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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Dora de Kenessey
Connect-123 was the absolutely ideal organization to go through for the summer! They set me up with a fantastic internship at a hospital, which was exactly what I was looking for, and provided a beautiful apartment as well. From there, we were all given complete independence, though you always knew that Steven, Lea and Melanie were right there in case you ever needed anything. They also organized great expeditions and were always extremely helpful and accommodating. I just had the time of my life this summer, and couldn’t have had the same experience without Connect!
Internships in Cape Town
Charleigh Elebash
Connect-123 is such an amazing program. There are always so many things to do, great people to meet and beautiful scenery all around you. Steven, Lea and Melanie are so great and they do everything they can to make you feel at home and make sure that you really see and experience all that Cape Town has to offer! This has been one of the best experiences of my life and my only regret is that I didn’t stay longer!
Internships in Cape Town
Aimee Rose Unteutsch
I had the most amazing time in South Africa and the internship that Connect-123 found for me was outstanding! I learned a great deal from the animation company I worked with. My accommodation was also great and the location was within walking distance to restaurants and the Waterfront. Steven and Lea were always there for me and when I first arrived, it was nice to step off the plane and know that I would be taken care of. The events that Connect-123 set up were enjoyable, there was always something going on almost every week. South Africa is a place that you will never forget because there is so much to do and the scenery is gorgeous!
Internships in Cape Town
Michael Dearfield
My experience in Cape Town, South Africa was the greatest time of my life! I had a very exciting and rewarding internship, where I worked with a business college for students from the local townships. There, I was a business development intern for their Entrepreneurship Centre where I helped write business plans, create marketing strategies, and find investors for various entrepreneurs from the townships. I was also privileged to teach two college-level courses in the fields of economics, and entrepreneurship. In my free time, I did everything from climbing mountains, to tasting wine in the nearby vineyards, to going shark-cage diving in the Indian Ocean! Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It’s a place where cities, mountains, and oceans meet, and I will never forget the times that I had there. Thank you again Steven and Lea and the rest of the Connect-123 gang, for providing me with such a fun and rewarding experience. I will be back for the World Cup South Africa in 2010!
Internships in Cape Town
Jonny Darling
These guys could just as well do online dating, such is their matchmaking prowess. Connect-123 are the peoples’ people. They put us first. Their innate sense of character and ability to read between the lines is spooky and they put it to good use with placements that fit like a glove. For me, these few months in South Africa have been the launch pad to many new beginnings…
Internships in Cape Town
Amanda Bruni
I feel so fortunate to have been involved with such a great organization. Steven and Lea are truly passionate about creating opportunities for young individuals. Making the transition into the working world after years of being a ‘student’ is not always an easy thing to do. With Connect-123 I was able to find an internship that helped me to make this transition giving me the confidence I needed to go into the real world. Plus I was able to do this while experiencing beautiful Cape Town and South African culture. There was never a dull moment! Connect-123 ensures that you get the most out of your opportunity from finding you an internship specific to your needs while making sure you know where the party is Friday night!
Brian Miller
Connect-123 is a great company. The service that Steven and Lea provide is fantastic! I worked in the film business in L.A. but I visited Cape Town and absolutely fell in love with the outdoor lifestyle, the beautiful city and warm, friendly people. My wife and decided to move here but I realized I didn’t know anyone in the film business in Cape Town – and in the film business who you know is everything. So I turned to the experts at Connect-123. After submitting my CV I had a phone interview with Steven to determine what my goals were and what I wanted to gain from the experience. Within a week, Lea had found the perfect internship for me at a well-known feature film production company here in Cape Town. She managed to find a company that needed my very specific skills in feature film production. I’ve been at the company for about three months now and I’ve absolutely loved the experience. I’ve been talking to the producer and it may even turn into a full time paid position soon! I’ve made several great contacts in the film industry and I couldn’t have done it without Connect-123. I would recommend their service to anyone in any industry. They really work hard to ensure that you receive the best experience. Connect-123 is your first step towards a great career!
Internships in Cape Town
Elyse Dornhecker
My time in Cape Town was priceless. My internship experience was challenging, engaging, exciting, and so much more. I was able to interact with a unique culture and obtain valuable skills relevant to my area of study while feeling as though I was giving something back to those around me. The people at Connect made every effort to personally ensure our comfort, safety, and enjoyment during the time we were with them. They were not only mentors to us in our new South African lives, but also friends. The memories gained, people encountered, and opportunities experienced while in Cape Town are something I will value the rest of my life.
Internships in Cape Town
Kelly O’Donovan
It sounds like a cliché, but I have had such an amazing time here in Cape Town, I can’t recommend it enough! The set-up here is perfect for whatever you are looking for. Steven and Lea are very good at judging what a person would want out of an internship and their experience as a whole. They have brilliant connections to make that perfect match. Without the support of Connect I would have been daunted by such a city and would never have found this internship on my own. With their help, however, I have gained the most out of my experience, both at work and when it came to discovering Cape Town and South Africa. I don’t think it will be too long before I am back again and I would recommend Connect-123 to anyone!
Claire Kinnison
My internship at the hospital was extremely rewarding. The doctors with whom I worked were wonderful and very willing to teach and explain abstract ideas. During surgeries, the doctors made sure I understood their procedures and they explained the most effective techniques. My research was also quite rewarding. I interviewed patients’ families and interacted with the children at the hospital. This allowed me to see firsthand the extreme bravery with which these children and their families conduct their lives. I would not give up my experiences at the hospital for anything! They taught me about myself as well as about the sometimes emotionally draining ways of the world which have in turn made me a stronger person. I highly recommend this hands-on program.
Internships in Cape Town
Ben Ogden
Connect-123 is a truly extraordinary organization. In the service they provide, they somehow manage to strike the perfect balance between hands-on assistance in practically every aspect of your experience in Cape Town (from finding you the perfect work experience to planning weekend trips to pristine wineries) and giving you the freedom to travel and explore the most gorgeous country on the planetl. Steven and Lea are both wonderful resources for anything you might want to do during your stay, and their warmth and friendliness really make for a sense of community among all the students and young professionals working through Connect. My own internship experience was remarkable. As an aspiring writer, I wanted to come to South Africa to engage in the more creative and artistic communities in Cape Town. They managed to find me a position working for a respected film production company, and within six weeks I had already been asked to begin my own project adapting a novel into a feature film. Now I am going to continue working on this project even after I leave Cape Town. Their persistence in finding me the perfect internship has lead directly to the best creative opportunity I’ve ever had! Connect-123 is far and away the best study abroad organization out there. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Internships in Cape Town
Morgan Sanders
My time in South Africa with Connect-123 turned out to be one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had! My internship in small business consulting allowed me to work with several entrepreneurs from townships in and around Cape Town. My task was to refine my clients’ business ideas and write up business plans, but in the process I really developed a close rapport with them and genuinely wanted them to succeed! It was such an incredible opportunity to be there for the start-up of their hopefully successful business ventures. I also benefited a great deal from the support and guidance of my boss, who was equally practical and passionate about the work we were doing. In addition, I’ll take home wonderful memories of my time when I wasn’t working. There were constantly social events and day trips planned for us, so there was never a dull moment! Last but not least, I’m happy to say that I made the most incredible friends in South Africa! We had an absolute blast together and I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard in my life! There wasn’t a single moment that I wanted to go home, and I’d go back in a heartbeat!
Internships in Cape Town
Simone Stephenson
Connect-123 was great! After I applied, they found an internship for me that was absolutely PERFECT for my major. I got to travel, sightsee, write, and photograph a totally new country…which was an amazing opportunity. The great thing about Connect-123, is that they really make an effort to bring everyone together. There were many nights where we went out to dinner in an organized outing. Another great thing is that most of the housing is in buildings with several other Connect-123 students. It allowed me to meet lots of other people, which made going out a lot easier! I would absolutely recommend Connect-123 to all of my friends…who are already completely jealous of my awesome experience!!
Internships in Cape Town
Jared Brown
I had always wanted to visit South Africa and found that Connect-123 was the most impressive group out there. My expectations were far exceeded throughout my interaction with Steven and the gang. Not only did Steven call me almost immediately after my application, but he quickly replied to all questions I had in my preparations for my trip. From picking me up from the airport, to ensuring that my work at the hospital went smoothly, to arranging excellent and affordable accommodations; I was continually impressed by Connect-123. I wouldn’t travel to Cape Town any other way.
Internships in Cape Town
Nyasha Mvenge
I asked for a placement that involved research and lab work which was exactly what I got when I arrived. However, I’ve since also received training at a hospital which was my number one goal. So all in all I have gotten back far more than I had originally expected. I am super thrilled that not only am I achieving what I set out to do but I will leave with totally new skills. The location of the placement is also a bonus. Not many people can say they conducted their work with stunning scenery of a mountain and animals like wildebeest and impala right in front of them. On weekends there is so much to do, you truly never get bored. I am certain I made the right choice choosing Connect-123.
Internships in Cape Town
Ashley Nelson
My experience with Connect-123 significantly impacted my life. From the second I applied to the program until after I returned home they were in constant communication with me making sure everything went smoothly. I loved how the program participants were from all over the world, offering different experiences, opinions, and areas of interest. The dynamic environment of South Africa was something so incredible and so very different. The food, people, and surroundings were like nothing I had ever seen before. The culture is so unique and there is always something new to experience in Cape Town. The responsibilities given to me during my internship made me really feel like I made a difference in my company, something not always the case at home. I learned an immense amount, but also was able to contribute information I have studied but have never been able to apply in the real world.
Internships in Cape Town
Elizabeth Fiala
The two months I spent in Cape Town, South Africa were by far the best two months of my life. I had a wonderful internship, superb housing, and incredible roommates. I met some amazing people while I was there and gained invaluable work skills and knowledge that can be applied towards my career in the future. Not to mention the social life that Connect-123 hooks you up with! I highly recommend this experience to anyone who has the opportunity to enjoy it.
Internships in Cape Town
Kelly Paradis
Connect-123 is the most organized and efficient program that I have ever been a part of. They put a great amount of time and thought into every detail, helping you instantly feel at home. The program’s small numbers and planned group outings create an intimate, fun environment and opportunity to meet new people. My internship applied to my studies more than I ever anticipated, and I was given tasks and responsibilities that taught me so much and greatly expanded my interests. On top of that, Cape Town is truly an amazing city with so much to offer. I did everything from shark cage diving to wine tasting and constantly found myself wishing for more time. I feel extremely fortunate that I was given this opportunity, and I know that it will be a life changing experience that I will never forget.
Internships in Cape Town
Kelly Neel
I honestly don’t know where to begin. If I tried to say all the amazing things I gained throughout my experience with Connect-123, I’d end up with a novel the size of the latest Harry Potter. One thing I had asked Steven was “How did I stumble across this program while surfing the internet, and have it COMPLETELY change my life?” Not only did I gain experience from working in the hospital, but I gained an overwhelming appreciation for the people and world around me. There are just no words to explain how much I have grown as a person by simply being immersed in the culture that surrounded me. To find beauty in a place with such devastating poverty is beauty in and of itself, if that makes any sense at all. I highly recommend Connect-123. They make the best team and are super supportive of every participant in the program! Steven and Lea were there for us at the drop of a hat, as professionals and as friends and I wouldn’t trade my experience for the world!
Internships in Cape Town
John Hawley
To be totally honest, this internship is exactly what I was looking for. Not only am I going to be able to make a significant contribution to the pollination programme but, I’m also going to help put together another research paper with the head of the division…i.e., if I do a good job over the next little while I get PUBLISHED in an academic journal as full co-author! Pretty sweet man. This is really just a cool place to work with a wicked location and tonnes of other scientists doing all kinds of interesting things. The work is relatively hard, but the experience is proving itself to be more than I could have hoped for. Guess this is a good time to say thanks for doing a great job hooking me up with this opportunity.
Internships in Cape Town
