcoming and helpful. They also provide amazing trips. VAC is good with placement and fitting people with organizations.

Photos

I had an amazing experience with VAC in Cape Town. I worked in a primary school with student who were bussed in from townships. Two days a week I did one on one literacy tutoring and two days a week I helped coach PE classes. I enjoyed every moment in Cape Town and am sad to leave!

Working at OJS was absolutely perfect! Teaching the literacy program to struggling readers was a great opportunity and was relevant to my studies back in the States. My supervisor was very supportive as well as the other school staff.

As my last year of graduate school was arriving, I wanted to experience as much variety in my internships as possible. My school, Pacific University in Portland, Oregon, sent students to Cape Town last year through VAC. I spoke with the students who’d ventured to Cape Town and they described their experiences as “a once in a lifetime opportunity” and “the best time of my life”. After hearing their stories, I swear I wanted to book my ticket to Cape Town the next day! I applied to VAC’s program and the rest was history. I was placed at an internship site called Tembaletu in Gugulethu. Tembaletu is a school for children with disabilities. I kept an open-mind going into this internship because I really had no idea what to expect. I completely fell in love with the students. I know I was supposed to go into this internship teaching and providing the students with knowledge on their ailments and disabilities, but ultimately the exact opposite happened. The students ended up teaching me! I looked forward to going to work everyday because I couldn’t wait to learn something new. I would join the Grade’s 1 and 2 in their classrooms as the teachers instructed on Xhosa lessons. I was able to learn basic Xhosa with the children’s help. The students also taught me life lessons and truly what to be thankful for in life. Every child I worked with, regardless of their situation, had the best attitude and the biggest smiles on their faces! Additionally, VAC was very helpful in providing opportunities to explore Cape Town. The Friday activities put on by VAC were such a great way to meet new interns and try something new. I will never forget some of the most beautiful and epic hikes I explored around the city. I tried surfing for the first time in my life and now I can’t wait until I have the chance to go again! I rode an elephant and fell in love with the gentle giant. This experience pushed me to leave my comfort zone and try something new almost every weekend. Furthermore, VAC placed me in a house with so many other interns. I have made some really good friends since I first arrived to Cape Town. I became friends with people from all over the world... France, Switzerland, and Sweden; just to name a few. I will never forget this internship because it afforded me the opportunity to be submersed in a completely different culture. I can honestly say this has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life and one that I won’t forget. I grew as a person and I can’t wait until I am able to return to South Africa!