From dreams to desk – Emma’s Internship Journey
My name is Emma Hammoudi, and I am 18 years old. I am a first-year student in International Management at ESTICE (the Catholic University of Lille in the North of France), and I’ve spent 2 months in Cape Town to improve my English.I’ve spent this time working with Culture Connect SA. InternAfrika, based in Salt River, helped me with my internship and housing, and introduced me to Kate Crane Briggs of Culture Connect SA Kate welcomed me warmly, and trusted me from the beginning. She gave me the chance to learn so much, and entrusted me with many different tasks. My main role was to help with social media but I also joined her amazing tours in Cape Town.
I participated in guiding a group of students from Bishops Diocesan College on a tour of Salt River. The time spent with local students made the experience memorable. I saw the inauguration of Stefan Smit's street art, and also discovered Souper Troopers, an amazing organisation that helps people in need.
I visited iconic and luxurious places such as the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel and the Cape Grace, both known for their elegance and historical charm.
One of the most memorable visits was to Groote Schuur, the presidential estate.Access was highly controlled we had to present our passports at the entrance, which immediately showed how important the site is.Walking through the estate was impressive. I could feel the weight of history in the atmosphere.The architecture was striking, and the guide explained its strong connection to Cecil Rhodes.Being allowed into such a prestigious and symbolic place was a privilege, and learning about its past made the visit even more meaningful.
These are not places every intern gets to visit, and I feel extremely lucky to have experienced them through the eyes of Culture Connect’s work.
Another key skill I developed during my internship was learning how to manage and update a website. Before coming here, I had no experience in that area, and I’m proud to say that I now understand how to publish content online and structure pages clearly and attractively.
Throughout my time at Culture Connect, I also improved my communication skills. I worked on promoting several tours on social media, choosing the right words and images to attract attention and highlight the uniqueness of each experience. I learned to adapt my message to different audiences, which is a skill that will be useful for my future career.
Moreover, Cape Town is a city full of contrasts: amazing nature, deep and sometimes difficult history, and powerful stories written on the walls. With my new friends I had the chance to visit many places from the penguins at Boulders Beach to Robben Island and First Thursdays art events. Each experience helped me understand South Africa better.
I shared a house with eight people in Observatory. With the rain, there were floods in the bathroom and kitchen several times. It hasn’t always been easy. But I need to say that as a serious pizza lover, and after trying pretty much every spot in town, my favorites are still the ones from Ferdinando’s around the corner from our house. The vibe of the place makes the whole experience even better.
