If you're looking for an internship or volunteering programme abroad on a budget, Bootstrap is ideal for you. You can get the core benefits of a programme, without additional costs.
At £795, we think Bootstrap is the most competitively priced internship/volunteer placement programme in Cape Town saving you around £1000 compared to other providers. Whilst we offer a full internship programme (Concierge), we recognise that some people aren't looking for anything other than a professional placement and workplace support; they prefer to make all of their arrangements independently and have confidence in their ability to make it happen. So that’s what Bootstrap gives you, full placement support with no requirement to pay for other programme features that you don't want to make use of.
Four unique promises underpin our services to give you total peace of mind.
We guide you through all your pre trip preparations including assistance with visas, insurance and flights.
We find you the best suitable placement in a wonderful local organisation. All our programmes are completely customised and we base our placement search on your skills, interests and personal and professional goals.
We will provide you with a comprehensive health and safety briefing.
The main thing: You will have a placement that helps you to develop the skills and confidence that you need to progress quickly in your career, racking up experience in the process that will make you stand out in interviews. If your placement does not deliver on expectations, we’ll find you a new one under our Re:Placement guarantee.
We stay in regular contact with you to ensure you are benefiting and learning from your placement and it is the right organisation for you. We will also provide regular advice about how to make the most of your internship or volunteer programme.
At the end of your placement, you'll receive two professional letters of reference to use for future academic and job interviews. You'll also benefit from being part of a supportive Bridging Gaps alumni community and we provide continued career advice and guidance.
See a selection of testimonials below from alumni that chose Bootstrap. Click through to read the full interviews.
The city is very diverse! There are certain parts of the city that are so different from each other. There are some parts where I feel like I’m in England and then there are other parts where I feel like I’m actually in Africa. Then some streets feel very American, it's so different. I love it, there are so many things to see!
We have worked very hard to streamline our process to make your experience easy, fun and highly rewarding personally and professionally. Flick through the steps below, or read about our process in more detail.
Getting your dream internship all starts with you saying hello! Just pop your details into our enquiry form and we'll reach out to schedule a conversation with you that we call a 'discovery call'.
In your discovery call, you can ask us any questions you still have. We'll talk about your options in the career fields you've told us you're interested in to help you imagine your placement and decide if our service is right for you.
If everything sounds good to you, complete your application to put into words your dream programme. This forms the basis of the 'design' of your customised placement and will be the primary framework against which we validate potentially suitable opportunities.
We maintain a large and varied network of the best organisations in Cape Town. We will identify the best potential fits for your programme goals and preferences and reach out on your behalf to assess those organisations for suitability (learn about their current projects and initiatives).
Once you've confirmed which placement offer you prefer, we'll start helping you plan the rest of your trip. We'll book your accommodation, help with your travel arrangements and provide extensive advice and information on how to get ready for your time in Cape Town. Your Bridging Gaps mentor will be on hand to make sure you're fully prepared for your placement.
Finally, every member of our team will move mountains to make sure you get what you came for and MORE! It's essential to us that you're safe, you're learning and growing in confidence and developing the most important skills for your future career.
We have two primary programmes to suit your needs. In some instances we also offer virtual placements.
You can come for as long as you need without paying any extra fees.You'll receive the same level of support.
We are 100% on your side. We guarantee every aspect of your trip with unrivalled promises.
Need to focus on a precise niche or two? No problem! Your programme can focus on your specialist areas.
We'll help you engage with the culture and personal benefits of being in a foreign country.
Save on travel and accommodation costs, pay a far lower fee. All while building your professional network.
We will handle all aspects of academic accreditation, including direct liaison with your tutors and academic staff.
We will write full reference letters for your placement(s) to optimise future employers' first impression of you.