Elliot Jones – Texas, USA (2020)

Elliot joined the VACorps Program as part of her gap year in February 2020 and participated in a conservation and tourism internship. 

“I came to Cape Town about three years ago but didn’t get to stay long enough to do a lot of the things I wanted to do. When someone suggested VACorps to me and I found out it was in Cape Town, I knew immediately that I had to come back to this beautiful city. VACorps was incredible throughout the entire experience. The process of applying on a very tight time span was incredibly easy and helpful, they made sure I had options in my internship in conservation, and they were very open and easy to talk to from the very beginning. I absolutely loved my internship, where I worked on the waterfront with their Eco-Tour group. I helped the captain around the boat and pointed out wildlife to the guests. It was incredible to learn about all of the city’s conservation projects involving the ocean and sea animals. Unfortunately, because of Coronavirus fears, I only stayed for two weeks. However, those two weeks were absolutely amazing. If you plan on using VACorps, and I highly recommend you do, definitely come for a month or more. There is so much to explore in and around this city and you’ll learn more in your internship than you ever thought possible. Also, the activities VACorps puts on on Fridays are extremely fun! Overall, I am incredibly grateful to VACorps for giving me this opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and explore different subjects in a new city and an entirely different continent. They made the process so easy and fun and I wish more than anything I could stay longer. I will definitely be back!”