In Sweden and the rest of the EU we have the opportunity to apply to send out our professional students on internships to other countries. Before it was mainly within Europe, but a few years back in Sweden we were also given the possibility to seek money for pupils to travel to countries outside of the EU to carry out internships.

I was looking for new contacts abroad and the choice fell on South Africa.  After many long hours in front of the computer Connect-123’s homepage turned up.  Steven contacted me and we began planning for a possible collaboration. I applied for money for a preparatory visit and one year after the initial contact was created a colleague and I had the opportunity to visit Cape Town for a week.

We loved everything about Cape Town immediately; the city, the people, the weather, and the food. During this week, Connect-123 took good care of us and Melanie showed us around potential host placements for our students. We also did a few visits to Robben Island, Stellenbosch and Cape Point.

When we returned home a new application was written for students at our school.  The application was for students to carry out their internships in Cape Town.   The application came back and it was granted for seven students from vocational programs.

Finally, in October 2010, seven students from six different programs, the hotel and restaurant-, child-and leisure, industry-, construction-, trade- and apprenticeship programs and a colleague and I were on our way to Cape Town.  Connect-123 did a fantastic job at providing internships according to students ‘ abilities and wishes.  I have from the first contact felt a big confidence in Connect-123 and the work that they do to provide for the students. Their safety was of course one of the big issues before we sent students abroad and the concept with the Connect-123 housing in the Perspectives apartment building where the students stay, is of course one of the big advantages.

The students also had great internship placements such as our two construction students who worked in the Township of Philippi, helping Melvin and his boys to build houses for the people who live there. We had two of our girls working at a Children’s Hospital which has given them a lot of laughs but also a lot of sorrow. Our Industry student helped out at a center for homeless people that were able to get a three month education in, for example welding.  We also had two students from the service sector and one of them worked at a Backpackers and got the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. Our kitchen student worked in a five star hotel and learnt a lot about what it is like to work in a place like that.

I am really grateful to Melanie and the rest of the people that work at Connect-123 who have given our students this fantastic opportunity to work and see all the great things there are to explore in Cape Town. I know that this will be a memory for life for all of them and I already heard the rumor that at least one of them will be back next year.

I will definitely write a new application for new students to get the chance to explore and see this part of the world and take part of the great hospitality and kindness of the people who live in Cape Town.  At last, thank you again Connect-123 for taking good care of our students and giving them a memory for the rest of their lives.