I became an official Connect123 intern in September 2008. Little did I know, I was about to embark on one of the biggest adventures I have ever experienced! I heard about Connect-123 through my friend, Crystal Fisher, who had applied to the internship program. We both constantly have the itch to travel, so when she told me about the journey she was about to take, I was all ears. After about a five minute discussion of her informing me about the location in Cape Town, South Africa, and the internships available, I was ready to pack my bags!

As an intern, I wanted to work with wildlife as well as domesticated animals. Connect-123 took this desire and found me two lovely internships working for a cheetah project and with a vet. Although the educational experience of working with these two companies was extraordinary, the majority of my learning experience came from simply being abroad in a new culture and environment. I met several new people from all over the world, and my eyes were opened to things I had only imagined. From the beautiful and exotic mountains, beaches, vineyards, baboons, culture and people, I had no idea how sheltered I really was until I got to live in another country! The friends I made, the adventures I took, and the obstacles I overcame, carry such value in my heart that I still speak about the entire journey as if it happened yesterday. Those three months are a significant chapter in my life and hopefully just the start of more to come! I am forever grateful for the opportunity and have come back to the States with an entirely new outlook! Connect-123- Thank you!