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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Lona Sniderman
When I first decided that I wanted to travel this summer, I had no idea where to start. The only solid detail that I had worked out was that I wanted to go somewhere Spanish-speaking and have the opportunity to gain international work experience while improving my language skills. Connect-123 let me bring my vision into focus, connecting me with an internship at a research institution in Barcelona that would last eight weeks over the summer. My first week in Barcelona was a wonderful sneak-peak into what the rest of my summer would look like… I was met with an ideal, centrally-located living situation, an inclusive and supportive work environment, a group of U.S. college students with mindsets similar to my own and a romantic city with endless opportunity for exploration. My Monday-Friday work schedule provided structure to my weeks that allowed me to stay productive and on-task in a city with truly numerous distractions. After work and on weekends, the city’s bountiful restaurants, museums, cultural exhibitions, concerts, beaches and other events made it near impossible to feel bored or alone. Connect-123 allowed me to go above and beyond my initial goal by immersing me into a summer of firsts… my first music festival, my first time in Paris (weekend trips, anyone?), my first time making homemade Paella, my first time living alone in a new place, and so many more. As my time in Barcelona comes to an end, I am excited to return home as a braver and more independent person who has made personal and professional connections that will last a lifetime.
Internships in Barcelona
Ezra Sergent-Leventhal
I am a history major with a minor in educational studies at university, and I was hoping to explore the realm of education policy through my internship provided by Connect-123. After deciding on Cape Town as a destination, I was quickly offered a three month internship in education as a general intern and program facilitator. The organization fit my needs as an intern perfectly, as they are a non-profit that specializes in giving support to underprivileged communities in the townships outside Cape Town. Additionally, they do quite a bit of research and fundraising in order to find the best methods to uplift the career paths of the children of the townships. Since day one in Cape Town, this internship has exceeded my expectations in every facet as well as given me invaluable experience in the realm of education that I truly could not get anywhere else. Connect-123 paired me with an organization that needed my assistance, and exactly met my desires in terms of work place environment and goals. Cape Town itself is truly one of the most unique cities in the world, and it has been a very eye opening experience to explore and learn about. The history and politics of Cape Town alone has been an extremely eye opening and enriching. The convergence of cultures and backgrounds in Cape Town has created one of the most diverse and vibrant cities in the world, and I've learned an immense amount. This, combined with the spectacular views surrounding the city, has made for a once in a lifetime experience. Whether it be a hike up the beautiful Table Mountain, or an evening spent watching the sunset on one of Cape Town's spectacular beaches, there is always something to do in Cape Town. Being able to experience such an amazing city and environment while also doing important work for a non profit that mirrors my career goals has really been a privilege, and Connect-123 has excelled at facilitating this process.
Internships in Cape Town
Brooke Wendling
I couldn’t ask for a better internship here in Dublin. Everyone I have met, has been super friendly and welcoming. The Irish like to banter with and tease their co-workers, so if you intern/work here, don’t be nervous when they tease you, that means they like you. Also, I learned so much about how offices/organizations are managed. While here, I got to work with a small private charity organization to help people with a chronic disease. I also then worked a little bit with the Public Health services. I worked in two very different atmospheres, which I enjoyed immensely, because I got to see the different aspects of public and private offices/companies. In addition, I got to attend many different meetings regarding health and COPD. Ireland has so much to offer, from the Cliffs of Moher to Galway to Belfast and many more! Also, RyanAir sells super cheap flights to different places all throughout Europe, so you’ll not only be traveling a lot throughout Ireland, but through Europe as well (at least this is what I did). The nightlife is great too! All the pubs have live music and you become friends with everyone there. I can’t begin to explain how many amazing people you will meet if you intern here! Ireland truly is the place to be if you want to meet and make new lifelong friends. I advise anyone to intern here with Connect-123, you will not regret it!
Internships in Dublin
Benjamin Gilson
Thanks to Connect-123, I was able to not only discover an entirely new industry but work in it full time as well. My summer in Barcelona provided me with a number of unique projects and tasks that helped me find my passions in the workplace and people. It has helped me gain a cultural work perspective that I could not have found at home and helped me grow immensely. Barcelona itself was greater than I ever could have imagined and I've fallen in love with the city and the culture and am already planning a return trip. Thanks Connect-123!
Internships in Barcelona
Carly Hume
I just want to say thank you so much for this wonderful experience, it truly has been a month of a lifetime. Going on this trip was quite a risk as I knew absolutely no one and had never traveled alone but I couldn't be happier that I made the jump. I have made great friends and learned so much. Doing my Child Life Practicum abroad has provided me with experiences that I never could've had in the United States. It is evident that the Connect-123 team really has a passion for their jobs and care about each and every one of us. Thank you for providing me with great opportunities and wonderful memories!
Internships in Cape Town
Emma Repp
My experience in Buenos Aires has been nothing short of incredible! Connect-123 set me up with a fantastic host family and a great internship at a non-profit, providing me with an experience that went far beyond that which I would have had simply as a tourist. My host family introduced me to just about every type of Argentine cuisine, explained Argentine politics (or at least tried to), and went out of their way to make me feel like part of the family. I also had a great experience at my internship, where everyone went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable. My coworkers included me in all aspects of the non-profit, including numerous conferences where I got to listen to powerful Argentine politicians discuss topics related to peace activism. Although the language barrier was challenging at first, with the help of two weeks of Spanish class, my host family, and my coworkers, my Spanish improved significantly. Of course, I also had plenty of time to travel around Buenos Aires as well as make a few trips outside of the city, making my three months abroad fly by! I couldn’t be more thankful for all the work Connect-123 put into my stay, from the large task of finding me an internship to the small details of teaching me how to use the public transportation. If you are looking for a fun, immersive, and challenging internship experience, I highly recommend using Connect-123!
Internships in Buenos Aires
Benjamin Medalie
Hola amigos! This summer I had the pleasure of living and working in Barcelona through Connect-123. It has truly been the experience of a lifetime. I interned at a property management software startup where I learned the ins and outs of what it takes to build, market, and maintain a growing business.I was given some pretty cool projects to work on and I was even able to freely add my own creative touch to my personal work. I worked about 7 hours a day, Monday- Friday, including an hour lunch break. My co-workers were all very friendly and like-minded, and it was fairly easy to fit into the work environment. Apart from work, Connect-123 hosted many different group events such as paddle-boarding, a Catalonian cooking experience, pick-up basketball, etc. Our program coordinators were the best and all of this would not have been possible without them. I was lucky enough to be placed in a beautiful high rise apartment with a great group of guys within the luxurious neighborhood of Eixample. There is always something to do during your free time. Nightlife is insane and the abundancy of Catalan culture and tapas all around you is overwhelming. What more can I say... I peaked. Do this program.
Internships in Barcelona
Michaela Bromm
Interning in Dublin was one of the greatest decisions I have ever made. I had the opportunity to live in a different city and work for a great non-profit organization! I made so many friends through the Connect-123 program, which was fantastic. I always had someone to go on adventures with me around Ireland and Europe. The Connect-123 staff was incredibly thoughtful and helpful. The staff always answered my many emails with no problems. They made applying for my internship and living in Ireland an easy and welcoming experience. It was nice having people there for you actually in Dublin if you needed something. What I found extremely helpful was that Connect-123 gave us sim cards, public transportation cards, and directions on how we should get to our work. This definitely helped prepare me for my internship. Dublin was a really great city to travel around. I enjoyed walking around the city (which is what I did most), taking the Luas tram on the north side of Dublin, using the DART train system to go to different coastal towns, and using the Dublin Bus system. My internship experience was quite rewarding. I am very interested in International Relations, Foreign Affairs, and Geography. I worked for a human rights organization that supports, advocates for, and promotes awareness for the trans community. My coworkers were incredibly kind and respectable. They answered all the different questions I had, and I learned so much! I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking to intern or volunteer abroad. I recommend coming to Dublin as it is a very easy-going city. It was very easy getting to know the people and the culture. Traveling to Ireland for this internship was my first time leaving the country, and I had absolutely no problems! I cannot wait to go back!
Internships in Dublin
Manon Steel
My experience with my internship was amazing and a once in a lifetime opportunity. On the first day, my coworkers welcomed me with open arms, big smiles, and cookies with my name on them. Through my job I was able to become more confident in my Spanish and absolutely more fluent, as well as improve my professional skills. I was always able to meet new people and develop new friendships in a relaxed, fun atmosphere. Connect-123 found me the perfect internship for my goals and my interests. They were there to support me when my experience was good and when it was rocky. It's important to know that not every aspect of your experience will be perfect all the time, but in those moments of turbulence Connect-123 is there to help fix the problem and get you back on your way. The events were all very fun and the people you meet through Connect are all truly amazing, diverse people. You will be happy you made the decision to trust in Connect-123 to make your experience a memorable one!
Internships in Buenos Aires
MaryJane LaSala
My participation with Connect-123 has been one of most unique experiences of my life. Connect-123 gave me the opportunity to go to a place I never would have thought to visit on my own. The city of Cape Town is so beautiful and filled with thousands of activities to enjoy. Before coming here, a friend described it to me as "the best place in the world" and she was not exaggerating with that statement. The combination of ocean, mountains, and city life is one I had never seen before and I have been able to do incredible things from shark cage diving to paragliding. Connect-123 made me feel safe in a new city and it was so comforting for me and my family that I had a contact person who I could express any concerns to. They also paired me with an incredible company filled with wonderful people who are truly inspiring. Their passion for wanting to help other people makes me excited to go into work every day because I know I am contributing to such a great cause. Overall, my experience in Cape Town, with my internship placement, and with Connect-123 is one I will remember and cherish for the rest of my life.
Internships in Cape Town
Robert White
I came to Buenos Aires and only knew one other person that was participating in my program. For me that was a daunting task; I’m an introverted person. Connect-123 eased this fear almost immediately. They foster a community between the participating students and simultaneously offer opportunities to explore the city and understand Porteño and Argentine culture. My time in the language school was one of the most important aspects of my experience through Connect-123. It was the main factor that united the group of students in my program and it was also a great step to transition into a Spanish-speaking environment and by the end I felt ready to enter my internship experience. The internship has been the best part of my experience. When I applied to the program, I wasn’t 100% sure about what I wanted to do, but I tried to provide at least a general outline of what my interests are. When I found out what my placement was, I was ecstatic. It was a perfect fit for me. When I went to meet my supervisors for the first time, I was even more excited about starting my work. At that point, I really knew that as an intern, I would be a valued member of the organization. And that isn’t something that is always guaranteed in the United States, where internships can consist meaningless tasks, just so you can put it on your resume. Overall, my experience has been incredible. My host family has been very accommodating, my time at the language school was incredible, and my internship has been a great experience that fits with both of my majors at University, and I can only credit Connect-123 with how good my experience in Buenos Aires has been.
Internships in Buenos Aires
Maria Spano
I came to South Africa, Cape Town more specifically, to have a direct vision of the reality of a country which underwent recent internal struggle. Being interested in political risk and emergency and conflict situations, I decided that a country like South Africa was the place for me to be in. I wanted to have an unbiased view of the everyday life of the population, their way of thinking and their interesting culture. Thanks to my internship with Connect-123 at a leading human rights organization, working for both the Legal and Advocacy Departments, I managed to have exactly the insight I first aimed at, and more. For instance, I was able with my internship to consult with people from various backgrounds about their human rights abuses and to help the planning of in-loco interventions in different locations aimed at, more generally, increasing awareness of human rights. This internship showed me that there are people who work hard to improve the lives of others and that the ignorance on the knowledge of human rights is still very present, which makes these jobs even more essential. I would have never imagined how much I would have ended up getting involved in all of it: the country, the culture, the people and the issues regarding human rights. This involvement was also helped by the side activities organized by Connect-123 with their impeccable organization and personal involvement, and by the events present in such a beautiful city full of history. For instance, if you ever have the chance don’t miss the lecture on South Africa’s history and culture at UCT, the Township Tour, and the Mandela’s Day Walk for Freedom. Finally, the only negative point is the time length: two months is too short. This is why, if the opportunity presents itself again, I wouldn’t miss the chance of coming back here for longer.
Internships in Cape Town
Sarah Cabala
Starting my internship in Buenos Aires, I was nervous and anxious but most of all I was excited. I didn’t quite know what to expect and it was thrilling for me. I knew I made the right decision - Argentina, the culture, the people – everything is amazing. My host family welcomed me with open arms, as did the Spanish school and my colleagues at work. I think the “worst” part of this experience is the fact that I had to leave after three short months. I have traveled to Northern and Southern parts of beautiful Argentina, and I have made lifelong friends. It’s a pretty amazing feeling stepping out of your comfort zone and having it all pay off. Thanks to my internship, I’ve learned about myself, and my goals for my life – both personal and my professional. I am so thankful for this experience and for Connect. I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in seeing different parts of the world, learning different cultures, and learning more about themselves.
Internships in Buenos Aires
Jesse Linkhorn
This summer I had the opportunity to intern in Shanghai, China, which provided me with one of the wildest summers I’ll ever have. I spent my time interning at a small consulting firm downtown in the city. There, I was provided with a range of tasks that not only had me testing my business savvy (like reviewing financial reports and projecting cash flows), but also had me learn a variety of new things including Chinese GAAP and Tax laws, regular business facilitations, and a whole lot of Mandarin. Prior to this, I had very little knowledge of the language, which made adapting to life in China difficult at first. The challenge however, was one embraced and I have grown immensely not only in my knowledge but in the work environment and personally as well. Connect-123 provided me with the chance to travel abroad and live in a large city, both of which were firsts for me. To this I am forever grateful because they allowed me to experience a whole new culture and lifestyle that I believe has made me a better person. Along with that, they were there with me every step of the way providing support whenever I needed it and checking in out of pure thoughtfulness. This summer allowed me to go to places I never thought I would, meet some of the most kind and genuine people I ever will, and learn some things I never knew existed. I truly believe I have been made better off by this experience and it has instilled in me a desire to further study the culture and learn the language. I am grateful for the opportunity Connect-123 provided me and I hope to travel back to China again (if not for the amazing cuisine) to create many more fond memories. I’m excited for the future and what I’ll be able to accomplish having had this experience.
Internships in Shanghai
Joseph Ross
I really loved the three months I spent working as an intern at a film and media production studio in Barcelona. It was great getting to know everyone in the office and it provided me with the knowledge I’ll need to further pursue a place in the industry. Barcelona is also really a great city with excellent weather, remarkable culture, beautiful sights, and fun and exciting people! There are definitely worse places to spend the summer gaining valuable work experience. As for the guys at Connect-123, I couldn’t have asked for better service from them. They provided me with all the support I could have needed. I didn’t feel alone and it was great to join them on the weekends for some interesting events in and around the city. You really are in safe hands with them as you’re their priority and I hope I’ll get to see them again in the future. It’s such a shame my flight home had been booked the same day they were planning a surfing lesson!
Internships in Barcelona
Anne Bryan
The time I spent in Ireland was such an amazing experience it's hard to put into words how easy it is to fall in love with the city, people and culture that surrounds you. While I was in Ireland I was able to work with and live by locals who welcomed me with open arms. The Connect-123 program found an internship that was tailored specifically for me and my career path. The program placed me in a clinical and laboratory setting which provided me with an invaluable learning opportunity, of which I took full advantage. My Connect-123 roommates and I were regular tourists, frequently traveling to other countries or to the countryside of Ireland, it was hard to find idle time. The live entertainment you will find at any bar, pub, or restaurant is just another reason as to why this city so easy to love. Another benefit of living in Dublin is how easy it is to travel. The Dublin airport was 30 minutes away by a cab and finding cheap plane tickets was not a hard task. We were able to travel to 5 different countries and over a dozen cities, it was truly an experience I won't forget. I will always cherish the time spent and the people I met during my internship in Dublin. I can't imagine a better way to spend an internship while also having the experience of a lifetime. There is no doubt in my mind I would do it all over again the same way if I could, and for that I am forever grateful.
Internships in Dublin
Jennifer Brown
I found my experience with Connect-123 to be really impressive. Not only was I placed with a meaningful organization that provided me with a genuine learning experience, I felt that my program coordinator really cared that I got the most out of that experience. By going through Connect-123, I was in good hands; the organization had a genuine concern for my safety and well being and I trusted them to have my best interests in mind. In addition to connecting me with my internship opportunity, C-123 also provided me with advice where to take language courses, interesting points in the city, and cultural experiences that were really fun. I would recommend to anyone looking to pursue an overseas internship opportunity to go through Connect-123.
Internships in Buenos Aires
Andrew Kirkwood
Three months in Buenos Aires was definitely not how I was expecting to end my gap year, however I can without a doubt say it was worth it. Looking for an internship through Connect-123 made the process a great deal easier and helped me find a place with much more ease than if I was on my own. The help with finding not only the internship but a place to stay made the process much more smooth. Through Connect-123 I was given an extremely convenient package of information on the sights to see, rules for safety and much more this saved me a ton unnecessary trouble on more than one occasion. Being new to a Spanish-speaking country and really the language this really was a completely new experience for me. Thanks to C-123 I was able to meet new people interning with the group and many more from their social circles and create a wide net of new friends. Not only this but the events held by Connect-123 let me experience Buenos Aires completely differently than a tourist would. This allowed me to gain a much greater insight to the culture within Argentina, especially through social events like having a Parrilla (grilling) every other day with my dorm mates. Those looking to learn a language, gain experience, and enjoy themselves while doing so, you’re in the right place.
Internships in Buenos Aires
John Getts
As a recent college graduate looking to gain some international experience and improve my Spanish, Connect-123 offered everything I was searching for. From day 1, my program coordinators prioritized my interests and found the perfect internship. Interning in a finance and consulting firm, I had the opportunity to work in both English and Spanish while assisting local startups with various aspects of the funding process. As for Barcelona, it speaks for itself. The culture, people, food, and of course the beach are all amazing. I will be forever grateful for this experience and I owe much of that to the team at Connect-123.
Internships in Barcelona
Justin Tartamella
Barcelona is an amazing city with such a vibrant and distinct personality that is an absolute treat to go and visit. I would not have been able to have the experience that I now treasure if I did not have the people at Connect-123 helping me along the way. They took my interests and what I wanted to receive out of my time in Barcelona to heart and really tailored a plan around me. I cannot imagine having a better time anywhere else with any other group of people and I will always remember the time I spent there.
Internships in Barcelona
