Cape Town, South Africa

Summer Global Internship

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Information for term Summer Global Internship

Application deadline, and cost information.

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

Program Deadlines and Pricing Info

  • Dates: Jun 12 – Aug 5, 2023 (8 weeks)
  • Credit: 6 semester hours / 9 quarter hours
  • Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA

Overview

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Have you ever imagined gaining work experience in one of the world's most beautiful yet economically and socially divided global cities? Look no further than the proud, diverse, and major commercial center of South Africa: Cape Town! Cape Town's emerging global economy faces many challenges, including its power supply, labor force, and inequality. Despite its challenges, this incredible South African port city regularly ranks as one of the top tourist destinations in the world, with stunning beaches, majestic mountains, and fantastic wildlife within its city limits.

Following our personalized placement process, CIEE Cape Town staff will work with you directly to connect you with the right opportunity. From microfinance to medicine, you will gain real-world work experience that suits your unique academic needs and professional goals. When you're not networking and learning, you'll have ample time to explore Cape Town's memorable scenery, watersports, and nightlife in this multilingual, multicultural, student-friendly environment. Cape Town's complexity, diversity, and natural beauty will make an exceptional backdrop for your unforgettable global internship!

 

Unique Experiences

  • Take a cable car

    to the top of Table Mountain, a flat topped mountain offering gorgeous views of the city and the South Atlantic Ocean.

  • Spend your summer interning

    in a location recently named the most entrepreneurial city in South Africa.

  • Follow the lead of locals

    and take advantage of Cape Town’s lush outdoors: hike, mountain bike, surf and swim.

  • marine creatures at the Two Oceans Aquarium

    3,000
  • students at University of Cape Town

    29K
  • cyclists participate in the Cape Town Cycle Tour

    35K

Location & Culture

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Against the backdrop of the towering Table Mountain, people from different backgrounds, religions, and ethnicities call Cape Town home. The city serves as a commercial and industrial entry point to Africa and houses regional headquarters for many companies, nonprofits, and NGOs.  Cape Town is Africa’s most popular destination for many reasons, starting with its glorious climate and natural attractions – from Table Mountain to stunning beaches. Situated on the southern tip of Africa, Cape Town is a vibrant multicultural city with a rich selection of day and night activities. The city is also a microcosm of the challenges facing many African countries in transition – how to successfully operate within a global economy while grappling with the vast socioeconomic inequalities that are the legacy of the colonial and apartheid past. 

Cape Town’s Mediterranean climate means the months from May to July bring cool days and some rain.  Daily high temperatures are around 64° F, rarely falling below 57° F or exceeding 72° F. This program operates during the "secret season,” Cape Town’s winter. 

Learn more about Cape Town and see past internship examples »

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Cape Town.

The Culture

Featured Excursion

GLINT students will visit an entrepreneurship hub in a local marginalized community to see how entrepreneurship has the potential to revitalize local spaces and bring employment and income to many in our highly unequal society. 

Other Excursions & Activities

  • Visit the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, built on top of the docks at the Port of Cape Town. It is the city's most visited tourist attraction, and a popular shopping venue. 
  • Walk through the beautiful Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, a famous botanical garden nestled at the eastern foot of Table Mountain.  
  • Receive guidance on creating a resume targeted for local business culture and geared to your areas of interest. 
  • Develop professionally at a business workshop. Topics include “Making the Most of your Internship,” “Networking and Informational Interviewing,” “Understanding Working Styles,” and “Leveraging your Internship for a Global Career.” 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  • Learn resume writing best practices and gain interview skills based on local business culture 
  • Explore the professional world of Cape Town through organizational site visits, industry networking events, and guest lectures 
  • Participate in workshops that will help you make the most of your internship 

Program Blogs

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Program Blogs

Daily Life

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  • HOUSING

    Summer Global Internship students will live in comfortable apartments conveniently located to access their internship sites and CIEE Cape Town. All the rooms are fully furnished and include an ensuite bathroom, a fully fitted kitchen, and Wi-Fi. Students can enjoy social interaction with their peers in a variety of communal areas and can also appreciate the quiet spaces that allow them to study on their own or work on tasks in a group.

    Dependent on availability, students may also live in apartments shared with other CIEE students. If local health and safety regulations permit, students live in double or triple rooms. Each apartment will have shared common spaces, including a kitchen and bathroom. 

  • MEALS

    Students can prepare their own meals or eat at local restaurants and cafés. 

  • Transportation

    Students usually make use of Uber or ride-share services rather than unreliable, infrequent public transport. Costs are approximately $0.60 USD per kilometer, which makes this an affordable option for many. 

Cape Town, South Africa

Where You'll Study

  • A

    CIEE STUDY CENTER

    CAPE TOWN

  • B

    Getting Around

    Students commute to their internships and most program activities using Uber.

What People are Saying

  • "It is great opportunity for deaf students who can get it with full access"

    Angie B., Gallaudet University

Academics

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Academics

As a global intern in Cape Town, you’ll work full time in a non-paying position within a wide range of opportunities across a diverse set of innovative industries. Extra-curricular cultural activities in and around Cape Town complement your coursework and immerse you in the history and culture of the city. 

This eight-week program includes a full-time internship and an integrated online academic course.  

• All internship placements are offered in English.
• Students should expect to spend approximately 30 -37 hours per week engaged in internship work and an additional 5 - 6 hours per week on academic course work. 

GPA

2.5

Language Prerequisites

There are no specific language requirements for this program.

Additional Requirements

Rising Sophomore standing and above required at time of participation.

Additional visa restrictions may apply and CIEE will advise students as part of the early application process.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Program Requirements

Students participate in an academic course taught in an online learning environment alongside the eight-week, full-time internship. Participation in the integrated academic course and internship are mandatory for all participants.

Program Credit

Total credit: 6 U.S. semester/9 quarter credits

 

Course Credit

Internship: 6 U.S. semester/9 quarter credits; 15 integrated academic course hours, 225-300 internship placement hours

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Academic Culture

Students are expected to dress and behave professionally throughout their internship project and are subject to the agreed-upon internship protocols arranged by CIEE and the host organizations. The academic course is designed to prepare students for leadership in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse workforce.

Class Format

Students participate in an eight-week CIEE full-time internship and academic course taught in an online learning environment. Class and/or work hours may be scheduled Monday-Friday, and attendance is strictly enforced for all. To avoid falling behind, students should not plan personal travel away from the city when classes are in session.

Grading

Students will be assessed via assignments and activities related to the academic course, including but not limited to: online discussion forums, reflective papers, individual or group presentations, analysis of readings, an internship work plan, and feedback from internship supervisor. Internship supervisors and students each provide written evaluations of progress towards goals.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Language of Instruction

English

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Courses

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Course Information

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.

Scholarships

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Scholarships & Grants

CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.

Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:

  • Wollitzer Merit Scholarships in Area or Comparative Studies
  • Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
  • Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
  • CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
  • CIEE Stem Scholarship

To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application. Learn more at the Scholarships & Grants section of our website.

See more scholarship info

Dates & Fees

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Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing

Summer 2023 8 weeks Deadline Passed Jun 12, 2023 Aug 5, 2023
$6,950
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Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel insurance with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300

Educational Costs = $3,953

Housing = $2,500

Insurance = $197

Total Fees = $6,950

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $800

International Airfare = $1,450

Local Transportation = $500

Personal expenses = $1,000

Other = $80

Total Estimated Costs = $3,830

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

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What's Included

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What's Included

Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext and a local liability insurance
24/7 emergency on-site support

Our Staff

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Get Started

Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:
  • 1

    START AN APPLICATION
    You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience! 

    Apply Now
  • 2

    CONNECT WITH YOUR CAMPUS STUDY ABROAD OFFICE 
    Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. 

  • 3

    CONTACT
    Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.

    Email us