My volunteer experiences in Cape Town – Steffi, 24 years, from Germany

I came to Cape Town for a holiday with my parents two years ago and I absolutely fell in love with this city!
I was sure I will come back one day for a longer time.
Last year I just finished my tourism studies and I had the urge to explore something different before I head into the working world. So I came up with the idea of volunteering in South Africa and I wanted to stay in Cape Town.
After a lot of research in the internet and lots of applications, I got very frustrated as I didn’t receive any positive answer by an organization dealing with Child care. While my research I came across the website from Kickstart which offered three programmes I was interested in.
Finally I decided to participate in a programme which runs a crèche and a preschool for township kids in Hout Bay. There are about 110 children between the age of 1-6 years.
Kickstart set up everything for me: accommodation, airport pickup, transport, visa…and I was quiet happy to meet somebody at the airport I could ask a lot of questions as I was pretty excited to be back all by myself!
After two days exploring Cape Town with my flatmates and meeting a lot of new people through the Kickstart student network I already felt comfortable in my new home! On Monday morning Sandra picked me up and gave me a lift to my volunteer project to introduce me to the people. It was such a nice vibe there, all the staff friendly and the kids curious and incredible cute. Within 2 minutes I had 2 children on both arms hanging on me all begging for attention and asking me lots of questions. That was a completely different experience as the children in Germany are very reserved and pretty shy towards strangers at the beginning.
First I was concerned about the language barrier as the smaller children don’t speak (or just very little) English as their mother tongue is mainly Xhosa. Also the kitchen lady Martha didn’t speak any English, but it didn’t matter, we communicate with hands and feet and got along with each other very well.
The first days I was just observing and assisted the staff where help was needed. Particularly hard was to remember all the names which are almost impossible to keep in mind for foreigners.
My tasks were for example: feeding the babies (around 1year old), change nappies and put them to bed for a lunch nap, while playing with the older children during the preschool break outside. On the venue is a little playground and they have some material to play with.
This time is quiet exhausting as everybody wants your attention and wants you to be part of their game.
Then the older children get lunch and before they start to eat they said a prayer and sang a song. This preschool is very Christian.
After lunch the children have a bit of sparetime which can be used to read out of a book, painting or doing some sporty activities.
In total I was motivated to set up my own activities. I spoke to my supervisor Annie about my ideas and she gave me the go ahead to realize my projects like doing some sport in the sports hall, having an art lesson where the children could make presents for their parents or studying a dance.
After a while I was more involved in teaching in classes. I assist the teacher and helped the kids with their tasks and answered their questions. You have to have good nerves as it can be incredibly loud with so many kids in one class, but it is really good fun!!!
I was staying for 2,5months and I must really say that I struggled on my last day to say goodbye to everybody. The staff was so friendly and thankful and the children became quiet close to me in this short time. Some of them were giving me presents and they were dancing the dance I taught them, so cute….Some of them were crying and I needed to promise them to write them.
The project is fundraised by some Swiss and German people and they started to build more classrooms while I was there.
This project is incredible important as the parents don’t have to pay for their children and they get breakfast, lunch and free education. It would be great to offer this opportunity to many more children from the nearby township!!

After my volunteering I joined an overland tour with some other Kickstart students from Holland, France and Finland. It was great fun and we saw amazing landscape and wildlife. We camped in the bushes or slept underneath the stars while hearing some animals roaring further away.

I can definitely say that this was an experience of a lifetime and I feel very attached to Cape Town and its people- I will come back one day- that’s for sure!!
Everybody who wants to explore something different, like to help and want to see this country from a different angle while having fun – come to Cape Town!

Internship in insurance company

How would you rate your internship on a scale 1 to 10? (1-poor, 10 - excellent)
10

Did your internship match your expectations? And, were you able to gain the work experience you wanted?
Yes, I worked in Euro Center in Cape Town as assistant in insurance company. I helped to develop partnership with African French speaking countries, I wrote reports about African countries, and translated from French to English.

Would you recommend this placement? And, why?

Yes, i would. This was an enjoyable opportunity to gain experience in this field of activities. A good way to learn professionally and personally. The company was interesting and provided a good training. Great team.

How did you enjoy Cape Town? And, would you recommend it to other international students?

Cape Town is a really nice city. We never get bored. Always things to do, to orginise, to visit. Beautiful landscape. Easy to meet other international students or Capetonians, One of the nicest location I ever been to. I would really recommend this experience to students. It gave me a lot. ...I´ll be back...lol

Samir Tighzert, France

Internship in tourism

How would you rate your internship on a scale 1 to 10? (1-poor, 10 - excellent)
7

Please describe your internship placement with the tasks and functions in three or four sentences. And, were you able to gain the work experience you wanted?
I made my internship in a tour operator, I was in charge to conduct marketing research. I was in charge also to book tour for travelers (booking of accommodation, restaurants and activities)

Would you recommend this placement? And why?
Yes I recommend it! It was very good experience for people interested in travel industry.

What did you think about Cape Town, South Africa?
I enjoyed so much in Cape town, I think is the best place of the world, hope to come back later because I had very good time and keep nice souvenirs. The landscape is amazing, there are lot of thinks to do in Cape Town, we can’t bored! The people from Cape town are very nice, we can meet lot of different nationality. I recommend to live in Sea Point, because more relaxed!

What did you think about our services?
I have a very good image of this agency, they ware helpful.

Wafa Habar, France

Internship at the real estate agency

How would you rate your completed internship on a scale 1 to 10? (1poor; 10-excellent)
I give 10 points. Much experiences (many positive, several negative, but these are the ones which are worth a lot).

Did your internship match your expectations? And, were you able to gain the work experience you wanted?
Yes it did. I expected to be involved within activities of the company and gain practical experience. This is exactly what happened.

Please outline the tasks and functions of your internship in two or three sentences.
Position: Assistant to Portfolio Manager. I am completely satisfied with the internship, experience gained,exposure to practical business situations and involvement in general.

Would you recommend this placement? And, why?
Yes, despite some negative issues, there are a lot of opportunities for young students. Initiative is sincerely appreciated. There is a lot of exposure to practical business situations.

How did you enjoy Cape Town? And, would you recommend it to other international students?
It is a marvelous, terrific and simply stunning place – one of thepearls of the world. It combines business, civilization with an exotic world of Africa – a definite poddle of nations, a place where past and future intersect. And if you add sandy beaches, beautiful ladies and the chilling aura of the resort you get a place which is close to paradise
Just google pictures of cape town. They speak for themselves :)

What did you think about Kickstart services?
The most important thing is that it provided the internship i really wanted (with much involvement, in an international company, in the area of real estate). It’s cool to live with other students.

Tomas Pagirys, Lithunia

Tourism company

What did you think about your internship?

I liked my internship. It is a company who works very hard, but on the other side very relaxed. They take the time to explain all the things you have to know and take care of work for you. If you want or have to do something else they help you to find other jobs.

What did you think about our services?

Kickstart (Allinterns) is a good way to find a practical training overseas. They ask you what you are looking for, what you really want to do and in which sector.
In less than two weeks i had a training place. They also arrange a place to stay for you, and nice things to do during you’re stay. So if you really want to come to South- Africa (what you really really have to do) don’t hesitate to contact Kickstart!

What did you think about Cape Town, South Africa?

Cape- town is awesome! It is a great place to explore the culture, the nature, the nightlife, the sport facilities, the museums, the everything! Every day is different and every day is great! I like it very much and time is flying here.

What would you like to say to students thinking about coming to Cape Town?

Well what i like to say to you is; visit www.kickstart.co.za and fillin the registration form. Book your ticket, take your stuff, saygoodbye to the people at home and come here! It is a great experience,you will learn a lot here, meet new people, do great thingsand..and..and! Well come and explore!

Marielle Vaastenhoud, Netherlands

Internship at a Real Estate Agency

How would you rate your completed internship on a scale 1 to 10? (1poor; 10-excellent)

9

Did your internship match your expectations? And, were you able to gain the work experience you wanted?

Yes, my internship met my expectations and I know that the knowledge I gained will help me achieving my next and future steps. I learned new techniques as well as gained new skills.

Please outline the tasks and functions of your internship in two or three sentences.

I was assisting the German International Division at the company in terms of marketing strategies, designing of advertising material, translation of information material as well as liaising directly with clients. Furthermore, I did general admin work and even taught some of the admin staff certain computer literature.

Would you recommend this placement? And, why?

Yes, I definitely would recommend this placement, but you should be fluent in both English AND German. It is great as you learn new perspectives and get directly involved with customers and clients. The property industry is very interesting and exciting and new tasks always evolve.

Did Kickstart offer you the assistance and support you required to live and work in Cape Town?

Yes, they found the perfect internship for me. I was offered their help for accommodation, visa issues, etc, but I did not need their help as I knew my way around.

How did you enjoy Cape Town? And, would you recommend it to other international students?

I have been living in Durban for the past four years and have seen different places in South Africa but nothing can top Cape Town. It is the best city to be at and once I have completed my studies in October 2007, I will definitely go back to Cape Town and live there!
It is an amazing and beautiful place with so many things to do.

Sebastian Zinke, Germany

Three month internship at a Publishing and Event company

How would you rate your completed internship on a scale 1 to 10? (1poor; 10-excellent)

8

Did your internship match your expectations? And, were you able to gain the work experience you wanted?

The internship was a big asset as I continued working in Europe in conference management business.

Please outline the tasks and functions of your internship in two or three sentences.

Partners identification for the international conference; Telephone research for publications; Formulation of campaign texts for publications; Analysis of best customers.

Would you recommend this placement? And, why?

I would recommend it for those who would like to be involved in publications and conference business. If you are proactive, there is always a chance to contribute to one of the great projects.

Do you have any other comments related to your internship.

South African companies very much welcome cooperation with Europe. They foster diversity in their companies and welcome innovative ideas. Because it is a growing market, they are in need of experts in various areas. This is when your knowledge comes into play.

How did you enjoy Cape Town? And, would you recommend it to other international students?

Cape Town is really one of the most beautiful cities in the world. If you are looking for a new start in your life – go to Cape Town. I'll be back one day!

Anastasia Zagorni, German