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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Liz Schneider
For my Gap Year, I really wanted to combine travelling, experiencing other cultures, work experience and of course, fun. Which is what Connect-123 offered. Connect-123 placed me in a fantastic Architecture firm. They gave me a lot of responsibility and therefore, it was a great experience learning how to use programs like Auto CAD, SketchUp and Photoshop. Having just come out of High School, I was introduced to the architecture world which was fascinating and always took me by surprise. I had to pick up skills fast and very often had to use my initiative to be able to keep up with the pace of the architecture world. I got the pleasure of working alongside a senior architect and being able to visit a variety of architectural sites. As for the living experience, I couldn't have chosen a better city than Cape Town. Living in the Perspectives building means that you're part of the intern community. I made great friends and was able to explore and experience this incredible, new city with them. It offers so many unforgettable activities; Shark Cage Diving, Sky Diving, Bungy jumping, surfing, wine-tasting, safari, hiking, the list is endless. The accommodation is well equipped and perfectly located. As well as placing me in a fantastic Architecture firm, Connect-123 were a great help from the first day. They were the support I needed while I was there and were always very happy to answer questions and help solve any problems I had. I tried to have few expectations before going but I could never have expected that the whole experience would affect more aspects of my life than just my work and I’d say I had the best three months of my life there.
Sara Khodair
I spent a little over a month in Buenos Aires. By far that has been one of the best experiences yet. The city is absolutely beautiful. The people were amazing. There was always something to do. I thought the volunteer program was lots of fun. I'm very grateful for Connect-123. Best summer ever.
Internships in Buenos Aires
Greg Goldstein
I can honestly say that I could not possibly have hoped for a better internship experience than the one I got in Cape Town with Connect-123. Volunteering, especially internationally, is always a scary experience. You never know exactly what to expect but Connect-123 was there for me every step of the way. Even before I left the States they were there to help me with everything: from my initial internship offer, to the best way to get to Cape Town, to where to stay there was always someone I could ask questions of and who would help me find out the answers. However, it was my internship that made my experience so incredible. My work at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital remains one of my most significant experience and the deciding factor in my decision to peruse a career in pediatrics. The surgeries and procedures I observed there were truly eye opening and the research I was involved in made me a very real part of them. I was only a college junior and I was not only relaying important information about patients to anesthesiologists but I was also helping surgeons understand how they could communicate more effectively with their patients. My work not only took me into the operating room on a daily basis but it also facilitated regular interaction with nurses, other volunteers, heads of departments and specialists. The bonds I formed with these professionals and the things that I learned from them remain with me even to this day, over a year after I left the hospital. No matter what brings you to Cape Town, once you arrive it’s impossible not to fall in love with the city. Cape Town is not only breathtakingly beautiful but it is full of countless cultural, athletic and just plain fun opportunities and Connect-123 really helps its interns take advantage of those. My time in this incredible city was filled with day trips to the Cape of Good Hope, hikes of the iconic Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, cruises on the harbor, sunset cocktails, or “sun-downers”, on Signal Hill with other interns and Connect staffers, shark diving, beautiful beaches, a wine festival, rooftop “braais” (think delicious BBQ) and even a pot-luck Thanksgiving dinner. As I approach medical school and continue on the long journey toward becoming a doctor, I find myself thinking back on the time I spent in Cape Town and I feel incredibly thankful for my experiences at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital, experiences I would have never had without Connect-123.
Internships in Cape Town
Julia Coleman
To say that my experience with Connect 123 changed my life would be an understatement. Not only did it change my life but it changed the lives of so many around me. I was able to show so many friends and family members how truly amazing this program is and how much it bettered me as a person. I came to South Africa to work with the Child Life team because it is what I am studying at school and is what I aspire to be when I graduate. Even though I was not as experienced as my fellow volunteers, I was able to learn so much from all of them. Just by watching them do what they love so much made me even more eager to become better at being a Child Life Specialist. Learning about the child life program in a classroom setting does not nearly give it enough justice as it does from seeing it first hand. The way the children at the Red Cross hospital would light up each time one of our child life specialists walked into a room was something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. The impact that this program and these volunteers make is indescribable and I’m so proud to say I could be a part of this incredible team of people. Not only did this trip make me fall even more in love with children and helping others but it also opened my eyes to a whole other world. South Africa is one of the most amazing countries, not only for its beauty but also for the people and the culture that it reveals to you. From the people that I met along this trip, I will take pieces of them with me wherever I go and am so thankful to have learned so much from each one of them. Traveling to South Africa also gave me the ambition to move to Maui where I plan to attend the University of Hawaii Maui College for next semester and continue to study Child Life and work with children. While I’m still young and have these wonderful opportunities I want to see as much of the world as I can and help as many people as I can along the way. Because what I’ve learned from being a volunteer, even though you are taking time to help others, in the end the people you help are really helping you. These children have helped me understand so much more about life and made me appreciate and value the life I have. I plan to return to South Africa some day and experience even more than I did on my first trip there. Even though I was only there a short while, South Africa will always be a place in my heart that I can feel at home.
Audrianna Sibiski
Connect-123 made my experience in Cape Town phenomenal! I cannot thank Gabby and the rest of the Connect staff enough for providing me with such an amazing opportunity. Connect-123 was there every step of the way from arranging a ride from the airport to accompanying me on the first day of my internship. Connect-123 staff and interns become the family you left at home and the best friends you acquire for a lifetime! I interned at a small marketing/pr firm founded in 2007. As successful as it already was, there was still plenty of room to grow and improve which provided me with a tremendous work opportunity during my internship. As the social media wave has become such a dominant factor in the business world here in the US, and not so prevalent in South Africa, I was able to structure and introduce a social media campaign for one of our luxury clients. I provided a platform for the other interns to follow and it has been a success! The MD was so impressed she asked me to create one for her firm. I was also given the responsibility of managing the guest list for a penthouse luxury event that included famous celebrities from South Africa, the US and others abroad! Not to mention the perks of the internship, which included tickets to Cape Town Fashion Week! Connect-123 does a wonderful job matching you up to prospective internships that comply with your interests. As an advertising graduate interested in marketing and public relations my internship was a perfect match! With work comes play. Connect-123 did a fantastic job keeping us interns busy. The monthly schedule sent electronically provided us options to participate on group trips and ideas to create our own trips around South Africa. My favorite excursions were Wacky Wine and the Garden Route. If you’re an adrenalin junkie, well this trip is certainly for you. Shark cage diving with great whites, bungee jumping from the world’s longest jump, playing with elephants, riding an ostrich, hiking Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, even skydiving! If you need any advice or help planning trips Connect is there to help. Connect also provides volunteering opportunities through host organizations. I was able to volunteer with an organization called Sisanda Fundaytion. As a volunteer we had the chance of visiting orphanages in various townships and taking children out for a day of fun. In most cases this is the first, and maybe only, time the children leave the township and enjoy simple pleasures such as going to the movies or riding a ride at an amusement park. Needless to say, it was an experience I will never forget. I chose to intern in Cape Town as a personal and professional growth experience and what I received was so much more. I met South Africans and other international travelers that I still maintain close contact with. I’m passionate about my experience, as it has positively impacted my life in many ways. This will prove to be a valuable contribution to my future endeavors. I recommend the Connect-123 internship experience vigorously!
Internships in Cape Town
Ralph Rogers
The most honest introduction to describing this past summer that I spent in Cape Town through Connect-123 is that it was the best I have ever experienced. When I first heard about the program it seemed too good to be true, but I was delighted to find that it really was as awesome as it seemed. Connect-123 not only arranged a great internship with the national park service located in Cape Town, but they also gave me the structure I needed to create the perfect experience abroad. My work with the national park service was perfect for my interests and studies (Ecology). I had the opportunity to work outside everyday with locals. Connect-123 truly catered to my needs. I did not want to pay to rent a car, I needed to receive credit through my university, and I wanted to find an internship that was hands on and gave me plenty of practical experience. They found a program that allowed me to walk / take public transport every morning, I am receiving credit, and every day I learned valuable information about the field of Natural Resource Conservation. One of my favorite aspects of my internship was working with the People’s Trail. It is a two day trail designed to promote environmental conservation to local underprivileged youth. During the People’s Trail I was able to learn about everything from the local culture, to the natural history of Cape Town. On the days where I was not involved with the People’s Trail, I was involved with Klipspringer research, working in a tree nursery to grow indigenous trees, trail maintenance, people trail hut maintenance, and any other miscellaneous work that the park needed. Connect-123 gave me a wonderful internship that was perfect for my studies, and supplied me with the most valuable intercultural experience I have had in my life thus far. I was surrounded by like minded people looking for an adventure. Connect-123 gave me the setting to build friendships that will last far longer than summer. I am now determined to find an adventure that lives up to the one I experienced this summer. Thanks Connect!
Zahra Nealy
My short time in Cape Town has made an everlasting impact on my life. Flying for 26 hours and landing in the Mother City was the most amazing feeling of accomplishment and belonging I have ever felt. Not only was the landscape amazing, but the people are what made my trip great. South Africa has the nicest, most humbled people I have met.Being able to see them come together during the World Cup was a momentous occasion and hopefully that will last. All the people I met welcomed me with open arms and that meant a lot. I was able to meet people who were like me at the Centre of Science and Technology (COSAT) in Khayelitsha. Seeing them come from adverse living conditions and being the smartest, brightest people I have met is a true testament to the human spirit. The way of life in Cape Town really made me realize that it's okay to sit back, relax, enjoy life; yet work hard and get things done all the while. That is some thing I think Americans have forgotten. Also, going to Cape Town showed me that people share more similarities than differences; something that the media doesn’t equally portray. Also, I was able to apply my skills and interests in the internship I had with fashion designer Thulare Monareng. For example, I was able to organize events and photo shoots, create press kits and a strategic communications plan for her, as well as help her with scouting her new retail location on Long Street. In return, she showed me so much about the industry; introduced me to others in the industry; and really listened to and considered the suggestions I recommended for her work. I was able to come home with a sense of contribution, as well as experience no book could ever teach me. Equally important, because of that experience I am using it as the basis for my thesis. Two-and-a-half months went by so fast. All I know is that won't be my last time in Cape Town. Thanks to Erna Smith, USC Annenberg and Connect 123 for making my first trip abroad unforgettable
Internships in Cape Town
Jeffrey Ryan Goldmintz
I want to start off by thanking Sydney McNally, Beth Watson, and Eimear Costigan; if it were not for them I would never have had this amazing opportunity; or made the decision to come from Canada to Cape Town. To make a long story short I cannot begin to express the gratification I have towards the whole team at Connect 123. They were exceeded all my expectations, were very accommodating, and extremely helpful for whatever problem or concern I encountered. They are basically your guardian angels. Just ask my roommate who fell down a flight of stairs at a World Cup game and got picked up at the hospital by the team at Connect 123! Bottom-line: they will always be there for you! Not only that, they knew how to organize spectacular events that gave all interns the opportunity to explore a distinctive cultural understanding Cape Town had to offer. These events were offered bi-weekly and provided a great time to meet new people and unfold new friendships. Whether it was climbing to the top of scenic Cape Point, camping out at the Wacky Wine Festival, or spending a day in the winelands at Franschhoek. The team at Connect knew exactly how to provide exciting adventures and memorable entertainment for all interns to experience. I worked at a social profit organization in Cape Town, as a student intern from June 2nd to August 26th 2010. The organization offers a friendly, accessible walk‐in environment where aspiring and operating entrepreneurs can come to access information and receive support relating to small business. I was tasked with searching for general, as well as industry specific business information from local sources; with the objective of compiling an electronic resource list for entrepreneurs. These resources would be available on computers in the information centre; and in hard copy format. With most entrepreneurs visiting centre having only very basic computer literacy and a poor educational background, this resource would facilitate and greatly reduce their search time. I delivered a comprehensive and well‐structured product that is currently in use to great effect. I fulfilled various other roles, such as switchboard and reception duties (as circumstances demanded) and integrated well with a multi‐cultural team; in general I felt to be a great asset to the organisation. It has been almost 5 months since I left Cape Town but I feel like I left a part of me there forever. To have been in Cape Town during the World Cup I felt as if I were in a dream, a dream that I never wanted to end. I consider myself truly blessed to have participated in this extraordinary internship; while simultaneously experiencing the world’s greatest sporting event. Looking back on it now, I am left with an overwhelming sense of nostalgia, incredible memories with incredible individuals that I will cherish forever, and an undeniable love for the beautiful city of Cape Town. Thank you so much Connect 123, you guys have changed my life, taught me so much about myself, and I wish you nothing but the best!
Internships in Cape Town
Emily Wong
Coming to Cape Town truly changed my perspective in life. I work as an Interior Designer in Melbourne and this year, my sister and I took time off to travel and see the world. We were both seeking a unique experience and came across Connect-123’s programme – made a harmless enquiry and it snowballed from thereon. Connect-123 found me a placement at an architecture firm, which specializes in sustainable development and environmental building techniques. I was given the opportunity to work on the interior of a public building appointed by the City of Cape Town. Located in the outskirts, their goals were to promote the preservation of the land’s heritage while alleviating poverty through community involvement. As a designer, it was exciting to be exposed to new ways of design thinking and to engage with sustainable building techniques and eco-friendly materials and finishes. Never imagined that one day I would be involved in the process of constructing buildings with mud bricks and straw or plaster walls with a grandfather’s hand me down recipe of clay, lime and cow manure. The sight was simply amazing and definitely ‘breathtaking’ literally. Being involved on the building site gave me opportunity to engage with a broad spectrum of people, including with the city’s environmental & heritage departments, their contractors, builders and suppliers. This provided me a greater insight into the local design industry and also a platform for contacts. As the building was in its final construction stage, I was lucky enough to be able to see some of the designs I worked on being implemented. Cape Town itself is visually stunning and the people are amazing- it exceeded expectations on all levels. The Connect-123 team are professional, down to earth and very supportive. Mary, my account manager and friend, was in constant touch throughout my time in the programme ensuring that all my goals were being achieved. I had an amazing time in S.Africa and can’t wait to come back one day. For anyone planning to come, Cape Town will mesmerize you! architecture, design, sustainable development As a designer, it was exciting to be exposed to new ways of design thinking and to engage with sustainable building techniques and eco-friendly materials and finishes.
David Switzer
It would be impossible for me to describe my time in Cape Town in a few sentences because the memories could fill a book, but I will try. I worked for a technology start up organization. The company had just transitioned from a non-profit to commercial in nature. The company had just moved into some nice new offices, and my bosses brought me out for a beer to just shoot the breeze for the first afternoon to get to know me better. I worked directly for the directors of the organization which gave me an excellent opportunity to brainstorm with them some ideas about the company should go forward. My bosses were really great guys. One of them had over 20 years experience as an entrepreneur and he is smart as hell. The company’s president was a young guy in his early thirties and we really hit it off and got along great. We would bounce ideas off each other a few times a week to make sure that we were all on the same page. Going to work was a pleasure. The hours were flexible but consistent, and they gave me some time off to travel and see some of South Africa’s beauty outside of Cape Town. Specifically, I had an opportunity to work with the company at a time when it was growing really fast. While the directors were taking care of the wheeling and dealing I basically just helped them with all the nitty gritty stuff they didn’t have time to do. It was a really excellent way to put my business/ entrepreneurship degree to practice. I collaborated with the company’s president and developed the company’s marketing strategy. I also completed financial projections and wrote a comprehensive business plan for the company. In addition, I helped them to rewrite the website. The company was open to flexibility and new ideas, creativity and efficient research were helpful skills. The other people in the office were really nice and the atmosphere was relaxed. I had a blast and I would recommend the job to anybody. OK, so now the really fun stuff. CAPE TOWN IS AMAZING. I have been lucky enough to travel to every continent except Antarctica, and Cape Town is the only place I have ever travelled to that I did not want to leave and I felt I could live there forever. I fell in love with Cape Town and Africa. the people are amazing (all of them). The nightlife is great, the food is great, the booze is cheap, the people are beautiful, and the city is stunning. If you like doing stuff outside, Cape Town is for you. That’s all. If you want to work for the company I did and you have any questions get my contact info from Connect-123 and I will get back to you. Connect-123 was a great help. Eimear helped me get the perfect internship for me. They hooked me up with a great place to stay and some really awesome roommates. They organize some really fun social events that were some of the highlights of the trip. The Connect-123 crew is really cool and helpful in general, and I would definitely recommend it to anybody! Cheers!
Internships in Cape Town
Cat Boland
How do you begin to describe an experience that has changed your life forever? To say that my experience in Cape Town was “life changing” doesn’t really even begin to scrape the surface. There are simply no words to describe the beauty of the city of Cape Town or the beauty and love that seeps through every wall of the Red Cross Hospital. I have never in my life worked with such a committed team of people as the faculty, volunteers and Child Life Specialists I had the opportunity to work with during my time at the Red Cross. The never ending dedication to advocacy and the care of the child as a whole was inspiring to say the very least. These women will continue to shape my life both professionally and personally long after my departure from Cape Town. Often in my life I have found that the days seem to march by so quickly without my notice or reverence to the date or time or day of the week that they are gone long before we have the chance to stop to say hello. Looking back on my time in Cape Town I wonder what happened to the last three months, how did they disappear so quickly? The weeks on my calendar seemed to fly by so fast that I could never seem to keep up! Yet each day brought something new into my life; be it a new challenge, a new lesson, a new friend, or a new adventure, my life was constantly filled with moments that taught me more about myself and my field of study than I could have ever imagined. I cannot even begin to attempt to regurgitate all of the lessons I have learned in the last few months here and now…. but one goal I work towards daily is to slow down more often, to take a deep breath in and remember what a blessing each day truly is. Today, I force myself to pause and take a long deep breath…remembering the moment, remembering the day, remembering the date. During my time at the hospital I was reminded on a daily basis to pause more often in my life and give thanks. I try to remember to take the time to breathe in the beauty of each day no matter where I might find myself, be it South Africa or the US. During my time in Cape Town I was given the opportunity to attend a bereavement conference where I had the opportunity to listen to Durban born local poet Malika Ndlova perform one of her pieces. Every word she spoke held such strength and gravity that I could almost see it dripping out of her mouth, slowly falling down and out into the space around her like water flowing from a faucet. The poem began with a description of the human form that held such strength and power for me: we are light beings. Malika slapped her chest, her legs, her head, and her arms and stated, “We are so much more than this… this body, this life, is simply a veil… we are born to bring light… we are light beings, portals of love, makers of peace, creators of beauty…” Every day at the hospital was filled with new challenges and new struggles for me, some days were harder than I could have ever imagined. The first day I stepped into the treatment room on the Burns Ward was one of those days but within minutes the children on the ward changed everything. Even the hardest of days were often coupled with joy and light in some way even if it was just taking a moment aside to hold and sing to a child. It is in those moments that I was reminded of the power we have to make a difference (in whatever we do) in just one moment, in just one hour, in just one day. The children that I had the opportunity to work with at the Red Cross have and will continue to be little portals of love in my life. They brought so much light and beauty into my life that I am forever grateful to each and every one of them. My time at the Red Cross was an experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. More than anything, working at the Red Cross confirmed for me that the path I have chosen for myself is without a doubt the right one. My life in Cape Town can be summed up with one word, love. Love for the people, love for the place. The country of South Africa and the city of Cape Town are so alive that it is impossible not to find something to do be it hiking or simply sitting on the roof of Perspectives watching the sunset with good friends. All I can say in the end is thank you to everyone that I had the opportunity to spend the last three months of my life with; you have made my life richer in more ways than you can ever imagine. See you next time Cape Town!
Amy Caporello
Working at a Salvation Army hospital in Cape Town was an amazing experience! From the minute I walked onto the floors of the hospital, I felt welcomed and trusted. As a nursing student I was able to work alongside staff and be a part of the team caring for a variety of patients in rehabilitation. I learned about the differences in international healthcare and also spent a lot of time talking to and comforting the patients, along with getting to know the staff that I worked with there. The hospital is Nurse-led and focuses on creating a plan of care for each individual patient, regarding realistic goals and abilities in order for them to be strong enough to go home. I helped the Nurses and staff with dressing changes, morning care, feeding, occupational therapy, physical therapy and transport. I knew after a couple days that this was not your average internship; this was a chance to care for others and to learn from them as much as they learned from me. Not only did I enjoy experiencing the medical aspect of the hospital, and the different cultures in the area, but I also made a lot of friends there, and fell in love with the kindness and generosity demonstrated by the people I worked with. It is here that I learned the meaning of Nursing, and the compassion and intelligence needed to truly care for someone. In addition to such a wonderful internship, the city of CapeTown is thriving with culture! There is so much to do and see, and Connect-123 made it easy by organizing events and gatherings to not only meet other interns and students, but to get involved and out of your shell. I met many friends, and used my free time to explore, have fun, travel the area and learn about an amazing country. I will be graduating this spring from Nursing School, and am so glad that I took the opportunity to do something so different and exciting! I hope to one day work internationally again, and if I had it my way, I’d go back to Cape Town in a heart beat.
Internships in Cape Town
Lawrence Barchok
I think trying to summarize my time in Cape Town in a few paragraphs, would only do some injustice to the incredible, rewarding and memorable experience that I had. But I don’t have any other option. It all started out in January this year when I was trying to figure out what I was going to do over the summer. A career officer at my school led me to Connect 123 website. I was impressed from the start by Connect’s array of internship opportunities, and also the idea of having all-intern activities for the interns to get to know Cape Town. Through Connect, I was able to secure an internship at an NGO that focused on research on socio-economic policies. This was a perfect opportunity for me, considering that I am an economics major, with a strong interest in international development. Coming to South Africa in early June, Connect helped me settle quickly, and in a few days I had started on my internship. My internship entailed collection and analysis of information on social protection policies in African, Latin America, Asia and East European countries. I was also involved in liaising with research groups and collecting and interpreting data for a model used to estimate the costs of implementing social protection policies in developing nations around the world. In addition to gaining a better understanding on poverty, and how to tackle it, I also did learn some statistical analysis methods and econometrics. I was also privileged to be part of a group that visited the South Africa Parliament (based in Cape Town). I remember having insightful and quite memorable conversations with some MP’s on challenges facing South Africa, including poverty and inequality, and also on what World Cup meant to them as a country. Connect complemented the internship with frequent outings around Western Cape. From a wine-tasting weekend at Robertson Winery to a day trip to Cape Point, Connect ensured that we had the time of our lives, as well as get to know as much as possible about Cape Town and its environs. Through Connect, I was also able to meet and make friends with wonderful people from different parts of the world. With my roommates, we got to hike up Table Mt. (over 1000m), visit couple of museums including Robben island, bungee jump, go to a world cup game among other activities. Cape Town is a beautiful cosmopolitan city. One gets to be exposed to a multitude of cultures. With the World Cup going on at that time, the atmosphere was even more exciting. The experience in Cape Town has had a profound effect on my personal, academic and professional goals. I have now a better understanding of what I want to do in the future. The experience served to consolidate my interest in policymaking, in tackling socio-economic problems like poverty, unemployment etc.
Annie Berger
My first day at a leading children’s hospital in Cape Town marked the true beginning of my push towards a career in medicine. While I already had a bachelor’s degree under my belt and had been accepted to a Physician Assistant program back home, I lacked the experience that was necessary to succeed in the healthcare field. When I stepped into the operating theatre on my first day, the attending anesthesiologist waved me over and instructed me to assist in holding the child’s mask in order to administer the initial anesthetic. 5 minutes later, I was inserting an artificial airway. Throughout the day, I ended up doing a few more of the same, along with some attempts at endotracheal intubations. While I wasn’t immediately successful performing the procedure, the doctors had enough patience and trust in me by the end of my time at the hospital for me to complete an intubation successfully on my last day. Throughout my time there, I was able to stand immediately next to the operating table to watch procedures such as liver transplants, resection of tuberculomas from the brain, and open-heart surgeries. More importantly, I was able to complete hands-on research regarding communication between consent-givers and their providers, as well as help change hospital protocol regarding their pre-operative fasting policies. It is now one year later. In one month, I will begin my clinical year of PA school. Had I not gone to Cape Town and worked in such a phenomenal teaching hospital, I would not feel nearly as prepared for my rotations. The doctors and nurses in Cape Town helped me feel more comfortable with procedures, equipment, and seeing blood and guts day in and day out. They helped me realize the value of patients as people and not just diseases. They fostered an attitude of 'see one, do one, teach one' and truly inspired me to make the most out of my experience at their facility. With the experiences I had in Cape Town under my belt, I now have the confidence to enter my clinical rotations and to get the most out of each day that I am in a hospital or clinic here in the US. I know that I wouldn’t feel this prepared had I not worked in Cape Town, and I am excited to complete my training so I can someday go back to practice medicine where it all began.
Internships in Cape Town
Katie Strauss
Trying to sum up my journey to South Africa in a small couple of paragraphs has not been an easy task for me. I could say, “My trip was great!” or, “This trip changed my life.” or possibly, “My trip was something I will never forget.” But words can’t even begin to describe the time I spent in South Africa. And never has 3 months flown by so fast!!! Being a Child Life Specialist at the Red Cross Hospital has changed the way I will view my work forever. My career will always have started in South Africa and the children I worked with. I carry them in my heart every day. I am definitely a more confident and competent Child Life Specialist because of my time spent at Red Cross. The faculty I had the opportunity to work with are the most fascinating people and they spend their time all advocating for what they believe in, and changing the way children experience health care in South Africa. To say it is an inspiring environment is the understatement of the century. The children were amazing and have taught me so much about life, love, and happiness, and I still wonder which of us who got more out of our time together. The hospital was not the only reason I loved my time in South Africa so much. It was the beautiful country and the amazing people I met during my time there. The wonderful people, and MOST inspiring Child Life Specialists I met truly made my experience an unforgettable one. Cape Town gave me fantastic career experience, some breathtaking pictures, amazing new friends, but most of all…an INCREDIBLE sense of accomplishment! South Africa truly did steal my heart. It was more than I could have ever imagined it would be. I will be eternally grateful to everyone who helped make this possible. I can’t help but SMILE when I reflect on my time in South Africa and at Red Cross Hospital. WAKA WAKA!
Tyler Maiers
My summer medical internship at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital was simply amazing. With the help of Gabby, a very helpful member of the Connect-123 staff, I was able to find an internship as part of the largest tuberculosis diagnostic study ever conducted. Workdays typically involved seeing patients alongside my supervisor and aiding with the collection of sputum and blood samples from patients that were suspected of having tuberculosis. I travelled between two different hospitals throughout the week and was able to learn about measles, HIV/AIDS, and drug-resistant tuberculosis by actually seeing patients with these diseases. By merely asking questions about how to get more involved and taking advantage of every opportunity, my single internship evolved into three as I began to spend three days each week at Red Cross, one day at a Doctors Without Borders clinic in a nearby township called Khayelitsha, and one day at diagnostic microbiology lab at Groote Schuur Hospital. In addition to my internship, Connect-123 did an incredible job of organizing large group activities on weekends, and I especially liked the Wacky Wine Festival in June. Most other students were also very motivated to plan weekend trips, so shark cage diving, safaris, bungee jumping, wine tasting tours, and trips to nearby suburbs were all possibilities as each weekend approached. Cape Town also has such a vibrant nightlife that any night of the week can be exciting, and like many others, I took full advantage of this during my stay. The Connect-123 staff was also knowledgeable enough to help me and were very comforting when I came to ask for help after failing to make my flight home on time. All in all, I enjoyed my Cape Town experience so much and met so many friendly and passionate people while there that I am hoping to return next summer to find medically-related work for a year before entering medical school. This was truly a life-changing experience and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a great alternative to a traditional study abroad while also enjoying every moment of being in one of the world’s most beautiful and multicultural cities.
Internships in Cape Town
Mike Sit
My experience to Cape Town was absolutely amazing. I was able to gain experience in the microfinance industry, indulge myself in culture, and gain new perspectives through the relationships I developed. At the company I volunteered with, I was given the opportunity to help host workshops at townships, review business plans for potential microfinance institutions (MFI), research potential sources of funding, and talk to a plethora of amazing individuals that have contributed to the MFI industry. These experiences not only engaged and challenged me, but I had to adapt and expand my current perception. Throughout my time I engaged in many Connect-123 organized activities that ranged from drinks nights and cultural outings, to outdoor activities. With the unheralded amounts of activities, it was difficult in deciding what I wanted to do within my short 3 month term. The friends and relationships I developed in Cape Town are lifelong, and the experience is beyond words. Through my experience I would recommend and encourage others to take the opportunity to travel and learn, especially with the supportive staff Connect-123 offers.
Internships in Cape Town
Sophie Bluhm
When first applying to Connect-123 I had no idea what I wanted to do. But as a business major in school, I knew that I wanted to try and use this experience to figure out where in the business world I would best fit in. Luckily, I was able to find an internship with a small company that was still in the early stages in development. In my internship I was able to see and get a feel for almost every facet of the business world. I met with the Loan Advisor at the bank to discuss what was necessary to secure a small business loan, I helped develop a mission statement and business objectives. I was even able to pretend to be a client for a day to see how the services offered worked and what the outcome was. I learned about how all aspects played a role in developing a business and what was necessary in making a business successful. As much as I loved my internship, I can’t say enough good things about Cape Town either. Between the weather, the people, the friends I made, and the Connect-123 staff I couldn’t have asked for a better time abroad. What started out as an impulsive decision to go to Cape Town turned into one of the best experiences of my life (and some may say an obsession). I can’t wait to go back and go out on Long Street, ride ostriches in Ooudsthorn, have a milkshake at Royale, explore the market at the Biscuit Mill on Saturdays and have picnics in Kirstenbosch. On top of all the fabulous things there are to do in Cape Town, the activities arranged by Connect-123 helped me go outside of the everyday activities and experience South African living on a greater scale and allowed me to do things that one might not find in a guide book. I am so glad I got to participate in the events and they were a great way to meet people. I wouldn’t trade my experience and time in Cape Town for anything. Connect-123 was so helpful and played a huge role is making my time in Cape Town so special. From the internship, to the people, to the setting, it was all amazing and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Internships in Cape Town
Sara Reed
It didn't matter how many people from my school arrived with me. I was still on this adventure by myself, to learn, grow, and explore this new place. It was intimidating at first, to realize I would be commuting to work independently, but after days of finally finding my routine and becoming familiar with the way the city worked, it gave me such confidence in myself that I could achieve anything and make it anywhere. The organization I worked for was an exemplary NGO and I feel so honored to have been a part of it, and I feel great knowing that I made a difference there and in people's lives in the surrounding communities. The staff at Connect-123, and even the staff at Perspectives genuinely cared for and looked after us on a daily basis. After a while it’s almost like you’re part of a family. There are so many opporunities to meet the other students that come from around the world, thanks to the weekly evenings at all the Cape Town hot spots that Connect-123 always had planned. It takes a lot of work orchestrating those kinds of events, especially the weekend excursions to all the major attractions within and outside the city. The people at Connect-123 really showed me what the city was about. Without them I would have never seen Cape Town like I do now.
Internships in Cape Town
Rebecca Sloan
My name is Rebecca Sloan and I was in Cape Town with Connect from the beginning of May to the end of August 2010. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget. I met some incredible people and saw things that I couldn’t even imagine. Cape Town is the city with endless possibilities and things to do. You definitely have to go to Camps Bay, drive the coast, do as much traveling as possible and meet as many people as you can. Connect 123 was a great program to go through because it made meeting people easy and the transition into a whole new world seamless. I definitely recommend Connect and Cape Town for the experience of a lifetime.
Internships in Cape Town
