Reviews

Shane O

My time as an intern in Dublin, Ireland was a very big step in my life as it showed me what it means to be a business operations intern in an upcoming city. The culture of Dublin and its people was amazing and I can say for certain it is some of the nicest people I have ever met. I would highly recommend an internship abroad because of the various positives it offers outside of the job itself.

Andrew Smith

It is common for recent college graduates to struggle with figuring out what they want to do post-graduation and I am a prime example of that. Fortunately, Connect-123 helped me not only get the internship experience I was looking for, but the life experience that I will always remember. As a project management intern, I worked on several interesting projects which required me to complete extensive market research and ultimately, collaborate on a business plan for an upcoming Virtual Reality idea the company plans to launch. Working with people of many different cultures and backgrounds was an invaluable experience in addition to developing my Spanish speaking abilities. I met so many wonderful people during my time here: locals, at my internship and through the Connect-123 program. I will never forget my time here and cannot wait to come back to Barcelona in the future.

Mustafa Mobarez

Barcelona was one of the most eye-opening and greatest experiences that I have ever had. This is all due to Connect-123 and their amazing team. Through this program, I grew both personally and professionally. Sure, it is very hard to be in a different country that you don’t speak the language, not knowing the cultural practices and being away for two months. Connect-123 makes this process so easy that you don’t feel like you are away from home. Your home away from home, the (accommodations) has students from all over the world. It is the best way to learn and experience different cultures. For example, my roommate was from Russia and I have learned so much about their language, culture, and delicious foods. Overall, these experiences by far were the best part of college experiences for me. My internship allowed me to think outside of the box. I learned so much about international business by using software and tools that not necessarily being used in school. Overall, this program allowed to be built a strong network both personally and professionally with people from all around the world. Also, I was able to travel to other countries on holidays or weekends which helped me to understand and live with different people/culture. Looking back, this was the best decision that I have ever made and it was the best part of my life.

Drew Weinstock

Adjusting to the different work environment at my business internship in Cape Town was certainly one of the more noteworthy aspects of my time in South Africa. Thanks to the great Connect-123 team, my Washington and Lee classmates and I always felt like we had people close by who could answer any questions we had or help us out at a moments notice. From the day we arrived in Cape Town, we felt like we had a solid grasp on the many opportunities and activities we could take advantage of. The same was true with regards to our internships in Cape Town. The Connect-123 team was consistently available to listen to our experiences and concerns, helping significantly from start to finish.

Sebastian Tovar Montanez

My experience in Shanghai was absolutely amazing and life changing and I could not have done it without the great service provided by Connect-123. From the time that I applied to the time that I returned home, I always felt that I had the support of the supportive and helpful staff of Connect-123. My internship site was a great match because I was able to help the company grow and improve by utilizing the skills I already had, while at the same, I was able to explore several areas that I never knew I would have liked. The environment at my company was supportive, fun, and flexible. This allowed me to have a better experience because I was given some guidance, while still having the independence to express and engage with my own ideas. I was also very happy with my accommodation because the location was great and the people living with me were friendly and welcoming. Finally, in terms of Shanghai, I believe I could not have made a better choice for my destination because Shanghai is a very dynamic, modern, accessible, and vibrant city. I learned so much during my time there and I look forward to visiting again someday.

Benjamin Medalie

Hola amigos! This summer I had the pleasure of living and working in Barcelona through Connect-123. It has truly been the experience of a lifetime. I interned at a property management software startup where I learned the ins and outs of what it takes to build, market, and maintain a growing business.I was given some pretty cool projects to work on and I was even able to freely add my own creative touch to my personal work. I worked about 7 hours a day, Monday- Friday, including an hour lunch break. My co-workers were all very friendly and like-minded, and it was fairly easy to fit into the work environment. Apart from work, Connect-123 hosted many different group events such as paddle-boarding, a Catalonian cooking experience, pick-up basketball, etc. Our program coordinators were the best and all of this would not have been possible without them. I was lucky enough to be placed in a beautiful high rise apartment with a great group of guys within the luxurious neighborhood of Eixample. There is always something to do during your free time. Nightlife is insane and the abundancy of Catalan culture and tapas all around you is overwhelming. What more can I say... I peaked. Do this program.

MaryJane LaSala

My participation with Connect-123 has been one of most unique experiences of my life. Connect-123 gave me the opportunity to go to a place I never would have thought to visit on my own. The city of Cape Town is so beautiful and filled with thousands of activities to enjoy. Before coming here, a friend described it to me as "the best place in the world" and she was not exaggerating with that statement. The combination of ocean, mountains, and city life is one I had never seen before and I have been able to do incredible things from shark cage diving to paragliding. Connect-123 made me feel safe in a new city and it was so comforting for me and my family that I had a contact person who I could express any concerns to. They also paired me with an incredible company filled with wonderful people who are truly inspiring. Their passion for wanting to help other people makes me excited to go into work every day because I know I am contributing to such a great cause. Overall, my experience in Cape Town, with my internship placement, and with Connect-123 is one I will remember and cherish for the rest of my life.

Jesse Linkhorn

This summer I had the opportunity to intern in Shanghai, China, which provided me with one of the wildest summers I’ll ever have. I spent my time interning at a small consulting firm downtown in the city. There, I was provided with a range of tasks that not only had me testing my business savvy (like reviewing financial reports and projecting cash flows), but also had me learn a variety of new things including Chinese GAAP and Tax laws, regular business facilitations, and a whole lot of Mandarin. Prior to this, I had very little knowledge of the language, which made adapting to life in China difficult at first. The challenge however, was one embraced and I have grown immensely not only in my knowledge but in the work environment and personally as well. Connect-123 provided me with the chance to travel abroad and live in a large city, both of which were firsts for me. To this I am forever grateful because they allowed me to experience a whole new culture and lifestyle that I believe has made me a better person. Along with that, they were there with me every step of the way providing support whenever I needed it and checking in out of pure thoughtfulness. This summer allowed me to go to places I never thought I would, meet some of the most kind and genuine people I ever will, and learn some things I never knew existed. I truly believe I have been made better off by this experience and it has instilled in me a desire to further study the culture and learn the language. I am grateful for the opportunity Connect-123 provided me and I hope to travel back to China again (if not for the amazing cuisine) to create many more fond memories. I’m excited for the future and what I’ll be able to accomplish having had this experience.

John Getts

As a recent college graduate looking to gain some international experience and improve my Spanish, Connect-123 offered everything I was searching for. From day 1, my program coordinators prioritized my interests and found the perfect internship. Interning in a finance and consulting firm, I had the opportunity to work in both English and Spanish while assisting local startups with various aspects of the funding process. As for Barcelona, it speaks for itself. The culture, people, food, and of course the beach are all amazing. I will be forever grateful for this experience and I owe much of that to the team at Connect-123.

Natalie Zahran

I came across Connect-123 when I was researching internships abroad. I decided to look into the program and found out it was a perfect match for my time abroad. I couldn't of had a better experience working with my program coordinator. She made herself available at all hours despite our 6 hour time difference and answered any and all question as complete as she could. Not only was Connect-123 helpful in helping find an internship abroad but also with housing accommodations. They referred me to a few different options until I found a perfect match for what I was looking for. The process made it extremely easy to find flights and transportation that worked for me. I also was extremely pleased with the orientation that they offered. I got to meet another intern as we learned a little about the history in Barcelona, got a complete guide to transportation, and were given helpful tips that would make our time more enjoyable and safe. Everyone at Connect-123 made themselves very accessible in case we need guidance. Also by offering a private Facebook group, interns are able to meet and makes plans to hangout. I would recommend Connect-123 to anyone who is seeking an internship abroad and I would highly consider going through the program again if I saw fit for any future endeavors. Thank you to everyone at Connect-123 who made my experience abroad enjoyable, memorable and safe!

Will Tracy

I just finished my two-month internship in Buenos Aires. Looking back, these past two months have been the most exciting and most adventurous months of my life. I made friends from countries all around the world, had the chance to see three different countries, and found a second home in Buenos Aires. My two main goals arriving in Argentina was to further improve my Spanish and to gain working experience; but I honestly think I got a lot more out of this internship than just those two goals. My time in Buenos Aires opened my horizons by giving me the chance to work and live on my own in a foreign country. My internship was with a start-up and third-party logistics company that focused on E-commerce. Every day was a challenge but my co-workers were extremely friendly and willing to help with any problems or confusion I had. Through my internship, I learned many terms and practices in logistics that a class simply cannot teach. At the beginning of my trip I felt that two months would be plenty of time to experience Buenos Aires and want to come back. But by the end of my trip I was having so much fun I wish I had two more months! If you have any interest in Latin America, practicing Spanish, and gaining important work experience, then Buenos Aires is the place for you.

Zoe Laulederkind

I’ve only lived in two cities my entire 20 years of life, both with populations around 600,000. I’ve only lived in one country where the majority of people look like me. Shanghai, with a reported population in 2014 of around 24 million and a majority of obviously Chinese people, it was a huge step out of my comfort zone to say the least; however, it was a step I will never forget and never regret. Connect-123 helped me ease into this new stride I experienced in China by finding me a stellar apartment with two girls that I know will be friends with for life. Together, we, as participants of Connect-123, navigated Shanghai from the Pearl Tower to the Yu Garden, and beyond Shanghai from Guiyang to Beijing. Our bonds stem from our most vulnerable selves as foreigners, interns, and adventurers which makes them more intricate than the average roommate or coworker connections back home. Although all three of us interned in different offices around the city, going to work every day was still a blast. Before arriving in Shanghai, I had only ridden the subway once or twice in NYC. Suddenly I found myself riding the subway every day to my internship, getting to know the various routes around the city, and understanding the true value of clean public transportation. The subway serves as a sort of unification of the working people as we all share in this common daily ritual. I loved it! Despite the ride’s occasional hot and stuffy atmosphere, the air-conditioned Starbucks on the first floor of my office building awaited me kindly. My office was air conditioned too which made for excellent working conditions. I had my own desk and usually daily assignments or week long projects to complete. My boss was flexible and intelligent, and my co-workers exposed me to a variety of restaurants on our daily lunch breaks during which they were amiable and talkative. I learned more than you can imagine about Chinese Tax Law, foreign owned enterprises, and basic Chinese business logistics all the while living in a city that taught me independence, courage, and perseverance. Without Connect-123, all of the above would have been impossible. So I guess I should say Connect-123 makes what you believe to be impossible abroad, possible.

John Connolly

My experience with Connect-123 was great! I experienced life abroad, in the beautiful setting of Barcelona, where I could practice my Spanish and get practical work experience. I learned a lot about non-profit work and working in a different setting.

Edith Muleiro

My experience with Connect-123 in Barcelona was more incredible than anything I could have ever imagined. I had no expectations upon arriving in Barcelona, and soon found myself falling in love with this city and its people. Connect-123 made sure I was comfortable, taking the time to find the right internship that would fit my interests and making sure everything went well from the beginning to the end! I felt that I had a constant support network while exploring the city. I learned so much during my internship and developed long lasting relationships with my coworkers. I really recommend this program to anyone who is exploring their interests, or looking to forward those they already know! As for Barcelona, there is no better city to be young and curious! It's beautiful in its architecture, nature, people, and culture. Thank you so much Connect-123!

Sarah Crockett

Having the opportunity to be living and working halfway around the world is indescribable. Everything is different, but it somehow still feels so normal. I work in Spanish all week. We share cultural “mate” (an Argentine “tea experience” if you will – Google it!!). I’ve made friends with the family that owns the local fruit and veggie stand down the street. That said, I still complain about the weather with my co-workers every day at lunch. I still pop popcorn and sit back and watch a movie some Saturday nights. And the parts that seemed so different and foreign when I arrived have become my favorite parts of the day. I’ve gotten used to the relaxed rhythm of life, where being late is not shamed. I’ve learned that, like most foreigners and local Argentines, I love talking about language and linguistics – how do we learn languages, how are expressions different in each language, etc. The best part about my experience in Buenos Aires is that I’m living a normal life in an extraordinary place. I work with an NGO that focuses on providing business development aid and financial support (in the form of micro-credit loans) to women living just North of Buenos Aires. These women take what they have learned from our NGO and start up their own small businesses, selling baked goods, homemade jewelry or finding and selling fashion pieces. Every Saturday, I go to the “neighborhoods” (which is what we call them) with a mountain of local Argentine volunteers to assist these women in their economic and personal development. Not only do the entrepreneurial women impress me every day, but the commitment and love of the volunteers that show up every morning at 8am inspire me. Connect-123 allows me to feel and be independent. I have the strength and the freedom to be on my own, experiencing my own journey that has never before been lived. At the same time, Connect offers me the support when I need it: someone to bounce my reflections off of, someone to call when I need to go to the hospital. I feel safe and supported, but I am independent. That is the best gift anyone can ask for when living and working abroad.

Dylan Rhinehart

Working in Dublin was truly a wonderful experience. The staff of Connect-123 really go out of their way to set you up with an internship that meets your desires and are very helpful. From day one upon your arrival, they make sure that you are comfortable and are immersed in your new home. Dublin is truly a fun and vibrant city. The locals are friendly and welcoming and know how to enjoy themselves. The placement the team found me was also amazing. My experience working in a well known recruitment agency throughout Ireland was greatly beneficial to my professional growth and my employment opportunities in the future. My supervisors were of great help and were patient with my development throughout my time with the company. It is an experience that I am truly thankful for and will never forget. I would recommend to anyone else, especially students, to give Connect-123 a chance, they will not regret it.

Nicholas Hadjimichael

I took part in the Connect-123 Barcelona Internship Program for two months in order to have an immersive internship experience that would inform my career path, give me a true work experience, and allow me to practice my Spanish in a city that I love dearly — and let me say that I had the most amazing time! My internship was serving as a first year business analyst at a Management Consultancy. Although I was only there for two months, I was warmly received and was given the training and responsibility provided to any first year business analyst. I was initially worried about the commitment i had taken on, especially considering my very rusty Castilian and lack of real experience, I found the work to be incredibly worthwhile and useful. In addition to strengthening my use of the language, I learned much about business consulting, business tools and methods, strategic planning, and market research. These skills became incredibly valuable to me in my following internship in Lima doing consulting and strategic planning work for a NGO. In addition, I had the privilege of working occasionally in the headquarters, located in Casa de les Punxes, which is a breathtaking Modernist building — castle, really. Outside of work, I had the opportunity to truly get to know Barcelona and the surrounding area, having my fair share of Iberian Ham (great food is cheap there), boarding down to the beach, experiencing the awesome night-life, and exploring neighborhoods I had never been to during previous visits. The program perfectly walked the line between providing great programming and being overly structured (as many organized programs tend to be); I had the freedom to live on my own and schedule my own time outside of work, but also the ability to hang out with some of the other interns and to attend the superchulo events that my program coordinator planned. I would definitely do it again!

Abby Brazeal

My trip to Buenos Aires was one of the best experiences of my life. The Connect-123 program helped me meet some of my closest friends here. They were able to keep me updated on holidays and special events going on around the city that I would have never known about other wise. Connect-123 found me an internship exactly in my field of study, which was helpful for me to gain some work experience while also getting the opportunity to explore this beautiful city.

I was very pleased with the living arrangements I had. My house was full of younger students that were working and studying both from Buenos Aires and from the program, which was a great mix to have both groups. Going abroad with Connet-123 is a perfect mix of freedom and some guidance. They help you when you need it, but give you enough space to do your own thing and have your own experiences. I had the best trip of my life here!

Nina Brosman

Barcelona is your next trip! If it's not, change your travel plans immediately and get on a flight to Spain! Bursting with vibrant culture and nightlife as well as some of the kindest people in the world, Barcelona is the place to be.

During my internship through Connect-123, I had the opportunity to truly experience life as a real "Barcelonese." I was able to intertwine myself into the culture and the language for a full immersion experience filled with new friends, personal discovery, and unbelievably delicious food! However, while living abroad changes you (usually for the better!), I still felt like myself throughout the entire experience because my internship was so tailor-made to fit my personal interests and strengths.

I believe I was able to get a lot out of this opportunity because my work was so closely tied and reflective of my personality that I could learn and grow in the areas I wished to improve upon in order to succeed. The internship was valuable to my future career because it allowed me to test the waters of what a life in this field would consist of and now after completing my program with Connect-123, I'm diving in headfirst!

Vanessa Gillette

It was a bit of a rash decision to intern in Barcelona with Connect-123. I was already spending two months in Spain, so I figured I mind as well round out my summer travels with an internship in Barcelona. Well, the month I spent in Barcelona did not "round out" my summer, it made my summer! It is impossible to summarize my experience in a testimonial. My internship placement was exactly what I was hoping for. It challenged me everyday as I produced marketing content and communicated in a spanish speaking business environment. I discovered new skills and gained self-confidence. It was exciting and invigorating.

Now I feel I can take on the world (or at least my next job/internship). I cannot recommend Barcelona enough. I am mentally prepared to pack up and move to this amazing city for good! I lived in a great neighborhood with vibrant locals who often held live-concerts right outside my window. I lived close enough to run to the beach in the morning and watch the amazing sunrise. Barcelona feels like a big city because it has so much to offer. Yet, it's small enough to feel like home.

And finally, Connect-123 lived up to the name by connecting me with other interns who are now lifelong friends. Coming from vastly different countries and cultures, my friends inspired me every day. We learned from each other's experiences and celebrated our differences. I truly believe that meeting people from around the world can broaden your perspective on life. We met in a paella cooking class organized by Connect-123, but soon we were inseparable and organizing our own adventures such as hiking Montserrat and exploring beaches of la Costa Brava. I am saddened to leave Barcelona behind, but I take solace in knowing that it is only goodbye for now. Thanks to my internship, my friends, and all the adventures, I have fallen in love with this city. I know I'll be back again one day!