Mathias S

Mathias S joined the VACorps program in January 2026 as part of his gap year. During the program, he completed a mechanical engineering internship with a local engineering-focused organization in Cape Town

I chose Cape Town because it offers a unique mix of innovation, nature, and cultural diversity, making it an inspiring place to gain international work experience. I decided to pursue an internship to build practical skills and better understand what kind of work I enjoy in a professional setting. What stood out most was the opportunity to work on meaningful projects while being surrounded by such an incredible city.

During my internship with an engineering-focused organization, I gained insight into how complex technical projects come together in practice. I learned how different areas, such as software, electronics, and mechanical systems, work together within a single project. I enjoyed contributing to smaller technical tasks, asking questions, and learning directly from experienced engineers about testing, troubleshooting, and improving systems. This experience helped me understand how ideas develop into real-world applications and strengthened my interest in working in a hands-on engineering environment.

Living in Cape Town was equally rewarding. The combination of mountains, ocean, and city life is hard to beat, and I will especially miss the outdoor lifestyle and the friendly people. The VACorps team was incredibly supportive, and the weekly activities were a great way to meet others and explore the city. Overall, the program was well organized and created a strong sense of community, making the experience both enjoyable and meaningful. ​