Internships in Cape Town with VACorps

I heard about VACorps from my friends and wanted to go with them. I’ve always heard Cape Town is a beautiful place, and I wanted to learn how the medical world worked here. I loved meeting the people most. I loved shadowing doctors, too. I learned that I am capable of more than I thought I was before coming on this trip. I’ll never forget watching my first birth at the clinic. I loved the markets in Cape Town. I will miss the food, the views, and the people. I stayed for five weeks and I would advise others to do the same. It’s a perfect amount of time to be away and get what you need to get done. The staff and the activities were amazing. I’m most grateful for Kus and Kholi from the VACorps team.

Although my stay was only five weeks, this was the greatest experience of my life. I have never traveled before, so this was a huge change. First and foremost I learned that travelling might be my thing. I would love to come back. VACorps were amazing. I was treated as family from the second I walked in. I am very appreciative of the staff specifically. They were outstanding humans. I chose Cape Town because it was a go big or go home type of decision. I had never left the United States so I decided why not go somewhere crazy. My favorite part about the journey here was the culture shock. I learned so many new things that made me smarter and got rid of any ignorance or lack of knowledge I may have had about countries I have never been to. The people, specifically in Observatory, are amazing.

I choose to study abroad in Cape Town, South Africa to experience and learn about a new culture. Living in Cape Town for 4 months has been life-changing. I have left this program with more values and understanding than I ever thought I would. I recognize that I am blessed to have an amazing opportunity like this so if you have the chance to travel to Cape Town VAC is the way to go! I promise you won’t leave South Africa the same! (Also you are going to meet some amazing people & there is no way you will leave without a friend)

I chose to intern in Cape Town because of a professor I once had. He would always talk about how wonderful Cape Town was and how breathtaking the views were. Most importantly he talked about how kind and generous the people were. I have spent the last two months interning at a local biotech company, and I am so grateful for what I got to learn there and the new family it feels like I have. I am also appreciative of VACorps and how easy they made it for me to just come in and feel like I was part of something. I will never forget the people here or the experiences I have had and I will miss all of it. Cape Town is truly one of the greatest places I have ever been and I wouldn't change a minute of it.

I have been in Cape Town for almost 5 months now and looking back on the time I can say that it was a priceless experience that I will cherish my whole life. I was able to meet amazing people from all over the world, with whom I am still in contact with even though some of them left months ago and I am sure that we will stay in touch. For my personal life, this whole time was an incredible opportunity to grow, expand my horizons, and immerse myself in different cultures. My personal highlights were the wine tasting in Stellenbosch and honestly just the life with my great friends at 317 Lower Main. I was so thankful for the VACorps staff who were always there when I needed them and seeing Kus' and Kholi's beautiful smiles and their great moods whenever we did an activity always made my day.

For my professional life, it was extremely beneficial as well. I was an intern at a tech accelerator, which assists and accelerates disruptive startups in Africa. I was able to learn more and more every single week and was quickly accepted as a real team member by my amazing co-workers. It was definitely a time-consuming internship but personally for me it was exactly right. I felt that I could actually help and assist the team and in the second half of my internship, I got my own projects and was trusted to work independently. I would definitely advise everyone who is interested in working with startups or the world of VC to apply to VACorps. I am certain that everything I learned in my internship will prove invaluable for my future as I continue to pursue my professional goals.

In general, I can say that it was the best decision to come to Cape Town, for everyone thinking about it I would suggest coming around October/November to skip the winter if you are from the northern hemisphere.

I spent 2 months interning in Cape Town to complete a fieldwork placement for my Occupational Therapy degree. I chose Cape Town as it fit the requirements of my university for an international placement, but also because of the amazing weather and how many things there are to do here in the evening/weekends! I was placed at a residential facility for adults with intellectual disabilities, which was definitely out of my comfort zone, but it has done so much for my confidence to challenge myself, and I have loved the experience! My supervisor and everyone at my internship site were so welcoming, and I had the opportunity to help out with birthdays and Valentine's Day celebrations, as well as shopping trips with the residents, and the daily running of the therapy program. I am really sad to be going home - I will miss how friendly everyone in Cape Town is, as well as being able to go to the beach or hiking within a 10-minute drive! The VAC team was great at supporting me to find my internship, especially as my university had strict requirements and timeframes, and it was great to know there was always someone to help if I had any issues or questions in Cape Town. Thank you so much VACorps for such an amazing experience!!

The internship, the country, the people, the food, the landscape, and the wine, I enjoyed it all! From the moment that I stepped out of the plane, I felt the warm and amazing culture that is transpired by the people all over Cape Town and especially the community of people at VACorps. Not only did I enjoy my internship, facilitated by VACorps, but because of the weekly Friday activities, the weekend trip on the Garden Route, and the amazing community, I also got to experience all the gems of this incredible city. Beautiful memories, amazing experiences, and life-long friendships are what I take back home with me!

I chose to come to Cape Town on a whim, which turned out to be one of the best whims I've ever had. I had the most amazing experience during my time in Cape Town. VACorps organized for me to intern with the incredible Justice Desk, which was an opportunity I simply wouldn't have been able to do without the support and organization of the VAC team. VACorps works hard to ensure that every week you have to opportunity to explore and engage with Cape Town's culture and experiences. One of the best parts about my choice to intern through the VACorp was meeting and getting to know the other interns, like-minded individuals from across the world who I connected with in Cape Town and who have become lifelong friends. I highly recommend this internship program for an ideal mix of work and play, individual exploration, and personal growth.