Mia Villegas

Mia is studying Social Work at UCLA. She joined the VACorps program in June 2025 and participated in a social work internship at a community empowerment organization based in one of Cape Town’s townships.

I chose to intern and study abroad in Cape Town because it was the farthest place from home, and I knew that if I was going to study abroad, I wanted to make the absolute most of it by experiencing as many new things as possible. What I loved most about my internship here is that it never felt like I was only here to work—I was also able to enjoy myself and discover more than I could have ever imagined.

Being in Cape Town taught me that I can do anything I set my mind to. I traveled outside of my home country for the first time, did it alone, and placed myself in an entirely new environment. Yet I thrived, and I’ve never been happier. I’ll never forget the warm, welcoming environment at my internship site or how my colleagues made me feel like I belonged. Living in Cape Town felt like an adventure every single day.

What I’ll miss most are the people: my colleagues, the VACorps staff, the students from around the world who also came to intern or study abroad, and the local friends I made. Every person I met made an impact on my life, and it’s hard to accept that my time here isn’t forever. Because of the relationships I built, it felt like I was creating a whole new life—and it only took two months for that to happen.

If you’re coming to Cape Town to intern or study abroad, I think 2–3 months is perfect. There’s so much to do and see, and once you add work into your routine, you’ll need to use your free time wisely. Don’t limit yourself to one activity per day—fit in as much as you can. Even if something feels intimidating or outside your comfort zone, push yourself to do it anyway. After work on weekdays, get out, meet people, and explore as much as possible.