William Verlaque
2026
Will studies Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences at Oregon State University in the United States. He joined VAC in June 2026 and completed a conservation internship with a South African seabird conservation organization, where he gained hands-on experience caring for and supporting the conservation of coastal bird species while building connections that will help him pursue similar opportunities in the future.
Connect with me on LinkedIn
The thing I enjoyed about interning in Cape Town the most was the hospitality of all of the locals. I felt very welcome in every restaurant and store I went into.
I was able to gain hands-on experience in conservation work. I was able to help with the conservation of coastal bird species in Cape Town, and the connections I made from interning will help me pursue future opportunities that are similar. I also really appreciated the internship placement, the weekly activities, and the support from VAC. It was great knowing that I could call VAC staff if I needed anything.
My advice for future interns is: don’t be scared to ask questions. Everyone is there to help you.
Giving me the opportunity to work in an investment bank in your country was a big challenge for me. I had to deal with the specific bank vocabulary and the barrier languages as much as I had to deal with...
Read More
Alex is studying Applied Movement Science at University of Texas at Austin. He joined the VACorps Program in May 2019 and participated in a Sports Physical Therapy Internship at a private practice. ” I never imagined that I would have...
Read More
“What can I say about my time spent in Cape Town? Can word even do justice to what this time has meant to me? Probably not, but I’ll try anyway. “Coming to Africa, I really did not know what to...
Read More