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
Andrew Zaleski
Dates of Participation: Between May 2009 & August 2009
"Go to Cape Town.
"Seriously. Just do it. If you’re reading these testimonials, you’re already committed to the idea.
"Sky diving, white-sand beaches, downtown craft markets, jazz clubs – it’s all there. Hiking up a 2,220-foot peak with nothing but moonlight guiding your ascent and a backpack toting a bottle of wine and a block of cheese to enjoy at the summit? Yeah, that’s there too. Bungee jumping from a height of 710 feet? You won’t get that in London.
"If you need to get out, get away, be independent, and feel the freedom of endless possibility, then Volunteer Adventure Corps is your program. It’s not just studying abroad, and it’s not just an internship. VACorps is a mindset, and a way to break into a diverse, unique culture and way of life that is paradoxically both utterly foreign and comfortably familiar.
"While VACorps is an internship program in the traditional sense, it is unique in that it works with you to identify your desires and dislikes, and then hand-picks an internship site specifically tailored to what you want. And these aren’t your getting-coffee-every-day, making-copies-all-afternoon internships. If you work at a clinic, you’re going to be stitching someone up. If you work in marketing, you’re going to be given research projects. Magazines will have you on the beat, searching for stories and writing them by week’s end. Dentists-to-be will pull teeth and see patients.
"And then there’s the down time. VACorps will put together weekly activities for all the interns - wine tastings, hikes, brewery tours, trips to the waterfront – which are great ways to meet fellow VAC-ers. But, beyond that, it’s your time. You’re not on some itinerary.
"If you want to road trip along South Africa’s southern coast, you can do it. If you want to head up to Namibia for a week, you can do it. You’re in Africa, for chrissakes. Africa. Waddle with penguins in Simon’s Town, head out to Jeffrey’s Bay for a surf competition, or travel to Knysna to ride elephants. VACorps will be there for you giving you support if and when you need it, but the ways in which you define your time in South Africa is entirely up to you.
"And that, ultimately, is what makes VACorps the 'adventure' of a lifetime."
-Andrew Zaleski participated in a journalism internship through VACorps from May to August of 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.
