"Choosing to spend my last undergraduate semester in Cape Town was the best decision I have made thus far in life. I am thankful for my opportunity to complete my final practicum in one of ... read more
"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 ... read more
"Visiting South Africa was never on my bucket list, but when it was the only international internship opportunity that my university offered, I jumped at the chance to get out of the States. And I ... read more
Chelsey Dumond
Genre of Internship: Physical Therapy
Dates of Participation:
January 2012 - March 2012
"As I prepare to leave Cape Town, I cannot help but have this underlying feeling of fulfillment. South Africa was a place that was on my ‘bucket list', so naturally, as soon as I had ... read more
"My experience in Cape Town was unique and thought-provoking. VAC is a strong and organized program whose staff is extremely resourceful. From the weekly newsletters to the VACtivities, I appreciated the time and energy that ... read more
Sasha Riddle
Genre of Internship: Documentary Film
Dates of Participation:
January 2012 - April 2012
"As I sit at the airport and attempt to reflect on the past 10 weeks I spent in Cape Town, I can’t help but realize that I truly did not have one bad day. Of course, there ... read more
"Having the opportunity to experience Cape Town while participating in an internship has been amazing to say the least. I will miss so many aspects of my time here. I will miss Obz, the beaches, ... read more
Kathryn Farrar
Genre of Internship: Human Rights
Dates of Participation:
January 2012 - February 2012
"Over the last week I've become increasingly sad about leaving Cape Town and the great people I've met here. The placement in the housing and the Friday Vactivities VAC has allowed me to meet a ... read more
"First off, I just want to say that interning in Cape Town was truly amazing, and well worth the money spent to come here. An experience like this, interning in a foreign country, is so ... read more
"Words cannot describe how meaningful this entire experience has been. I am so thankful for having the opportunity to spend time in Cape Town. After several weeks it quickly became apparent to me that this ... read more
"After four different internships, moving around from one place to another- meeting more people and saying even more goodbyes; I have absolutely no regrets of how I spent my last 6 months. Living for ... read more
"I chose cape town without knowing much about the city, county or continent I was going to. Cape Town was a true learning experience for me. Cape town brought into my life cultures I never ... read more
Samantha Murray
Genre of Internship: Journalism/Social Justice
Dates of Participation:
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 ... read more
Vincent D'aquila
Genre of Internship: Human Rights
Dates of Participation:
September 2011 - March 2012
"After six months of living here Cape Town feels like home, something I never thought I would say of an African city. I know the streets of town as well as a local and better ... read more
Brianna Arbo
Genre of Internship: Gender Advocacy
Dates of Participation:
September 2011 - December 2011
"My experience could not have been the same here without VAC. I am eternally grateful for the amazing support that was continually offered. I will forever remember the friendships formed, the awe of waking up ... read more
Georgia Farnworth
Dates of Participation: Between June 2012 & August 2012
"It’s very hard to describe the profound effect my experience in Cape Town has had on me. I arrived here feeling anxious and overwhelmed and I’m leaving having fallen completely in love with this city and everything that comes with it, with a completely different perspective on life and heartbroken to leave. Every day brings new people and new experiences. My advice to future interns is to completely immerse yourself in life here; get to know the local way, make it your home. Go up Table Mountain and visit Robben Island – but also watch rugby games in smoky bars and go for sundowners on Signal Hill.
Both of my internships have offered me the opportunity to experience so many different sides to Cape Town. From feeling like a pro on taxis (just don’t ask me to count out the change!), doing home visits in informal settlements to planning fundraising proposals to the United Nations – I feel like I can justify my love for this place because I have seen the best and worst that Cape Town has to offer.
You will meet amazing, like-minded and adventurous people here. The VAC team and other interns, the people you live with – they all become your closest friends and family, everyone is looking out for one another. VAC provide you with a safety net, letting you create your own experience here but knowing that you will be taken care of, getting time to know you before you arrive and for the whole time you’re here.
So open yourself up to having the time of your life here, this will be the best thing you’ve ever done. Live for every day and grab the opportunities that present themselves. Remember that our time here will end so make the most of it. I have been so lucky to have this experience and I know it has completely changed the path I was on when I left England. I am leaving a huge part of myself in South Africa and I’m already planning a way to make it my home again."
-Georgia Farnworth, pictured during a 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.
