I think my primary reason was to come to Cape Town more than to come for an internship. I initially wanted to experience Cape Town and do volunteering, so the fact that I did an internship was a bonus. Basically, I wanted to work in the charity sector and have a great time.

I was initially looking for a volunteer program where I could give back to the community and make a positive difference. I wanted to work with people who were friendly and whom I enjoyed spending time with and I wanted to do something new and test the limits of what I’m capable of.

My placement was more office based than I thought it was going to be because I initially thought I’d be volunteering, but I did do more practical things in the office. Like it was more operations based than I thought it would be, but I also learnt a lot about office culture and about the charity sector in a developing country. So, it was worthwhile.

Yes, they gave me a lot of support and whenever I had a question, they were happy to help. It wasn’t like they were grudging in anyway. And they always wanted to give me opportunities, like the boss was always offering things and helping us to do more things and getting us involved in whatever’s going on. So, I felt like it was very inclusive there.

I felt like at the beginning it was slightly mixed, but then as time went on I had more to do and had more responsibility. I had something that I could do that was my own project.

Yes, I think it helped me be more time efficient and manage my time better in a pressured environment. I also did a lot of research work, so that was useful. I think that this is something I would like to pursue further. It was helpful in developing time management skills and other skills in that type of environment.

Yes I was given the opportunity. They gave me a lot of opportunities to help and take parts in projects. They really took me on board and made me a part of their team. Yeah, I further developed a syllabus in agriculture for my host and they are going to pursue that further. So, I do feel like I have left my mark in a sense.

Yes I think it will, because I’ve also worked abroad and that’s a significant part of it. Because South Africa is a country where development work has to be done and the charity I was working for is very relevant to the problems south Africa faces, like they address the problems of HIV. I think it will help me do further work in the charity sector.

My fears were safety and the water crisis.

It never affected me that much. Maybe the safety, like petty crimes, but it just gave me insight as to what life’s like. It didn’t really hinder me that much. I don’t have the same fears I had, I’m more aware now of what life’s like. Now that I’m here I realize you just have to get on with it when things get tough.

Cape Town is definitely a city I’d want to come back to, it’s very vibrant and just the different natural elements of it are really great, like the tourists and people living here, like the mountains and the sea. There’s so much going on all the time. Its just a great place to be!

Yeah definitely!

Yeah as soon as I showed my interest in coming, Lucie was very helpful and always got back to me very quickly. I felt like I could ask her whatever I wanted, and I’d get a response. Her information was always very accurate. Yeah there was good communication, and you were always there for support and advice so it was great.

Yeah it was good. It was nice to have that orientation when I first came and meet the team. I just felt if I ever needed something then I could ask for it. It really helped me feel safe here!

Just how approachable everyone was and how friendly they were.

Yeah as soon as I showed my interest in coming, Lucie was very helpful and always got back to me very quickly. I felt like I could ask her whatever I wanted, and I’d get a response. Her information was always very accurate. Yeah there was good communication, and you were always there for support and advice so it was great.

Just how approachable everyone was and how friendly they were.

Uhmmmm…I don’t know. I think everything was covered!