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
Keira MacDonald
Dates of Participation: Between January 2012 & April 2012
"I am sitting on the plane now. My movie screen is currently broken and won’t play anything (shame). So I suppose I’m forced to think about my current reality; leaving South Africa. Thinking about it is surreal and quite sad. I lived in Obz for 3 months and the Disa house truly became my home. And as sad as it is to leave, I also realize that I have done so many amazing things since arriving in Cape Town. I have lived in the most gorgeous country where I’ve gone hiking, swimming, partying, tanning, and most importantly, working. I’ve lived with great girls who will be my friends for life. I have gone on so many crazy adventures: I rode an ostrich, fed an elephant, went surfing, saw monkeys, bungee jumped, went shark cage diving, kloofing, and sea kayaking with seals, I climbed Table Mountain, went wine tasting, and did SO many amazing things.... all thanks to VAC!
VAC provided me with a wonderful opportunity by accepting me into their program. They set me up in a house with great girls, and scheduled weekly activities which were always fun. They were not only the security I needed in a foreign country, they were my family away from home. And they set me up with the greatest internship I have ever experienced.
I worked at the Cape Town Refugee Centre (CTRC). It’s an NGO which works as an implementing partner for the UNHCR. On my first day, the director sat me down and explained that the CTRC takes interns because they want the interns to LEARN. The CTRC accepts interns into their “CTRC family” and encourages them to reach their full potential. I was never treated as "the intern"— I worked with the staff, not for them. My job at the CTRC was to interview new refugees in South Africa and to understand what help they needed from our organization. I also visited refugees houses to assess their vulnerability. It was an extremely sad and eye-opening internship. I was surrounded by the most vulnerable people who are faced with struggles like unemployment, HIV/AIDS, homelessness, and xenophobia every day. And as heart-breaking as some days were, I realized that I got to help people and truly change their lives. I assisted them with material assistance and helped get their lives on track. Working at the CTRC was unbelievably amazing. While helping other people with their lives, mine was changed forever.
I regret nothing I did in South Africa... except leaving it! But now I’m heading back to Canada with a smile on my face because I have had the time of my life with such incredible people. I have memories to last me a life time but I know that I’ll end up coming back for more!"
-Keira MacDonald, pictured during the VACorps Friday Excursion to the Cape Point Nature Reserve.
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.
