South Africa: Internship or a Gap Year

Why South Africa? 

 

The nature of South Africa

 

South Africa boasts some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. 

Discover:

• Table Mountain overlooking Cape Town to the lush
• Green hills of the Drakensberg Mountains
• The wild coastline of the Garden Route.

 

Explore:

• Sweeping savannas of Kruger National Park
• The Karoo desert
• The otherworldly rock formations of the Cederberg.

 

South African Lifestyle

 

• The country blends traditional African customs with contemporary urban living, creating a unique atmosphere where lively markets, music, and dance are part of everyday life.

 

• South Africans are known for their warm hospitality and laid-back attitude. 

 

• Cities offer buzzing social scene with trendy cafes, fine dining, and world-class shopping alongside historical neighborhoods and cultural landmarks. 

 

South African cities

 

• Cape Town is famous for its natural beauty, vibrant arts scene, and historic sites like Robben Island. 

 

• Johannesburg, the country’s largest city, is the economic center and a hub of culture, innovation, and history, especially in places like the Apartheid Museum and Soweto. 

 

• Durban, has subtropical climate and Indian influence. It offers a laid-back coastal vibe, stunning beaches, and delicious food.

 

Practical information

 

• Official currency in South Africa is the Rand. It is subdivided into 100 cents.

 

• The most common language spoken as a first language by South Africans is Zulu, followed by Xhosa, and Afrikaans. English is the fourth most common first language in the country, but is understood in most urban areas and is the dominant language in government and the media

 

• Visitors’ visas may be granted for tourism purposes, business purposes, study purposes (max stay three months), charitable or voluntary activities, research, conferences

 

• It has lower average temperatures than other countries within the range of latitude, because it is mostly at a higher elevation. The coldest days are between June–August.

 

• There are both private and public hospitals. Private healthcare is recommended. 

 

Why intern in South Africa?

 

• The country is home to dynamic industries such as health, environmental conservation, media, finance, and human rights, allowing interns to contribute meaningfully to impactful projects. 

 

• International work in a multi cultural environment

 

• Interns benefit from exposure to a multicultural society, stunning natural landscapes, and a growing network of global professionals, all of which enrich both personal and career growth.

 

Which fields are popular in South Africa? 

 

Wildlife and environmental conservation

 

Marine conservation

 

Communication

 

Business 

 

Internships programs in South Africa with RealStep

Veterinary internship in reserves

 

• Mpongo, a famous reserve with the Big 5 (lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalos and leopards).

 

• Sabati is an area suitable for conservation and is being developed with a recent introduction of wildlife.

 

• Matola is a nature reserve located in the Kubusi Valley. The NGO has also recently started a conservation project in this reserve with a combination of activities related to safaris.

 

Learn more about the program here and schedule a call.

 

Marine conservation internship 

 

This internship in the environment and sustainability includes a series of high-level academic and field skills training modules and is designed for undergraduate and recent graduate students in marine science.

 

Internship is based in Gansbaai, South Africa.

 

Learn more about the program and schedule a call with our team. 

 

Communication and marketing internship

 

Discover Cape Town through this humanitarian communication internship. Tasks include development of calendars for social networks, web site development, SEO, content writing. 

 

Get more information about the program and get in touch here.

Gap year in South Africa 

 

You can opt to participate in a volunteer program or indulge in one of the many adventure travel opportunities the country has to offer. 

 

Cost: depending on where you are traveling, flight tickets may be the biggest cost. Cost of living is lower than the average in the US or Europe.

 

Learn more about what to do during a gap year.