Reviews

Irving Salazar

Anja Filter

At the end of my final year of school I consciously made the decision not to take a gap year and instead jumped right into at least three more years of tests, assignments and exams. After seeing how much all of my school friends were enjoying their time abroad, I began to regret my decision. Although many of them were using their time to figure out what they wanted to do with their lives, I didn’t have the same excuse to take off for a year and leave my life behind – and I didn’t want to either. But I did want to spend some time abroad and see more of the world. Instead of simply spending all of my savings on a holiday, I decided to do an internship and, thanks to Google, this is where Connect-123 came in.

Elizabeth Marchand

I heard about Connect-123 while looking for an internship abroad in the field of education. The two months I spent doing an internship at a school in Cape Town were without a doubt two of the best months I’ve ever spent. While in Cape Town I worked at a school for children with a wide range of physical and mental disabilities, both in the classroom as well as through sports. This internship opened me up to a whole realm of possibilities I’d never thought about in the world or teaching. My biggest achievement through my internship was learning to be comfortable dealing with kids with mild to severe behavioral, mental, and physical problems. The assortment of kids I encountered was huge, but once I got to know them all I immediately fell in love with them, and they continually surprised and challenged me in the best ways. Outside of the internship experience, Connect-123 also gave me many friendships and memories to last a lifetime. There were so many things to do and see around Cape Town, which is an extremely diverse city. The Connect-123 team set up a multitude of events in the 2 short months of my stay, including mixers every other week to meet any new arrivals. These events were a great part of everyone’s stay in Cape Town, and provided great opportunities for meeting other interns and volunteers. While in South Africa I was also able to take some time off of my internship to travel, most notably to Victoria Falls on the border of Zimbabwe/Zambia. Other excursions included going to the Cape of Good Hope, Shark Cage Diving, and the Garden Route. All in all this experience has provided me with so many unforgettable memories and friends, all the while making me feel comfortable and confident about my stay in South Africa. Connect-123 is a great organization and I’d proudly recommend it to anyone looking for an internship abroad!

Elizabeth Stack

My time in Barcelona was life changing. Through their personally tailored process, Connect-123 found me a dream volunteer position at a center for underprivileged/at risk children. There I had the opportunity to work with the kids at many levels. I attended staff meetings where my input was always welcome, assisted with workshops and English lessons, and during free time I was simply able to enjoy playing with the kids acting as a positive role model. Everyday presented something new, and “work” was something I looked forward to. I will never forget the amazing people I worked with or the children who made a lasting impression on my life. My weekend activities consisted of a two day trek in the Pyrenees, a trip to Madrid, attending festivals, and so much more. The great thing about Barcelona is you can simply walk out your door and find something to do. The culture is fantastic, and the people are open and warm. Making friends is not a difficult task. I was there for over two months but I can’t wait to go back to do everything I didn’t have time for, and see the amazing people from around the world who I formed lasting bonds with. Through all of this, Connect-123 was there making sure everything was running smoothly and that I was getting the most possible out of my Barcelona experience. Lea was lovely to work with, always supportive, positive, and helpful. She organized creative group outings, and made great weekend activity suggestions. I truly believe without the help of Connect-123 my time abroad would not have been as impactful or unbelievably fun. Not only would I recommend them but if I ever look to intern or volunteer abroad in the future I wouldn’t hesitate to work with them again.

Karlayne Powell

This past year I had the opportunity to travel to Argentina to work as a legal intern through Connect-123. My experience with Connect-123 was more than just incredible; not only did they find an extremely hands-on internship, but also a conveniently located apartment, all with exceptional assistance from the program coordinators. I worked in a middle-sized law firm located in the heart of Micro Centro in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The staff was incredibly friendly and accommodating, the hours were flexible and the interns had their own work space, which included a desk and computer. Interns had the ability to work directly with one of the founding partners of the firm; who was willing to put their trust and confidence into the work of the interns. The employer was able to speak English, which is always helpful to those who aren’t well versed in Spanish, but there is also an opportunity to practice Spanish. As an intern, I had the opportunity to participate in conference calls with clients overseas and carry out preliminary depositions with in-office clients. Primarily, I worked on translating by-laws of companies managed by the firm, as well as writing memos and possible proposals for solutions to client’s problems. At times, I was able to go around the city, and view several processes of the Argentine system, such as the notarization and legalization of documents. The apartment I lived in was a fifteen minute bus ride to the internship site, and was off of the main shopping/café street in the Recoleta neighborhood of Buenos Aires. The location was essential because I could walk anywhere and do anything, with access to a variety of buses as well. The best thing for me about Connect-123 was the assistance. Any company may be able to find a job or apartment, but Connect-123 goes a bit further. My coordinators were so helpful; from getting settled, to figuring out where to buy bus passes, no issue was too small for them to handle. In addition to visiting other parts of the city, and having different night activities, the coordinators also gave guidance on upcoming attractions in Buenos Aires each month. Connect-123 allowed me to have a unique experience without the hassle and worries of finding a legitimate internship with substance and a non-shady apartment with sincere roommates.

Mara Willemin

As a student studying International Relations at Michigan State University, I was drawn to Cape Town not only for its beautiful picturesque scenery and lifestyles, but because South Africa offered a fascinating story in the development world. I sought an internship experience which would provide a snapshot into some of the most pressing issues existing within South African society, as well as the opportunity to play a part, however small, in working to rid some of these issues. Connect-123 offered me exactly that. Besides the amazing support in living arrangements, trips and travel experiences, networking and workshop opportunities, and personalized advised on how to get the most out of my trip to Cape Town, Connect-123 helped ensure that my trip to South Africa was as rich as it could have been. After struggling to find the perfect internship, the staff at Connect-123 worked above and beyond to ensure my organizational placement was ideal for the type of experience I sought to gain. Because of their commitment to my placement, I was able to work in an organization, which addressed issues of development and poverty alleviation through higher education initiatives. It is because of this work that I have been able to continue research on such issues in my university studies upon returning home. Because of the care and support offered through the Connect-123 team, my experiences in Cape Town, South Africa will forever live in my heart.

Tina Rubanik

I had a wonderful experience in Shanghai! I had a chance to work in a company I had always dreamt I could work for! It was just awesome! The work was intense but so interesting. Shanghai is like an Asian New York that never sleeps, nobody will remain indifferent! My Connect-123 program coordinator, Jimmy, was very helpful and we were having so much fun with him and other interns! I can’t say what the best thing in this trip was because literally everything was great! I was very lucky to find Connect-123 because they helped me find this amazing internship! I would never have thought that I could get that much experience in such a short period of time. I can say that these three months were unforgettable and I really would love to come back or one of the other destinations that Connect-123 offers. The only thing I regret is that it was too short, I would stay there longer! Thank you Connect-123!

F. Ishi

Working in China has always been a dream for me. I’ve always pictured myself working for a company in China to learn about the economy and how I could take advantage of being involved with the economic growth between Brazil and China. During my 4 months with the firm asan intern, I had a lot of opportunity to experience this, network and make friends. What really made me proud was that I was offered a full time position and my boss was counting on me to develop their brand in Brazil. That made me realize that I was on the right track and did my best while in China to achieve the company’s goals. Thanks Connect-123 for making the connection between me and my organisation in China.

Adam Steward

During my last year of undergraduate studies at Eastern Washington University I decided that I wanted to work and gain experience abroad. I searched through hundreds of programs that provided assistance to students like me with finding internships abroad. I finally, after 2 months of searching found Connect-123. This program was a great fit for me because it wasn't to expensive and allowed me to stay as long as I wanted without having to pay additional costs for staying a certain period of time. The staff were very helpful and provided all of us with everything we needed. Melanie set me up with the biggest coffee chain in Ireland and next thing you know I'm on a plane to Dublin. My process of going to Dublin was a little different than the rest of the group because I stayed 5 months and Connect-123 was helpful in giving me information about the visa process. It was a very difficult process but in the end it all worked out. I learned a lot about my field (marketing) and gained some experience within the coffee sector. The people I worked with were amazing and I will never forget them. I loved going in to work everyday because it was a blast. The good thing also was free coffee and lunch, not to mention all the treats I got to taste from prospective clients wanting to put their treats in our stores. Outside of work was an amazing experience too. I loved hanging out with my roommates and getting to know them. I had roommates from Italy, America, France. I also met a ton of amazing people along the way and got the chance to see them again after my internship was finished. Dublin for me was great because I just loved the culture and the atmosphere. Everyone was so nice and welcoming that it allowed me to just relax. Melanie and Daniela made sure our group got to see most of Ireland which was amazing and beautiful. I also did other trips with friends outside of our program as well. I had an amazing time in Dublin and I don't think words can really describe it, you have to just go and see for yourself. At the end of my internship I was fortunate enough to get the chance to travel to Italy, Spain and Belgium. My roommates from Italy showed me around and I also did some couch surfing which was really great. I encourage everyone to try it. Overall my time spent in Dublin was truly life changing and I will never forget it.

Colin Wee

Words cannot describe the wonderful experience I had in Cape Town, South Africa. The sites are amazing, the activities were adrenaline filled and the people are great! Although Cape Town is only one part of South Africa, I had multiple chances to converse with locals and internationals. My internship equipped me with skills that are valuable to my career. I had the opportunity to be in the forefront of economic policy in South Africa. Addressing problems and issues that South Africa are facing. Working with my colleagues and South African parliamentarians to help solve social policy issues that South Africa are facing. My three months in Cape Town allowed me to integrate with my colleagues and understand local culture and history. Connect-123 has facilitated and ensured that my experience was most valuable, professionally and personally. Connect-123 has ensured that I was satisfied with my host organisation, so that I would gain a worthwhile experience that would be valuable in my future career. Furthermore, Connect-123 has organised many events, so that participants are well integrated and learn about the local community. I would like to thank the team at Connect-123 for making my experience a safe and enjoyable!  I recommend going through Connect-123 with organising a wonderful Cape Town experience!

Allyson Flak

My experience is Cape Town has been an incredible one. Connect-123 is not only concerned with finding you an internship, but working with you the whole way through to make sure you are comfortable and meeting all of your goals. Connect-123 not only provides support and an introduction to the working world, but also helps with adjustment to a new culture and big city life. My host organisation not only taught me a lot about my field, but also about the local cultures and values. I was blessed to be working with such a welcoming and accommodating group. Cape Town is an amazing city for people to study abroad or complete an internship in. Exploring the city is an education in itself. Witnessing the diverse blend of cultures and learning about the complex history is nothing short of a worthwhile experience. Everyone will have something that they can take away from their time in Cape Town.

Mia Chen

I have enjoyed my internship working at a foster home in Shanghai. I was always fond of babies but didn’t actually have too much experience with them prior to this internship. During the 2 months spent working with them, I have grown to be very attached and have a better understanding of them. It was quite hard to say goodbye at the end of the internship. Being a part of Connect-123 was a wonderful way of meeting new people and participating in group activities. Our program coordinator Jimmy organized many trips that were fun and educational to us, including a trip to Hangzhou, Zhouzhang and KTV in Shanghai. Overall, I have had a wonderful time in Shanghai and I wish I could stay longer!

Tamara Thevarajah

Just two weeks before my departure, I accepted an internship position at a major hospital in Dublin, Ireland and as scary as the thought was, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. After some phone conversations and long emails back and forth, Connect-123’s Melanie McDowell understood exactly what I was looking for and found me the position of my dreams! The hospital is the leading center for Gynae-Oncology in Ireland. During my time there, I started the bench work for a research project in which thromboelastography is used for the detection of hypercoagulability in patients after major gynaecological surgery, specifically the malignant cases. When I wasn’t conducting research, I was attending Multi-Disciplinary Meetings (team meetings to discuss all aspects of treatment options including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, histology, radiology), attending journal club presentations about various topics in medicine (including the new field of chronic pain management under the anesthesiology field), observing in the clinic, and observing in surgery. It is so interesting to observe how health care is conducted in a country that practices universal healthcare (and also offers private insurance for those who choose it and can afford it). The experience I gained by being immersed in Ireland’s healthcare field is priceless. This internship was much more than a resume booster. I became more assertive in a professional setting; healthcare is so fast-paced and you have to put yourself out there and form strong relationships with the doctors and they are very willing to give back and help you with anything and answer all your questions. I also learned more about what it will be like to be a doctor—and I LOVED it. Providing care and empathy for patient after patient in the clinic and going into surgery and watching tumors being removed and pelvic floors being repaired—I cannot wait until I’m the one with the stethoscope around my neck and the scalpel in my hand! Ireland is amazing and beautiful. The people are so nice and so very diverse! My house included students/interns from Italy, France, and Spain, and I made some awesome friends! I also traveled all around Ireland and to London (days before the Olympics!!) with friends I met through this program! Connect-123 is excellent, from the internship match up to social events and fields trips! I had the time of my life, and I’m sure any other excited intern will too!!

Matthew Burns

During the summer, I had the privilege of doing an environmental/sustainability internship for 2 months in Dublin. Now, I know when people think of environment and sustainability they do not usually think of Dublin as the first place they would look, but there is actually a very large web of environmental agencies, and the environment is a key political issue in Ireland right now. The internship was mostly dealing with integrated coastal zone management, meaning that I did everything and anything to do with the coast. Sometimes I was in the lab helping a PhD student with their bivalve research, other times I was out in the field surveying sea grass, but my main work was going to high-end government meetings and doing all kinds of research for different political meetings. I was actively involved in politics; I even appeared in newspapers and on the radio! This internship completely met my expectations and allowed me to explore many different aspects of the environment. Although I have to say, the best part of this job was that it allowed for me to travel all around Ireland, some days I would be down in County Wexford for an event, the next day I would be in County Donegal doing surveys and meeting with local people. This allowed me to see sights that normal people working just in Dublin would not be able to see, and meet some amazing local people. I have to say a big thank you to Connect-123 for setting me up with this internship. They were so helpful in getting me a placement, and finding housing for me. They also take you around on your first day (which was a big help), showing what buses you need to take, some of the sights you can go and see, and going with you to meet your boss for the first time. The tours were always fun that were set up by Connect-123 too! By far my favorite tours were the Cliff of Moher and the Aran Islands, Giants Causeway, and Glendalough. Dublin is a great small city, the people are amazing, and Connect-123 makes it all possible. I have made friendships with people from all over the world, from Ireland (of course) to Italy, to South Africa and even met people from my home in Canada! If you're looking for a good internship in the environment/sustainability sector, then I would recommend looking through Connect-123 in Dublin.

Christine Cifelli

Connect-123 has provided me with a unique and valuable experience that I will remember for the rest of my life.  After researching several international internship programs, I felt that Connect-123 was the only program with a specific one-on-one placement process, which provided me with a position based on my individual preferences and background.   I was able to find exactly what I wanted, for that reason I really enjoyed going to work every day.  I had the opportunity to work with great people from all over the world.  Working and traveling abroad helped me to better understand people from other cultures on a professional and personal level. Connect-123 provided me with many social opportunities in Barcelona that really enhanced my experience.  Barcelona is a vibrant, multicultural city with great food, culture, nightlife, and people.   I highly recommend the program for anyone who wants to develop their professional skills, learn about a different culture, and explore an amazing city.

Vish Chandarana

Having only heard about Connect-123 last minute, I decided to enquire about summer internships abroad. Connect-123 were extremely helpful and managed to arrange a two month summer internship in just a matter of weeks. I was thrown in at the deep end on my first day, establishing connections with domestic and international clients. Working amongst a team from a variety of locations around the globe, including India, Ireland, U.S, U.K, Nigeria, Mexico and Spain, I was able to gain experience with interns from different cultures and personalities. Not only in the work place, but my house also contained a diverse group of interns who I thoroughly enjoyed living with. Our aim was to assist companies with more reliable and useful connections which in turn increased level of business domestically, as well as internationally; adding value to trading activities. One method of doing this was through the centre's online trade network. I was also working outside the office, attending a variety of business networking events, presentations and meetings in Dublin. Connect-123 will also give you the opportunity to visit well known landmarks in Dublin, ranging from the Guinness Storehouse to the cliff tops just outside of the city. My experience was more than just an internship, as I gained invaluable knowledge about international trade, as well as vital life skills including networking and establishing strong business partnerships. I strongly recommend an internship with Connect-123 to anyone looking to enhance their resume and stand out from other candidates.

Laura Beth Lathrop

I would have never imagined that an internship could have provided me with the experience and exposure to the medical field that my Dublin internship did. During my time spent working in the hospital, I was involved in two main projects; processing of blood and tissue samples for the ovarian cancer bioresource centre and assessing the use of thrombo-elastography (TEG) for the detection of hypercoagulability in patients post gynaecological surgery. Aside from research, I was lucky enough to stand in on major gynaecological surgeries as well as caesarean section births (all of which brought me to tears of joy). The experience of living in a foreign country was one that I would recommend to anyone who is considering it. Dublin is a history rich, lively hub of European culture. This melting pot makes for a worldly experience when meeting new people and sharing cultural traditions. What stood out to me the most though while living in Dublin were the kind and fun-loving Irish. Helpful is an understatement to describe the Irish folk. They are welcoming and always open for a good laugh. When considering whether an internship might be something you are interested in, I highly recommend seeking it through Connect-123 and when considering where I recommend Dublin but the field of study is up to you!

Cassandra Wood

My summer internship in Dublin, Ireland was unforgettable! The hands on experience I encountered was more than anything I could have hoped for in an undergraduate dietetic internship. While serving as a Student Dietitian Intern at a rehabilitation hospital, I worked alongside the Clinical Nutrition Manager as well as many other friendly and fun health care professionals.  I was thrilled to be able to apply so much of what I learned in the classroom to a practical clinical setting. This was an amazing learning experience that I will remember for the rest of my life!

Wayne Wu

In my time in Shanghai, I have met many people, learned many things and most importantly, had lots of fun. Shanghai has been very different and interesting for me, and has definitely changed my perspective of how I view the world. Working at my company has helped me learn many things that may be important for me in the future. Connect-123 has been very good to us as well and Jimmy has organized many fun and interesting events for us.

Chloe Kwon

I made a last minute decision on whether to take a microfinance internship in India or work as a business intern in Dublin, Ireland and I think my decision to spend my summer in Dublin was a great choice. I met so many people and was amazed by the unexpected diversity that Dublin offered; just alone in my house, there were Italians, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Americans and wherever you go, you met people who are friendly and excited to get to know you. I think it depends on one's mindset as to make this opportunity the best time of your life but combining the internship experience with opportunities of touring around the Irish sceneries such as Belfast, Giant's Causeway, and Cliffs of Moher, and meeting lasting friends (I ended up traveling around Europe with a girl from Connect-123 program after my internship was over) definitely act as the catalyst for me to find other experiences like this. I had a blast this summer and I would recommend Connect-123 to anyone who's interested in finding a balanced summer of work and fun that you will remember for a long time.