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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Kayla V
I loved that there were multiple interns in my job from different companies, I feel as though it really helped me to fit in quicker. I also loved how international my internship organization was. Also Connect-123 overall was very helpful when I needed anything.
Internships in BarcelonaKayla H
I have grown so much from my experience with Connect-123. From the very beginning I knew they had my best interests at heart as they set me up with an internship that is both fulfilling and helping me grow as a professional. I cannot thank them enough as I know, moving forward, I will be more prepared and globally knowledgeable.
Internships in Dublin
Ingrid O
Visiting South Africa for the summer, as a medical student was an amazing experience! With the help of Connect-123, I was able to transition into my clinical experiences with no issues. While maintaining a good balance on tourist fun! Their organized events were some of the best parts of my trip! Their suggestions of local events made me love the culture even more. The people of South Africa were very welcoming and kind to me throughout my whole experience. Their rich and diverse culture, allowed me to learn both in clinic and on excursions. I will definitely be returning one day!
Internships in Cape Town
Sofia P
This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to spend two enriching months in Barcelona working with a human rights NGO dedicated to supporting LGBTQ immigrants and refugees. Over the course of this summer, I gained meaningful professional experience in social work, particularly with asylum seekers and immigrants. I also gained invaluable insights into multiculturalism and outreach in a remarkably short period. Additionally, I further honed my translation skills for legal documents and asylum stories/statements. I even had the chance to write an article about my first Pride Parade and my overall experience, which was published on their website! In that article, I expressed—and would like to reiterate here—my deep gratitude for the experience that Connect-123 has given me. I especially want to thank Sophie Mulcahy, who guided me along the way and paired me with this unforgettable internship. This experience has taught me so much about the struggles immigrants and marginalized communities face—struggles that the world often sees but chooses to ignore. My understanding of the LGBT community and its unique role in global immigration has deepened, and the warm welcome I received here, as someone eager to learn, has opened my eyes to different ways of life and challenged my initial perceptions. The NGO I was placed at is a pillar of human rights in a special city like Barcelona. For me, it’s more than an organization; it’s a home—a place that welcomes everyone, regardless of background or past—a true melting pot of cultures.
Internships in Barcelona
Juan S
This program is the easiest way to study abroad and get to know a whole different country/continent if that is something you have in mind. They care enough for you to get to know where you are and also to make sure you know everything about how to move around and how to be safe around the cities. Additionally, some of the supervisors are super nice and they enjoy having conversations with you as well and learning about you. Their team is awesome because they would help you to get most of the things that you need to get done together with your school.
Internships in Barcelona
Kaylee C
As an aspiring lawyer, having the opportunity to intern at a business law firm was a dream come true! Brenda, one of the dedicated Connect-123 program coordinators, played a big role in supporting my journey as she helped place me in an internship that aligned with my interests and professional endeavors.
Internships in Buenos Aires
Lily R
The Connect-123 program in Buenos Aires is a wonderful experience. Argentina is full of the most welcoming and generous people including the program coordinator, Brenda, who was so helpful and kind. All of our group outings were so fun and really allowed us to experience every part of this incredible city. Buenos Aires truly has something for everyone and I will definitely be leaving a piece of my heart here in BA.
Internships in Buenos Aires
Catherine N
My time in Dublin, Ireland, living on the UCD Campus while interning at a mental health and wellness organization, has been an incredible experience. The internship in policy writing allowed me to deeply engage with my passion for sociology and mental health advocacy. Exploring Ireland and neighboring countries enriched my understanding of diverse cultures and provided unforgettable memories. Connecting with new friends and coworkers has been invaluable, fostering a sense of community and belonging. This experience has taught me so much about myself and the workplace, while expanding my knowledge in psychology, sociology, and business organization. I am immensely grateful for this opportunity.
Internships in Dublin
Leila R
I am beyond grateful for Connect-123 and my internship experience in Barcelona. It is the most amazing city with so much to see and do. My internship experience allowed me to grow both professionally and personally which I have no doubt will hugely benefit me in the future. I will cherish the experiences I have had over the past 2 months forever!
Internships in Barcelona
Max F
Choosing to intern abroad in Dublin, Ireland was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Of course at first I was a little apprehensive about my internship placement, since I was not sure if It would be a good fit, but I honestly had nothing to worry about. Connect-123 worked tirelessly to find a personalized internship placement that would fit me perfectly, and they were there to support me every step of the way. I will cherish all the memories and experiences I have gained from this opportunity for the rest of my life. Exploring the vibrant city of Dublin, making new friends along the way, and enjoying the excursions that Connect-123 provided for us made the trip very special. To anyone who is interested in studying abroad, I 100% recommend Dublin and I can safely say Connect-123 is the perfect program to support you on your journey.
Internships in Dublin
Nheriessa M
I had a phenomenal experience with Connect-123 global programs. Through this program, I was fortunate enough to conduct research at a prestige University in the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology Department. I also had the opportunity to observe Pediatric Reconstructive Surgery at one of Cape Town's biggest public Hospital's. As a pre-med student it is almost essential to have a background in research. I am grateful to this program and my principal investigator because I gained technical skills and knowledge in the subject. I regained my love for science because of my work at the University. It is my goal to become a surgeon and I got the distinct opportunity of observing surgical procedures I was never previously exposed to. I am tremendously grateful for the people I met along the way, administration, physicians and patients. I am grateful for Carla and the program, who worked hard on my placements to make it unique to my needs. Connect -123 has a large variety of weekly activities that they provide students with. As a student who has done study abroad previously, I can say that Connect-123 goes above and beyond to make sure students are engaged and that they have opportunities witness the beauty of Cape Town. There is nothing I would change about my trip and if I could have extended my stay, I would :)
Internships in Cape Town
Cameron G
Cape Town was a great opportunity for me to become more culturally competent in healthcare, and Connect-123 provided a fantastic opportunity and location for me to learn from. They provided excellent recommendations for education and entertainment as I became a local and embraced South African culture!
Internships in Cape Town
Linda A
My experience in Dublin as an intern was both challenging and rewarding. It provided me with invaluable insights into the field of social inclusion and allowed me to develop a global mindset. The cultural exchange, the support provided, and the lessons learned will stay with me forever. If you are considering an internship abroad, I would recommend considering opportunities in Dublin, Ireland.
Internships in Dublin
Amaya A
Thanks to Connect-123 and Michigan State University, I have had a fantastic experience living in Dublin. While living in Ireland, I had the pleasure of working as a research and policy intern with an incredible NGO. I felt immersed culturally, deepening my understanding of policy, international relations, community organizing, and development. Planned weekend trips and my own journeys allowed me to see the beauty that the world (and Ireland) offers me in my post-grad journeys. I am thankful for the time spent catering to my interests in selecting my internship, the people I've met and grown close to, and the experience of a lifetime. Sláinte!
Internships in Dublin
Ellie M
I recently graduated college, and faced the question, "now what?" I wanted to figure out my career path, but I also hoped I could find an opportunity to travel. The Connect-123 program is a fantastic solution! I was really impressed by their internship finding process. Lea and I communicated a lot and I feel like my internship was custom tailored to fit my goals. My placement at the national office of a nonprofit has been incredibly valuable. My supervisor was incredibly supportive, organized, and always willing to take time to teach me more about nonprofit work. I really enjoyed the work environment and it felt safe to ask questions. Also, exploring the city is a blast! There is so much history and culture. Despite staying for 2 months, I still feel like there is more I want to see! I am so glad that I took the leap and did this program. It has been such an adventure and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to try something new.
Internships in Dublin
Breanna M
My entire experience in Cape Town, South Africa was incredible to say the least. The people, culture and hospital settings taught me so much that I will use for the rest of my life. I learned so much about the Child Life profession through play that created a solid foundation for my future in this career. I learned so much about medical terminology, different diagnoses, play interventions, and theories/theorists that will help me become successful in this field. Interacting with pediatric patients and their families left an everlasting impact on my life. I am so grateful for this experience and everyone I met during it.
Internships in Cape Town
Elizabeth K
Choosing to complete my Child Life Practicum in Cape Town was by far the best decision I could have made. The practicum is a play-based learning experience and gave me real hands-on opportunities to work with children in the hospital environment. Working through a group practicum was amazing as well because I was able to observe others in the field and we could learn from each other. Not only was I able to learn about the field of Child Life but I was also able to see Cape Town and experience things that are not only beautiful but a learning opportunity as well. This was truly a life-changing experience, and I would recommend it to anyone!
Internships in Cape Town
Emma B
Coming to Barcelona with this program has honestly been life-changing. I can genuinely say that I feel like I am learning so much at my internship. Barcelona is also just an amazing city in every way!
Internships in Barcelona
Alex J
Everything about this program was top-notch! Our director was fun and pleasant to be around and I always looked forward to the events every other week. Not only that, but everyone was super helpful with any problems I had experienced. I had an incredible experience!
Internships in Dublin
Alison C
Having graduated from college during the pandemic I was not sure how to go about the next steps of my career. I came across Connect-123 while searching for internships online. The application process is very straightforward, you simply fill out your desired field of study and your desired location. I then had a phone call with Carla who filled me in on the internship process and how it works. She asked me about my preferences and objectives for the internship and within only a few weeks she was able to match me with an organisation. Although my internship was remote, I was in frequent communication with the organisation, so I never felt disconnected. Connect-123 also provided tips on how to stay connected and get the most out of the internship. Carla also checked in on me during the internship and reassured me that should I require any assistance she would be there to help. The internship itself was very rewarding I got to experience working in my chosen field of interest. I was assigned tasks and got to conduct research for the company. I practiced soft skills of long- distance communication, time management, and meeting deadlines. I learned technical skills such as using Google Docs, creating designs, and writing copy for the company. The people I worked with were so welcoming and provided feedback along the way and were appreciative of my contributions. Overall Connect-123 is a wonderful resource for not only securing an internship but also providing support along the way. Taking the next steps in your professional journey can be daunting but simply knowing Connect-123 is there to support you makes it much easier. I would highly recommend anyone considering an internship to apply through Connect-123.
