Two University College Isle of Man (UCM) students are on an unforgettable internship at Pine Lake Marina, in the heart of the Garden Route National Reserve, one of South Africa’s glittering gems.

For three months, Pine Lake Marina, a resort with views of the Swartvlei Lake and surrounding mountains, is home to UCM students Aaron Riding and Sophie Van Hooven.

They were chosen using a selection process that required them to demonstrate what they hoped to gain from the experience.

Aaron is in his second year of BSC Hons Finance and Accounting, and Sophie is in her first year of BS Hons Event Management and Marketing.

Gail Corrin, higher education manager, said: ’This internship demonstrates that students can have the opportunity to travel and live off island, while studying for their degree on the Isle of Man.

’We at UCM understand that international exposure forms an extremely valuable learning opportunity, as it helps students to develop critical employability skills.’

Mrs Corrin said practical work experience allowed students to get valuable industry knowledge, improving their career prospects.

She extended her appreciation to the International Centre of Technology (ICT) which sponsored the internship programme.

’The team at Pine Lake Marina is very excited to be able to play a privileged role in facilitating this first exciting internship programme with UCM,’ added Franco Rossouw, manager at the Pine Lake Marina Resort.

’What’s important is that the students will return home after three months here, with solid workplace skills and a fondness for South Africa, the Garden Route and the people that they have met.

’Students giving our valued staff exposure to the knowledge they have gained at UCM and where possible, implement this knowledge into our programmes and systems,’ Mr Rossouw added.

The pair have also gained work experience in several departments such as administration, finance and registration. They have also taken the opportunity to experience the South African culture, explore the outdoors and learn the local language.

Follow their vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv9wDSa3ZWI