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Social Work Internship in South Africa

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  • Social Work Internship in South Africa
Project Summary

What is the Social Work Internship in South Africa all about?

The Social Work Internship in South Africa takes place in different social work settings in a local community township. The underdeveloped township faces many challenges such as extreme rates of unemployment, poverty and food scarcity. Some of the work settings include children’s home, clinics, NGOs, Women’s health clinics for victims of abuse, homes for chronically ill children and welfare projects.

All projects are dealing with individuals that are suffering from their past, and all aim to nurse the patients back to good mental and physical health.

As a social worker intern, you will shadow and learn from the professional social work team. Much of the work will be determined by the needs of the project at the time of your placement, as well as measuring and identifying key activities that contribute to the patients’ development needs.


Why choose this Social Work Internship placement?

  • Work alongside South African professional social workers and gain practical experience and insight that can support your future career.
  • Be exposed to social issues that affect patients’ welfare in an African context, including drugs, alcohol abuse, health issue of HIV and TB, as well as teenage pregnancy
  • Understand the process of psychological healing and the support required behind the scenes to ensure the individuals’ safety and development.

Role of the Social Worker Intern

During your social work internship in South Africa, you will get the chance to assist South African social professionals with patients assessments, group therapy, home evaluations, support service for those with HIV/AIDS and victims of abuse, charting patient write-ups, amongst other things. You will observe the setup of individuals’ development plans in the care of the current staff and social workers. Also, as a social worker intern, you will be able to observe during meetings with the caregivers, doctors and possible family members. Finally, you may also be asked to present your findings, ideas, suggestions and research to the local team. Overall, you will provide an extra pair of hands for the social workers, reducing their workload and making their jobs more effective.


What skills do I need to be a Social Worker Intern in South Africa?

In order to participate in the social work internship in South Africa, you will be asked to go through an interview process to determine your eligibility. Experience in social sciences is a plus, since it would allow you to take a more active role, but it is not essential. Willingness to learn, empathy, humility, dedication, patience and passion to help others is a must.


Travel during COVID times

The health and safety of our travelers and our local communities remain central to our plans for reopening countries and projects. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been adapting our programs and protocols to protect all those involved, and ask for everyone’s patience and collaboration as new rules are implemented in-country. For all projects, new standards of sanitation, procedures and social behaviors are in place, including new health and hygiene protocols and social distancing practices. You can read more here. Each location may be slightly different in the way they operate. We encourage you to inquire to your placement advisor to learn more about your specific project as you plan for your responsible return to travel!

Read all about our project reopening response to COVID-19

REQUEST MORE INFO   RESERVE YOUR PLACE

RECRUITING NOW

WHY JOIN THE PROJECT

To gain practical experience and insight that can support your future career.

Work alongside professional South African occupational therapists

Be exposed to the healthcare system abroad

FEATURED VIDEO

PROJECT TESTIMONIALS

Hannah L.’s South Africa Experience
"My time here so far has been fantastic! I love the program, and Cape Town is beautiful. It will definitely be hard to leave in a couple of weeks!"   ...
Hannah L.
READ FULL EXPERIENCE
The Location

Where will I work in South Africa?

About the Location

Cape Town is well-known for its table mountain view, vibey bars, cafes, amazing restaurants and of course best surfing beaches! Cape Town has a lot to offer depending on your interests, from beautiful beaches, stunning mountains, diverse regions and a vibrant restaurant scene

Accommodation

Interns live in a private room furnished and equipped in a shared house, in the neighbourhood of Observatory. Cape Town has a lot to offer depending on your interests from surfing to food tasting. 

What to do in your spare time

For those wanting to venture further afield, Cape Point where the Indian and Atlantic meets, the vineyards or the local game drives are always popular. There are also lots of cricket grounds and soccer stadiums you can visit for the sports fans!

Details & Costs

  • Duration: 4-12 weeks
  • Cost: £3032 / $4733 for 4 weeks
    £154 / $240 per week for additional weeks
  • Requirements: Age 18+
  • Location: Cape Town, South Africa
  • Working hours: Mondays through Fridays, 30 hours per week
  • Project availability: Weekly year-round
  • Arrival day: Sunday

What is included

  • Accommodation: private room furnished and equipped in a local student-house
  • Airport: pick-up and drop-off from/to Cape Town International Airport
  • On the ground transportation to/from projects
  • Access to personal online Kaya Community account including:
    • Pre-departure information pack for “country”
    • Fundraising Guide
    • How to Manage your Money Abroad Guide
    • Learning Reflection Guide
    • Healthcare Ethics and Culture Documents
  • On the ground training:
    • Cultural and safety orientation and project induction
    • Weekly culture series
    • Weekly social gatherings
  • Support: 24-hour support including emergency contact numbers from local team
  • Excursion Planning assistance from local staff (activity prices may be extra)
  • Certificate on completion of your internship placement diary and presentation to the local team
  • Supervision from qualified professional
  • Wi-Fi in accommodation
  • Laundry in accommodation

 

What is not included

  • Flights
  • Meals
  • Transport to/from project
  • Insurance
  • Visas
  • Police/Government Background Check: US and UK citizens will be processed through Kaya (admin fee applies); all other nationalities must provide local police check.
  • Routine vaccinations
  • Refundable accommodation damages deposit of $250 
  • Any costs for COVID-19 PCR tests required pre-departure and in-country

 

Gallery

Pictures from our Social Work Placement in South Africa

 

Cape Town Beach
Cape Town Bo-Kaap neighborhood
Cape Town Double Decker Bus
Cape Town Landscape
Sunset in Cape Town
View from Table Top
Intern with Little Girl
Little boy playing with hula hoop
Social Development Activity with Children
Township in front of Table Mountain

Easy 4-step application process

APPLY ONLINE

Click here to apply online and pay your application fee to apply for your space on your chosen project. Our advisors will then contact you to guide you through the next steps.

TELEPHONE INTERVIEW

Once we’ve received your application, we’ll review your details and be in touch to arrange your informal telephone interview with your Kaya Placement Advisor.

CONFIRMATION

Following your interview, we will provide you a placement offer. Once you are ready to confirm your placement and dates, you can pay your confirmation fee to book and secure your space.

GET PREPARED

When you have confirmed your project dates we'll send you your Welcome Pack and lots of other helpful information to assist you with preparing for your placement.

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