Testimonials

International students and program participants share their experiences with Connect-123’s internship, volunteer and study abroad programs. Whether through programs in Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Dublin or Shanghai, each international program participant has a unique story to share. Take a look and see what Connect-123’s international students, volunteers or interns have to say! Connect-123’s blog also has great international study, volunteer and travel advice! Scroll down to view all testimonials - or filter by destination, opportunity or both.

Ben Adams

Ben Adams

Communications Intern
Ohio State University
05 January 2012

I came to Cape Town in the summer of 2011 with high expectations.  Thanks largely to the helpful staff at Connect-123, my expectations were easily matched and surpassed.  The Connect-123 team was able to place me in an internship that allowed me to grow professionally.  I was given plenty of responsibility and enjoyed going to work each day.  I now feel more confident and prepared to search for jobs and internships back home knowing that I have such an amazing and unique experience behind me.

This being said, the greatest part of my trip was the growth I experienced as a person.  Being far away from home for an extended period of time can seem frightening, but the staff at Connect-123 did a great job of welcoming me to Cape Town, a city they clearly know and love.  The physical beauty of Cape Town is only matched by the beauty of its people.  I was able to meet many people, including both other interns and locals, that have had a tremendous impact on me. 

I wouldn't trade the two months I spent in Cape Town for anything and I hope to return one day!

Eric Wang

Eric Wang

Health Care Intern
Washington University, Graduate
23 December 2011

I interned with Connect-123 in Shanghai for two months this fall/winter. Traveling to such a foreign and exotic place (I’m from Kansas), I was both apprehensive and nervous. However, those feelings of uneasiness were quickly expunged as soon as I stepped off the plane and met my program coordinator. Shanghai is a unique city, and has so much culture to offer. Through the help of the staff at Connect-123, and my fellow interns, I was able to effectively explore and learn the many different things that this city has to offer. Whether I wanted to travel around China, try new foods, learn Chinese or find internship opportunities the staff at Connect-123 were willing to do everything in their power to make sure that I accomplished these goals. It was one of the best experiences of my life, and I definitely plan on going back!


Also, for the internship itself, I worked part time for a foundation that supports children's health, and worked part time as an administrative assistant at a local hospital. It was exactly the type of job I was hoping for. I was SO impressed with how Connect-123 was able to find such a unique opportunity for me. They are truly experts in finding/ designing the perfect internship for people, especially in the medical field, as was the case for me.

Ricardo Caldas Pereira

Ricardo Caldas Pereira

Finance Intern
Universidade Federal de Viçosa Graduate, Brazil
14 December 2011

Doing an internship abroad is a great opportunity, and Connect-123 made it really easy to get and even more delightful! Even if you don't want to work abroad or in a global company, you will improve your personal skills so much faster, living in an unusual enviroment, with a lot of people sharing different cultures and behaviors.

My experience in Shanghai with Connect-123 provided me with the opportunity to make a lot of friends from all over the world. For me it was like meeting a little bit  of Russia, Kazakhstan, England, Netherlands, USA, Mexico and a lot more in just one place! And not talking only about professional interests, in Shanghai I had some of my best times of my life, with people that will always be a part of my best memories. Good food, good music, many ways of having fun, and without spend too much money, that's what you will find in Shanghai!

Something that I would like to add is that Connect-123 provided me with all the support that I needed before my trip and on my arrival. During the time that I was in Shanghai, the "Connect-123 Events" every week were a wonderfull way to make friends and have a really good time!

Huber

Huber "Junior" Bongolan

Finance Intern
University of California, Graduate
28 November 2011

I interned through Connect-123 in October and November 2011 with a financial services firm in Shanghai, China. My internship was both fulfilling and challenging, pushing me to think in new ways while learning new financial tools and processes.

As for the program itself, second to none. To summarize in one word: FAMILY. That is what you'll get when you intern/volunteer/travel with Connect-123. This program enabled a homebody like myself to break free from the bubble of Southern California and experience the breathtaking beauty that Shanghai offers. For newcomers, do not fear, you'll quickly adjust to the beat of Shanghai through the help of program participants that come before you. We created a family with one another, connecting in ways I would never have foreseen and will forever remember our escapades. I "connected" and made lifelong friendships that would never have been possible if I didn't come to Shanghai. I highly recommend Connect-123 and hope you decide to partake in this once in a lifetime adventure!

Avishka Juta

Avishka Juta

Literacy Intern
McMaster University Graduate, Canada
19 September 2011

I can say without a doubt that my six week social work and education internship in Cape Town, South Africa was the most incredible six weeks of my life. Having travelled to South Africa before, this was my second time in Cape Town and it definitely provided me with a different perspective on all things South African and allowed me to really immerse myself in issues I have a passion for as well as get to know the city and people. Cape Town is a city you’ll quickly fall in love with!

I decided to work at two organizations during my time in Cape Town. A huge thanks to Melanie Martin for working with me and providing me with so many options and giving great insight into what would be the best fit. She definitely took my interests and experience into consideration when suggesting organizations, so thanks Mel! In the mornings, I was a volunteer teacher at a Literacy Centre based at a primary school where myself and another volunteer, Elysia were floaters. We worked with Grade 2 and 3 learners on their reading and writing skills and making the experience of learning these skills fun. We also helped to celebrate their success at the end of term which was great fun. The children there were so eager to learn and had such great spirits and their willingness to learn touched me. Shout out to Trudy and all the volunteers who helped me familiarize myself.

In the afternoons, I wooked on a book drive project of a movement of learners, parents, teachers and community members striving for quality and equality in South African education. The project collects book donations from the public and prepares them to be put into public school libraries, as well as setting up these libraries. I was the first Connect-123 intern to work there and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who has a passion for books and helping youth and promoting quality and equality. It was a very relaxed environment and the afternoons were spent organizing books and having some amazing conversations about life, the world and all things South African. Thanks so much to Themba and Cosmas for taking the time to get to know me and involve me in a high school opening and other events, and also to the other volunteers who made me feel so welcome. During my time there, I was involved in the preparation of books and helped with the establishment of the hhigh school library. It’s been great to follow along with their progress since I left and there is definitely a sense of progress in the work they are doing, especially with their library campaign.

My time at both organizations complimented each other so well and I felt like I had made a meaningful contribution at both and had learned so much in just six weeks. This experience has definitely opened my eyes, inspired me and only reaffirmed the academic and career path I’d like to pursue in the non-profit/development field. It was a great exposure to youth development work and promoting quality and equality.

Outside of work, Cape Town is one of those cities that has something for everyone. From eating out, to the nightlife, climbing Lion’s Head and Table Mountain and just hanging out on the beach with friends, there’s a wide array of things to do and experience! Cape Town has certainly embraced all walks of life and there is such a fusion of art, culture, music and food. It’s very easy to navigate and find your footing. I also had a chance to become friends with some of the locals which gave me a new and exciting perspective on life in the Mother City.

The staff at Connect-123 were incredibly helpful and friendly! They are always there to chat or answer any questions or queries. I can’t thank Melanie enough for being there whenever I had questions or queries and needed further insight. Accommodation wise, I would definitely recommend Perspectives. It is right in the heart of the city and a quick taxi ride to many sights in Cape Town. Many volunteers and interns choose to stay there so it’s a great way to meet other Connect-123 participants.

My internship with Connect-123 was the perfect blend of work and sightseeing. I gained exposure to issues in a South African context while also experiencing the city and getting to know the sights and the people. Not only did I make some wonderful friends at Connect-123, but also made some incredible friends at work who I still remain in touch with and have built long lasting friendships with. It is so true what they say about people making the experience. I can say with all honesty that I had the time of my life in Cape Town. Trust me when I say that you’ll be wishing you had stayed longer. I will definitely be back in Cape Town soon and would love to work there in the future!

Laura McFee

Laura McFee

Teaching Volunteer
Quinnipac University
09 September 2011

The two months I spent in Cape Town through Connect-123 were simply incredible. It’s impossible to describe how much I learned about myself and how much I gained from volunteering in only a few paragraphs. Melanie set me up with a primary school where I volunteered as a teacher’s aide in various classrooms. The school is an incredible organization that provides impoverished children with an education, free of charge, to break the cycle of poverty in their families. Spending so much time with the children was a life changing experience; I think I learned more from them than they learned from me! The students I worked with taught me so much about the value of education; even though many of them came from difficult home lives, they cherished the education they were receiving and were always eager to learn. I gained a wealth of knowledge about the diversity of education in different countries, which is an experience that will help me grow to become a better teacher.

Connect-123 was always available during my stay. They made sure that I was enjoying my volunteer experience and that I was getting what I wanted out of my trip. Not only did they help with the volunteering portion of my trip, they also helped with socializing. There were numerous events organized by Connect-123 that helped me form lifelong friendships with the other interns and volunteers I was living and working with. Through the social nights, trips to festivals, sightseeing trips, and the multiple discounts with local businesses that Connect-123 offered, my free time in Cape Town was filled with amazing adventures!

All in all, my trip to Cape Town exceeded my expectations. It was perfect! I can’t thank Connect-123 enough for giving me the summer of a lifetime!