Kim Phung

Kim studies Pre-Sociology at UCLA in the United States, with an interest in human rights. Originally from Vietnam, she joined VAC in June 2026 and completed an internship with a South African youth development organization, where she gained experience working with children, leading lessons, participating in educational activities, and building her confidence in communication and public speaking.

There are several reasons why I chose Cape Town. I saw this as a special opportunity, and after doing some research about Cape Town and South Africa, I realized that it is a beautiful place. I simply wanted to come and see what it was really like for myself.

I learned a lot during my time in Cape Town, especially about the culture, the people, and nature. I really love how people greet each other with hugs and how open they are with strangers. At my internship site, I especially loved the moments when I played with the kids. It felt like going back to my childhood, when carefree days and happiness were always around.

During my internship, one of my personal goals was to become more comfortable communicating and connecting with people, especially overcoming my fear of public speaking. I was able to achieve this by working with the children at my site and leading lessons. I especially enjoyed interacting with the kids and participating in activities with them because it allowed me to build meaningful connections and experience the local community.

The organization that I worked with supports children and young people through education, activities, and a safe and supportive environment. My role supported this work by helping with lessons, playing with the children, and participating in different activities. I believe that creating positive experiences and supporting children’s development can contribute to positive change in the community in the long term.

I loved the VAC weekly activities so much because they were also a great opportunity to connect students together. For example, I could play soccer with other interns even when I didn’t know their names. However, the journey starts from there, we begin talking and getting to know each other. Every VAC staff member was amazing. They were supportive and always there to listen to our experiences and concerns. I am truly grateful for all the memories, friendships, and experiences I gained during my time in Cape Town.

For future interns, my advice would be to stay involved in any projects they have and be willing to actively participate in the activities at your internship site.