Session I: May 24-June 4, 2025
Program Overview
In partnership with HBCUs Abroad and TheBAMGrp, we have created a program designed to address the barriers preventing HBCU student-athletes from studying abroad while empowering them with an inclusive and immersive environment to engage in global perspective-building.
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Through a five-day-a-week internship with innovative non-profit organizations in Cape Town, students immerse themselves in the Sport for Development scene in South Africa, while working on individual initiatives aligned with their majors to address community challenges. This program fosters cultural exchange, understanding, and empathy, empowering students to bridge cultural gaps and promote the significance of education in both communities. Weekends are dedicated to exploring South Africa's exotic destinations, enriching the students' experience and broadening their worldview.
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Our HBCUs Abroad Program is open to both athletes and non-athletes of ALL majors from any participating HBCU institution!
Highlights
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Study abroad with other HBCU students and access a rare network of mentorship with former HBCU participants
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Intern with one of our local partner organizations and earn academic credit through your school
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Gain valuable hands-on experience and a global sports perspective to boost your resume
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Enjoy Cape Town's vibrant city life, amazing beaches, and fascinating history
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Make a lasting impact on the local community through your internship and service projects
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Discover South Africa with excursions to Table Mountain, Robben Island, Wilderness Beach, and a Wildlife Safari
CAREER INTERESTS
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Non-Profit Management
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Social Work
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Criminal Justice
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Communications & PR
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Government & Policy
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Education & Coaching
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Occupational Therapy
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Exercise Science
Our Partners
Program Description
We partner with multiple sport for development non-profit organizations in Cape Town to provide hands-on internships. On a daily basis, interns will dedicate the morning to a collaborative project with fellow SAA students and staff in a lab setting at Inyathelo: The South Africa Institute for Advancement. In the afternoon, students will visit their respective organization's site to help with program operations and better understand the potential implementation of their projects.
Projects include a combination of supporting the organization's daily program operations and completing an independent project to address a specific challenge. Example responsibilities include event planning, website and social media management, digital and editorial content creation, newsletters system design, grant writing, monitoring and evaluating systems, partnership development, and sponsorship/donor research. For any student interested in healthcare, their internship project will mostly relate to our partner's occupational therapy program and other community health initiatives.
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Housing & Meals
Athletics Abroad
Students stay in a locally-owned dorm-style guest house with other Student-Athletes Abroad interns. The guest house provides bed linen, bath towels, wardrobe, private bathroom, shared kitchen, and WiFi accessibility. Laundry is available once per week.
Students are provided breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Any dietary restrictions and needs will be taken into consideration.
You will have a gym membership at the Sport Science Institute of South Africa so you can maintain your training by working out 4-5 times per week.
Excursions
Our local staff will take you on a variety of cultural activities and excursions, which include: hiking Table Mountain, visiting Robben Island, adventuring on a Wildlife Safari, and visiting beaches to see African Penguins. Plus, you will also benefit from various guest lectures and guided reflections.
Internship Information
Your final project will be decided ... Contact us to learn more about the placement process!
OUR PARTNERS
Project Playground
Project Playground is a non-profit organization focused on bringing structured recreational programs to youth in neighborhoods that are systematically, socially, and economically deprived. Studies show that structured recreational activities contribute to the positive development of children and increases their motivation, concentration, and ambition. Project Playground reaches local youth through free after-school activities, sports programs, and support programs five days a week and currently serves over 750 children in three townships outside of Cape Town.
CHIPs
The Community Health Intervention Programs (CHIPs) was launched through the Sports Science Institute of South Africa (SSISA) in 1997 in the Western Cape. The vision was to develop a program that was sustainable in its ability to improve various communities' participation in physical activity. Our primary focus is to offer sustainable lifestyle intervention program to create healthier (mentally, socially, physically), empowered (demystifying science, giving personal responsibility), cohesive communities. The CHIPs program runs successfully in 36 different communities around the Western Cape, through its HealthNutz, OptiFit Outreach and Live-It-Up program.
Great Commission United
Great Commission United (GCU) was founded by a reformed gang member from the Cape Flats neighborhood of Heideveld to keep local youth away from crime and gangs in the area. GCU provides the supportive family environment that youth often lack at home and are attracted to in gangs. Soccer, basketball, and other sports play an integral role in attracting students ages 5-20 to after school programs with life skills training, tutoring, and physical exercise.
Program Rates
Program Cost: $
Included:
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Roundtrip airfare from Hub Airport to Cape Town, South Africa (CPT)
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Accommodation in a shared guest house
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Three meals, daily
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Local transportation
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Airport transfers on arrival and departure day
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Cultural activities and excursions
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Coordination of guest lectures and site visits
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Gym membership
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International Health Insurance
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SAA Program T-shirt
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Local Support Staff 24/7
Not Included:
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Roundtrip airfare to Hub Airport
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Passport and associated fees if you do not already have one
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Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
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Souvenirs, snacks, and optional entertainment expenses
Enrollment Process
REGISTRATION
Accepted students will be prompted to register through our online platform & make their initial deposit to reserve their spot.
PLACEMENT
Students will connect with their site coordinator to ask questions and learn more about the internship & course placement process.
Contact Us
Interested in more information? Have a question? Fill out our contact form and we'll be in touch shortly!
