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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Renee Barouxis
After learning about South African history in college, I was eager to learn more about the country's politics through an internship in the country. With Connect-123's assistance, I landed an internship with so many opportunities: sitting in the Parliament's gallery above President Zuma as he defended his 2013 State of the Nation Address to Members of Parliament, hearing the Minister of Health explain ways to lower child mortality rates, or passing a United States Senator in the hallway! I attended meetings for the Portfolio Committees on Water and Environmental Affairs, Home Affairs, Women, Children, and People with Disabilities, Public Service and Administration, and more! The internship was challenging and rewarding-- the perfect combination! During my free time, I spent my time hiking, going to wine-tastings, or relaxing at the beach, with other Connectors and locals I befriended. There was so much to explore in beautiful Cape Town.
Internships in Cape Town
Nichole Drolet
The summer I spent in Dublin was literally the best summer of my life! Not only was it an amazing life experience to live in another country for 10 weeks, but the experience I got in my nursing internship at the pediatric hospital was beyond words. The internship wasn't at all what I thought or hoped, but it turned out to be a fantastic foundational learning experience. My goal going into this internship was to work on my clinical skills, instead I got a completely different experience. I was able to see more in my 10 weeks than I did in my 2.5 years in nursing school. The staff really worked with us to get us any experience we wanted, or thought we could be interested in. I was able to sit in on a full day of cardiac surgery, spend a day on a burn unit, spend several weeks on a cardiac PICU, among many other things. If ever I had a question, I was never hesitant to ask it without feeling dumb. I got to work on my foundations of practice, and the nurses I worked with tried to get me to understand why we were doing what we were doing. Why are we giving this patient these meds, why are we doing this treatment, how will this affect the rest of the body systems, what lab values should we be looking at, etc. This was the best experience I could have hoped for. The friends I made, are ones I will keep for life. I really believe that this is something that everyone should try to do. There aren't a lot of opportunities for nursing internships today, but this gives you a taste of what you will be doing in a few short years (or months in my case).
Internships in Dublin
Vicky Maier
As a social sciences student i found it hard to find internships in my field. Being an active person I really wanted something "out of the office" and Connect-123 has been able to offer me several options and I managed to do exactly what I wanted. During four months I interned in an Association helping people with AIDS in Barcelona where I had the opportunity to work alongside a team of devoted people eager to help those in need and also live in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The organizers of the internship were extremely helpful by giving information about the city and tips, organizing meetings between interns and events! It was an amazing experience and I recommend it to anyone who is looking for an organized work/traveling experience!
Internships in Barcelona
Tatenda Mhundwa
I love to travel and when the time came for me to pick a country for my internship, I thought ‘go big or go home’. I started to research internships abroad and Connect-123 came up. I completely loved the idea of going all the way to Cape Town South Africa, even though initially I was skeptical because I didn’t know anyone there. Connect-123 was able to place me with an amazing fashion designer located in the city center. Everyone in the company was so welcoming and super friendly. I got to work side by side with the designer herself which helped advance the skills I already had. With the internship I was able to see exactly what goes into the production of a collection and the fact that the designer was invited to show at Mercedes Benz Cape Town Fashion Week made it all the more incredible. I helped with all aspects of production including research on trends and story boards. Along with having a great place to intern, Connect-123 also had weekly events and set up sight-seeing tours of the beautiful Cape Town for all connectors. Overall, I will say I truly enjoyed my stay, enjoyed learning about the culture and differences and would go back in a heartbeat. Thanks Connect-123!
Internships in Cape Town
Georgina Hore
Ireland was part of my bucket list: a place I had dreamed of visiting. I got the opportunity to not only experience the rich culture, but do so while completing a fantastic internship with a local newspaper through Connect-123. The friendly people and amazing scenery added to this experience; one that I will never forget and one that I will cherish for years to come. It was incredible to get the opportunity to write for a local newspaper and get my articles published. My work environment was truly great and I loved going to work each day. I learnt a lot and was treated like a real journalist, as I was given my own stories and interviews; all of which will be a beneficial addition to my portfolio. This wouldn’t have been possible without the great team at Connect-123. They were able to place me in the internship and help with accommodation. They were always there if I needed anything and they also organised a great summer program involving all interns which enabled us all to get to know people from all over the world and create new friends. I would have no hesitation in recommending Connect-123’s Dublin internships to anyone. You are able to gain important hands on experience in your chosen career while also having the flexibility to experience the lifestyle and culture of another country.
Internships in Dublin
Shelby Moran
I couldn't have asked for a more rewarding experience in Cape Town - and a lot of it is thanks to Connect-123 and my host organization. Between the two, I feel like I learned to know the city and understand it's unique perspective, both culturally and professionally. Connect-123 did a great job at encouraging program participants to get out of their apartments and experience they city - whether that be through hiking Table Mountain, touring a township, or visiting Cape Point. The regularly scheduled activities and outings helped participants see the city and its people. Overall, I found my internship to be the most rewarding, especially because I was the only non-Capetonian in my office. This coupled with the welcoming staff allowed me to engage in unique discussions with my co-workers about South African culture, music, and politics and compare and contrast them to the United States. The friends (many of them from work) and professional connections that I made in Cape Town will be apart of me for years to come as much as the beautiful, dynamic city will be.
Internships in Cape Town
Martina Peter
During six amazing months I was an intern in an Irish NGO based in Dublin. My work consisted of helping migrants with their application for citizenship. I had not expected connect-123 to find such a great match for myself – but they did it. Even though I did not have a clear idea of what exactly I wanted to do (it just had to be in the social sector and connected to migration), they managed to find the perfect internship. I loved living in Dublin and especially immersing myself in a new culture and enjoying the first time experience of everything that comes with it. Dublin has just the right size for a city: It’s small enough to get almost anywhere by foot (it might take you a while, you might get lost, but with numerous help from anonymous strangers, you’ll eventually get there), but it’s still a capital with a huge diversity of cultures, all of them offering something worthwhile to explore amidst the numerous sights of the city itself. Connect-123 provided the perfect structure for an internship abroad. It was a great help with building a network of people, that became friends, and getting around Ireland with the various monthly trips and events.
Internships in Dublin
Taylor Wichrowski
Upon arriving in Dublin I immediately fell in love with the city and knew my summer would be one I wouldn't forget. Connect 123 got me settled in my apartment and prepared me well for my summer and internship with a casual orientation filled with helpful resources about getting around the city as well as the rest of the country. I was very happy with the internship they found for me. I worked as a graphic design intern at a design and video production company and loved every minute! The internship alone was more than I could have asked for. My boss had me jump right into projects like logo design, weekly infographics, and animation. All things that I can happily add to my resume and portfolio. The company I worked at also had Guinness as one of their big clients, and on my second week I was lucky enough to help out at a video shoot at the Guinness Storehouse! Finding a job or internship anywhere is a difficult task and I was very happy with how well Connect worked with me to ensure I got one that I would be happy with. I would advise anyone interested to start applying as early as possible, as this will allow Connect to have more time to find you something you'll love. My program coordinator found various job offers for me over a two to three month span which allowed me to really be a part of the process. Connect also set up activities or nights out which were especially helpful in the beginning of the trip. It was a great opportunity to get a feel for the culture and meet the people I became such good friends with by the end of the summer. This summer was by far the best summer of my life, and I am very thankful that I chose Connect 123 as my abroad program. I'd absolutely recommend it! I'd also recommend Dublin because it's a great city in a gorgeous country, filled with some of the nicest and funniest people you'll ever meet!
Internships in Dublin
Hannah Sprick
With the help of Connect-123, I was able to spend the best summer of my life in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The local program organizers were incredibly helpful, and made sure I felt welcome in my new environment from the moment I arrived. They helped me find a wonderful apartment in a great location, and matched me up with an amazing internship. For three months, I had the privilege of working with a cross-cultural consulting firm as a translator and social media manager. It was a start-up company, and the assignments I completed were challenging but incredibly rewarding. Besides my professional experience, I also had a fantastic time learning about the culture and traditions of Argentina, participating in a variety of local festivals and traveling to several different cities. Our advisers also planned a variety of fun events that allowed me to meet other people in the program, several of whom have become my closest friends. I was very sad when the time came for me to depart, but I was also thankful that my experience with Connect opened my eyes to the possibility of living and working abroad in the future. All in all, I had a phenomenal time as a Connect-123 intern and would highly recommend this program to anyone who would like to gain international work experience.
Internships in Buenos Aires
Caitlin Cristante
I travelled to Dublin hoping merely to volunteer with ill and disabled children while experiencing the joys of Irish culture. But, through this opportunity, I became aware of my love of working with children and simply brightening their days. By being immersed in improving the well being of these children, I discovered skills and talents which I had not previously noticed that I hope to develop in every future job opportunity. Also, my eyes were opened to my love of Ireland and it’s culture—I can’t wait to return! I would recommend Connect-123 to anyone hoping to develop personal skills through “real life” experiences. My growth through this internship has been invaluable, and will absolutely guide me for years to come. I hope I never forget a minute of my summer in Dublin!
Ann Zedginidze
My experience in Dublin was amazing, I had a great internship where I helped with psychology research at the a local university. I am glad Connect-123 found this program for me because I learned a lot and developed great relationship with the professor I was working with. When I arrived in Dublin I had orientation that was very helpful, it answered my questions about transportation, food, my internship and much more. We also had a lot of opportunities to meet people that were also in this program. This was a great way to make new friends and go on wonderful adventures in Ireland! Overall, I am very, very grateful for doing this. I learned a lot and I would recommend this for anyone who is thinking about going abroad. The experience is invaluable!
Henna Mishra
Choosing Connect-123 to help me find an internship abroad was the best decision I could have ever made. From the first e-mail I sent inquiring more about the company and what it offered, I was constantly and quickly assisted by the program staff who worked extremely hard to find me the perfect internship. I had the rare opportunity to work in a developing web start-up in beautiful Barcelona and gained international business experience that I personally think is more valuable than an internship I otherwise would have held in the states. Aside from my highly rewarding work experience, I also was able to learn and grow so much under Connect's support--from planning festive, cultural activities around Barcelona to telling us about the more underground, local offerings of the city, I was able to leave my summer in Spain feeling as though I truly had found a new home. I definitely recommend Connect for anyone looking to have a life-changing time spent abroad, and I guarantee you will have an unforgettable experience!
Internships in Barcelona
Saahithi Karituri
In my two months in Cape Town, I have first and foremost fallen madly in love with the city and the atmosphere. My internship is so much more than I could ever ask for. Be it office work or coaching, I always learned something. I attribute a lot of my happiness to the amazing group of people that I have been fortunate enough to work with. Not once did I ever feel like an outsider. I always felt very much at home. My internship has afforded me the opportunity to see how a business/foundation is run. Not only that but I also got to see and experience the results of their labor through visit to games, coaching opportunities, and more. Everyone works so hard, no matter the nature of the work. It’s been inspiring to be in an environment where people are working so hard to make a difference. This internship experience has been like a dream to me and I don’t think I will ever be able to express in words how truly grateful I am. Connect-123 made all of this possible. I have made good friends through the program who I will be keeping in touch with for a long time. Be it planned outings on the weekends or impromptu trips here and there, it was always an adventure and a good time. I will definitely be back to Cape Town soon!
Internships in Cape Town
Jeanne Lieberman
My Connect-123 experience has been great! The team connected me to all kinds of opportunities and to all of the people who have made it possible for me to have the eye-opening experience that I have had in Barcelona. There was tons of flexibility in every step of the process and everything has personalized around my goals and desires. I have found the perfect balance of support and independent decision-making and Connect-123 has equipped me to be able to fully explore the unique opportunity that they helped me get together.
Internships in Barcelona
Will McAneny
I've been lucky enough to travel a great deal in my life, but can honestly say that Cape Town was the first destination abroad where I've ever felt like I never had to leave. It's an absolutely magical city, with fantastic weather, beautiful and friendly people, a wealth of things to do and one of the most fantastic settings that I've ever seen. I was there for six months, and rarely a day went by without going out into the city and exploring a new neighborhood or finding a cool bar or restaurant! Additionally, choosing to do an internship in Cape Town through Connect-123 rather than independently vastly opened up my experience of South Africa. First of all, the apartment complex that I lived in, Perspectives, was located smack in the middle of the city center, walking distance from the majority of the city's restaurants, bars, and tourist attractions. Any place I couldn't reach easily by walking was at most a 3-6 dollar cab ride away! Additionally, the group outings that Connect organized both made it extremely easy to make friends from practically the moment I set foot in the city and made visiting the various attractions outside of the city - Garden Route, Cape Point, wine tastings, etc - much easier to plan. Finally - and perhaps most importantly - the internship that Connect set me up with was absolutely FANTASTIC! I worked at a social enterprise whose mission was to plant trees in undergreened areas of southern Africa and to incite a more inclusive and popular environmental movement in the region. The organization regularly planted trees in Cape Town schools and organized activations to raise green awareness, such as free yoga on the Sea Point Promenade, giving away seedlings, and riding bikes to promote alternative transportation in a very car-dependent city. My role at the organization was as a social media and communications intern - I ran the Facebook, helped with events management, marketed to various media sources around the city, and performed a variety of other tasks that never failed to keep me busy. Additionally, I accompanied the organization to Livingstone, Zambia - home of Victoria Falls! - to plant 5000 trees in the country more plagued by deforestation than any other in southern Africa. Finally, one of my bosses was one of the most famous musicians in South Africa - so I regularly got to attend concerts for free and help out with selling merchandise and the like. Overall, I had an absolutely magical time with Connect-123 in South Africa, and can't wait to return!
Internships in Cape Town
Michelle Lizcano
Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to work as an intern for a non-governmental organization with the primary goal of improving the quality of life of people affected with HIV/AIDS. Because my future professional goals are set within the medical field, this internship was the perfect fit to help me gain more of an understanding of the field I am so interested in. It helped me understand the differences between the health care system within the United States as well as Spain. It also helped me gain a better understanding of Spain's HIV community and commonalities when working with the group affected by the disease. Interning abroad has always been one of my dreams in life, and when I heard of this program I immediately decided to investigate to find out more information. Working with Connect-123 was a great experience and I would recommend them in a heartbeat! They were always there to help and always found ways to make our living in a new country as easy as possible. I enjoyed the weekly events planned by Connect-123, which made it easier to become immersed in this new culture. Connect-123 is definitely the way to go!
Internships in Barcelona
Andy Mitchell
My time spent in Barcelona this summer has been one of the best experiences of my life. I was pleased with the organization of Connect 123 and their commitment to securing an internship for me. Arriving in a new city with a different culture can be overwhelming, but Connect 123 was there from day one to make the transition easy. Organizing events, and updating me on latest festivals to attend are ways they made this summer a blast. I also had the pleasure of meeting new people, who are now close friends and I will be able to keep in touch with for a very long time. As for my internship, I was lucky to land an internship with a Chamber of Commerce in Barcelona. While it was difficult to adjust at first, talking out problems and possible solutions with Connect 123 really helped me get the most out of my internship. I was really impressed with their devotion to making sure my work experience was everything I had hoped for. During my time here, I was able to attend special events that I helped organize at my work. These helped me develop crucial networking skills that I will be able to use in the future. Overall, I had an amazing time exploring Barcelona while also gaining great work experience and would highly recommend Connect 123 for anyone wishing to do an international internship.
Internships in Barcelona
Ruth Schorr
My time in Cape Town with Connect-123 was more than I could have ever asked for. With an easy transition into Cape Town life, I found everyday to be a new adventure and it was wonderful having many other interns around to share that experience with. Whether it was hiking, shopping, going on evening outings there was never a shortage of things to do or people to do them with. Connect made it so easy and accessible for me to get comfortable by walking me to work my first day, setting up evening activities, and being very available for any questions I had along the way. Overall my Cape Town and Connect-123 experiences were unforgettable and taught me so much. From making friends to learning exactly what I want to do from my perfectly matched internship everything was amazing about my time in Cape Town. I can't wait to return to Cape Town soon.
Internships in Cape Town
Meghan MacDonald
The experience of living and working in Cape Town has been life-changing. It has opened my eyes to a part of the world that has such an amazing culture and history and offers a great experience as a student. Cape Town is a very young and thriving city, but there is also an extreme element of poverty, which has been both humbling and eye-opening. Working as an intern at a social enterprise has given me an appreciation of how good it feels to be giving back to society with the tools and knowledge I have gained from my education. Not only did Connect-123 give me the opportunity to work with an amazing company, I was also able to meet so many truly incredible people over my three months in Cape Town. People who taught me lessons in so many ways, and people I know I will stay in contact for many years to come. In both an academic and personal sense I realize now more than ever how important it is to see the world, and that a huge part of my education has and will continue to build upon gaining new experiences in different places and getting out of my comfort zone. I think I have always had the travel bug, but it is even more amplified after having such an incredible experience of going from a tourist visiting South Africa, to making a life in the city of Cape Town.
Internships in Cape Town
Jessica DeFinis
Ever since I started learning Spanish I wanted to travel and work in a Spanish speaking country. Connect-123 allowed me to realize one of my life long dreams. I spent two months working as a nurse in a public hospital in Buenos Aires. The welcoming and inclusive atmosphere was beyond anything I expected. My co-workers and nurse manager immediately welcomed me to the floor and gave me as much responsibility as any other practicing nurse. The experience I gained was unparalleled to anything I could have found in the states. One of my co-workers became one of my closest friends in Buenos Aires. In addition to an amazing professional growth experience, the Connect-123 program was a great resource for meeting other Americans while I was so far from home. During my first few days in the city Connect organized at event near my apartment so I could meet the people who were about to become very close friends. My time in Buenos Aires was life changing and I would absolutely do it again.
Internships in Buenos Aires
