Make a meaningful impact while gaining hands-on experience in Cape Town, a city where community, resilience, and social change intersect. Through IE3 Global’s collaboration with VACorps, interns are matched with high-quality, personalised placements across private organisations, public bodies, and non-profits. Each placement is tailored to your industry interests, academic background, and professional experience, ensuring you can both learn and contribute meaningfully.
Interns have the opportunity to work alongside organisations addressing critical social and public health challenges, including mental health, youth development, counselling, and community support. Responsibilities will vary by placement and may include project coordination, communications, client engagement, research, and direct involvement in community initiatives.
The following organisations are examples of where you may be placed. All internship sites offer strong learning opportunities. Placement decisions are based on the skills and interests of the intern, the needs of the host site, and position availability.
The Trauma Centre
A Cape Town-based human rights organisation dedicated to healing individuals and communities affected by violence and torture. They provide trauma counselling, mental health care, and evidence-based healing programmes, and work to reduce violence by addressing root causes such as inequality, poverty, and substance abuse.
Sisters Incorporated
A safe haven in Cape Town that has supported women and children in crisis for over 60 years. The organisation provides short-term accommodation, counselling, and holistic therapy for survivors of domestic violence and abuse, with a focus on empowerment and independent living.
Christine Revell Children's Home
Provides full-time care for up to 50 babies and young children (birth to five years old) who have been neglected, abandoned, abused, or orphaned. The home offers a nurturing environment and runs early childhood development programmes to prepare children for school and healthy growth.
https://www.christinerevellchildrenshome.co.za/
Ihata Shelter
Accommodates approximately 25 women and their children, offering safe housing and holistic services designed to restore dignity, independence, and self-respect. Ihata also runs a youth development academy and advocacy initiatives addressing gender-based violence.
Counselling and psychology internships in Cape Town will expose you to the complexities of South Africa's mental health care system. Your placement will provide access to counselling and social support services, and may include experience in any of the following areas:
School Counselling
Internships in school settings allow interns to work with students on academic, social, and emotional issues, available in public, private, and international schools.
NGOs Focusing on Specific Populations
Internships with NGOs that serve refugees, LGBTQ+ individuals, or survivors of violence can provide specialised counselling experience.
Substance Abuse Rehabilitation
Placements at rehabilitation centres offer hands-on experience supporting individuals to overcome addiction and develop coping skills.
Youth Counselling
Organisations focused on support services for young people may offer placements working with adolescents on a range of issues.
HIV/AIDS Counselling
Given the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in South Africa, there are organisations offering counselling services related to education, prevention, and support in this area.
Academic Background
Skills
Language Requirements
Estimated One-Time Expenses
* Check with your university's Global Opportunities Office for their specific fee.
Estimated Monthly Expenses
The Host Site Fee Includes
Interns are accommodated in fully furnished, student-oriented housing located in Observatory, one of Cape Town's most vibrant and culturally diverse neighbourhoods. Known locally as "Obz," this area is popular among students and young professionals for its lively atmosphere, cafés, and creative energy. Each intern has a private, fully furnished room and shares common living spaces, including a kitchen, lounge, bathroom, and laundry facilities.
Housing includes 24-hour security and regular housekeeping, with a housekeeper visiting at least twice a week, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment. Interns pay a $100 cleaning fee and a $250 refundable housing deposit directly to the housing company (refunded if no damage occurs).
Wi-Fi is available at $20 per month for up to two devices, though speed and reliability may not match US standards. Other utility costs are split among housemates. The central location offers easy access to the city centre, beaches, and surrounding natural attractions, making it both convenient and culturally engaging.
"I gained a great deal of meaningful professional experience, but the most important thing I took away was the relationships I formed while I was there. I loved the food, the mountains, the beaches, the animals, and the forests — but the people are what I loved the most. It is great to know that you can go halfway across the world to a country where you don't know anyone and end up making so many wonderful friendships."
—Ross Druckrey, IE3 intern from University of Oregon
"My personal growth, while harder to quantify, has been just as astonishing. I always wondered if I could manage in a different culture — and I know now that I can. The number one thing I have achieved personally is confidence: confidence in both my work and myself, which will prove priceless in the years following graduation."
—Alex Hoelscher, IE3 intern from University of Montana
Fall: April 15
Winter: September 15
Spring: November 15
Summer:
- Currently enrolled in or a recent graduate of a counseling, psychology, social work, or related program.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Empathetic, non-judgmental, and culturally sensitive.
- Familiarity with counseling techniques and ethical standards.
- Willingness to learn and adapt in a dynamic counseling environment