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
Claire Brighton
Dates of Participation: Between November 2009 & February 2010
"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 a wee bit of career direction…During my 2 ½ months there with VACorps I found all of the above, and somewhere along the way, fell in love with Africa. My first day was a bit of a jet-lagged blur. It started when I was picked up from the airport by a friendly staff member named Sly (with crazy dreads and the most incredible smile), and ended with me collapsing in a heap at the back of the VACorps minibus much to the enjoyment of my fellow interns who, it seems, had been taking bets on how long I would last on 11 hours jetlag. Somewhere in between I had moved into my house, met my 12 other flatmates, piled into the minibus, been wine tasting at two different wineries and had dinner by tiki torch and moonlight in the secret garden at La Caorrone Estate. Claire, meet Africa. Africa, meet Claire.
My internship was with the Western Cape office of the Commission for Gender Equality, one of a number of quasi-government institutions set up following the end of Apartheid. I happened to time my arrival perfectly with the start of the 16 Days of Activism (against gender violence) and was therefore co-assigned to representing the Commission at various events and seminars put on for the 16 days. I also worked with the Parliamentary Officer on two projects: first, drafting submissions for the amendment of the CGE Act that established the Commission, and then later on arguments for a High Court custody case. Coming from New Zealand, where gender equality often sits somewhere in the company of issues like equal pay and career opportunities, single-mothers’ rights, abortion, and, generally speaking, the right to slap any man who talks to you 20cm below your face for longer than, say 10 seconds, while I was aware of the issues regarding gender in SA, but had no idea of their magnitude. Through working with the Commission I came face to face with hard statistics, the people behind them, the realities that they face and the Law’s successes and failures in protecting those who can’t protect themselves. I met Members of Parliament, Rights workers, rape survivors and inmates facing life sentences for murder because they had struck back after years of domestic violence. One of the most striking moments was at an event at Pollsmoor prison, when an inmate who was speaking broke down part way through explaining how rape at an early age combined with a cycle of abusive relationships had led her into prostitution, gangsterism and finally, murder. As she attempted to compose herself, a woman from one of the MPs tables stood up and started to sing an African freedom mantra, which was then taken up by the inmates choir who had just performed and within minutes the whole room was alive. I have never witnessed anything like it in my life, and I doubt I will again.
That said, there is more to an internship with VACorps then work. Cape Town is truly the funkiest, most diverse and exciting places to travel. If it’s not the beaches that get you hooked, it’ll be the Old Biscuit Mill where you can go and not feel like a criminal for drinking strawberry daiquiris at 10 in the morning; if its not the view from table mountain, it’ll be sitting with your flat mates drinking wine chilled in the reservoir at the top – and if all that doesn’t quite get you hooked, then I can guarantee that the people you meet definitely will. Deciding to intern through VACorps was one of the best of my life, and if you’re reading this then I’m guessing that you could make it one of yours as well – my advice is go for it, you won’t regret it…promise."
-Claire Brighton participated in VACorps from November 2009 through February of 2010
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