Desiree Tucker

Education Intern | Cape Town
Michigan State University
19 March 2010

My life is forever changed from 12 weeks spent in Cape Town South, Africa. I walked into my first day of work, and quickly found out that I was overdressed and underprepared for working in the developing township of Khayelitsha. As I drove through the townships, passing children in the street, shacks sprawling through the township, I realized that this experience would be a great challenge. It was my task to coordinate the first Youth Career Expo in this area for black South African students, for a nonprofit organization. Its mission is mobilizing parents, teachers, learners, and community members to decrease the inequality and improve the quality of the South African school system.  I contacted over 60 financial institutions, governmental organizations, universities, colleges, and community development organizations to inform students of their opportunities post matriculation. To my surprise there were colleges who openly admitted that black South African learners in the townships were not their target group of recruitment, because if they did not have the money to move out of the townships they would do nothing more than depress and overwhelm their institution financially.

I am forever indebted to the men and women at my host organisation, and it is an honor knowing I was a part of an organization that is at the forefront of today’s human rights struggle – quality education for all, beginning with those who have been and are currently deprived of adequate resources and opportunities for advancement. Their work is just beginning, as they will soon march to Parliament fighting for one library and one (trained) librarian in every school in South Africa! The presence of racial segregation and discrimination is ever present, but South Africa is quickly evolving, and there has never been a more exciting time to see the face of nations around the world fix their eyes to the rapid development and opportunities emerging from its shores.

Amidst fierce environmental and social circumstances my work in Cape Town taught me that poverty is a very real factor of life for many citizens’ lives, but it does not consume their lives. I learned words like comrade and solidarity, principles young children are raised upon to create an innate sense of unity against a government which too often does not fulfill its promises, but for a people who is fervent in their reminders at what they are owed and what they deserve as South African citizens.

Connect-123 is your continuous outstretched hand of support. Melanie, Gabby, and the rest of the staff are your personal motivation team, championing your success every step of the way throughout your internship. Their organized trips and frequent intern outings create a web of family and network of lasting friendships that not only make your trip unforgettable, but longing for your return once you are forced to depart. Immerse yourself into your internship experience, and I guarantee that with the foundation of Connect-123 and the time spent at your internship you will surface a reconstructed global citizen with limitless possibilities for your future!

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More Reviews for Education and Teaching Internships in Cape Town

Abigail D

Education and Teaching Intern | Cape Town
Michigan State University
16 August 2022

My experience interning in Cape Town, South Africa, is one I will never forget! As a public policy and education student, I knew I wanted my time to be spent working within the realm of South African education. After expressing my interests to Carla, she was able to find the perfect internship for me. During the 10 weeks I was there, I was tasked to do all sorts of things...

Ellie Davidson

Education and Teaching Intern | Cape Town
Washington and Lee University
24 July 2019

Connect-123 has provided me with an amazing experience exploring South Africa this summer. I was able to learn so much about South Africa’s education system through my internship at an education NGO, as well as see parts of Cape Town that I would not have seen without this opportunity. Connect-123 did an amazing job of planning fun and interesting excursions for us; the people at Connect-123 are so friendly and...

Jessica Gonzalez

Education Intern | Cape Town
Michigan State University
28 August 2017

Cape Town is remarkable for its beautiful scenery, its people, culture and history. As a Connect-123 intern, I had the privilege to work with an educational non-profit whose goal is to affect educational change in Philippi ( a predominant black South African township). Before coming to Cape Town, my hope was to learn as much as I could about the South African education system and how it has shaped its...

Anita Baratti

Education Intern | Cape Town
King's College London
7 August 2017

My teaching internship in Cape Town was life-changing. I shared this adventure with an incredible bunch of people from my university in England, who showed my same passion to engage with South African culture and history, making this experience even more amazing. Connect-123 played a huge role: besides being extremely helpful and supportive, they were able to perfectly understand my interests and to find the right internship for me. Tutoring...

Lory Wong

Education Intern | Cape Town
King's College London
2 August 2017

Through my university’s partnership with Connect-123 I was able to intern in Cape Town for two months. I interned at an afterschool care organisation based in schools in underprivileged areas. As some days were spent in the office and others, at the school, I was able to understand the processes and policies involved within the NGO, as well as gain first-hand experience teaching the charity’s learners and organising holiday programmes...

Ezra Sergent-Leventhal

Education Intern | Cape Town
Carleton College
24 July 2017

I am a history major with a minor in educational studies at university, and I was hoping to explore the realm of education policy through my internship provided by Connect-123. After deciding on Cape Town as a destination, I was quickly offered a three month internship in education as a general intern and program facilitator. The organization fit my needs as an intern perfectly, as they are a non-profit that...

Elizabeth Marchand

Education Intern | Cape Town
Middlesex Community College
9 January 2013

I heard about Connect-123 while looking for an internship abroad in the field of education. The two months I spent doing an internship at a school in Cape Town were without a doubt two of the best months I’ve ever spent. While in Cape Town I worked at a school for children with a wide range of physical and mental disabilities, both in the classroom as well as through sports....

Avishka Juta

Literacy Intern | Cape Town
McMaster University Graduate, Canada
19 September 2011

I can say without a doubt that my six week social work and education internship in Cape Town, South Africa was the most incredible six weeks of my life. Having travelled to South Africa before, this was my second time in Cape Town and it definitely provided me with a different perspective on all things South African and allowed me to really immerse myself in issues I have a passion...

Sharon Riley

Education Volunteer | Cape Town
University of Denver, College of Law Graduate
11 May 2011

My experience in Cape Town was amazing and life changing.  I always had a passion for helping others but after working in the corporate world for the past 7 years I lost sight of my purpose and meaning in my life.  After returning back to the United States after my 30 day volunteer experience at a creche, I have a new outlook on life and have learned to appreciate even...

Elysia Wong

Education Volunteer | Cape Town
Deakin University, Graduate
23 November 2010

My experience in Cape Town was nothing short of amazing. Connect-123 made both me and my sister feel warmly welcomed and well taken care of. They found us quality volunteer placements, a great place to live, ensured we knew how to get around with ease, recommended places to go and organized social activities. They placed me in two non profit organizations, where I volunteered working with kids and these fantastic...

Brandon Pierson

Education Volunteer | Cape Town
Keuka College, Graduate
11 November 2010

Knowing that post graduation I would be in somewhat of a position of limbo before my career as an educator began, I decided to follow my dream of visiting the African continent. After a year of research, I finally found a program that seemed to fit my personality and needs in volunteering abroad; Connect-123. I was impressed with the communication throughout the process and the eagerness in having me become...

Barry Goldenberg

Education Intern | Cape Town
UCLA
26 September 2010

Trying to find the right words to accurately describe my experience in Cape Town during my 7 weeks as a Connect-123 participant would, quite frankly, be impossible to do. I’ve grown immensely as a person during those 7 weeks, experiencing things and emotions that will forever leave an imprint on who I am as a person. Furthermore, my experience in Cape Town was not just another trip but in fact...

Grace Sharp

Music Education Intern | Cape Town
James Madison University
18 August 2010

I had a great experience in Cape Town. Connect-123 helped me find housing, food and a car to transport me to my volunteer program. They were my go-to for anything I needed and they planned fun outings that allowed us to explore the area and meet other people in the program. One of my favorite events was taking a bus to Franschhoek to celebrate the Bastille day festival and attending...

Khant Khant Kyaw

Education Intern | Cape Town
Carleton College
19 March 2010

I was in Cape Town, South Africa to teach Sex Education to teenagers with a non-profit NGO in July and August 2010. After these two months, I left Cape Town with fun memories, valuable knowledge on development and NGO work, and friendships I know would last for years; more than what I expected or asked for. I am thankful to all of Connect-123 ‘s staff that carefully ensure the intern’s...

Amy Holter

| Cape Town
Education Intern
3 March 2010

I know that when I go back to the States I will be asked, “So how was South Africa?” I’ve been wondering what I could possibly say to that, and I think I’ve found an answer that is unfortunately as broad as the question itself. “It was everything.” Think of an adjective and it was Cape Town – stunning, exhilarating, challenging, painful, hilarious, breathtaking, terrifying, comforting, emotional, etc, etc, etc....

Angie Fraser

Education Intern | Cape Town
University of Edinburgh
30 November 2009

Connect-123 organized two internships for me, working in both primary and secondary schools in Cape Town. I taught sex education and AIDS awareness in the high schools and held one-on-one English literacy sessions in the primary schools. It was undoubtedly the most challenging and satisfying work I’ve done in my life. The things the kids came out with were hilarious, or shocking, or sometimes very touching. On the whole it...

Sarah Levy

Education Intern | Cape Town
Skidmore College
27 November 2009

I arrived in Cape Town in the middle of May, after many interns had already settled in for a few weeks, but was immediately welcomed by interns and staff alike.  The people I met in the beginning set the tone for my fabulous few months in Cape Town.  Connect-123 brings together an incredible group of open-minded individuals looking to experience working abroad, while also looking to soak up the culture...

Laura Egdorf

| Cape Town
Education Volunteer
26 August 2008

My experience in Cape Town was literally everything I would ever want out of an international volunteer experience. I worked as a volunteer at a non-profit organization based out of Khayelitsha, the second largest township is South Africa, and it was a perfect match, thanks to Connect-123. I fell in love with the people I worked with, and I am grateful to have been able to experience the extremes of...

Charleigh Elebash

Education Volunteer | Cape Town
University of South Carolina
7 August 2008

Connect-123 is such an amazing program. There are always so many things to do, great people to meet and beautiful scenery all around you. Steven, Lea and Melanie are so great and they do everything they can to make you feel at home and make sure that you really see and experience all that Cape Town has to offer! This has been one of the best experiences of my life...

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