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
Samantha Murray
Dates of Participation: Between September 2011 & May 2012
"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 and then when it gives it back? You won’t want it.”
I remember laughing.
Well..
Cape Town 1 – Sam 0
As I sit on the plane and fly out of South Africa, I am deep in conversation with a man from Mossell Bay, exchanging stories about what we do and where we’ve come from but more importantly, where we’re going..
I am leaving a city I fell in love with– and although heartbroken, I feel ready - because 7 months in South Africa were 7 life-changing months.
My first internship with Supernews, as a citizen journalist, was instrumental in improving my writing skills, as well as equipping me with a full set of video, photography and editing skills. I gained invaluable interview experience, including opening the first health centre in Khayelitsha with Premier of Western Cape and DA leader Helen Zille. I had the opportunity to attend the announcing press conference that Cape Town had won the 2014 World Design Capital bid and reported on Table Mountain being named one of the new 7 Wonders of The World. I am leaving with an experienced and diverse portfolio and a lot more knowledge of the field I may want to have a career in.
I began my second internship with the Social Justice Coalition in Khayelitsha 3 months later; a polar opposite experience. I was working in the centre of the largest township in South Africa. My role was Campaigns Manager and I was focusing and working on their Sanitation and Safety campaign. My main project was to produce an awareness booklet highlighting the relationship between Sanitation and Safety. The booklet also contains over 20 testimonies that the SJC have collected, detailing the life threatening and sometimes fatal experiences the community members are forced to endure every time they need to relieve themselves. Once published, the booklet will be distributed all over South Africa and hopefully raise enough awareness to create change and pressurise the Government to provide Khayelitsha with the services it so desperately needs. I also had the chance to meet with the ‘Stop torture in Health Care’ representatives from New York and help run a meeting with the Khayelitsha police force, focusing on challenging corruption and improving the service for its community members.
Moving to Cape Town was my first experience living abroad and VACorps could not have made it feel any less like that. Their ability to familiarize, educate and excite me about Cape Town was key to me settling in so quickly and happily. Their continued and growing support throughout my 7 months in Cape Town saw me looking at them as good friends, rather than programme staff. Volunteer Adventure Corps is not just an internship programme but.an identity and a family in one of the most beautiful cities in the World.
Particular highlights for me include road tripping from Cape Town through Johannesburg, Swaziland and Mozambique in December, working for VACorps, the Hermanus weekend, The Garden Route trip, jumping the highest Bungee in the World, Skydiving, Scuba Diving, Namibia, Afrika Burn and living in ‘Lowermain’. Living with people from 7 different Countries, we had our very own United Nations and the people in that house, all 3 generations of VAC interns from October to May, are all hugely to thank for making my time here so special.
I experienced Christmas, New Year’s eve and My 21st in Cape Town. They were the best Christmas, New Year’s Eve and birthday yet.
My advice to new or prospective VAC interns: Cape Town is not a city like New York or London; it is unique with its own attitude and way of doing things – you have to get used to that, not the other way around. Cape Town should come with a warning - If you aren’t prepared to hike Table Mountain in the morning, paraglide off it that afternoon and go to a Kirstenbosch concert that evening - whilst juggling an internship - Don’t come.
Came as an intern, leaving a Veteran… Good luck to those I have said goodbye to and Thank you to all VAC LEDGENDS and Vanessa, Sean, Oliver, Andrew, Sly, Ivy, Takiyah (and that slightly awkward driver who doesn’t quite know how to deal with the en-route airport breakdowns) for helping me truly Live the dream for the last 7 months!
Remember,
Cape Town, own rules apply."
-Samantha Murray participated in a journalism and social justice internship through VACorps from September 2011 to May 2012.
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