This summer, students from UW-Madison headed to all corners of the African continent to complete internships. The African Studies Program talked to two interns about their experiences in South Africa and Uganda, and why other undergraduates should consider applying for internships in Africa this spring.
Lana Scholtz
Hometown: Waunakee, WI
Major: Fine Arts and Psychology, certificate in African Studies
Internship: Special Events Planner at Play Africa
Play Africa is a non-profit organization building Africa’s first children’s museum in Johannesburg, South Africa. Interns from UW-Madison can work in educational outreach, communications, exhibit development, farm to market coordination, fundraising, and event planning. To apply, click here.
What made you decide to pursue an internship in South Africa?
I was born in South Africa and spent my childhood there. Since moving to the US I have visited extended family living there a couple of times, however I have never had a completely independent adventure there, much less one where I would be working as a part of the community. This internship presented the perfect opportunity for me to have an independent and intimate reunion with South Africa and my extended family. Bonus: the work being done at Play Africa is exactly the kind of community based work I want to pursue.