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
Franca del Signore
Dates of Participation: Between October 2009 & March 2010
"In the process of changing my career path, and having decided an internship was the best way to achieve this goal, I set out on a search for a superior internship experience in a country I have always wanted to visit and not yet had the opportunity. After performing extensive exploration of opportunities in South-East Asia, Australia, and South Africa, the VACorps internship program distinguished itself as the perfect fit. As such, my intentions for interning in South Africa were predominantly for the work experience. However, by the conclusion of my four months, I despondently left having grown such a heartfelt affinity and love for South Africa, particularly Cape Town, and the South African people. Having lived all over the United States and on four different continents, South Africa is the first place I lived and still felt like I was with family.
My internship placement was with the human rights NGO, the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR), in the Transitional Justice Program (TJP). Although the CSVR has been in existence since 1989 in Johannesburg, TJP is the only program in Cape Town. Established in 1994 with the foresight of engaging in policy debates and advocacy in relation to the establishment of a Truth Commission in South Africa, TJP now engages in projects all over the African continent, addressing needs concerning truth, justice, reconciliation and healing. During my time there, I engaged in two major projects, predominantly one regarding a network formed by CSVR and other civil society organizations. The network aimed to redefine the laws and processes surrounding pardons and prosecutions from apartheid and post-apartheid atrocities. I had the opportunity to travel to Johannesburg and witness the Constitutional Court case on which I worked with the network regarding the presidential pardons process. Just in front of me sat the attorneys representing the President and the Minister of Justice of South Africa, defending their stance on the pardons issues. Fortunately, the court passed down its judgment in favor of the network. The trial was such an amazing experience and the court victory was a huge step of progression for the country. The decision can be viewed at http://www.constitutionalcourt.org.za/site/Ryan-Albutt.htm.
In addition to the internship, I was able to travel to some surrounding areas of Cape Town. I visited wineries, experienced Cape Point, climbed a number of mountains, earned my SCUBA diving certification, went to a music festival, took capoeira and muaythai martial arts classes, and ate some really diverse types of carnivorous delicacies. Not to mention trying to learn some Xhosa language clicks, spending time in the townships, and attending a church service completely in Xhosa in the middle of the night. In addition, I traveled outside of South Africa to Mozambique, Kenya, and Ethiopia. Seizing the opportunity to travel outside of South Africa was extremely rewarding. However, there is still so much left in South Africa that I did not have the time to experience; so staying in the country throughout the internship duration still presents many amazing opportunities.
South Africa is such a unique country in so many ways that are truly indescribable and must be experienced first-hand. The internship experience provides exposure and opportunity that cannot be gained from any other country. The beauty and energy of Cape Town make it a fun and captivating residence. Trying to take advantage of every opportunity that presented itself, I was greatly rewarded with life-altering experiences and friendships."
-Franca del Signore, pictured at left, participated in the VACorps from October 2009 through March 2010
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