FAQ - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Cape Town
Cape Town enjoys a Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot, dry summers. (December to February) with average daytime temperatures of around 25-27°C and mild, wet winters (June to August) with average daytime temperatures around 15-18°C.

Precipitation is concentrated mainly in winter, with drier months in summer.

Winters are generally rainy, with moderate to high precipitation.

Johannesburg
Johannesburg lies on the Hautveld and enjoys a humid subtropical climate.

Summers (December to February) are hot and humid, with average daytime temperatures around 25-28°C.

Winters (June to August) are generally dry and sunny, with average daytime temperatures around 16-19°C.

Rainfall is more frequent during the summer months, but Johannesburg receives fairly regular rainfall throughout the year.

Durban
Durban, located on the east coast, enjoys a humid subtropical climate.

Summers (December to February) are hot and humid, with average daytime temperatures around 28-32°C.

Winters (June to August) are mild and dry, with average daytime temperatures around 23-25°C.

Rainfall is abundant during the summer months, with frequent showers and occasional tropical storms, while winters are relatively dry.

Pre-interview allows us to establish a profile and identify the student's needs. This pre-interview is crucial to finding an internship and/or accommodation that meets the criteria defined by the student.

Payment for the internship pack is made after the final interview between the host company and the student, once both parties have validated their interests and agreed the details of the internship.

Payment for the accommodation pack must be made just after you've provided us with your housing criteria.

You do have the possibility of paying in instalments on request or directly via the payment link provided by Lodge Me At.

Refunds are only possible for accommodation packs, under certain conditions. Refunds for internship packs are not possible, as payment has been made at the time of agreement between the two parties (company and student).

If you are absent from an interview without a legitimate reason, you will be deregistered and will no longer be able to make requests to our company.

The level of English required for an internship in South Africa depends on the professional field in which you wish to do your internship, and the organization offering it. However, in general good level of English is often required, as English is widely used as a working and communication language in South Africa.

Not all the internships we offer are paid. South African companies are not obliged to pay you, and don't always have the opportunity to do so - it's 50/50.

The local currency in South Africa is the South African rand (ZAR). You can exchange foreign currencies into rands at banks, exchange offices and major hotels.

You can also use your credit or debit card at many establishments in South Africa. Visa and Mastercard are generally accepted in most places, but it is advisable to check with your bank whether your card can be used in South Africa, and whether there will be any additional charges for international transactions.

It's always a good idea to carry cash in South Africa for small expenses and in places where credit cards are not accepted. You can withdraw money from ATMs, which are widely available in towns and tourist areas.

It is advisable to avoid carrying large sums of cash with you, and not to leave money or other valuables in plain sight in cars or public places.

Lodge Me At operates in South Africa's major cities: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban.

 

Lodge Me At remains available to assist its students throughout their internship period. If you need help, you can contact our dedicated team for ongoing support.

Although pharmacies are available in South Africa, it is recommended that you bring all medicines you may need during your stay.

We also recommend consult your doctor before you travel, for advice on the medicines you need to take with you, especially if you have special health conditions or are taking medication on order.

If you're traveling to South Africa and need to bring along some special medicines such as psychotropic drugs (antidepressants, tranquilizers, etc.), it is important to note that these drugs are regulated in South Africa and may require special authorization to be imported into the country. 

We therefore recommend check with the South African embassy or consulate in your country of residence whether you are allowed to bring your medicines into South Africa, and if you need to obtain any special authorizations. You may be required to provide a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor explaining the need for these drugs.

It is also advisable to store your medicines in their original packagingThe label with your name and dosage instructions, to avoid problems during security checks at the airport or border.

Although pharmacies are available in South Africa, it is recommended that you bring all medicines you may need during your stay.

We also recommend consult your doctor before you travel, for advice on the medicines you need to take with you, especially if you have special health conditions or are taking medication on order.

If you're traveling to South Africa and need to bring along some special medicines such as psychotropic drugs (antidepressants, tranquilizers, etc.), it is important to note that these drugs are regulated in South Africa and may require special authorization to be imported into the country. 

We therefore recommend check with the South African embassy or consulate in your country of residence whether you are allowed to bring your medicines into South Africa, and if you need to obtain any special authorizations. You may be required to provide a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor explaining the need for these drugs.

It is also advisable to store your medicines in their original packagingThis will avoid any problems during security checks at the airport or border.

Choosing a group package with Lodge Me At has many advantages. Not only do you benefit from our comprehensive services for your accommodation, course or duo needs, but you also benefit from reduced rates thanks to our special offer for group pack requests. 

Our various accommodation, course and duo packages are subject to a 50% reduction for each person beyond the first in the group. For example, if 2 of you opt for an internship package, instead of paying 2 * 250 euros, the total amount per person will be 187.50 euros (because 250 + 250/2). This discount allows you to save on costs while benefiting from our quality services. 

If you are a national of a visa-exempt country for South Africa, you won't need a visa for a stay of 90 days or lessprovided you have a return flight pre-booked within 90 days and a passport valid for at least 6 months.

Visa-free countries include countries: the United States, Canada, most of the the European UnionAustralia and New Zealand, among others.

However, if you are a national of a country that requires a visa to enter South Africa, or if you plan to stay longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for a visa at the South African embassy or consulate in your country of residence.

For more information, please visit our website diplomatie.gouv.fr for the most up-to-date information on visa requirements...

As a French national, if you wish to extend your stay in South Africa for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a visa. request for extension of stay before the end of your 90-day authorized stay.

The request for an extension of stay must be submitted to the South African Aliens Office. You will need to provide supporting documents to explain the reasons why you wish to extend your stay, such as work, study or family reasons. Extensions will only be granted if the reasons given are deemed valid.

It's important to apply for an extension before your 90-day stay expires, as you won't be able to stay in South Africa once the 90 days have passed.

We recommend that you apply for a tourist or volunteer visa in your home country before your trip.

More information on diplomatie.gouv.fr.