Volunteer and Internship Projects
Volunteer and Internship Projects in Cape Town, South Africa
By Lulie Swanepoel
There is a growing trend among students and young adults to volunteer, intern, or study abroad. This is very beneficial, not only for personal growth and work experience, but also because volunteering or interning abroad can make a meaningful impact on local communities.
Coming to Cape Town in South Africa is no exception. Not only does travelling to Cape Town give you the chance of journeying to a country that is rich in culture and history, but also the opportunity to improve your resume and gain valuable life skills while doing volunteer work or a career-related internship in human rights, health care, business and many other fields.
Advantages
Whether you are doing volunteer work, an internship or enrolled in a study program, you are gaining global experience.
When looking for employment in the future, this international experience will show prospective employers that you are flexible and have been exposed to different kinds of environments, which will place you above the rest in your field.
Since South Africa is a country rich in culture and diversity, you will be exposed to more views and develop an understanding of cultures that differ very much from your own.
Apart from the work experience accumulated through working abroad, you will also grow personally, learning how to see the world through somebody else's eyes and will gain a sense of independence and responsibility.
There is no comparison to what you will experience while living abroad - even if just for a month or two. Apart from experiencing uniquely South African cultures, you will be able to sample local delicacies and maybe have a few adventures along the way. Activities such as shark-cage diving, white water rafting and wine tasting are all just a short drive from Cape Town.
Possible Projects
If you are considering doing an internship or volunteering in Cape Town, there are a number of local organizations who have extraordinary projects for international students and professionals.
Cape Town is one of South Africa's creative centers, making it the ideal location if you are considering a career in a more creative industry or the arts. You could look into possible opportunities in the advertising, design, film or photography industries, or even journalism for the more serious side of writing.
For the business orientated; a business consulting, communications, finance, marketing, sales or even sports management internship could be possible areas for you to venture into for your global experience.
If you are more interested in community service work, then South Africa is the perfect destination. There are many opportunities in education, health care, human rights, law, public policy, sustainable development, social work and youth leadership.
In addition, wine-makers in Cape Town are world renowned for producing some of the best award-winning wines in the world, making Cape Town the perfect place to gain international experience in the viticulture industry.
Why Cape Town?
South Africa is the perfect country for you to gain global experience. As a developing country, there are many opportunities for you to contribute and make a real impact working with local organizations. As one of the world's most beautiful cities, there is something for everybody in Cape Town!
With the 1,086 meter flat-topped Table Mountain as its center-piece, the city of Cape Town is home to white sandy beaches, striking ocean views, many hiking trails, the Cape Winelands and an extensive list of cultural and historical adventures. For an adrenalin rush you can participate in adventures such as sailing, surfing, bungee jumping, rock climbing, paragliding, and cycling around Cape Point.
You can include a trip to the Cape Winelands, a safari to see the Big 5 (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino) or a boat trip out to Robben Island to learn more about Nelson Mandela's time at this prison. Cape Town is at the heart of South Africa's history and this cosmopolitan city truly showcases the diversity of South Africa's many cultures.
How to find the best projects in Cape Town
There are two ways to go about organizing your internship or volunteer work experience in Cape Town. Either you can try and organize everything yourself, or you can go through an established program or agency.
Begin considering everything you will have to organize including accommodation, flights, travelling in and around Cape Town, social events, trips and adventures - not to mention finding a suitable non-profit organization or company for your internship or volunteer experience.
This task is much simpler if it is done by a reputable local program or agency proficiently on your behalf. Through their experience, an established program will be able to identify your interests and goals and then find the ideal experience for you, where you'll feel like you're making a real contribution to a local organization, while growing personally and professionally.
A reputable internship and volunteer program will also give you increased peace of mind, as they provide substantial local support, including an orientation, quality housing, logistics support and regular social programs. They also provide advice prior to your arrival in Cape Town and provide ongoing support and guidance, from academic advice and mentoring to hands-on help in case of an emergency.
Author Bio
Connect-123 Internship and Volunteer Programs facilitate internship, volunteer, study and service learning opportunities for international undergraduate and graduate students in Cape Town, South Africa.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lulie_Swanepoel
http://EzineArticles.com/?Volunteer-and-Internship-Projects-in-Cape-Town,-South-Africa&id=1714016
10.12.2008. 07:10
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