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
Kate Sheffield
Dates of Participation: Between September 2008 & December 2008
"It’s an unexplainable thing, to be a part of the small percentage of individuals who experience Cape Town like Vacorps interns do. To have the memories that I do means that as I sit in my Geography of Health class at the University of Washington and listen to my professor explaining the photos from his own journey through community health clinics, my mind is instantly flooded with an array of vivid images from my own experiences interning at a small health clinic in South Africa.
Inevitably, others in the class have also traveled to various parts of Africa, and they too are reminded of their experiences. But can any of them say, that on their first day of working in a township clinic, they walked the streets administering Vitamin A to babies and children? Probably not. It almost didn’t seem real at the time, but it was, and it was also only the beginning.
Prior to departing for Cape Town, I knew I was on my way to a life changing experience. Lots of things are “life changing” though. So when I say it, it means that I learned more than I could have ever imagined, not only about health care and disease, but also about myself. With the genuine help of the VAC team, I landed the health internship of my dreams. I say this in retrospect though, because six months ago I would have never imagined having such a passion for community medicine. But like I said before, the experience was life changing.
And in the midst of my exhilarating days at the Imizamo Yethu Clinic were the unforgettable times spent the VAC team, international students, and my South African housemates. Whether it was scuba diving on shipwrecks, hiking Table Mountain at sunrise, or just simply having a few good laughs at Mojo’s, VAC made it happen."
-Kate Sheffield participated in the VACorps professional internship program from September to December, 2008
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.
