Madi Boerger

Madi is studying Chemistry on the Pre-Dental track at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. She joined the VACorps program in May 2025 and participated in a dentistry internship at a public clinic in Khayelitsha.

I wanted to intern in a dental clinic abroad to gain real hands-on experience—not only for my dental school applications, but also to grow personally and expand my knowledge. I had always wanted to travel to Africa, so I knew I’d be interning somewhere on the continent. South Africa, and Cape Town specifically, offered the perfect mix of vibrance and serenity—mountains and beaches, a lively college-town feel, and countless places to explore!

While here, I worked at the Khayelitsha Site B CHC Hospital, specifically in the dental department. During my internship, I gained valuable shadowing hours for my dental school applications, and the experience also fulfilled the global engagement requirement for my degree. I even had the chance to work as a dental assistant, which was incredible. What I’ll remember most, though, are the people. Every doctor, hygienist, assistant, receptionist, and security guard was kind, respectful, and welcoming. I’m so grateful for the amazing connections I made through this experience and proud to call Dr. Sukha and his team part of my dental family.

One of my favorite parts of the internship was comforting patients. While shadowing, I was often the hand they reached for when they felt nervous, and being able to help calm their fears—even in small ways—was truly heartwarming. Experiences like these reminded me why I want to pursue a career in dentistry and deepened my appreciation for the human side of care.

What I’ll miss most about Cape Town is always having something to do! Whether it was a beach day at Camps Bay, exploring a local market, or hiking a mountain, there was always an adventure waiting. I stayed for just about a month, but I’d recommend five weeks—after orientation week, you’ll still have a full month to work and explore the city, giving you plenty of time to experience everything Cape Town has to offer. One tip for living in Observatory: just like anywhere else, stay aware of your surroundings and make use of all the resources available to you—better safe than sorry.

Everyone at VAC was wonderful and clearly cared deeply about their students. The weekly activities were fun and a great way to connect with other interns, especially those living in different houses. I’m so thankful for VAC, particularly for the orientation week—it provided such a thoughtful introduction to Cape Town, covering both its historical and tourist highlights.