Jane Sanders
Public Policy Intern | Cape TownI’d had it in my head since first visiting Africa in 2007 that I wanted to make it back before too long. I had no idea that I’d be able to be back in Cape Town just three years later. I had a lot of expectations for my trip. I wanted to feel connected to the city. I wanted to meet people from all over. I wanted to feel like the work I was doing was worthwhile. Most importantly, I wanted to feel like I was challenging myself and also “making a difference.” Having arrived safely back in the States, I can say that I did all of these things.
My internship was organized by Mel and I began June 3rd working at a Secretariat representing those with disabilities. I struggled somewhat with selecting an internship, as most of the volunteer work I’ve done in the past has been charity-oriented. As much as I love the hands-on, one-on-one contact with the disadvantaged, I wanted this summer to be a more development-oriented experience. I worked with two other interns on a couple of different projects. The Secretariat was interested in re-branding the organization, making it more appealing to policy makers and government officials. We also worked in the communications sector of the organization, improving the website and publications. My favorite projects involved working with my boss, Thomas, on developing information on “Ambassadorial Countries.” Thomas travelled a lot to visit countries that could serve as models for other African nations to create, implement, and enforce policy that would best serve the disabled peoples of the country. I loved getting to see his first-hand interactions with the government officials and his intense interest in developing the policies of the developing African continent.
Connect-123 was supportive and involved from Day One. I enjoyed being in touch with Mel, and it was nice to have someone constantly on my side during the experience. The office was also very helpful in planning extracurricular activities and fun excursions for my friends and I. On behalf of both my sister (who worked with Connect-123 in 2007) and I, I’d highly recommend Connect-123 to anyone looking for a different type of internship experience in an unbeatable location. Cape Town will not disappoint you!
More Reviews for Public Policy Internships in Cape Town
Nicholas Prince Asaga
Public Policy Intern | Cape TownUniversity of Fort Hare
19 February 2019
Just like jobs, looking for an internship or volunteering project is increasingly becoming very difficult. Sometimes people have their applications rejected, not because they are not competent enough, but because their application documents lack vital make or break elements with regards to format and approach. That is where Connect-123 comes to the rescue! Connect-123, believing everyone deserves an opportunity, helped me get the perfect internship I was looking for. The...
Faizan Rai
Public Policy intern | Cape TownKing's College London
18 July 2018
Culture, politics, and nature. It is fair to say that my time in Cape Town can be characterized by these three defining features, along with much more. Having the opportunity to live, work and holiday in Cape Town exposed me to a whole new way of life, which is something I looked forward to before coming here. The city and indeed the whole country is abundant in culture, with various beautiful...
Alex Schramkowski
Public Policy intern | Cape TownRhodes College
11 July 2018
When I journeyed to Cape Town, the questions I had about the culture, my internship, the city, and the country as a whole were constantly on my mind. Would I enjoy myself? Would my internship cater to my professional and personal aspirations? Would I make important connections for my future? Would I learn about South African history and culture through incredible trips and site visits? All of those questions, retrospectively,...
Ashley W
Public Policy Intern | Cape TownKing's College London
10 August 2017
My internship in Cape Town was truly amazing! I worked at an arts and culture governmental organisation that has a legal mandate to identify, protect and conserve heritage resources, of which, can be both intangible and tangible. My department was responsible for ensuring heritage resources are not altered in anyway but are preserved and passed on to future generations. I visited various heritage sites and, as part of my outcome based tasks, produced site visit reports. I...
Alexandra Wilson
Political Science Intern | Cape TownColgate University
28 August 2015
My experience with Connect-123 this summer entailed making incredible friendships coupled with the internship of my dreams. I was able to put my international development studies to practical use in a country that has undergone tremendous strides in the development sector, post apartheid, and is on a dynamic and exponential trajectory. One of the highlights was my boss flying me to Johannesburg to aid in and absorb the process of...
Renee Barouxis
Public Policy Internship | Cape TownUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst
24 September 2013
After learning about South African history in college, I was eager to learn more about the country's politics through an internship in the country. With Connect-123's assistance, I landed an internship with so many opportunities: sitting in the Parliament's gallery above President Zuma as he defended his 2013 State of the Nation Address to Members of Parliament, hearing the Minister of Health explain ways to lower child mortality rates, or...
Zephia Ovia
Public Policy Intern | Cape TownUniversity of Manchester, UK
17 September 2012
My Cape Town experience was definitely the highlight of my summer! Leaving my comfort zone and taking the adventurous risk to live in a different country where the culture is somewhat different from what I am used to was worth it. Connect-123 helped in bringing young vibrant people together to have a summer experience like never before. From hosting various activities such as a wine tasting and karaoke nights to...
Matthew Price
Public Policy Internship | Cape TownUniversity of Oklahoma
29 August 2006
One word sums up my experience in South Africa: incredible! I was there for three months and had the time of my life. Steven and Lea, who run Connect-123, are two of the greatest and most accommodating people in the world and they are completely dedicated to making sure that each intern has a positive and life changing experience. They both have extensive experience in traveling and working with younger...