International Development interns work with businesswomen to support a local community during an internship project in South Africa.

International Development Internship in South Africa

Gain practical work experience with an NGO in Cape Town and support local community initiatives

Destination

South Africa

Age

16+ y/o

Minimum Stay

2 weeks

Start Date

Anytime

Accommodation

Homestay

What’s Included

24/7 Support

Round-the-clock support on the ground and 24/7 back up from our global teams.

Accommodation & Amenities

Clean, safe, and welcoming accommodation. A home away from home with comfortable amenities.

Activities, Training & Equipment

All programme activities and equipment, including training and workshops from experienced professionals.

Certification

Certified record of service hours, workshops, and activities for your CV.

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Starting at £1,995 for 2 weeks

Flexible 0% Interest payments

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Trip Overview

Gain practical experience

Work with NGOs in Cape Town focused on community development and social justice. Contribute to projects addressing issues like poverty and inequality.

Develop key skills

Apply your knowledge and learn new skills in areas like project management, research, fundraising, and community outreach.

Contribute to real change

Contribute to meaningful projects that aim to improve the lives of disadvantaged communities.

Gain international expertise

Gain valuable international work experience and develop skills that will enhance your career prospects in the field of international development.

Explore South Africa

Experience the vibrant culture of Cape Town, visit iconic landmarks like Table Mountain, and immerse yourself in the beauty of South Africa.

What you need to know

Overview

This project is perfect for you if you’re interested in working with an NGO to empower people from disadvantaged communities. It’s also a good fit for students and recent graduates of business or development studies.

This internship will add valuable work experience to your CV and give you interesting points to talk about in interviews and applications. You’ll also learn valuable skills that you can apply to any future career, like planning and adaptability.

You don’t need previous experience to join. You’ll work alongside experienced staff, and you can reach out to Projects Abroad staff for help and guidance at any time.

Our International Development placements in South Africa run throughout the year, and you can join at any time. We encourage you to stay as long as possible. Doing so will ensure you can have a bigger impact on the community and gain more international development work experience.

A Day in the Life

A typical day will start off with you having breakfast at your host family. We arrange your daily travel to and from your placement in Vrygrond, and this cost is covered in your programme fees. However, please note that all of your after-hours and weekend transport will be at your own expense.

Your average workday will run from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday.

When you arrive at work on your first day, you will be introduced to staff who will be able to advise and support you during your placement. Our Projects Abroad staff are also available to guide you throughout your stay.

As an intern, your work will be focused on fundraising, marketing, and local business and staff development. This can translate into various tasks, like drawing up a business plan for a struggling entrepreneur or building relationships with sponsors to bring in more funding for the NGO.

You will be expected to bring your own laptop to work on during this placement. As this is a professional internship, it is essential for you to be punctual and hard-working.

But it’s not all work and no play. When you’re finished for the day, it’s time to explore your new surroundings. Why not spend some time getting to know your host family over a traditional South African dinner? Or discover the delights that Cape Town has to offer!

Activities

There will be a lot of work you can get involved with. However, your exact role will depend on your level of experience. Here are some of the tasks you can expect to do during your placement:

Assist with marketing-related work, like writing articles, making brochures, and organising events
Guide business development and do administration work
Coordinate fundraising efforts to raise money for local businesses
Plan and conduct market research for local community members
Host business workshops

Your work will focus on the following areas:

Assist with marketing efforts

Part of your role will involve helping the NGO with marketing-related activities. This means you will help:

Keep the website up to date for the benefit of future investors interested in their activities and achievements
Write articles
Make flyers and brochures
Organise events

Guide local businesses and help their development

You can assist in developing business plans for existing or startup businesses. You will also help businesses establish plans to improve their efforts through better marketing and finance management.

Coordinate fundraising activities

You will help send fundraising proposals to different firms and individuals. You will also develop relationships with existing sponsors, write motivation letters, and develop contacts.

Market research

You will formulate and execute market research, collect statistics from questionnaires, and research the job market for community members.

Host business workshops

You will help conduct business and entrepreneurial workshops as well as lead an entrepreneurial mentorship role for potential business leaders.

Map & Location

At the southernmost tip of the African continent lies the remarkable country of South Africa, with three capital cities and 11 official languages. A melting pot of culture with a chequered past, the South African people have a distinct “Ubuntu” spirit that you will feel everywhere you go.

Table Mountain, Robben Island, and expansive national parks are just some of the sites in this increasingly popular, historic destination. Did you know it was the first (and only) African nation to host the Football World Cup?

Cape Town

Cape Town, situated on the western coast of South Africa, is a captivating city renowned for its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Home to almost five million people, Cape Town has a temperate, Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters.

The famous Table Mountain overlooks the city and is one of many popular hiking locations. Beautiful beaches, world-class wineries, and exciting outdoor activities makes it no surprise that Cape Town is South Africa’s second largest city.

Food & Accommodation

Settle into South Africa like a home away from home, with everything you need for an engaging and enriching stay. You’ll have a cosy bed, three meals a day, and access to clean drinking water. You’ll be welcomed into the home of a carefully vetted local family, hand-picked by Projects Abroad, who will embrace you as one of their own.

Your new home will be clean, safe, and within 30 minutes commute of your placement, with transport organised by our staff every day. You will stay with other Projects Abroad participants, sharing a room with people who are of the same gender and similar age.

Together, you will share your international experience and learn about a new culture. You’ll enjoy delicious, home-cooked food from your host family and explore the beauty of Cape Town.

Free Time and Leisure

Known as the Rainbow Nation, South Africa has a diverse mix of cultures. Our projects are based in Cape Town, a region filled with an exciting variety of activities to do during your free time.

You can catch a wave at Muizenberg beach or just relax in a seaside restaurant. There’s plenty of local cuisine to try, including delicately spiced Cape Malay curries and the creamy milk tart dessert.

South Africa has a difficult past, which you can learn more about at the District 6 Museum and Robben Island.

For an awe-inspiring experience, you can spend the day getting lost in the towering silos that make up the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Arts Africa. Finally, no trip to Cape Town would be complete without a cable car ride up iconic Table Mountain.

We run many different projects in South Africa, so there’s sure to be other volunteers in the country with you. That gives you the freedom to explore solo or get a group together for an excursion.

Your Arrival Made Easy

When you arrive at your respective airport, a member of Projects Abroad staff will be there to meet you. You can find more detailed information on arrival airports, orientation, and visas on our South Africa Arrival Procedures page.