Cape Town Lifestyle and Culture
Most VACorps participants will live within an area of the city called Observatory (affectionately referred to as ‘Obs’). One of the most exciting student neighborhoods in all of Cape Town, Obs features a surprisingly cosmopolitan vibe despite its intimate size. This can be largely contributed to the international visitors (like you!) who make up a large percentage of the area’s inhabitants. Although it is not uncommon to overhear conversations in several different languages while walking through the neighborhood, Obs manages to retain its intrinsically South African flavor because it is home to a vibrant arts scene. Living in Observatory is a great way to experience the cultural and political vibes of the ‘New South Africa’ in a way that will introduce you the larger complexities of a nation still defining its post-Apartheid identity.
A typical VACorps intern is outgoing, adventurous and enjoys the discovery of new cultures. During your leisure time as an intern in South Africa, you will have ample time to explore the city. The links in the space above feature several articles about the lifestyle and culture you will encounter during your stay in Cape Town. This is not a definitive activity guide but rather, an introduction for someone unfamiliar with Cape Town's amazing urban lifestyle. If you would like a more comprehensive lifestyle guide, please contact us to request a copy of "The Insider's Guide to Cape Town," the official program guide of the Volunteer Adventure Corps. Please be sure to visit the VAC Facebook Page and the VAC Flickr Gallery for more information about the lifestyle you will experience as an intern in Cape Town.
-VACorps interns enjoying an afternoon of surfing at Muizenberg Beach.
VACorps Testimonials
Read what past participants have to say about our program.
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Kelsey VanderhoofGenre of Internship:Occupational Therapy Dates of Participation: July 2012 - September 2012 |
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"I took the summer off following graduate school intending to travel the world, but found myself not knowing where to start. Rather than spending my summer spending money, I decided ... read more |
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Kate BrennanGenre of Internship:Film / Sociology Dates of Participation: June 2012 - August 2012 |
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"Before coming to Cape Town, everyone asked me, Why Cape Town? Truth be told, I didn’t really have an answer. Dissatisfied with the growing monotony of my life back in the states, ... read more |
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Ryan ChiarelloGenre of Internship:Public Health Dates of Participation: May 2012 - July 2012 |
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"My internships with TB/HIV Care Association and Ikhaya Le Themba After-School Program were educational and transformative. Volunteer Adventure Corps definitely "hit the head on the nail" with ... read more |
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Tegan HendersonGenre of Internship:Education Dates of Participation: March 2012 - May 2012 |
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"When I arrived back in London a week ago, everyone’s first question, of course, was “so how was it?!”? I am not kidding when I say my response is always ... read more |
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Samantha MurrayGenre of Internship:Journalism/Social Justice Dates of Participation: September 2011 - May 2012 |
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"On my first day in the Mother City, I asked someone why so many people come to Cape Town but never leave?
“..Because Cape Town will steal your soul ... read more |
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Kelly StoneGenre of Internship:Law Dates of Participation: June 2011 - August 2011 |
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"I boarded a plane in mid-May having just finished my second year of law school. I left a great job and a set career path because I wasn’t ... read more |
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Jennifer ReynoldsGenre of Internship:Occupational Therapy Dates of Participation: August 2011 - November 2011 |
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"There’s no easy way to sum up my experiences here. Everything I’ve done, everyone I’ve met and all the places I’ve been have been amazing. I wouldn’t trade it for ... read more |
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Claire BrightonGenre of Internship:Law Dates of Participation: November 2009 - February 2010 |
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"On the 19th of November 2009, fresh out of law exams, I boarded a plane bound for Cape Town, South Africa, in the pursuit of sunshine, adventure and ... read more |
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Whitney TaylorGenre of Internship:Media and Gender Dates of Participation: May 2011 - August 2011 |
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"When I first thought about interning in South Africa, so many what-ifs ran through my mind. I knew everything would be different than what I was used to back home. ... read more |
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Jeremy HintonGenre of Internship:Physical Therapy Dates of Participation: August 2011 - October 2011 |
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''I tried my best to prepare for my two months in Cape Town. I Google-Mapped South Africa and spotted out a few of the big cities, I wikipedia’ed Cape Town ... read more |
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Franca del SignoreGenre of Internship:Human Rights Dates of Participation: October 2009 - March 2010 |
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"In the process of changing my career path, and having decided an internship was the best way to achieve this goal, I set out on a search for a ... read more |
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Luke ClearyGenre of Internship:Advertising Dates of Participation: June 2008 - August 2008 |
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"Chances are, if you’ve made your way to the testimonials page of this website you’re already on the cusp of the adventure of a lifetime. Go ... read more |
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Alisha GibsonGenre of Internship:Medical Dates of Participation: March 2011 - May 2011 |
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“My internship placement was, as I would say, banging!! It was the best ever! I got to experience my dream job of delivering babies right before my eyes. ... read more |
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Juliane HundtGenre of Internship:Refugee Work Dates of Participation: April 2009 - June 2009 |
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“VACorps was not the first internship program I participated in; however, the experience was one-of-a-kind. The organization was one of the few international placement agencies offering positions with a refugee ... read more |
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Justin BeanGenre of Internship:Sustainable Energy Dates of Participation: June 2010 - August 2010 |
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“Why do you want to go all the way to South Africa to do an internship?” Someone asked me before I departed for Cape Town. The ... read more |
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Josh DilkGenre of Internship:Human Rights Law Dates of Participation: September 2009 - February 2010 |
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"Cape Town, South Africa was a natural destination for me when the recent economic recession postponed when I would begin working at my Firm. Having recently graduated from law ... read more |
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Gerald ThamGenre of Internship:Human Rights Dates of Participation: May 2010 - July 2010 |
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"I'd like to thank the whole VACorps team for making this adventure-of-a-lifetime not only possible, but even more spectacular and meaningful than my wildest expectations! It's an even ... read more |
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Elsa PetersonGenre of Internship:Social Work Dates of Participation: January 2009 - January 2009 |
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“When I decided I wanted to travel and live abroad in Cape Town, South Africa, I had no idea that my life ... read more |
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Michelle Pinter-PetrilloGenre of Internship:Urban Agriculture Dates of Participation: January 2011 - April 2011 |
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“During my sophomore year while looking at options for studying abroad I quickly realized that I did not want to study at a university. Instead of spending my time in ... read more |
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Tim LaRoccoGenre of Internship:Human Rights Dates of Participation: January 2009 - April 2009 |
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“When the opportunity to participate in a professional internship in Africa presented itself to me, I had a feeling it ... read more |
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Zach LoftonGenre of Internship:NGO Development Dates of Participation: March 2010 - July 2010 |
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"My ten weeks in Cape Town, South Africa were invaluable! It was easily one of the greatest experiences of my life. Volunteer Adventure Corps provided me with an opportunity ... read more |
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Giulia NotariGenre of Internship:Gender Advocacy Dates of Participation: July 2011 - September 2011 |
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"VAC's passion for Cape Town and South Africa is contagious. I am leaving Observatory very sad and nostalgic because thanks to VAC I have had an amazing experience and made ... read more |
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Anna DowlingGenre of Internship:Medical Dates of Participation: September 2011 - December 2011 |
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"Spending four months of my life in South Africa has been a life-changing experience that has transformed and enriched me as a person. Working at Heideveld Day Clinic offered me ... read more |
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Kelly SmithGenre of Internship:Social Work Dates of Participation: September 2011 - December 2011 |
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"In my language there is a saying “Ndiwelimilambo enamagama” ( I have crossed famous rivers). It means that one has traveled a great distance, that one has had wide experience ... read more |
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Matt RussellGenre of Internship:IT/Software Development Dates of Participation: September 2011 - December 2011 |
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"From the first day I arrived in Cape Town, feeling like a naïve tourist at the airport to the final hours I spent trying to squeeze in one last hike, ... read more |
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