Lily Nydam

Lily is a pre-med student at the University of Georgia. She joined the VACorps program in May 2025 and participated in a medical internship at a clinic in Khayelitsha.

Spending five weeks in the heart of Cape Town was truly an experience I never imagined I’d have—and for that, I am so grateful! From stepping out of my comfort zone in a new medical environment to pushing my adventurous limits and trying new things, working with VACorps gave me the opportunity to expand my horizons beyond anything I could have imagined.

My personal goals for the internship were to put myself out there and grow both my medical experience and knowledge, and working at Khayelitsha helped me do exactly that. I learned to speak up and ask questions with confidence, sought out hands-on learning opportunities that strengthened my medical understanding, and met doctors and nurses who shared valuable insight into Cape Town’s healthcare system. Through these experiences, I grew in confidence and confirmed that my passions truly lie within the medical field.

What makes this program so unique compared to other organizations abroad is the holistic experience it provides for every participant. Living in the college town of Observatory, going on excursions across Cape Town, and working in townships that most visitors never get to see allowed me to experience the true spirit of South African culture—beautifully diverse and full of life. I am proud and thankful to say that I’m leaving these five weeks better than when I arrived, and I’m forever grateful to VACorps for giving me the opportunity to see the world in a new light.