Cole Fortner

Cole is a pre-med student at Virginia Tech. He joined the VACorps program in January 2025 and completed a medical internship at a public clinic.

I wanted the perfect blend of building my resume, gaining lived experience, and adventuring somewhere I never imagined myself exploring. Cape Town gave me all of that. The mountains, beaches, and safaris satisfied my love of the outdoors, while my medical internship provided invaluable lessons I will carry into my future profession.

I chose this program because I knew a previous intern who spoke so highly of her experience. Without her encouragement, I might never have discovered Cape Town. It isn’t your typical travel or internship destination, but it offers so much if you’re open to learning from the people who’ve been here. The diversity of activities and cultures kept me constantly discovering new things, and even after three months I felt like I had only scratched the surface.

What I loved most were the people—both locals and other interns. Living with peers from around the world was a unique chance to share cultures and perspectives, and I found South Africans to be vibrant, friendly, and outgoing. I will miss the energy of the people and the beauty of the three peaks rising over the city and ocean.

During my 12-week stay, I rotated through nearly every hospital department: trauma and emergency, labor and delivery, chronic and acute care, triage, immunizations, baby clinic, speech and occupational therapy, physical therapy, and more. While the structure could feel unorganized at times, the freedom to choose where to spend each day made it possible to learn deeply in the areas that mattered most to me.

The weekly activities were another highlight, whether hiking Table Mountain, touring townships, or seeing penguins at Boulders Beach. They brought interns together and made each week memorable. The culture series varied. Some were fantastic introductions to South Africa’s diverse traditions, others less engaging.

Overall, VACorps staff was incredible. They were consistently supportive and committed to tailoring the experience to my interests. I would encourage future interns to stay the full 12 weeks if possible. Come with an open mind, embrace the contrasts of the city, and be ready to learn—not just from your site, but from the community around you.