Renée (pictured in the center back row) is a student at Yale University and joined the VACorps program in February 2022. She participated in an internship at a human rights and youth empowerment organization. 

“Leaving Cape Town is bittersweet, but I know that I’ll be back as soon as I can – from the views at the top of Table Mountain to the Observatory café scene and the communities I had the opportunity to work with through my internship, there is so much to love here and look forward to returning to.  I have learned loads about South African culture and had the chance to meet Capetonians from many different areas through both the program and my internship. I planned and followed through with my own project idea in Kraaifontein and I was very proud to have seen my idea through. I also tried to get out of the office as much as possible and was happy to have the chance to travel to 4 different townships and informal settlements during my time in Cape Town. The VACorps program has been the perfect balance between getting a feel for living and working in an international city while also forming a tight community connection with other interns.”