Small Acts, Big Impact: A Day at My Internship in Cape Town

Before starting my internship abroad, I imagined myself working on grand, life-changing projects and attending meetings where decisions impacting millions were being made. But, in reality, my daily tasks looked different. At first, I was disappointed. Flying across the ocean to do admin work did not seem like a worthy investment. Over time, though, I realized how wrong I was.  Change doesn’t always come from big gestures. Sometimes, it is the simple act of consistently showing up that makes the biggest difference. 

I am interning at the Scalabrini Center of Cape Town, which is a non-profit that supports refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers in South Africa, providing them with services in legal assistance, education, employment, and social development. Each day at my internship looks different. Some days are more administrative, while others are more people-centric. So, no matter what the day brings, showing up with purpose and positivity always matters. I am excited to take you through one of the days at my internship and reflect on what I’ve learned throughout my day. 

8:20 AM Arrive at Scalabrini 

I am interning with two other amazing IES Abroad interns at Scalabrini, so we commute to work together every day. Our ride is about 15 minutes from our accommodation. Cape Town is a marvelous city with picturesque landscapes all around, so the car rides are always very enjoyable. Most of the time, our drivers listen to the local radio, which is a great way for us to learn what is happening in South Africa. Upon arriving at the office, we are greeted by the warm smiles of staff members who are deeply passionate about their work. It’s a welcoming and motivating environment to be part of.  

Beautiful sunrise on the way to work

9:00 AM- Generating CVs

My first task is to create CVs for our clients, which are necessary for them to secure employment. Having an application that has all the history of an individual and converting it into a CV feels like reading a personal story of resilience. It is a reminder of how challenging it can be to start over in a new place, and how something as small as a well-written CV can be a lifeline. 

10:00 AM- Teaching English Classes 

There are usually English classes for beginners at the centre, which I sometimes attend, in case the teacher needs help with something. However, today she was sick, and I was asked to step in for two beginner-level classes. At first, I was a bit hesitant, even though I like teaching and I have taught before, I had never worked with adults. To my surprise, the class was very welcoming, so I felt very comfortable working with them. Since English is not my first language, I could understand the struggles of the students and tried to make the class as fun as possible. Many of the students were French-speaking, so I integrated a bit of the French I knew to translate words and bridge communication gaps. At the end of the class, the students thanked me and told me they enjoyed the lesson. Their feedback reminded me that some of the most meaningful experiences come when you step out of your comfort zone. 

Some of the things we covered in the English class 

12:30 PM Lunch and Walk 

Lunch is always a nice break from the day, to get more energy for the rest of the day. Most of the time, the interns and I have lunch together in the Pause Room/Break Room, where we get to talk to other employees of the Scalabrini and learn more in-depth about the work they do and their lives in general. Today, one of our employees shared her meal with us, a small act of kindness that felt genuinely and generously kind. 

Since, our office is located in the heart of Cape Town, we try to explore the area as much as we can. So, after we are done eating, we decide to use the rest of our time to walk around the area. Today, there was a free Attic Exhibition located in the State House of South Africa, which had an exhibition featuring the history of Cape Town. We only had 20 minutes, but even this short visit taught us a lot. 

1:30 PM- Reception and Admin Work 

Afternoons are usually quieter, so I continued preparing CVs and sending the completed ones to our clients. At the same time, I was at the reception desk, assisting walk-ins with questions. Most of the time, they need help with registering for classes or employment support. Being the first point of contact can feel small, but it’s an important role. For many. It is their first step toward accessing critical resources. 

3:30 PM- Wrapping Up 

As the day winds down, I clean up my workplace and prepare for the next day. My day was filled with small actions of kindness and intentionality, and that in itself is fulfilling. 

Caught the rainbow on the way back 

Final Reflections: 

This wasn’t a “big” day. I didn’t do anything extraordinary, nor did not change anyone’s life drastically. But it was the kind of day that sticks with you. It reminds me that showing up, being present, and doing the work, especially supporting others, is a kind of impact that can’t be measured. 

If you are considering interning abroad, especially working with a non-profit, I hope this glimpse into a day of my life at my internship gives you a sense of what is possible: meaningful work, real connection, and constant learning and growth. Sometimes, just showing up is the most powerful thing you can do.