What’s Included
The pre-fee secures your spot in the Ollie Poule and kickstarts the experience. To learn more about what the full Entrepreneurship Program includes, watch the video below.
5 Months of Co-Living
Your accommodation is covered, including rent, housekeeping, and 24/7 emergency support.
Startup Project
You’ll work on a real project under the guidance of inspiring entrepreneurs, learning the ins and outs of startup life.
Personal Matchmaking
A guided, step-by-step matching process ensures you're paired with a startup that fits your skills and goals.
Events & Weekend Trips
Workshops, road trips, Friday drinks, and community events designed to help you grow, and have a great time doing it.
Extra Support That Makes a Difference
We’ve got you covered with career coaching, visa support, airport pickup, and ongoing check-ins from the Ollie team.
Let’s Talk Tuition
For the February and September 2027 cohorts, tuition is €7,500:
Program fee: €7,350
Pre-fee: €150
Grants Can Help You Get to Cape Town
Discover grants and funding options that can help make your Ollie experience possible.
APPLY FOR FEBRUARY 2027
Apply for February 2027
before 27 November!
Applications for September 2027 are open too.
Internship in Cape Town at a startup, all sorted
Do a five month internship in Cape Town, South Africa. We match you with a startup that fits you and arrange your housing, coaching and community. All you have to do is show up.
Start your internship in Cape Town in February or September
February 2027 · apply by 27 Nov
Feb
Jun
10/12 spots available
September Semester (2027)
Sep
Jan
12 spots Open
All inclusive experience
The internship is only the start...
Housing, internship, weekend trips, workshops, afterwork drinks, 24/7 support and Emma (once you meet her, you'll understand why she's on this list)
The ingredients of your internship in Cape Town
Ollie takes care of everything around your internship, so you get the most out of your time in Cape Town.
Internship
Your own project at a startup
A project that is truly yours, at a startup or scale-up that fits your studies and goals.
Program
Monthly coaching and workshops
Guidance from the Ollie team during your internship, and preparation for what comes next.
Community
Live, learn and grow together
Co-living with like-minded students, weekend trips and events. A network that lasts beyond Cape Town.
What students say about their internship in Cape Town
5.0 ratings of 22 reviews
"The Ollie Cape Town-experience was truly the best gift I could have ever given to myself. I learned so much about myself, but also about other personality types and how to work together best. The Ollie team was always there to help with anything internship or non-internship and really helped us to become the best version of ourselves. Next to that South-Africa is a beautiful country, which we explored in our weekend-trips away. Definitely a recommendation for anyone!"
"I had a great time exploring Cape Town with Ollie. Not only did they match me with my dream internship where I got to work on many cool projects with South African people, but they also organised amazing weekend trips to the mountains. Almost every week Ollie organised events where we got to meet entrepreneurs that we could connect with. My network grew rapidly and meeting people as well as the Ollie workshops gave me a very clear idea of my dream career!"
"My experience with the Ollie Cape Town entrepreneurship program has been truly amazing and life changing! The program provided an immersive environment that blended hands-on business experience, networking opportunities, and personal growth. 🌍"
"From September 2024 to January 2025, I had the pleasure of interning in Cape Town, South Africa. This incredible adventure provided me with valuable insights into both my personal and professional development. With Ollie’s support in these areas, alongside the amazing internship company they matched me with, I had the time of my life."
"The five months I spent with Ollie Cape Town were truly an amazing experience! I enjoyed every moment, knowing I could always count on the Ollie team. The internship they arranged for me really aligned with my study program."
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student stories
See Where Ollie Can Take You
Hear directly from our students, their journeys, growth, and where they’re headed next.
Dries Janssen
International Business Student who created Cape Towns NPO Hub
“I chose an internship with Ollie because I wanted to make the most out of my internship and I wanted to explore the world and to show myself and the people around me what I'm capable of.”
Beau van Gestel
Business Innovation student who joined Cape Towns fastest growing community
“It felt like home, quite literally on the other side of the world”
Matthijs Hartholt
International Business student who designed luxury cabins in the Cape landscape
“If I could do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat.”
Hi, we're Ollie
How do you pick a career that shapes your future before you've really tried anything? That's why Iza, a former student from the Netherlands who has founded three companies, started Ollie almost 10 years ago: five months in Cape Town running a project at a startup that fits you, earning school credits if you want. So far, 77 students and Cape Town's coolest startups have joined in. How about you?
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How it works: from intro call to internship in Cape Town
After you sign up, you know exactly what happens next. The first step is a 15 minute intro call.
15 minutes
Intro call with the Ollie team
Pick a time in the Ollie calendar. A relaxed video call to get to know you, discuss your goals and answer all your questions.
1 hour
Selection interview
You explain why you are a good fit, so we can see whether there is a good match with the Ollie internship program.
1 hour
Assessment 1
A short assessment of how you work under pressure, what motivates you and how well you know your own skills.
1 hour
Assessment 2
The main assessment, combining your creativity, self-reflection and presentation skills.
15 minutes
Announcement
Within 3 days of handing in your assessment, we let you know in a video call whether you have been selected, and why.
1 hour
In-depth interview
We explore what you want to get out of this internship and create a personal profile for the matchmaking.
15 minutes
Match pitch
A match has been found: a project and a company that fit your learning goals and skills.
30 minutes
Meet the startup
In this video call we introduce you to the founder of the startup.
30 minutes
School approval
We prepare all documents for school approval, so you can receive credits for this internship.
What's included in your internship in South Africa?
5 months of co-living, rent, housekeeping and 24/7 support included.
Personal matchmaking
Step by step, we match you with a startup that fits your skills and goals.
Visa and airport pickup
Visa support, airport pickup, career coaching and regular check-ins.
faqs
Frequently asked questions about interning in Cape Town
Can't find your question? Ask it during your intro call.
What does an internship in Cape Town with Ollie cost, and what is included?
An Ollie semester costs €7,500: a €7,350 program fee plus a €150 pre-fee that secures your spot. This includes your accommodation (rent, cleaning and wifi), a matched internship at a startup, monthly coaching and workshops, weekend trips and events, visa support, airport pickup and 24/7 support.
Do I get study credits for my internship in South Africa?
In most cases, yes. Ollie prepares all the documents your school needs to approve the internship, so you can get credits for it. Check your school's requirements early, and we'll help with the paperwork.
You can also do the internship program outside of your degree, for instance between your Bachelor's and Master's. It's not possible to join straight after high school.
Do I need a visa?
Yes. For a five month internship in South Africa you need a visa, because a regular tourist stay is not enough. Visa support is part of the Ollie program, so we help you with the application.
Where will I live during my internship?
You live in a fully furnished Ollie home in central Cape Town, together with other Ollie interns. All rooms are private and most have their own ensuite shower and toilet. Wifi, cleaning, a fully equipped kitchen and 24/7 support are included.
Is Cape Town safe for students?
Like any big city, Cape Town has areas where you need to be careful. You live in a safe, central home with other interns, and the Ollie team is available 24/7. During the introduction week we teach you the do's and don'ts of Cape Town life, like a local.
Which studies is an Ollie internship suitable for?
Ollie is for students and recent graduates in higher education (Bachelor, Master, or a gap year in between) who are looking for international work experience. About half of our students study something related to business. The other half is very diverse: engineering, psychology, photography, design. Our partner startups work in all kinds of fields like fashion, events, cleantech and hospitality, so there's a wide range of projects. Not sure if your study fits? Book an intro call and we'll tell you.
Are there grants or other funding options?
Yes. Grants can help make your internship in Cape Town possible. A popular grant among Ollie students is the NL Scholarship of €2,500, which you apply for through your own university. Also check the Beursopener on WilWeg.nl for funds that match your situation.
When do I need to apply?
The deadline for the February 2027 semester is Friday 27 November 2026. Applications for September 2027 are already open. Each semester has room for 12 students, so it's smart to apply early.
The first step is a 15 minute intro call. The selection process consists of one selection call and two short assessments, and you'll hear whether you are selected within 3 days of handing in your assessment.
Startups we know
Startups we know
and Students Love
Planning an internship abroad can feel overwhelming — but we’ve got you covered.
Donkey Long Tong
Donkey Long Tong is a South African brand that makes handmade, heavy-duty braai tongs with wooden handles and a built-in bottle opener, designed for durable and practical outdoor cooking.
Carbon Events
Carbon Events is a South African company that provides bar and event management services for some of SA's biggest and best festivals, weddings, corporate events, and gatherings.
Neighbourgood
Neighbourgood is a South African company that creates shared living and workspaces, focusing on community, flexibility, and modern urban experiences.
Me & B
Me&B is a South African fashion brand that makes size-inclusive, trend-driven clothing for women, designed to be stylish, comfortable, and accessible for a wide range of body shapes.
Huizen
Huizen Living is a South African company that designs and builds eco‑friendly modular cabins and homes set in nature, focusing on sustainable materials and blending comfortable living with the outdoor environment.
Earth Age
Earth Age is a South African fashion brand that creates eco-friendly, handmade clothing and accessories, focusing on sustainable materials and conscious design.
Moonshadow
Moonshadow Sailing is a Cape Town‑based sailing experience company that offers private yacht adventures aboard beautiful sailing boats, where you can enjoy time on the open Atlantic with a professional crew, food, wine and the chance to learn to sail or simply relax.
Strangers Club
The Strangers Club is a cafe and lifestyle space in Cape Town that combines a relaxed eatery with curated retail featuring local fashion, craft and art. It’s set in a heritage building and designed as a welcoming spot for both locals and travellers to eat, shop and connect with creative culture.
Avante
Avante brandy is a South African Cape Potstill brandy created by a group of 15 rugby legends, known for its smooth, crafted spirits like the VS and VSOP expressions that celebrate quality and heritage.
SeaH4
SeaH4 is a South African cleantech startup that develops algae-based technology to produce sustainable fuels and reduce carbon emissions, focusing on scalable solutions for cleaner energy.
Still unsure? That's part of the journey.
Book a free intro call, or take the quiz to see if an Ollie internship fits you.