Business Internships in South Africa with Projects Abroad

  South Africa

• Cape Town: 
Cape Town (Kaapstad)

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks

Description: For volunteers who are on a gap-year and looking to be accepted onto a business course at university, or for those looking for employment in a particular sector of the business world, a voluntary Business Internship in South Africa offers access to work experience that will make you stand out from the crowd.

Cape Town is a buzzing city in which to base your business work experience with Projects Abroad. With plenty of English language media, a very liberal outlook, modern reputation and up to date technology, South Africa is the perfect place to gain relevant business skills to boost your CV, test out a possible future profession, and make you more employable back home.

Cape Town represents the great dichotomy of South Africa - a country with enormous disparity in wealth, where the stock exchange ranks in the top twenty in the world, where there exists a well-developed infrastructure and legal system, where there are world class businesses and where the currency is the most actively traded emerging market currency, and yet where crime is rife, HIV/AIDS remains a problem, and where corruption is common.

Outside of Cape Town and the three other major industrial centers, development is stunted and poverty widespread. In this unique situation, we are able to offer volunteers the chance to participate on a work experience internship with organizations that compete in the international arena, while others can gain experience at an organization that does worthwhile and necessary development work - all in one city.

All Business volunteers live with host families in Cape Town, traveling to work each day on public transport.

* Volunteering on a Business Internship Placement in South Africa

We organize work experience programs in a number of business sectors. These include areas such as marketing, PR, advertising and new media, and you could find yourself working with anything from an international brand consultancy and media firm, to a medium sized publishing house or educational company.

We also offer several specific business placement opportunities including a International Development internship, Business Enterprise internship and a Vineyard Project internship.

* In the International Development internship, volunteers could find themselves working for one of a wide variety of non-governmental organizations, gaining experience of fundraising, project management, rural development, volunteer management, human resources, or general management.

* In the Business Enterprise internship, participants work at the The Business Entrepreneurship Center, helping start-ups and advising grassroots businesses. Some activities include working with business students from disadvantaged communities, assessing and training entrepreneurs, planning ventures, and honing the entrepreneurs' managerial skills.

* In the Vineyard Project internship, volunteers have the opportunity to work, learn and be involved in the entire wine making process. Exact projects depend on the duration of placement, but some of the possibilities involve work in sales, marketing, or quality inspections.

As a volunteer working on one of our Business internships, the actual work you do will depend on the placement and will often be very varied. You could find yourself gaining exposure to board meetings to observe business development plans, attending client meetings, working on set briefs, putting together portfolios, helping with events and much much more. As with all internships, you should be prepared to undertake some tasks such as proof-reading, filing, and answering the phone, but provided you show enthusiasm and willingness, your English speaking colleagues will be happy to give you insight into their area of expertise, and you'll go home with a set of new skills, and a good understanding of how the business world works.

During the placement, volunteers are expected to be punctual, professional and hard-working. You will be required to work an average of 35 hours per week, usually Monday-Friday. When you arrive at work on your first day, you will be assigned a supervisor who will be able to advise and support you during your placement, and of course our Projects Abroad staff are always available to support you throughout your placement.

Developing placements in other business areas is always possible - just ask!

Highlights: Five times the size of Great Britain, South Africa's position at the southern tip of Africa has created a diversity of lifestyles and a diversity of environments, from the lofty Drakensberg Mountain range to the Cape Vineyards.

Thought to be the birthplace of mankind, this land historically attracted Europeans as a gateway to Africa. At the start of the 21st century, South Africa is leading the way in African politics, and is seen as an inspiration to other countries. With eleven national languages and a variety of religions South Africa truly is the 'Rainbow Nation'.

All accommodation is organized, paid for and monitored by Projects Abroad. All project placements are regularly visited and checked. We require high standards of supervision and accommodation, which are verified before you arrive in South Africa.

This project offers the opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened of backpackers could never hope to do.

Cost in US$: 2,500 and up

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 16 and up

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded: 1992