Internships
Gain career experience in the world’s most beautiful city
Gap year internships in Cape Town
A Gap Year Internship offers you relevant work experience and cultural immersion in the beautiful, vibrant, and diverse city of Cape Town, South Africa. During your internship, you will get to preview a career that you want (or may not want) to study in college/university.
You will experience meaningful social engagement and be exposed to cultural norms and a way of life that is profoundly different from what you know back in your home country. Be prepared to expand your comfort zones, gain independence, and embark on a journey of self-discovery.
Gap year internships through VACorps
Sustainability
Sample diverse environmental initiatives happening in local communities.
Social justice
Discover life-changing grassroots programs empowering vulnerable groups.
Education
Assist passionate teachers, administrators, policy-makers and mentors striving to transform youth potential.
Healthcare
Explore frontline care delivery methods, community education outreach and clinical research advances expanding access to quality preventative medicine and lifesaving treatment benefitting generations to come.
NB: The above isn’t an exhaustive list of the gap year opportunities. Please reach out to us for more information.
Gain independence and support during your gap year in Cape Town
If you’re a mature, independent gap year student seeking freedom and responsibility during your time abroad, VACorps may be right for you. Since 2007, we’ve supported interns with housing, living guidance, and regular check-ins, while expecting timeliness and accountability during self-directed schedules outside 20-30 hour/week internships.
Gap year start dates
Join us in September or January and hit the ground running with transformative professional experience – return home with clarity, confidence and lifelong memories.
Benefits of a gap year internship in Cape Town
Immerse yourself in a culturally rich environment
Take a proactive approach to your personal and professional development
Embrace a new way of living
Venture outside your comfort zone
Gap year experiences
Spencer Meyers
New York, USA
Spencer spent his gap year in Cape Town, South Africa, where he interned at a local television station! Hear what he has to say about his time with VACorps in Cape Town.
Alena Powell
New York City Metropolitan Area, USA
Alena spent her gap year travelling across 10 countries on four continents! One of her stops was Cape Town, South Africa, where she interned at a local radio station. Hear what she has to say about her time with VACorps in Cape Town!
Samantha Brabeck
Reading, Massachusetts, United States
Sam spent her gap year in Cape Town, South Africa, where she interned as a counselor at a maternal health clinic. Hear what she has to say about her time with VACorps in Cape Town!
Explore your gap year
Cape Town, South Africa
If you want to learn more about taking a gap year in Cape Town, South Africa, head to here
The time is now to explore, connect, and invest in yourself in Cape Town. Let us match you with an experience that counts.
Explore other internships
Biotechnology
Advance global health through research placements at renowned labs pioneering new medical technologies.
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Business and Finance
Gain emerging market finance experience at funds and startups leading Africa’s investment frontier.
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Clean Energy
Champion climate justice contributing skills to expand clean energy access for underserved communities.
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Conservation
Safeguard Cape Town’s treasured yet threatened ecosystems, working alongside frontline conservationists.
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Counseling & Psychology
Address mental health needs with trauma specialists bringing care to overlooked communities.
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Education
Teach and inspire students gaining classroom skills at under-resourced schools, uplifting disadvantaged youth.
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Engineering
Innovate solutions by collaborating with firms tackling urgent infrastructure and development challenges.
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Human Rights
Advocate for the vulnerable assisting organizations protecting rights and services for marginalized groups.
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Journalism
Develop multimedia skills reporting on Cape Town’s dynamic political, social and cultural happenings.
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Law
Champion justice by researching landmark cases and conducting outreach alongside leading human rights firms.
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Marketing
Shape brands for good by managing campaigns empowering social enterprises and community programs.
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Media, Film & Photography
Launch your creative career on sets and in studios alongside Cape Town’s top film, TV and photography talent.
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Medical
Boost your clinical skills by shadowing doctors on the frontlines of South Africa’s pressing healthcare battles.
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Occupational Therapy
Master your occupational therapy craft with specialized mentors guiding pediatric, mental health and elder care.
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Physical Therapy
Gain hands-on experience working alongside leading physical therapy practitioners.
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Political Science
Inform policy researching legislation within parliamentary offices and progressive think tanks.
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Public Health
Protect the vulnerable by collecting data, assisting workshops and expanding community health access.
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Refugee Work
Empower asylum seekers to help refugees access housing, employment, healthcare, and legal aid.
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Social Work
Uplift the overlooked co-facilitating therapy and evaluating interventions for at-risk youth and families.
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Speech Pathology & Audiology
Help people find their voice by practising techniques guided by specialized clinical mentors.
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Sports Management
Gain industry expertise assisting in operations, marketing and events for national federations and clubs.
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Sustainability
Catalyze solutions directly supporting projects increasing environmental protections and food security.
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Technology
Build skills collaborating with pioneering startups leveraging innovations to drive financial inclusion.
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