Chelsea Park

Chelsea joined the VACorps program in January 2026 as part of her gap year. During the program, she completed a healthcare internship with a community-based medical organization in Cape Town.

I decided to come to Cape Town as an opportunity to gain valuable experience, broaden my perspective, and better understand how different communities function. I was especially interested in working hands-on in the medical field and supporting underserved communities. During my internship with a community-based healthcare organization, I had the chance to work closely with medical professionals and actively engage in clinical work, which gave me a much deeper understanding of how healthcare operates in practice.

While I came here focused on developing my academic and career interests, I did not expect to have so much fun or make such meaningful connections. The people I met both in the workplace and among the other interns brought diverse perspectives that I learned so much from. This experience became a perfect balance of professional growth and personal enjoyment, and it will definitely be one of the highlights of my gap year.