Joel (pictured on the right) is in his third year of undergraduate studies doing a double Bachelor’s degree in Theology and Global Studies. He joined the VACorps Program in July 2019 and participated in a Political Science Internship.
“What an incredible experience this has been… I can’t believe it’s at the end. There has been so much to do and so many people I’ve made life long friendships with that Cape Town has become like a second home to me and I will be back to visit. I chose Cape Town for an internship because I was studying Political Science/Sociology and what a perfect place to learn about democracy than in a place where everyone is still learning what that looks like and how it functions. My internship experience has been incredible, having the chance to meet so many people in government and parliament, and learn firsthand what it takes and what is expected from people holding these offices has taught me more about where I want to go and what I want to do when I get home. I now have a much clearer understanding of postgraduate studies because of the willingness of so many people to help think-tank some ideas and throw some new ones at me that I never even considered.
I’ve been here now 3 months, and though I am happy to go home I will miss everyone my hiking and running group, my work colleagues, my house family, and my VAC family, everyone who has been actively involved in making this experience so wonderful just by being who they are.”
Meet our most recent VACorps program alumni:
Laila Wheeler, California, USA (2023)
Laila Wheeler is studying Public Affairs, Education, and Sociology at the University of California Los Angeles. She participated in a human rights internship from June - August of 2023. "Traveling to Cape Town was genuinely [...]
Innogen Naylor, Vermont, USA (2023)
Innogen joined the VACorps Program as part of her Gap Year in January 2023 and participated in an internship at a local school for learners from Zimbabwe who are attempting to integrate into the South [...]
Avital Strauss, Illinois, USA (2023)
Avital joined the VACorps PRogram as part of her Gap Year in January 2023 and participated in an internship at an NGO that supports and serves underprivileged communities in one of Cape Town's townships. [...]
William Monkarsh, California, USA (2023)
Will joined the VACorps Program in January 2023, as part of his GAP year, and participated in an internship at an eco-tourism company in Cape Town. "My experience with VAC has definitely been life-changing. [...]
Clancy Erickson, North Carolina, USA (2022)
Clancy recently completed her BA in Human Services Studies at Elon University. She joined the VACorps program in September 2022, and participate in an internship at an NGO that supports refugees in Cape Town. [...]
Dylan DeRosa, New York, USA (2023)
Dylan joined the VACorps program in January 2023 as part of his Gap Year and participated in a human rights law internship. "Cape Town and the VACorps have provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and experience [...]
