Reviews
Real stories from real participants, parents and university partners who share their experiences as well as their advice. Learn more about the benefits Connect-123 interns and volunteers receive on our programs around the world!
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Elizabeth Keller
Without Connect-123, I would not have been given the once in a lifetime opportunity of completing my Child Life Practicum abroad. I played and loved on the children and families at a pediatric hospital for the month of July. My time in Cape Town was filled with joy, love, and so many wonderful people and experiences. Connect-123 allowed me to gain experience in a government run hospital and even provided an incredible service opportunity in one of the townships. We spent a day loving on the children in an orphanage in the township of Khayelitsha and I left a piece of my heart behind that day. Between the children at the orphanage and the children I played with each day on the wards at the Children’s hospital, it was easy to fall in love with Cape Town. During my last week of my practicum experience at pediatric hospital, I spent a few days in a row with a preschooler in the trauma ward. This three-year-old had one of her legs in traction and could not be up and moving around like most three year olds. During the first two days of playing and engaging with this child, she acted so uninterested but desperately wanted to feel like a kid again after her traumatic experience. When I walked into trauma on the third day, her father said to me how she recognizes me and is so excited to play today. This preschooler that once seemed so uninterested had warmed up to me and giggled the rest of the day as we played. I'll never forget when she started laughing and her dad smiled and said to me "That's the first time I have heard her laugh since we got here" I'll never forget this moment I helped this sweet child feel like herself again and even being a smile to her father's face. I would not have had those special moments with children and their families without the support of Connect-123. I am forever grateful to Connect-123 for giving me this life changing experience by providing the opportunity for me to learn about another culture's healthcare system.
Internships in Cape Town
Clarice Brambilla
My two-month internship in Cape Town was by far one of the most fulfilling, satisfactory and productive time of my life. What I value most about my Connect-123 internship is the fact that I was assigned a task I had no experience in: fundraising. My original goal was to do an internship in which I could help make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged children, but I didn’t know exactly what I could do as I am a philosophy student, and my studies have no direct relation with this field. Connect-123 was able to find a job for me, allowing me to both challenge myself and make a difference. As a result, I gained experience in a field I knew nothing about and I even found out I really enjoy fundraising and I am good at it too! For Connect-123 my passion and my strive to do good was enough, and I proved them right. To all of those who are still seeking a path in their lives, who want to make a difference for the good, but still don’t know exactly what skills they have or what profession fulfills them and makes them happy, an internship such as mine is by far the most enlightening and eye-opening experience!
Internships in Cape Town
Sophia Busacca
Connect-123 was very well organized and extremely helpful. They helped me find a nursing related internship and organized my living arrangements. As a nursing student the internship was exceptional! I had a great experience shadowing doctors and nurses and learning from them. I was able to see a wide variety of patients and understand their needs clinically and emotionally. It was interesting to compare the needs of different patients. I was able to work on the Labor and Delivery Unit, Well Baby Clinic, Postpartum Floor, Emergency Room, and the Pediatric Emergency Room. This experience has helped prepare me for my senior year in nursing school. I was able to narrow down the fields that I am more passionate about. As well, Cape Town is a phenomenal city to explore. I had so much fun meeting other interns and exploring Cape Town with our shuttle driver who took us on a tour of the Cape and a township. The museums, ocean, and city in Cape Town are great for a college student. Thank you Connect-123 for the awesome experience.
Internships in Cape Town
Julianna Choi
I had an incredible experience as a Connect-123 intern. My internship pushed me as a nursing student and provided opportunities that were unique and specific to my interest in Midwifery. After one month working in a township clinic, I helped deliver over twenty babies. Outside of work, I loved my time living in Cape Town. I met some amazing people, visited the safari and wine country, hiked mountains, browsed markets and museums, and through it all developed a good understanding of South Africa’s complex politics and culture. Everywhere you turn, there is something new to learn in Cape Town!
Internships in Cape Town
Mackenzie Jones
I interned for 2 months at a children's hospital in Cape Town. To summarise such an incredible and action-packed experience is a challenge with so many highlights to pin-point. From the beautiful mountainous views and sights of South Africa to the adorable little faces at the hospital, every moment has left a great impact on my life. Interning with Connect-123 was such a safe-place for me. Any fears I had regarding traveling were eased by the warm welcome by the Connect staff and their continuous support throughout my internship experience. Interning with Connect-123 has given me a new found confidence to take up opportunities presented no matter how daunting. At my workplace, I got a chance to challenge myself, to use my creativity, to be hands on with policy analysis, policy creation, and meetings and to make a difference to the lives of the infants at the hospital. I have gained a new love for South Africa, South African culture, their food, their music and the smiles and joyful spirit of the people there. It became a home away from home. This internship has given me the mindset and courage to aim high, to travel, to explore, to connect with new people, to network, and to live fearlessly seizing all opportunities and challenges presented throughout my academics and later life. When you look over Cape Town from the highest peak of Table Mountain or fly over the continent of Africa, it is humbling to realize how small we are. Yet the impact we can have on each other's lives is so big. It is amazing what one person's willingness to help can do for an organisation. Interning with Connect-123 at a hospital reinforced to me how great it is to just help out selflessly. I am sure your internship will greatly impact you also as you impact others with your willingness to volunteer your work. The whole experience was a blessing. I would do it all over again. My career ambitions have been given an extra dose of energy, passion and enthusiasm. I'm grateful.
Internships in Cape Town
Lisa Au
I am so grateful to have the opportunity to do an internship in Cape Town. Initially, I was a bit nervous about going somewhere completely new but the Connect-123 staff are very supportive and accommodating and have made sure everything went smoothly. An internship here allowed me to try something I never thought I would be able to do and explore the energy sector a little more. Learning more about energy in the unique context of South African history and culture gave me a new perspective on energy issues. Also, Cape Town is the place with a bit of everything. One of the best things about Cape Town is the close proximity to breathtaking views. Whether it’s up on the mountain or right by the ocean, there is always something to do. Thank you Connect-123 for finding me a great internship and making sure my stay in Cape Town was wonderful.
Internships in Cape Town
Ashley W
My internship in Cape Town was truly amazing! I worked at an arts and culture governmental organisation that has a legal mandate to identify, protect and conserve heritage resources, of which, can be both intangible and tangible. My department was responsible for ensuring heritage resources are not altered in anyway but are preserved and passed on to future generations. I visited various heritage sites and, as part of my outcome based tasks, produced site visit reports. I also responded to permit applications to alter protected sites; but my core project was to update my department's operational policy which was about 10 years old. Here I learned so much-and so fast-about the department, the organisation, and the country as a whole because I was engaging with a variety of documents. I am particularly happy that all my tasks, and policy updates in particular, were an integral part of my department and therefore I contributed to the organisation in a meaningful way. The balance between working indoors and outdoors was perfect particularly as the sites I visited are also tourist sites. However, all this was made so much easier because, outside of work, things were also really wonderful. I was also very happy with Connect-123's hospitality. From the many socials activities like Vineyards Tour, Comedy Night, Braai that they organised, to the simple tips on where to go exploring, they were always available! I enjoyed my internship so much, I decided to extend my stay until end of summer!
Internships in Cape Town
Matthew Garcia
It seems just yesterday I was stepping off the plane as a nervous teenager ready to start my adventure. As my journey now comes to a close, I can't help but look back and think how fortunate I have been during my time in Cape Town. I know I had the preconceived notion- as many visitors have with Cape Town- that it is a slightly dangerous city due to crime. While I won't deny that crime happens in any major city, I could not disagree more with my prior assumptions of Cape Town. On the whole, the city is a remarkable place and anyone who has the chance to visit should consider themselves fortunate. Although my time here has been short, I have explored the city each week and still find unique, incredible things to do. For people who love the outdoors, there's the opportunity to hike some of the most beautiful natural geography in the world; for people who love history, Cape Town offers fascinating museums and township tours on their cultural history; for those who love adventure, look no further than shark cage diving or a Garden Route safari. As for my internship, I have been blessed with wonderful experiences and opportunities during my time working with a non-for-profit. I cannot fully express my gratitude for Connect for the work they put in to secure my internship, as well as the entertaining social events they put together. I can say, without a doubt in my mind, my experience in Cape Town would have been significantly less fulfilling if not for the work of the Connect team. While I am happy to be heading home to family and friends, I will miss this city and its people tremendously.
Internships in Cape Town
James Bradley Minton
My time as an intern with Connect-123 was an experience that helped give me experiences and skills that will be extremely useful for my future employment. Every day there were many opportunities to learn something new, and the work was so much fun. The people who I interacted with; other interns, Connect-123 employees, drivers, and supervisors at work were very influential, helpful, and became friends. The logistics involved in traveling and living locally were arranged and easy for me to keep up with. The city of Cape Town has most everything anyone could be looking for. If you like night life or shopping there are opportunities all over down town. The mountains provide great hiking. The ocean is cold and fun. If you're willing to go out and have adventures you will find them in Cape Town for sure.
Internships in Cape Town
Seth Greengo
When I first arrived in Buenos Aires, it was a dark and cold morning. My flight from the United States had been delayed so much that my arrival was pushed back a full day. I thought this incident would set the tone for my trip; I couldn’t have been more wrong. Both the literal and figurative clouds passed and I found myself falling for Buenos Aires and Argentina as a whole. I was an intern at a public hospital in Buenos Aires province, where I threw on a lab coat and was able to watch doctor’s appointments in multiple departments, observe surgeries in the operating room, and even attend lectures about cancer medicines with the oncologists. The doctors and staff were all super welcoming and willing to explain things to me, in both English and Spanish. Living in Buenos Aires and immersing myself in the Argentine culture created many unforgettable experiences. I cannot thank Connect-123 enough for setting up my internship, organizing cultural events, and making my experience one to remember!
Internships in Buenos Aires
Nicolette Sommar
I needed an internship for my spring term and Connect-123 was more than helpful. I remember hearing about the program through my friend in early January. After some research, I decided to send in my info. Connect-123 was quick and efficient with getting back to me and before I knew it, I found myself in the beautiful city of Barcelona. They made my transition from home to Spain very easy prior as well as during my trip. They gave me suggestions on where to live and provided an airport pickup for my arrival. They also hosted special events throughout the weeks so that everyone in the program had a chance to meet each other. I traveled and lived in Barcelona by myself and I have to say I met some awesome people along the way. My favorite part was having the opportunity to meet locals and work with them in my office. While I was there for three months, I worked for a startup tech company that is creating a fashion app using artificial intelligence based data. I loved going into work everyday and feeling a part of something big. My coworkers were greatly energetic and friendly, nothing like I’ve ever experienced in the work environment at home. Some days after work, I had Spanish classes at Vosotros Barcelona, another benefit of using Connect-123. This program is without a doubt one of the best. As for the city, Barcelona deserves more than just one little blurb in my journaled experience. I've always had such an aspiration to visit the city and experience the Catalan culture. When I first arrived in Barcelona early April, I was super stoked to be there. However, I was still naive. I had no idea that the next three months would be the most amazing three months of my life. As cliche as it sounds, it's true. The city stole my heart. Connect-123 was one of the best decisions and I encourage those who are a little weary to jump and seize the opportunity.
Internships in Barcelona
Stacy Gallegos
My time in Ireland was an unforgettable adventure. I learned resourceful skills, made lifelong friendships, and gained a new perspective about the world. My internship experience has changed the way I view healthcare delivery and has given me a boost of confidence to address the issues I care about the most. In the process, I gained a brilliant mentor and realized that you can accomplish even the most intimidating goals with hard work, passion, and some inspiration. Connect-123 made sure their students felt right at home from the moment they arrived. I am looking forward to returning to this magnetic city and am grateful for all the memories that have molded me to the friend and professional I am today.
Internships in Dublin
Sergio Demara
I was only finishing up my freshman year of college at the start of Connect-123, but I knew I wanted to take risks and explore parts of myself I hadn’t before. I was so blessed to work in Buenos Aires at an impactful human rights non-profit organization, completely organized by Connect-123. The experience is more than you could bargain for-- as a cohort, we attended dance performances, dinner nights, and street art tours together to explore local culture. The staff helped us feel comfortable and immersed in Argentina’s rich heritage. At my internship, I was shown similar support and encouraged to draft project reports, secure funding for LGBT refugees, and develop a storyboard for a film. I attended official board meetings regarding refugees in Argentina and local workshops on sexual diversity, even meeting refugees to hear their stories and represent them. This internship experience allowed me to breathe in experiences that have allowed me to grow and flourish for my next step in life. I am so grateful to have participated in this program and I look forward to returning to South America some day.
Internships in Buenos Aires
Jamie Martin
My time in Cape Town, South Africa was nothing short of a dream. I spent the entire month of June completing a Child Life Practicum at a first government pediatric hospital. Getting to know the hospital staff and patients was an exceptional experience, as I spent my days preparing children for procedures and encouraging developmentally appropriate play within the facility. I want to thank Connect-123 for introducing me to such incredible and driven individuals. I never imagined that I would spend the summer in this beautiful city exploring the land each and every day. Everyone with the Connect-123 team did such an amazing job helping me adapt and feel comfortable in my temporary home. I would recommend this program to everyone and am so glad I made the decision to attend, despite having not known anyone beforehand. I am already looking forward to my next trip to Cape Town.
Internships in Cape Town
Ania Aliev
This summer I worked at a biomedical research institute in Barcelona. Connect-123 did an excellent job finding me this internship and listened to my parameters and found the perfect internship for me. This internship was heavily based in statistical analysis in the medical field, which is exactly what I asked for. I was able to improve my coding skills as well as learning new methods to run data analyses. In addition to this, my housing was also great. I lived right in the center of the city with easy access to all part of the city. Everyone I met was extremely friendly and I was able to make friends through people on Connect-123, the people I lived with, and worked with. Barcelona is a versatile and vibrant city, which makes it full of life so it is never boring. If you are considering a study abroad program with an internship component Connect-123 in Barcelona is amazing and I would definitely recommend it!
Internships in Barcelona
Anita Baratti
My teaching internship in Cape Town was life-changing. I shared this adventure with an incredible bunch of people from my university in England, who showed my same passion to engage with South African culture and history, making this experience even more amazing. Connect-123 played a huge role: besides being extremely helpful and supportive, they were able to perfectly understand my interests and to find the right internship for me. Tutoring and teaching in a high school in a township, I was immersed in a reality where kids often remain trapped in their disadvantaged background. My students in Langa High were doing something almost revolutionary: finally totally free from Apartheid, they were finishing their last year of high school and were about to step into tertiary education. Assisting them in this passage was a privilege and something I will always keep close. I lost my heart in Cape Town, in everything I did and saw and the people I met. I loved my job, which helped me grow as a person and a professional and tremendously clarified my future career path and choices. Someone once said: 'we meet to part and we part to meet' and I like thinking that this will be my first but not last time in this wonderful country.
Internships in Cape Town
Giulia Monteleone
The time I spent living and working in Cape Town has proved to be the most powerful and intense experience abroad of my life up-to-date. When I first put foot in South Africa little I realised how much I had to learn about this country and how complicated and contradictory its everyday reality was. The support provided by the Connect-123 staff was invaluable – our program coordinators guided us through life in South Africa, making sure that each of us were getting the most out of our experience whilst staying safe and keeping an eye on budget! There is just so much the city has to offer: within a two-month period I climbed Table Mountain, hiked up Lion’s Head, went paragliding, spent a whole day in Khayelitsha, spent time by the ocean, went on a safari, and visited local markets and art galleries! Working as a journalism intern at a popular community radio station granted me an unequalled platform from where to observe and discover the fast-changing dynamics and phenomena underpinning the South African society. I was able to develop a first-hand knowledge of community media and to interact with a multitude of organizations on the field operating in the areas of the Cape Flats. A piece of advice: make the most out of it, because time will fly past you before you know it!
Internships in Cape Town
Jasmine Purifoy-Lewis
My time in Buenos Aires has been great. I really love the city, I was worried about getting lost, and I probably only got lost three times. The city is really easy to explore, the subway system is very easy to learn and quite interesting to people watch and language ease-drop. I feel like being here has really enhanced my Spanish skills and that was my reason for wanting to travel abroad. I also really enjoyed working with my coworkers in my internship. My advice would just pick an internship you know is going to be interesting to you, and be prepared to possibly not do what you thought you were going to do, and/or more than what you expected. Our program coordinator was also very helpful and interested in helping everyone. Argentina is a beautiful place and I would definitely come back again.
Internships in Buenos Aires
Casey Copp
Three months ago I got on the plane shaking. I had never left the United States before and I had never never left home for so far and for as long as I was about to do. I had never lived in a big city. I had never left my comfort zone. Much of my family preferred that I go to Europe than South America. Indeed, I was shaking as I got on the plane. Three months later now I am a changed person. Buenos Aires is an incredible city with never-ending options of things to do and it's impossible to get bored. I've had more fun here the past three months that I had in my first 3 years of college! The best aspect of the city is the people. Everyone I've met, from strangers that pass by on the streets, to the worker in an ice cream store next to my apartment, to other students from a local university, and obviously my host family who are always so friendly, caring, and accommodating. Connect-123 provided me with a perfect internship that mixed my career aspirations working in non-profits as well as my passion soccer, which is also the passion of the entire Argentine nation! Although I've studied Spanish for 7 or 8 years, I felt like my language knowledge had plateaued but now not only has my Spanish improved drastically but I will return to my university confusing all my professors as I speak to them like a Porteño. I'm so sad to leave and I will most definitely return many times in my life. For the impact it has made on my personal growth, Buenos Aires, Argentina will forever have a special place in my heart.
Internships in Buenos Aires
Collin Kruzel
My adventure to Buenos Aires was a first in many ways. Big firsts like leaving the country for the first time and being really, really far from family for so long. Connect-123 truly exceeded any expectations I could have in regards to this big change. Connect-123 placed me with a host family, who very quickly became a part of my family. A fantastic host family and a constant stream of available activities and events kept me busy and excited while being integrated into the culture and life here in Argentina. This is all in addition to being placed in an internship that was very flexible, friendly and provided me a unique work experience.
Internships in Buenos Aires
