FaQ

FAQ:

About Internships

What is if i could…?

if i could… is a South African internship programme that places international candidates in development-based organisations.

We offer exclusive, niche internships with reputable non-profit organisations. We place people in sectors ranging from education to health to immigration issues and environmental conservation.

We offer various packages within our internship programme to best accommodate your needs. Some desire additional assistance and support, while others prefer a more hands-off, independent experience. Either way, we can tailor your internship and its offerings to be exactly what you need.

What’s with the name?

if i could… is a dream, a hope, an aspiration and we make it a reality. People are often posed with the question, ‘If you could do anything in this world, what would it be?’ Our internship programme aims to fulfil that thought for you by giving you international experience and a chance to use your skills and ‘do good.’

Our programme is multi-faceted – enjoy one of the world’s top tourist destinations, soak in the cultural richness and diversity, and also use your skills to empower impoverished communities and support locally-based organisations.

I didn’t study a development-related field, can I still apply?

These opportunities are not limited to those with development-related education. Non-profit organisations in South Africa require a whole host of organisational and operational skills, and therefore can also offer meaningful work experience to those who have undertaken other studies as well. We accept people with backgrounds ranging from education, accounting, law, and the arts.

The common thread in all of our interns is that they want to ‘do good,’ and use their skills in a positive, impactful way.

Why an Internship?

With increased competition and the recent economic crisis, finding long-term jobs is becoming harder and harder.Students are graduating from school and spending countless hours and energy toward applying for their dream jobs. This post-college phase can bedaunting, particularly when job opportunities are scarce, and your insight into career sectors and professions are slim.

Not to mention, most companies and organizations seek real-world experience even for entry-level positions. That is why an internship is the perfect solution!

What’s in it for me?

• Professional gain:
  An internship is the perfect way to achieve professional experience, but in an immediate and personalized way. An internship can be catered to your interests, ranging from career sector to demographic and location. Also, working for a short-term period can be seen as a trial run and will help you decide whether or not you want to take a particular career path.
• Cultural gain:
  Gaining career experience abroad is extremely advantageous. It’s difficult to pursue work abroad as work permits are complicated and time consuming. An internship abroad gives you the hassle-free opportunity to work for an extended period of time, and learn about a new culture and country. It’s one thing to travel abroad; but to live and work in a country, like a local, is an entirely different and life-enriching prospect.
• Altruistic gain:
  One of the most endearing and unique aspects of our internship programme is that all your efforts are geared toward a good cause. We place interns with organizations that do good work and strive to improve unjust conditions in this area.It’s incredibly rewarding to be an outsider, enter a foreign country, and learn about societal issues by completely immersing yourself in nationwide efforts and initiatives. These organizations desire people that not only work hard, but have a communal sense of altruism. The great thing about altruism and ‘doing good’ is that its all-encompassing – regardless of your skill set, age, or background – you have the ability to help.

About if i could…

How long is the internship?
In an effort to maximize the positive benefits of our specialized internship experience our placements are on average three months, but any time frame can be arranged.

Is it a paid internship?

The internships are unpaid and do require a $1,200 USD fee.

The $1,200 USD Program Fee includes:

• Airport pick-up to/from Cape Town
• Internship placement
• Orientation
• Career guidance
• Cultural activities
• In-country staff available 24/7

Airport pick-up and drop-off:

The Cape Town international airport is a short 30 minutes away from down town. The intern staff will be waiting for you upon your arrival and will help you get oriented on your first day before taking you to your new residence. At the end of your internship, the staff will also drop you at the airport.

Internship placement:

Based on your interest and skill set, our team guarantees to match you with an organisation and internship that will best meet your needs. This placement will happen following an intern interview to get a better sense of your strengths and interests. The placements are guaranteed to give you a strong insight into South African culture and issues, while also best utilizing your talent and skill set.

Orientation:

We know that upon arrival, you will have a plethora of questions and inquiries. During your first few days, you will participate in an in-person orientation where we will cover topics ranging from safety to money to must-see’s and most importantly, what to expect from your internship and the organisation.

We will send a tentative orientation itinerary to you before departure, allowing you to come up with any questions or request more information on a particular topic.

Career Guidance:

We offer support and guidance on various topics throughout the internship. This includes everything from resume building to mentoring and providing letters of recommendation.

Program does not include

• Airfare
• Accommodation
• Health and Traveller insurance
• Visas (For Canadian & American residents, a free tourist visa is provided upon port of entry)

** Though if I could… does not cover the items listed above, our staff will work with you extensively to assure you receive the best options and prices. We will be available via phone, email, and skype to answer any questions or offer guidance regarding travel, visas, insurance, etc.

When do I participate in the internship?

The internship programme is on a rolling basis, so apply at any time! Given our extensive list of host organisations, we are able to place interns for any period of time.

Is academic credit offered for internships?
Academic credit can be obtained by coordinating a program through the independent study option at your university with the support of our internship programme and the host organisation. We cannot independently award academic credit as it is an internship placement agency and not an academic body.

Can I get paid for my internship?
The internships are unpaid as South Africa does not allow waged labor without a specialized visa. Our goal is to give you a once in a lifetime opportunity to affect change and gain invaluable experience in development sector. By hosting a paying intern the organisations are able to engage with a talented pool of interns that are committed and eager to work.

Logistics / Planning

Upon acceptance into our internship programme, we will provide you with an extensive pre-country information packet and a detailed check-list to ensure you are prepared and ready for your Cape Town adventure.

Our staff will also be available via skype, phone, and email should you have questions preparing for your departure and organizing logistics during your time in Cape Town.

Our team is dedicated to making your planning process as seamless and enjoyable as possible.

About Cape Town

Why Cape Town?

Cape Town, South Africa’s ‘mother city,’ is often described as a culturally-rich, vibrant, and active community.

Located at the most southern point of the African continent, Cape Town is nestled between the picturesque Table Mountain and the Indian and Atlantic oceans. Cape Town offers activities and experiences to appeal to the masses. From visiting the wineries in Stellenbosch to watching the surfers at Camp’s Bay or eating traditional Cap Malay food in Bo-Kaap, Cape Town is an on-going excursion.

Where will I stay?
Cape Town has seen a boom in the amount of accommodation offered especially for short term visitors. Rental prices can range from $300-$700 per month and include everything from student housing that includes some meals, to regular apartment living. We can guide you to trusted vendors for this or you can have you accommodation fees included if you choose to go with ‘if i could have an all inclusive package’.

How much should I budget for living expenses?
We recommend you budget between $230-$600 per month for spending money. While Cape Town has wonderfully low priced food and entertainment options, we have found foreigners like to indulge in once in a lifetime experiences like wine tours, tours of Robben Island and shark diving which can often increase spending quite a bit. Please plan ahead for incidental costs like cellular phone access and internet access as these services are most often pre-paid.

Will the team help me arrange international flights and my visa?
if i could… does not handle international travel arrangements or visa services, however we will advise you to the best of our ability. If you have special visa or travel needs, please contact us and we can discuss your options

What is there to do in Cape Town?
Cape Town is the center of activity in the Western Cape. Activities ranging from botanical hiking, to art house film screenings, and internationally lauded night clubbing. There is anything and everything to do here.

Whatever you choose to do or have interest in, we will point you to our trusted partners to help accommodate cultural and tourist-related activities.

How do I get around?
We have found most interns would rather arrange their own transportation based on individual needs. We can provide a list of trusted vendors for rentals and metered cabs.

Is Cape Town safe?
As with any metropolitan area, crime is a sad fact of life. While we do not forsee any problems if i could staff are available to answer any questions you may have before or during your internship regarding this matter. In an effort to ease concerns, we will be offering a topical overview of the matter called “How To Stay Safe in Cape Town” during our orientation.