Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa

Semester Intern + Study Abroad

Study Program Part-Time Internship

Tentative Dates

-

12 weeks

Credit

12 - 14 semester hours

18 - 21 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Overview

Your CIEE Semester Intern and Study Abroad program in Cape Town lasts 12 weeks and features three key components: a part-time internship with an international organization (approximately 20 hours per week), an internship seminar, and two elective courses taught by CIEE faculty or online through CIEE’s global academic partner, ASU. Enhance your experience with cultural and extracurricular activities while building career skills, expanding your professional network, and immersing yourself in South African culture. Live, learn, and work in Cape Town!

Unique Experiences

ASSIST IN THE PUBLISHING PROCESS

AT AN INDEPENDENT FEMINIST PRESS

AT AN INDEPENDENT FEMINIST PRESS

FOR A HUMAN RIGHTS AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT ORGANIZATION

OPERATE AUDIO EQUIPMENT FOR EVENTS AND RECORDING SESSIONS

AS A SOUND ENGINEER

Experience
  • students on cape town cliff
  • aerial of cape town south africa

Your Intern and Study Abroad Destination in Cape Town

Cape Town, South Africa’s vibrant coastal city, is known for its stunning natural landscapes, diverse cultural heritage, world-class beaches, iconic landmarks like Table Mountain, and lively arts scene. Whether you are majoring in business, science, engineering, technology, communications, psychology, health sciences, liberal arts, language, or fine arts, Cape Town is the perfect place to study or intern abroad.

We want all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while interning abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Cape Town.

cape town students in common room laughing

Program Highlights

  • Internship Placements: CIEE offers the largest inventory of internship placements that align with your career aspirations.
  • Academic Courses: Choose from in-person courses at CIEE Cape Town or online courses delivered by CIEE’s global partner, ASU, that align with your academic major.
  • Workshops: Enhance your resume and interview skills while immersing yourself in South African business culture through an internship and workshops that build practical skills, foster cultural competence, and expand your network.
  • Company Visits: Visit a digitally native company, a consulting firm, or a local non-profit foundation to gain an in-depth understanding of the work environment in Cape Town.
cape town overlook student arms spread

Excursions & Activities

CIEE’s excursions and cultural activities in Cape Town will open doors for you to explore South Africa’s rich diversity, language, culture, history, contemporary trends, vibrant art, and timeless beauty in ways that will enhance your time abroad.    

Samples of past excursions and activities:

  • Experience a tour of South Africa's oldest township (Langa) and learn about all the anti-apartheid movements that stemmed from that community
  • Take day trip to Robben Island which was a maximum-security prison that housed most of South Africa's notable liberation activists like Nelson Mandela
  • Hike one of Cape Town's most scenic hiking trails, Elephant's Eye

Please note: Activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.

Program Blogs

From CIEE

Reflecting on South Africa as a Frederick Douglass Global Fellow

By College Study Abroad Ambassador at CIEE

By: Sam Li Stepping off the plane in Cape Town felt like stepping into a whirlwind of vibrant energy, complex history, and breathtaking landscapes. This wasn't just any summer adventure... keep reading

From CIEE

South Africa Study Abroad: The Ultimate Guide

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

South Africa is simply astonishing. From its varied topography and rich culture to its complex history and diverse wildlife, a South Africa study abroad program promises the adventure of a... keep reading

From CIEE

The Cape Seal of Approval

By Cape Town Centre at CIEE

Authored by Kai Edem (she/her) (Kai is a second-year undergraduate student at Agnes Scott College, majoring in Neuroscience. She is excited to discover more about research opportunities available during her... keep reading

Housing
Academics

Academics

CIEE Cape Town: Study in the vibrant student-friendly suburb of Rondebosch near central Cape Town. CIEE Cape Town boasts two main classrooms, a small meeting room, a student lounge, a student life office, and an academic advising office.

Arizona State University (ASU): Brought to you by CIEE in partnership with ASU, enhance your international coursework with optional online classes that align with your degree requirements. ASU offers thousands of online courses in asynchronous 7.5-week sessions that fit within the CIEE academic calendar. 

GPA

2.5

Language Requirements

There are no specific language requirements for this program.

Immigration/Entry Requirements

No Visa Required

Additional Requirements

Rising sophomore standing and above required at time of participation.  

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.  

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Requirements

All Intern + Study Abroad students take the 6-credit part-time internship with the required embedded internship seminar, plus two additional courses for a total of 12-14 semester credits, choosing from: 

  • CIEE courses (one per block)
  • ASU online courses

Program Credit

Total credit: 12-14 U.S. semester/18-21 quarter credits 

Course Credit

  • CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours
  • CIEE internship: 6 U.S. semester credits/9 quarter credits; 45 hours of in-person and asynchronous online learning activities, 225 - 300 internship placement hours.
  • ASU online courses: 3 - 4 U.S. semester/4.5 - 6 quarter credits; 45 - 60 contact hours

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Academic Culture

CIEE courses are designed to follow U.S. academic culture and standards. The integrated academic course, which correlates with the internship, is taught in-person and asychronously. Students are expected to dress and behave professionally throughout their internship and are subject to the agreed-upon internship protocols arranged by CIEE and the host organization.

CIEE elective courses are taught in six-week blocks, so the pace is accelerated, and the workload can be demanding. The class environment typically features a combination of traditional lectures and discussions with co-curricular excursions and activities. Heavy emphasis is placed on student engagement.

ASU Courses: Most ASU online courses are asynchronous. You may find yourself in classes with students from ASU, other American universities, and students from around the world. You’ll receive direct and individualized support from faculty, 100% online.

Class Format

Students participate in a full-time in-person internship and required academic course featuring both in-person class sessions and online asynchronous work designed to help students develop professional and intercultural competencies to complement their internship experience.

CIEE courses are customized for and open only to CIEE students. Elective classes include a combination of lectures, group work, presentations, and discussions. To help ensure you are able to enroll in the courses you need, some courses may be facilitated as a hybrid course by an instructor from a location that is separate from your own. In a hybrid course, you will learn either face-to-face or online, depending on your location. However, regardless of your location, you will apply what you learn from the instructor and course materials in your location.

ASU online courses meet in “sessions” that are 7.5 weeks long in the semester, and all work must be completed within the session dates regardless of when your other CIEE courses begin or end.

Grading

The U.S. grading scale of A-F is used. Students are graded on the basis of in-class and online engagement and preparation, and specific assessments such as project work, presentations, and examinations.

ASU grading follows the same format and standards as ASU courses taught in-person.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Language of Instruction

English

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Courses

Course Information

  • Courses are listed below by block and track; course list subject to change. Courses are in English unless otherwise noted. “GI” denotes courses that are offered at multiple CIEE locations.
  • Many CIEE courses are available in multiple CIEE locations. To help ensure you are able to enroll in the courses you need, some courses may be facilitated as a Hybrid course by an instructor from a location that is separate from your own. In a Hybrid course, you will learn either face-to-face or online, depending on your location. However, regardless of your location, you will apply what you learn from the instructor and course materials in your location. Hybrid courses can be identified in the course list as those whose course codes end in “CIEE” – open the syllabus to see the instruction location, if known. "

Academic Projects

Course
Language
Semester Credit

CIEE proudly partners with ASU to deliver asynchronous, 100% online coursework that aligns with your degree requirements from anywhere you study abroad.

CIEE and ASU offer courses online per program eligibility, at no additional charge. Be sure to review online courses with your home school advisor.

Check the CIEE Program Dates and ASU start dates below to maximize course options within your program! 

Search ASU Online Courses BROWSE FAQs for more INFO

 

Program Options
Program Options

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.

Internships

Discover Internship Opportunities

We're excited you're considering this program! Next, explore the types of internships you can choose from for an epic internship abroad with CIEE Study Abroad.

Explore Industry Options

The work culture in Cape Town is laid-back yet professional, emphasizing work-life balance, creativity, and innovation. Interns can expect to work with local NGOs, startups, or established businesses. There’s a strong sense of community, and colleagues often socialize after work in a friendly, multicultural environment. 

A female intern picks crops from a field

Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Gain experience in agricultural markets, agribusiness companies, and NGOs to study food production and global processes.

An intern works on a design in a workshop

Architecture and Construction

Develop hands-on technical skills and responsible building planning while working for global architecture firms abroad.

A female intern works on a computer server

Information Technology

Explore diverse tech environments, cutting-edge innovation, and emerging technologies in South Korea, Spain, and more.

A lawyer and an intern reviewing documents in an office

Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security

Experience international legal systems, global justice issues, and law enforcement challenges in courts, firms, and agencies.

Marketing interns pose at a Loki premiere event

Marketing, Sales and Service

Explore global market dynamics, cross-cultural consumer engagement, and sales techniques in firms, agencies, and companies.

Two female interns work on an engineering project

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Gain hands-on skills in sustainable technologies, research projects, and scientific studies in Costa Rica, Mexico, and more.

Browse Internship Opportunities

Explore internship placements available through this program to find the right fit for your academic and professional goals.

Disclaimer: Internship placements are subject to availability and host employer hiring discretion. Application and payment of CIEE fees does not guarantee specific placement. This internship listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party.

Scholarships

Scholarships & Grants

CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.

Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:

  • Wollitzer Merit Scholarships in Area or Comparative Studies
  • Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
  • CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
  • MSI Grant
  • Trailblazer Grant

To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing

Program Fall 2025 12 weeks Start Date * End Date *

*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

What's Included

Tuition

Housing

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

On-site Staff

Full-time program leadership and support in your city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Excursions and/or Study Tours

Travel Protection

CIEE iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Staff

Our Staff

Nompilo Ndlovu

Center Director

Dr. Nompilo Ndlovu has over a decade of experience working within the academic, policy and non-profit sectors, focused on the African continent.

Thandeka Dladla

Student Life Manager

Thandeka holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Cape Town (UCT). She worked as a mentor and teacher at the Butterfly Project, an education-based NGO focused on...

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Utilize the Internship Search Tool

Search our catalog of internship opportunities to view the placements that align best with your academic and professional goals.

2

Start a Program Application

You're one step closer to an amazing internship abroad experience!

3

Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office

Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. 

4

Contact CIEE

We're here to help! Email us if you have questions or need help applying to this program. Upon your acceptance, you'll speak with on-site CIEE staff about your internship goals. CIEE will reach out to companies that align with your goals, interests, and qualifications.

Request Info