Join Intern Abroad HQ, the world’s most affordable international internship organization, and invest in your future with a Human Rights & NGO Support Internship in South Africa.
Despite modern advances, human rights remain one of the most important issues for societies around the world. Professionals in this sector are faced with complex challenges, working to develop human potential, while advocating for freedom. Human Rights Support internships in Cape Town, South Africa, can place students and young professionals within a diverse range of NGOs, community-based enterprises, and nonprofits. Such organizations are often devoted to support, protection, and empowerment for minority groups, women, at-risk youth, asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants.

This program ranges from 4-24 weeks and has start dates every Monday throughout the year.

Your fully-hosted experience includes sourcing of your internship placement, personalization of your project plan, airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, and onsite student support. See our full list of fees and inclusions on our website.
Suitable for students and recent graduates with at least one year of relevant college/university study in a related field, such as Bachelor of Laws, Political Science, International Development, Social Work, Economics, etc. A commitment to research and administrative related activities is required.

This internship is conducted in English.
Human Rights is a diverse career field, attracting experts from all study fields and walks of life. If you’re seeking experience related to a challenging yet rewarding career, start with a Human Rights internship to build your knowledge, understanding, and cultural intelligence. Human Rights internships in Cape Town are popular, as the host organizations foster fun, dynamic, and welcoming learning environments. Come prepared to assist with a variety of activities. Whether related to research, empowerment, education, events, or communications, you can develop a wealth of transferable skills.

Gain valuable experience learning about human rights and social advocacy in Cape Town, South Africa, where discriminatory policies and laws implemented during the apartheid era have had a negative generational impact. Social issues such as xenophobia, racism, gender inequality, prejudice, and poverty are still highly prevalent. Challenges to human rights still remain in the areas of education, health, welfare, employment, immigration, politics, the LGBT community and women’s rights.

Internship tasks within this field can be related to research, administrative support for organizations, assistance with information sessions, education support for community groups, attending meetings to learn from various stakeholders, and proposals related to funding. Individual internships experiences vary, as the specific placement that you’re assigned will depend on review of your resume and your current level of studies and experience, as well as your chosen duration. Short term interns (one month only) can expect to obtain an overview and understanding of the work an organization may do, to reduce conflict, enhance social cohesion and promote economic development.

In all cases, interns should expect that the first week of your experience will focus on settling in and gaining some introductory knowledge, as you will not “hit the ground running”. Rather, you should start with learning about the placement to gain an understanding of what you can build upon, develop, learn, and contribute. Ensure that you ask questions and provide feedback during the introductory period, so that your supervisor understands how you’re progressing. This will help them to better understand important details, such as how quickly you learn, what you find challenging, what you find interesting, etc.
Intern Abroad HQ's South Africa  programs are available year-round, with start dates every Monday.

Intern Abroad HQ provides the most affordable and top-rated programs. Check out our intern reviews on our website.

We match you with innovative and entrepreneurial host organizations around the world that give you the opportunity to make a real contribution on high-impact projects with the support of travel experts with an outstanding safety system and track record.

Our experiential learning approach provides a structured and guided platform for you to think critically about your experiences on your internship. It accelerates and deepens your learning by asking self-reflective questions around the contexts, actions, and outcomes of your placement.

Academic credit is available for all experiences, through our School of Record partnerships with University of Montana (1-5 credits) and Warren Wilson College (6-16 credits). Check in with your academic advisor to understand if you can apply these transfer credits toward your degree at your home institution.

We offer flexible booking and free changes so you can register with confidence.
Apply for free: Complete an online application form via the Intern Abroad HQ website.

• Select your start date and duration: All Intern Abroad HQ programs are available year-round and you can choose to intern for durations on this program ranging from 4 to 24 weeks.
• Complete your registration: After you have been accepted on your chosen program, you can secure your place by paying the Deposit.
• Pay your Balance: This is due 60 days before your program starts.

Need to make changes to your booking? You can make free unlimited changes to your destination, project and dates up until 60 days before you start.