I wasn’t actually originally looking for an internship in Cape Town specifically. I was looking to visit a country that was a little different, obscure or a little unorthodox. I was looking to go somewhere, where I could learn through their way of learning, and not so much through the typical western way of doing things. Cape Town definitely ticked off a lot of the boxes.

Definitely research. I wanted it to be in the medical field over anything. Ideally, I wanted it to be in engineering, with a medical base.

It ended up being exactly what I needed. The beginning was a bit hectic, as I started off in the hospital. But in the second week, I moved to a lab where I was doing exactly what I wanted to be doing.

I never received a lot of direction when I started in the hospital. Once I moved into the lab, I got more direction from my supervisor and got to work with many other students and people who were all doing research.

Yes!

Yes, definitely. My internship was actually quite specific to my major, which is tissue engineering. This opportunity has actually given me a much better idea of what I want to do in the future, and where I want to go and how I want to study going forward.

Yes very much so! The lab really needed an engineer and I was there exactly when they needed one!

Absolutely! Not only from the internship but outside of that as well. In the States, I became a fundraising chair for Engineers Without Borders. A lot of my interactions here were with people from within poor communities and making those connections through Bridging Gaps, such as meeting MC, who does so much for his community, was amazing. I’ll be working towards doing fundraising for his work and others in the Cape Town area.

Safety. Not much else! My parents were quite scared too.

There are situations that can put you on edge, like when you're walking around and there are people coming up to you asking for things or touching you. But for the most part, I wasn’t ever really scared. I am definitely not as afraid as I was when I first got here. Being here has taught me that it's not as bad in Cape Town as you may think or hear about.

I Love it! It’s beautifully. It's crazy seeing mountains next to the ocean, and it's all so accessible. It's really beautiful and I want to come back!

Yes!

Lucie sent me everything I needed and I was very excited with what she sent. You guys were always very responsive (even more responsive than me sometimes)

You guys were always available when I needed you. Especially Luigi, you would get back to me almost immediately every time I messaged you or called. The orientation was very detailed and realistic. Your info was very real, not sugar-coated in any way, and I appreciated the honesty.

The socials! The dinners! it was really fun.

Lucie sent me everything I needed and I was very excited with what she sent. You guys were always very responsive (even more responsive than me sometimes)

Yes!