When my plane landed in Cape Town, all I could think to myself was “Wow, my dream of coming to Africa is finally here.” Ever since I was 10 years old, all I wanted to ... read more
"Alive. That is the word that comes to mind when thinking on my experience as a VAC intern in Cape Town South Africa. Every day was one of adventure, learning and life changing experiences. The ... read more
Bundled up at home in the Oregon rain, it's hard to imagine that only a week ago I was basking in the sun in the front yard of the Milton house. Cape Town is an ... read more
"I had an amzing time during my stay in South Africa. I interned at the Athone School for the blind in Bellville and was able to work with the skills department. I was able to ... read more
"From the day I landed in South Africa, until the time I reluctantly got on my return flight home, my world changed. The amount of amazing opportunities and experiences I had while I was living ... read more
"During my time in South Africa I had many wonderful experience. I did my internship at a school in Bellville. I met some wonderful people at the school. They helped me to learn and grow ... read more
"Pursuing a marketing internship at Gary’s Surf School in Cape Town, South Africa was just as cool as it sounds. When signing up, I envisioned working at the beach in summer time, surfing some waves ... read more
Isabelle Dinkela
Genre of Internship: Refugees
Dates of Participation:
December 2012 - February 2013
"Before I arrived in Cape Town, I had no idea about the city or the people but VAC gave me a warm welcome here and made sure that I had all the help I needed. ... read more
Markus Hierzberger
Genre of Internship: Education
Dates of Participation:
December 2012 - March 2013
"I came to South Africa with the main goal to improve my English, but also to meet a completely different culture and a lifestyle which isn't similar as back in Austria. To reach my first ... read more
"Upon reflection of my time in Cape Town, I realize there is so much I want to share yet so much I cannot put into words. Do I write about my drive to work every ... read more
"Having left Cape Town over two weeks ago I’d say this testimonial can be deemed tardy at best. However, in defense of being called lazy, I find the timing fitting for what I want to ... read more
Anna Klebine
Genre of Internship: Human Rights
Dates of Participation:
November 2012 - February 2013
"My time in Cape Town, although way too short at 6 weeks, was incredible. I'm at home in the cold in Chicago, still processing everything that I experienced over that month and a half, and ... read more
Precious Acker
Genre of Internship: Human Rights
Dates of Participation:
November 2012 - February 2013
"My experience in Cape Town exceeded my expectations, South Africa has truly become my second home. The spirit in Cape Town makes you feel welcomed and and the diverse group of people you meet through ... read more
Abby Ferguson
Genre of Internship: Child Welfare
Dates of Participation:
October 2012 - December 2012
"Coming to Cape Town I had no idea what to expect. I knew nothing about Cape Town, or Africa for that matter, when I left. I chose to go there more for my internship than ... read more
Will Stevens
Genre of Internship: Criminal Justice
Dates of Participation:
October 2012 - January 2013
"I came to South Africa under the misapprehension that I would leave the country with more answers about myself than questions. What instead happened was a complete reshuffling of how I see myself in the ... read more
Elsa Peterson
Dates of Participation: Between January 2009 & January 2009
“When I decided I wanted to travel and live abroad in Cape Town, South Africa, I had no idea that my life could change to the extent that it did. From the second I stepped off the plane in Cape Town International Airport, I began a journey that has drastically impacted the person I am today. The experiences and things I have learned about myself are nothing I could have learned sitting in a lecture hall in Eugene, Oregon. Living in Cape Town and working at my internship created hundreds of opportunities for me to challenge myself and has really opened my eyes to a world I would have never seen.
The wonderful thing about doing a professional internship in Cape Town is that you get to experience so much more than just an internship. Through living in shared living houses in the tight community of Observatory, you quickly come to feel like a local rather than just a visiting tourist. Not only are you living in a beautiful city that has endless new activities and places to explore. You also have the responsibility and expectations of a professional internship. I learned to try new things both inside and outside of my internship, such as teaching English in a high school, scuba diving and cliff jumping.
Returning home with several letters of recommendations and some amazing crafts is only the beginning. With me I take home stories like hiking Lion’s Head barefoot, wine tasting in Stellenbosch, and late nights of laughing at Babos, all which are things that I will never forget. From my time spent in Cape Town I did so much more than I ever thought was possible, and I wouldn’t trade my experience and the relationships I formed for anything.”
-Elsa Peterson, pictured during a VAC Friday excursion to the Nyanga Township in January 2009.
Latest Flickr Photos
Scroll down to view our Latest Flickr Photoset and check out what adventures we're up to in Cape Town and around South Africa.
