For my university internship, I wanted something different. So I decided to take advantage of the fantastic OPT USA programme and spend a couple of months gaining a whole new perspective on life in America.

The OPT (Overseas Practical Training) USA programme is an amazing opportunity for South Africans aged 19 or over to spend up to 18 months in the USA while receiving practical training at an appropriate host company or organisation. Click here to find out more about this programme.

My internship supervisor played a major role in finding us projects which would best match our career fields and research interests. I was assigned to the educational issues department of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) in Washington D.C.

For the five-month period of my internship, I was assigned to the AFT's Redesigning Low-performing Schools Project. I tracked school performance efforts in a variety of States and districts, provided summaries of relevant articles, and selected appropriate articles for dissemination. I also conducted research on national and state-level teacher award programmes as well as other educational topics as required.

I received many invitations to attend functions — a very enjoyable feature of my internship. The people with whom I worked were also great and there was an excellent exchange of ideas and culture. I had a view of the impressive Capitol Building from my window, and I simply thrived on the energy of working in D.C. Americans are incredibly hard-working, and my internship really taught me invaluable skills, which I am able to apply in my current job. It gave me a new perspective on my career path and was a refreshing and welcome change.

"D.C" is an amazing city with everything from museums, monuments, theatres to the National Zoo, A real novelty was sneaking a preview of the shooting of Hannibal, the sequel to Silence of the Lamb, which was filmed at Union Station, my everyday metro station stop.

I would definitely recommend the OPT USA Programme to anyone. SASTS were of invaluable assistance and their team worked tirelessly to ensure that I had all the correct paperwork to ensure that I could work legally in the US.

There is so much that this vast wide world has to offer and travel is an excellent way to explore, learn through working and meeting new people. A grade school teacher of mine once inspired me by saying: "The world is your oyster”. I guess I still live by that philosophy.

For more information on the Overseas Practical Training (OPT) Programme contact the SASTS Head Office at 11 Breë Street, Cape Town or call (021) 418 3794 or email: info@sasts.org.za. For info on any other SASTS Working Adventures programmes, check out http://www.sasts.org.za

Don't miss this one! Soon December will be here, exams will be over and the ski slopes of America will be calling — are you interested? SASTS Working Adventures has created an amazing opportunity for young South Africans to work in America in practically any field they wish, during the holidays, for a period of three to four months from November/December. Whether you opt for the bright lights of New York and the freedom to travel and work where you want, or have the peace of mind of a pre-arranged job on a ski resort — the choice is yours! If you're a fulltime tertiary student or recent graduate, aged 19 to 35 and want to earn dollars during your December vacation, then look out for SASTS Working Adventures on your campus in July/August. For those of you near Cape Town, don't miss the free info workshops over the holidays. Parents and friends are very welcome. Dates: Wednesday 22nd August Time: 14h00 Venue: 11 Breë Street, Cape Town