Internship & Culture in Cape Town
Intern in Cape Town, where ocean views, rich history, and endless adventure shape your gap year.
Cape Town is a city like no other, framed by Table Mountain, bordered by two oceans, and alive with the rhythm of the Rainbow Nation. During this 12-week program, you’ll live and intern in South Africa, gaining real-world experience and cultural insight alongside a cohort of peers destined to become fast friends.
Intern 15 hours per week at a placement matched to your interests, whether with an NGO tackling social change, an established ecotourism company, or a creative business in Cape Town’s growing tech and startup scene. An optional 15-hour course helps you reflect on your experience and build career-ready skills, and optional U.S. college credit is available through online courses through ASU Online. Resume workshops, guest lectures, and company visits add professional depth, while cultural activities highlight South Africa’s innovation, resilience, and community.
Two guided excursions have you exploring the dark history of Robben Island, the maximum-security prison where Nelson Mandela was held, and Elephant’s Eye, a cave lookout with sweeping views. You’ll return home career-ready, globally connected, and with memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.
Why Choose This Program?
Professional Development
Gain valuable experience through a professional internship, cultural activities, and networking opportunities. Return home with a clearer sense of your academic and career goals.
Strike a Balance
Benefit from CIEE's global support and cultural expertise, while exploring the world at your own pace.
Make Connections
With a part-time internship schedule, you'll have plenty of time to explore the local lifestyle, meet new people, and build your network with locals and fellow gap interns.
96%
of alumni said their language skills improved
94%
said they learned to interact with different cultural backgrounds
89%
said their level of independence increased
The Destination
Welcome to Cape Town—South Africa’s Mother City, full of culture, color, and coastal energy.
Cape Town offers a world of striking combinations: dramatic natural landscapes alongside a modern city, and a layered culture shaped by African, Asian, and European influences. Founded as a port at the crossroads of global trade, the city still carries the imprint of colonialism and apartheid. At the same time, its present mood is bold with resilience and reinvention, seen in the art, music, and social progress.
Life in Cape Town is a paradise for nature lovers and thrill seekers. Join locals walking the Sea Point Promenade, watch a rugby match at DHL Stadium, or relax in the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. See penguins at Boulders Beach, paraglide from Signal Hill, kitesurf in False Bay, or mountain bike in nearby reserves.
When it comes to local cuisine, a braai (barbecue) is as much about community as it is about the meal, while Cape Malay curries reflect the city’s history of cultural exchange. Add in street musicians, bustling markets, and waterfront cafés, and you’ll see why students quickly fall in love with Cape Town’s rhythm.
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Sample Itinerary
Top Rated Activities
Every week, you will engage in hands-on experiences and excursions that will bring Cape Town to life, getting you closer to its culture and history, while growing your global network.
Zeitz MOCAA: Art from Africa and the Diaspora
Zeitz MOCAA is the largest museum of contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora, housed in a 1920s grain silo transformed into soaring galleries and a cathedral-like atrium. Inside, you’ll find bold works by leading African artists, rotating exhibitions, and spaces for residencies and education. It’s a chance to see groundbreaking art you won’t encounter anywhere else, and to understand Africa’s influence on contemporary culture worldwide.
Professional Workplace Visits
Get an inside look at the Cape Town work environment by touring local organizations and businesses. From innovative tech startups to mission-driven nonprofits, you'll explore real workspaces, meet professionals, and learn how different industries operate in a global city. These visits make your future career path feel a little more real and a lot more exciting.
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Eligibility
- Program open to recent high school graduates (no more than 2 years post-graduation) who:
- Are at least 18 years old at the time of their departure
- Are in good academic standing
- Demonstrate—through the application and interview process—flexibility and maturity.
- No previous language experience required.
- For more information, refer to our detailed Gap Essential Eligibility Criteria.
Dates & Fees
Application Fee
$50
Priority deadline discount
Apply to a fall semester or academic year program by June 1 and automatically get a $400 discount. Apply to a spring semester by October 1 and get a $400 discount. Discounts are deducted from the final balance.
Insurance
The program fee includes iNext travel insurance. Additional information about insurance can be found on the FAQ page.
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
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 protection with benefits.
| Program Balance | $14,500 |
| Total Fees | $14,500 |
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 grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
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 protection with benefits.
| Program Balance | $14,500 |
| Total Fees | $14,500 |
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 grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Ready to change your life?
Our Staff
Faeza Khan
Center Director
Faeza holds a PhD in social work from the University of Western Cape and brings over a decade of senior-level experience in higher education and international development to her role...
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