Last Week in Cape Town: Preparing to Say Goodbye

With a heavy heart, I realize that my time in Cape Town is coming to an end. Two months flew by, as if it was only two weeks. As I looked back at my bucket list, I was determined to check everything off before leaving. Therefore, my final week in Cape Town turned into a whirlwind of chaos, laughter, tears, and memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life.  

In this blog, I decided to write about each day of my final week, not to remember the logistics, but to capture the moments and memories that I will carry with me long after I leave. 

Sunday, July 27 – First and Last Gathering with the Interns 

After weeks of trying to coordinate schedules, places to visit, and things to do, all interns from Scalabrini finally came together. We gathered at one of the intern’s homes for a shared meal, where everyone brought something special, whether from their home country or simply something they enjoy eating. It did not feel like coworkers hanging out; it felt like we had known each other for years. We ate, danced, laughed, and reminisced about our time at work, and I wish we could have done this sooner and more often. But maybe, it happened exactly when it was supposed to happen. I feel lucky that we were able to create such strong friendships over a short period of time, and I can’t wait for the next time we will gather like that.  

In the process of making traditional Tajik food, called Sambusas. 

After the lunch, we decided to go and enjoy the sunset together on the roof of our building.

Monday, July 28- A Final Taste 

It was my last chance to get a taste of South African cuisine, and the 7 Colors Eatery was a perfect place to do that. I got a South African dish, called seven colors, which is a vibrant plate consisting of pap, a mix of vegetables, and meats. The flavors were so vibrant and comforting, just like the people I got to meet during my time in South Africa.  

Tuesday, July 29- First and Last time Cycling on the beach+ live jazz 

I had never cycled on the beach before, and I truly regret waiting until my last week to try it. After work, with the other interns, we went to Sea Point, where we got our long-awaited matchas, cycled on the beach as the sun set, and later, we passed by the Mojo Market to grab some delicious food while listening to the live jazz performance. For a few hours, I forgot I was leaving. I just lived in the moment without counting how much time I had left. 

Wednesday, July 30- Farewell lunch with our supervisor at the Wellbeing & Development Department @ Scalabrini 

Our supervisor at the Wellbeing & Development Department also finished her chapter at Scalabrini, so we had a combined farewell for her and for us. The feeling was bittersweet. They were no longer my supervisors; they had become my mentors, and friends. Saying goodbye was hard, but their words of encouragement reminded me why I came here in the first place. I have learnt so much from them during my time at Scalabrini, and I hope to bring that to my future workplace. 

Thursday, July 31- Final English Exam + Farewell Team Lunch

I hadn’t planned on becoming an English instructor, yet that is one of the beauties of interning at a non-profit organization. You need to be flexible, because you never know where your help is needed the most.  Yet, it became one of the most meaningful parts of my internship. I have observed the growth of my students throughout the course and the effort they put into the class. On this day, they wrote their final exams. It wasn’t only a closure for them, but for me as well. As I was grading their exams later that day, I was extremely proud of how far they had come and how much I had grown alongside them. 

In the afternoon, we had a team lunch, which was also our farewell. It was an emotional moment, as we got to say our goodbyes to everyone in the office. The atmosphere was full of gratitude and love; we have all left a mark on each other’s lives. 

Friday, August 1- Final ENGAGE session with the IES Abroad+ drinks with the supervisor 

Usually, on Fridays, we have our Internship Seminar at the IES Abroad Cape Town, but this time, we had an ENGAGE session, where we reflected on our internship experiences and got a chance to learn about other students’ experiences as well. We talked about what we had learnt, the challenges faced, and how we have changed throughout our internship experience. In the evening, we met with our supervisor for a casual drink - our last conversation filled with wisdom, laughter, and encouragement. At the end of the day, she was one of the key people at my internship from whom I have learned so many life lessons. Talking to her felt like talking to an older sister, who would not judge you, but give you the best advice. 

Saturday, August 2- Final Chai Latte @ Plato + departure from Cape Town  

I am so glad my friends and I discovered Plato, a coffee shop that serves the best chai I have tried in Cape Town. At some point, it turned into a small ritual that we would do after work. All the workers knew us there and genuinely cared about us. Our last day at Plato was filled with goodbyes. Then came the final packing and a ride to the airport. 

Favorite people, favorite place, favorite chai!

Cape Town is not just a place I visited; it is a place where I lived and grew as a person.  Cape Town has given me more than I ever expected, and I am truly grateful for this experience and the people I have met along the way.

Indeed, time well spent!