Real immersion changes you. That is the point.

Professional international internship placements for social work and education students in Gqeberha, South Africa. Structured. Supported. HBO-accredited.

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Structured playtime, Gqeberha
Structured playtime, Gqeberha
students placed
600+
years experience
20+
partner universities
6

Umoya is a Zulu word — it means wind, breath, spirit.

Programmes

Placements in social work and education, hosted by registered child and youth care centres and their on-site schools. Every placement is supervised on site, by Umoya and by your own lecturer.

  • Intakes in February and September
  • Up to 12 students per HBO cohort
  • Three layers of supervision
  • Pre-placement interview and certificate of good conduct
  • Community placement, Gqeberha

    HBO Praktijkstage

    HBO Social Work Internship

    10–20 weeks · 2nd, 3rd & 4th year placements

    Structured placements at schools and social care organisations. Second-year students take an operational placement; third and fourth years lead their own project.

  • School visit, Gqeberha

    HBO Praktijkstage

    HBO Education / Pabo Internship

    10–20 weeks · 3rd & 4th year placements

    Independent teaching at primary schools with mentor teacher support.

  • Gqeberha, the Eastern Cape coast

    Group programme

    Short Intercultural Immersion

    2–3 weeks · Tailored for your faculty

    A facilitated programme for university groups.

  • Wilderness Nature Park

    Gap year

    Ubuntu Discovery

    4, 8 or 12 weeks · Applications open

    A structured transition programme for 18 to 24 year olds.

Why Gqeberha

Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) sits on the Eastern Cape coast. It gives students professional depth and a city they can live in safely.

  • English throughout

    Placements run in English, with a Dutch-speaking director and a representative in the Netherlands when you need them.

  • Social complexity you cannot simulate

    Child protection and care systems in a developmental context, and real reflection on your own position in post-apartheid South Africa.

  • Xhosa cultural heritage

    You work every day with Xhosa-speaking colleagues, children and families. Cultural sensitivity grounded in practice, not theory.

  • Accessible and safe

    A furnished student house with an on-site house manager, daily transport to your placement and a safety orientation when you arrive.

Our Team

Ellen Fischat

Ellen Fischat

Founder & Programme Director

She is not an administrator. She is the person who did your placement herself.

Ellen is a qualified social worker, ILO-accredited social enterprise trainer, native Dutch speaker and Hogeschool van Amsterdam alumna, with more than 20 years in South Africa. In 1997 she was the first HvA student to complete a placement in South Africa. She co-founded Khaya Student Placements, which placed more than 600 students, and has supervised European HBO students on placement since 2006.

Ellen@umoya.africa.com +27 76 738 2917

Kim van Pelt

Kim van Pelt

Dutch Representative

Kim is a qualified social worker (Hogeschool van Amsterdam) with more than 15 years in Dutch social work and mental healthcare, including work as a probation officer with Reclassering Nederland. She did her own placement in South Africa in 2007. Kim meets HBO internship coordinators on Umoya's behalf, is the first point of contact for Dutch-language questions and supports students through the Dutch side of their application.

k.van.pelt@hotmail.com +31 6 3859 9063

Pricing

One clear fee structure. Accommodation, transport and support are included.

Placement deposit Paid on acceptance. Covers search and matching. Non-refundable.
€300
Placement confirmation fee Paid when your placement is confirmed.
€300
Monthly programme fee Per month.
€1,150
Total for a 5-month placement
€6,350

Included

  • Accommodation
  • Daily transport
  • Weekend cultural programme
  • Wi-Fi and utilities
  • 24/7 support
  • Airport transfer
  • City safety orientation
  • Weekly community check-ins

Optional

  • Weekend excursions (€90–€250)
  • Travel insurance (guidance provided)
The Umoya house team, Summerstrand
The Umoya house team, Summerstrand

Start a conversation

Coordinators and students are both welcome. Ellen replies within 48 hours.

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