What Our Past Interns Say

Stephanie Spera

Maxwell School of Citizenship

"My experience in South Africa not only prepared me for working in a fast-paced, dynamic, and diverse professional setting, but also influenced the way I approach my personal life. The opportunity to interact with a diverse set of co-workers and beneficiaries exposed me to the daily challenges of NGO work and reinforced the importance of taking my time in relationships to build rapport, trust and, most importantly, friendship. My three months in South Africa were easily the most challenging, but also the most rewarding, of my personal and professional experiences."

Reuben Kadé

Stellenbosch University

"While at iKapa Impact I was able to apply my technical knowledge gained through studying engineering, and I was able to apply it in a practical rather than theoretical setting. Through working with the team and the executive director I was able to gauge the unique technological needs of an NGO and how to cater for this in a constrained environment. This really provided a unique stepping stone for my career! I started out in the financial services industry, and I got a job largely owing to my ability to bring innovative solutions to the fray, this was thanks to my time at iKapa Impact and working with the awesome team there."

Naoki Hiroi

Yale School of Management

"Even though I worked with iKapa Impact at Yale before coming here, it was a little bit tough for me to comprehensively understand the role. Through being in South Africa, I developed a more flexible mindset towards poverty problems. I thought that NGOs in South Africa faced a miserable situation with little hope, but I realised that they are making a great effort to overcome difficulties by collaborating with each other. My visit to South Africa was priceless and unforgettable! I understood South Africans' mindsets and behaviors which would help me in my work as a banker in African countries. I am confident that I could be a bridge between Japan and SA based on my valuable experience at iKapa Impact."

Lydia Feinberg

Maxwell School of Citizenship

"I want to emphasize how life-changing of an experience not only working with the head of the organization was, but also being in South Africa at the time of research as well. What I learned at Syracuse University was absolutely transferable to what I collected from non-profit organizations across Cape Town. I can't stress enough the value of being able to take what I learned at Maxwell, and quite literally apply it to the real world."

Chelsea Aiosa

University of New York - Oswego

"As an intern at iKapa Impact, I was blessed with not only work that was meaningful, but taught me practical skills that I have applied to my position as a legal researcher. Most importantly, it helped to mold me into a person who looked at her own world with such a different lens, who had connections on the other side of the globe that I could never forget."

Sophie Olivier

University of Sussex

"Being fresh out of university and having studied International Development Studies, it was an extremely valuable time in putting theory into practice. I was given the freedom to try and learn! I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I had to work there and probably wouldn't be where I am today, working in the niche of fundraising for my third organization."

"When I arrived in Cape Town for my internship, Benji, the internship coordinator, picked me up at the airport. The next day, they took me for a tour around Somerset West and gave me all the information I needed. A day later we went sightseeing in and around Cape Town. I really enjoy my time here. Everybody is so friendly and helpful. The people invited me over for dinner and make me feel like I'm home. If you're looking for a meaningful internship overseas, make sure you get in contact with iKapa Impact!"

Emily Essi

Maxwell School of Citizenship

"My time in Cape Town was indescribable! Not only was I learning and growing in a professional sense but I was experiencing the city like a local and becoming part of the iKapa Impact. The work environment was fast-paced, exciting, dynamic, and challenging, and everyday was so much fun. I am looking forward to going back and working with them again someday."