Start Your Dream Internship in Cape Town Together
You tell us your dream internship. We match you to the ideal startup, sort your housing, build your community, and make sure everything is in place before you even board the plane. All you have to do is show up.
Step into an internship that lets you run projects, shape ideas, and gain experience that sets you apart in Cape Town.
From day one, you’ll take ownership of projects that challenge you, build skills that matter, and gain clarity about your next steps. It’s not just about work, it’s about discovering where you’re headed and how to get there in Cape Town with a community to support you along the way.
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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.”
what we offer
what we offer
The Dream Semester
Planning an internship abroad is overwhelming. We’ve got you covered.
Internship
Work that actually matters
Personalised projects at startups and scale-ups, where your ideas and effort create a real and lasting impact.
Program
Personal Development
Regular coaching and workshops run by the Ollie team, not only to help with your time Cape Town, but to prepare you for what's next in life.
Community
Your Crew in Cape Town
Live, learn, and grow alongside a group of like-minded students. Through co-living, trips away and events, you gain support that lasts beyond the program.
Your next chapter begins here
September Semester (2026)
Sep
Jan
4/12 spots available
February Semester (2027)
Feb
Jun
12 spots opening soon
All inclusive experience
The internship is only the start...
Accomodation, Internships, Trips Away, Workshops, Afterwork Drinks, 24/7 Support, Emma (once you meet her you'll understand why she's included in this list)
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From Application to Internship
From application to arrival, here's how your Ollie experience takes shape
5 minutes
Online introduction
Schedule a time in the Ollie calendar and get to know us.
1 hoUr
Selection interview
In this conversation, you explain why you are a good fit for us, so that we can assess whether there is a good match with the Ollie internship program.
1 hour
assessment 2
The main assessment combining your creativity, self-reflection, and presentation skills.
1 hour
in-depth interview
We explore what you hope to get out of this internship and create a personal profile for the matchmaking process.
30 minutes
Company click
In this video call, we introduce you to the founder of the company.
30 minutes
with the ollie team
Don't panic. This call is for you. A relaxed video call to get to know you better, discuss your goals, and answer all your questions.
1 hour
assessment 1
A short assessment to evaluate how you work under pressure, what your motivation is, and how aware you are of your own skills.
15 minutes
Announcement
We will let you know via a video call whether or not you have been selected, and why.
15 minutes
match pitch
A match has been found: a project and a company that align with your learning goals and skills.
30 minutes
School Approval
All documents for school approval are being prepared so that you can receive credits for this internship.
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.
Cape Town
A Global Startup Hub
You come for an internship, maybe a bit of adventure, and leave seeing yourself and your potential, in a whole new way. From early mornings with ambitious peers to the small moments that make life feel alive, this city shows you what growth really feels like.
Dynamic Growth
Africa’s young and ambitious population is driving fast economic and demographic expansion.
Startup Hub
Cape Town’s vibrant startup scene rivals top European cities, fueled by innovation and collaboration.
Quality of Life
With stunning nature, rich culture, and a welcoming community, Cape Town ranks among the best places to live worldwide.
Student Experiences
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."
being unsure is part of the journey.
Take a quick quiz to see where you’d fit best in the Ollie experience, or chat with us if you’ve got questions.