Jackie Love

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

I loved interning in Cape Town because it allowed me to experience life as a local. Living in Obs gave us a real sense of the city’s culture, while still being close enough to explore everything Cape Town has to offer. We took full advantage of that and travelled to many of the places we’d only heard about before coming here.

Working at the Khayelitsha Site B Clinic was one of the most impactful experiences I’ve ever had. Getting to know the nurses, doctors, and patients was such a privilege. The doctors were incredibly kind and eager to teach, and I was able to take part in many hands-on activities that deepened my understanding of medicine.

Beyond the clinical experience, I gained valuable insight into the challenges people face in accessing healthcare and how vital free clinics are in the townships. I also learned a great deal about myself—about the specialties that interest me most, the types of patients I connect with best, and how to be more confident and assertive when communicating with other healthcare providers.

This was truly an amazing experience, and I’m so sad to be leaving!