Sam joined the VACorps program in January 2023 and participated in a public health and counseling internship at an NGO that supports mothers and children.

“I didn’t know what to expect before leaving for South Africa, but VACorps truly exceeded all of my expectations. I appreciate the amount of freedom that VAC grants its students while still providing some structure and support. I feel like I’ve grown so much as a person because of the freedom we’ve had here, but I appreciate the moments that we spend altogether, most commonly at the Friday VAC Activities. The VAC program also creates the perfect balance of work and play, and I credit this balance to why I have absolutely loved my time here in Cape Town. VAC paired me with the perfect internship for my interests, and this real-world experience has informed me about what I want to study in the future, and I feel confident I will return to the States with a newfound passion and drive I didn’t have before. When I’m not at my internship site, I am always exploring the beautiful city, and I never run out of things to do with friends. I’ve done a bit of everything, from surfing to wine tasting to hiking, and I could not be happier with the time I spent here. I spent 2.5 months in Cape Town with VAC, and it doesn’t feel like nearly enough time. The people here are truly indescribable; I’ve definitely found a family with VAC.”