Right after college, I moved to Cape Town, South Africa, for what turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life. Through Connect-123, I spent a year in South Africa, covering two internships - one with a sports marketing firm and another with a marketing agency that worked with major liquor brands like Captain Morgan and Johnnie Walker Black.

The marketing internship may be the best job I’ve ever had. We organized and ran adventure races for Captain Morgan fans all over South Africa. One day I’d be scaling mountains or riding dune buggies, the next I’d be helping coordinate big events in incredible locations. I even learned to shoot a gun at one point! It was hands-on, creative, and full of energy - and I worked with an amazing team of people who became great friends.

Today, I work as a product manager at Signature Aviation. They provide fixed based operation services to private airlines all over the world. My job is remote, which gives me the freedom to work from anywhere, and that’s inspired me to start planning to spend a month each year living and working abroad - I like traveling, but I miss living in other cultures and places. I guess you could say that seed was planted back in Cape Town.

Do it - without hesitation! Travel and live abroad while you’re young. It might feel like a leap, but it’s one of the best investments you can make in yourself. You’ll gain perspective, friendships, and memories that will stay with you forever.

You can always catch up on your career later - but you can’t recreate the magic of living and working abroad for the first time.

And truly, Connect-123 makes it so easy and supported. They were incredible from start to finish - so connected, so organized, and genuinely invested in creating amazing experiences.