by Chancellor Wilson
This past summer, I found myself halfway across the world in Cape Town, South Africa, through iXperience—a study abroad program that promised professional growth and adventure, and delivered on both. The program combined a technical bootcamp with an experiential internship, where I not only learned the ropes of management consulting but also worked hands-on with a company making a real difference. Oh, and in between, I learned how to surf. (Let’s just say I’m better at problem-solving than wave-riding.)
My internship was with Viridian, a professional services company dedicated to helping African entrepreneurs connect with funding opportunities. My role was as challenging as it was rewarding. I helped automate their process of collecting and classifying data—essentially cutting through the clutter to make it faster and more reliable. On top of that, I designed the user interface for their funding database, ensuring it was as intuitive and user-friendly as possible. The goal? To help Viridian integrate this new feature seamlessly into their product suite, making life a whole lot easier for the entrepreneurs they support. It was thrilling to know the work I was doing could directly empower people to chase their dreams and build something amazing.
Cape Town itself was the perfect backdrop for this experience. Where else can you spend your mornings working with a global team (shoutout to the brilliant students from Harvard, Stanford, Michigan, and beyond), your afternoons surfing or hiking up iconic Table Mountain, and your evenings sharing laughs over some of the best food you’ve ever tasted? The city’s blend of vibrant entrepreneurial energy and jaw-dropping natural beauty made it impossible not to feel inspired.
The people I met were just as incredible as the experiences. I worked alongside students and professionals from all over the world, including ex-McKinsey and Deloitte consultants, and even got a peek into other industries through data science and investment banking students taught by people from places like Meta, Google, and Goldman Sachs. Between the global perspectives, the deep dives into South African culture and history, and the spontaneous “team bonding” hikes, I learned more about collaboration, communication, and adaptability than any textbook could ever teach.
Of course, it wasn’t all work. There were elephants to play with, vineyards to explore, and sharks to (accidentally) surf among. While my friends threw themselves out of airplanes skydiving, I stayed firmly on the ground, snapping pictures and cheering them on. Every day brought a new adventure, and every experience made me fall in love with the city just a little more.
Looking back, this summer was a game-changer. My time in Cape Town taught me how to approach problems from new perspectives, how to trust in my own creativity and intuition, and how to embrace the unknown with open arms (and maybe a wetsuit). It reshaped how I see myself professionally and personally, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
So, here’s my advice to anyone thinking about studying abroad: do it. Dive in headfirst (or feet-first if you’re surfing like me). Say yes to the challenges, the adventures, and the unexpected moments that remind you why you’re here. I came home with a broader network, a sharper skill set, and memories that will last a lifetime—and that, to me, is the definition of a summer well spent.
