Kendall Nielsen

Oregon, USA

2024

Kendall is a fourth-year student in the Bachelor’s degree program in Public Health at Oregon State University. She joined the VAC program in March 2024 and participated in an internship at a Public Health Research Organization.

The Cape Town internship has been one of the best experiences of my life. I was so nervous coming here, not knowing anyone and never having been to Africa before. But the VAC staff was incredibly welcoming, and all the interns treated me with such kindness and warmth. I’ve never made friends faster or met such a wonderful and diverse group of people. I absolutely loved my house and housemates—it truly felt like a dream to connect with them!

I did my internship at a public health research company, where I got to observe the entire public health intervention process from start to finish, which was fascinating. It taught me a lot about how to run a study and what challenges or obstacles to look out for. I also learned how to handle unexpected issues, like technical problems with online forms or money transfers. The experience was so informative and gave me skills I hadn’t gained in school!

There’s so much to see here in Cape Town, and the VAC staff organized many amazing activities. I’m going to miss sunsets at the beach, hiking around Table Mountain, and exploring all the cool coffee shops and restaurants in the area. If you’re considering this internship, PLEASE DO IT! Cape Town is absolutely magical, and it will definitely be one of the best experiences of your life.

I understand safety is a concern for many when thinking about this trip (it was for me), but once I arrived, I quickly learned how to stay safe and be vigilant. I haven’t had any bad experiences here! As long as you have street smarts, you’ll be perfectly fine. This truly has been an incredible experience, and I’ll cherish the memories and friendships I made here for life.

To anyone thinking about this internship, I strongly encourage you to go for it. You’ll gain valuable work experience and meet some of the best people you’ll ever know!