Reviews

Megan Bennett

This summer, I and a few other classmates from my college went to Shanghai for various internships. It was a great group, and we became closer to one another as we experienced Shanghai together. For my internship, I worked with a public relations and communications start-up, located at a WeWork facility. Being in a WeWork space was one of my favorite parts of the internship because it’s an environment where so many different start-ups are working on tons of interesting projects all in the same building. I helped write press releases, attend conferences, and edit articles. Shanghai is something special. It’s so busy and beautiful. I met many local and international friends, and I realized how easy it is to do so. Chinese food is my favorite and in Shanghai, I was not disappointed by meals! Consider this program even if you don’t know any Chinese. In Shanghai, I got by from only knowing English because many people were bilingual and some public spaces had English translated signs. But still try to learn some basic Mandarin, as even a little bit can go a long way. Overall, I left knowing a lot more about PR, international start-ups, Chinese culture, and independent travel than I did before. This experience even convinced me to consider earning a Master’s degree abroad. Many thanks to Connect-123 for the support along the way. I especially enjoyed our many group dinners and excursion to explore Nanjing!

Yadeth Estrada

I was always really hesitant about studying abroad because I knew I would miss home, but I also didn’t want to let that stop me from getting the experience. I did some research on the different programs the University of Colorado Boulder had to offer and I came across the 8-week internship in Barcelona. I had heard many great things about Barcelona so I decided to apply. Once I got accepted, CU paired me up with Connect-123, and I met Zuzana. Zuzana was very helpful from the start. She made sure I felt comfortable and that I was getting what I wanted out of the experience every step of the way. She managed to get me an internship at a PR firm where I was able to further develop my skills, and also learn new ones along the way. I was able to learn a lot in the short time that I was there. When I wasn’t at work, I was out exploring and roaming the different neighborhoods of Barcelona. There was always so much to do and so much to see! My stay in Barcelona was an experience that I will remember forever. I was able to work on my career, meet new people and make new friends, try new foods, travel, and just learn how life works in different cultures. Even though I did get homesick from time-to-time, I’m sad that it’s over but I hope to come back soon!

Donald LeCompte

Louis Murphy-Harris

Having the opportunity to do an internship in Shanghai has been an inspiring and refreshing experience that I am sure will continue to shape my future and help me grow. Connect-123 facilitated a custom internship at a Shanghai-based work wellness company that aims to bring sport and wellness to corporates. I learned so much about organizing events for people, corporate wellness, and the growing demand for technology in the fitness and wellness sector. Outside of my internship, I have learned so much about international business, Chinese culture, technology and have discovered that opportunities are everywhere! I have loved living in Shanghai as it is completely different to my home which is completely in the country on the edge of New Zealand!

Leslie Reitz

I knew that I wanted to intern abroad, but I was unsure of what organization to go with. I heard about Connect-123 from a friend. I submitted my application very early and was thrilled with the public relations internship in Dublin placement I got. Connect-123 really listened to what I wanted in an internship. Plus, I was beyond impressed with everything Connect-123 offers for the amazing program price. As for my internship in Dublin - it was above and beyond my expectations. I grew so much as a human, student, and leader during my time abroad. Having the opportunity to intern internationally is truly life-changing because you adapt to a new workplace culture, are pushed out of your comfort zone, and take chances that you would not ordinarily take. Not only did this experience in Ireland boost my resume, it boosted my life because I now have amazing friends and connections globally. I could not be more grateful! Connect-123 are there for you every step of the way and are truly invested in giving you the greatest experience.

Jillian Rhinehart

My communications internship in Dublin perfectly combined the array of interests that I wanted to cover, including human rights, writing, and strategic communications. I interned at a small non-profit organization that aims to educate students on global issues and how to make a positive change in the world. I received the best balance of independence and support, from both my host organization and Connect-123. The city of Dublin is absolutely amazing, and so were the friends and connections I made. During my summer internship I gained more experience and confidence than I ever anticipated! I learned more about myself, different cultures, and my future career goals in these two months than any other summer in my life.

Kristen Dougherty

I am so happy that I chose Connect-123. My summer in Dublin was better than I could have imagined. I went into the program knowing no one, but the other people in the program that I met have become close friends and we still see each other now and then. Nikki was the Connect-123 coordinator with us in Ireland, and she was fantastic. She was always available to help and planned fun group activities. I love Connect-123 because, first of all, I spent half as much as I would have if I had gone through my university, and second, the people that work for Connect-123 and the people that participated in the program with me are all wonderful. I can't imagine spending that summer any other way.

Carly Bell

My two-month internship in Buenos Aires, Argentina was extremely transformative and more rewarding than I could have ever imagined. I interned at an organization that dedicates their efforts to the conservation of nature and promotes their values through education of the next generations. There I had the opportunity to write articles for their blog and conduct interviews with local contacts. My internship allowed me to learn about environmental issues and education in Argentina while developing professional skills like writing and doing research. Going into this experience I hadn’t spoken Spanish in years, but my supervisor and other staff were so kind, generous and patient that I was able to feel at ease practicing at the office. My work schedule allowed me plenty of time to explore the city and go on short trips with friends. Connect-123 organized some great cultural activities that allowed us to explore new parts of the city. This was my first time living in a big city, and Buenos Aires has so much to offer. This experience helped me to step out of my comfort zone and gain a lot of independence and confidence in myself while still feeling safe and supported. By the end of the summer, I felt really at home in Buenos Aires and plan to go back as soon as possible. Overall, I highly recommend this experience!

Jenn Calaway

As a non-traditional student studying on the GI Bill after six years as a journalist in the Marine Corps, I certainly did not envision myself eligible for an internship abroad. However, my initial Skype interview with one of my program coordinators filled me with an excitement I hadn't felt in years. When the cards began to fall into place in support of an eight-week internship in Barcelona, Spain, I found myself with a mix of emotions as the last time I had been overseas was a combat tour to Afghanistan with the Marines. Ultimately I found myself thrilled at the opportunity to create a new set of experiences abroad. My initial concerns that I wouldn't be able to relate to my much younger comrades interning with Connect-123 were quickly eradicated on our first group outing. Connect-123 personnel were organized, inclusive and cultivated an easy, relaxed atmosphere. The program coordinators generously introduced us each to the city complete with a personal tour of the train system underlying the city. The group activities Connect-123 creates are the perfect blend of tourist and local in flavor—many activities like paddle boarding and paella cooking classes were things I would love to do on my own but perhaps might have missed without the organization from the Connect-123 team. I loved being thrust out of my comfort zone and all the challenges and satisfactions that come with living in a completely foreign country. I stayed in a local host woman's home and am proud to report that 71 year old Begoña has become someone I will truly love and cherish forever. All in all, this internship experience has taught me that I am never too old to learn, take risks and move boldly in the direction of my dreams. I cannot recommend Connect-123 highly enough, they facilitated a most magical experience.

Kiera Collins

I decided to intern abroad in Cape Town, South Africa for my last semester as an undergraduate, and I can honestly say it was a decision that has forever changed my life, in the best way possible. I came to South Africa with high hopes and my experience has far surpassed them! From waking up to the most beautiful view every single day just out my bedroom window to walking with lions and diving with great whites, I have experienced things that I never thought possible. Connect-123 was there every step of the way from beginning to end, always available to help when needed, and making sure each person’s internship is what he or she hoped it would be. I have met amazing people, made once in a lifetime memories, and absolutely fell in love with Cape Town. If you are reading this review, and considering Connect-123, I am so jealous of you - I cannot recommend it enough. If you have the chance to go to South Africa - DO IT! I promise you will not be disappointed. South Africa will forever hold a piece of my heart, and I am certain it will steal a piece of yours as well. I cannot wait for the day that I come back. No one can describe the beauty of Africa through words and do it justice, to truly understand and appreciate this amazing continent; you must experience it for yourself.

Craig Marshall

If you're looking to go abroad as well as gain experience in your field of studies, then Connect-123 is the program for you! I went to Dublin, Ireland in the fall of 2016 and my time spent there will be cherished for the rest of my life. The staff is extremely helpful in finding an internship to fit your interests. In the time I was there, I interned for both a publishing company and a radio station working on tasks like promotion, journalism, and presenting. Along with working in your field, Connect-123 also offers various opportunities to network with other people in the program as well as others who cross your path on this amazing journey! Thank you Connect-123 for making this dream of going abroad become a reality.

Isabella Alvarez

I interned in Cape Town the summer after I graduated from college, and I could not be happier about my decision of going to South Africa, and postponing the job hunting. While I was in Cape Town, I learned more about myself, became friends with people from all over the world, and immersed myself in a country with a complex history -- an experience I believe everyone should have before jumping into a full-time job. To put things in perspective, I befriended a local family who taught me the ins and outs of Cape Town, and who provided me with a firsthand perspective of South Africa's history and culture. Two of my closest friends there also happened to be British, allowing me to better understand the culture of the UK without having to go there. While in South Africa, I abseiled down Table Mountain and traveled through its Garden Route where we took part in an elephant encounter and crept through some caves. I went on a safari in Kruger, and even had the opportunity of exploring the country's neighbor, Namibia. In all, I had an amazing time and feel fortunate to have such good memories of the summer after I graduated from university. Connect-123 is unique because you also gain a unique outlook in regards to the country's work culture. I interned at a startup, an experience I absolutely loved! My supervisor allowed me to take plenty of initiative, and I found myself creating a variety of projects for them. During my interviews today, this experience is always a talking point, and I feel better prepared to take on a full time job. Before deciding on going, I constantly thought about how I should have already gone abroad, and about how I was pushing back on two months in which I could already be working. I took a step back though, and realized that in the scheme of things, two months is really not a lot -- especially since those two months would provide me with memories and lessons that would last me a lifetime. If you are having these same kinds of doubts, my advice to you is to just go. You'll be glad you did.

Isabella Sheehan

Having the opportunity to live in Barcelona for three months was nothing short of a dream. The things I learned both in and out of my internship will last a lifetime, and I owe a large part of that to Connect-123. From the very beginning, the Connect-123 team helped me outline my goals and ensured that I would receive an experience that aligned with my interests. Any questions that I had were quickly answered, and anything I was apprehensive about was reassured. Just a few short weeks after I began the application process I had secured an interview with an international public relations agency, where I went on to intern this past summer. At the agency I was quickly integrated into the team and given numerous projects. I worked right alongside my colleagues and was never treated as an outsider. I sat in on brainstorming sessions, and listened in on conference calls. I wrote, edited, pitched, and researched, sometimes all in one day. I have no doubt that my short time with the company will lead to a prosperous future. Before I had even finished I was offered a paid internship back home in the States, where I’ll work throughout my senior year of college. As for life in Barcelona…it’s hard to even put it into words. The friendships, the food, the culture, I felt as if everyday were an adventure. There’s a pulse that vibrates throughout the city and makes it come to life. Although it took awhile to adjust to the Spanish lifestyle, it didn’t take long before Barcelona felt like home. In the end, the hardest part of my entire experience was leaving. I wouldn’t trade my time in Barcelona for the world. I owe a lot to Connect-123, and I encourage all who have the opportunity to take a chance and apply. You won’t regret it.

Conor Byrne

I went into this experience unaware of what living in Cape Town would entail. I assumed it would be a good time, as did my roommates and other friends I met along the way, but I don’t think any of us had a clear idea of what to expect when travelling to South Africa. Despite this, working and living in Cape Town turned out to be two of the most adventurous and rewarding months of my life. And that is not just a personal memoir, but also a repeated statement one hears from nearly everyone they meet while being a member of Connect-123. In a single ambitious day, we could take surfing lessons at the beach, hike Table Mountain, and scarf down a bacon, cheese and avocado burger at Royale Eatery. As aforementioned, that would be an ambitious day, but it is not an impossible one. The point being, think of something you would like to do tomorrow, and Cape Town can provide it. As for the internship itself, I could not be happier with my placement. I was fortunate enough to be given rewarding work, and I was given great exposure into my field of interest. Additionally, I will genuinely miss the coworkers I have had the pleasure of getting to know over these past couple of months. As for other aspiring interns, there is a great range of internship openings that Connect-123 can coordinate for you in Cape Town that will bed tailored to your desired experience. All together, Cape Town has an abundant number of opportunities for the people who are willing to try them. To people who are up for the fun, Connect-123 offers you the chance to both find work that is beneficial and travel with the comfort of knowing you won’t be alone in a new place. The Cape Town coordinators are always happy to help should a problem arise, and they plan events to help you bond with your fellow Connect participants. Fellow friends, I should mention, who are always up for an adventure and a good time. I would advise any and all to live in Cape Town when they have the chance, and Connect-123 is a wonderful group to help you achieve this.

Pedro Quercia

I had so many distinct experiences in Barcelona. My stay was so different than I expected, normal life is suspended for a while and I had to deal with so many new experiences every single day. I had to deal with many different situations, from working in a new field with a different language, exploring the city and having new experiences, travelling, meeting people from all around the world. Europe is incredible, and Barcelona is one of the most diverse and exciting cities I've stayed in. I'll definitely plan to go back in the future. My internship was great, I worked in a start-up and had autonomy to help the team in different ways. I learned a lot about Marketing and Social Media, and my boss helped me out with my projects. Connect-123 had social activities every week with all other participants in the program. This was great because they were fun and helped us to get to know all the other people from the program. I learned and experienced so much from this program and I would recommend it to anyone who’s looking to learn, have fun and enrich their lives in the process.

Morgan Greenberg

Making the big decision to come to Dublin for the summer was very scary. I didn't know if I would enjoy my internship, meet any friends, or even like the city! Gladly, right after arriving all of my worries were put to rest. Through my time in Dublin, I grew professionally through my internship and was able to feel a sense of independence I never had before. From the start, Connect-123 was there to promptly answer any questions or concerns I had every step of the way. They set me up with an internship that was fit exactly for me. I was fortunate to work for a small PR firm in Dublin that markets to women. The internship allowed me to learn so much about the PR world and decide it is what I want to pursue after graduation. Through Connect-123, I made lifelong friends. We bonded through weekend adventures and a love for all of the opportunities Dublin had for us. I would not change one thing about my experience and I am so thankful to Connect-123 for this amazing opportunity.

Luciana Lima

I’ve always had a strong desire to have a professional experience abroad. Traveling is one of my passions, and I wanted to add to my career. So I searched a lot and had studied all the available options that could offer me this “travel + work” experience. I discovered Connect-123 and I have found it the best choice for me among all I looked. I decided to come to Buenos Aires, Argentina, for 4 months. I chose to work at a startup. I was part of the marketing team and I have helped them to launch their product in Brazil, adapting the communication to brazilian market and assisting their go-to-market strategies. The company has a great and friendly working environment with several foreign people, which is very good to make friends and exchange knowledge. All these months have been extremely valuable to have a multicultural professional development, improving also my interpersonal skills. Buenos Aires, such a beautiful city, could provide me a rich experience of cultural exchange, besides quality of life, full of leisure and entertainment activities (sometimes even free!), art, history and everything. I surely recommend this program!

Amy Barlow

Wow! I cannot believe how fast the 2 months went. I didn’t know what to expect when I left America to fly to Ireland. I had heard great things about the people and how friendly they are. I did have some concerns traveling to Ireland but those fears vanished when I got to Dublin. I started out in a group house close to the city center but soon realized that I should be closer to my job. So I moved into a house about 20 minutes away from my internship. It was perfect. At my internship, I soon realized the magnitude of the job and all of the work that had to be done. Luckily, my co-worker and my boss were very understanding and patient in helping me navigate my way through the job. I can’t thank Connect 123 enough for this adventure that I embarked on. All of the staff of Connect 123 really made it an easy transition from America to Ireland. Our Connect 123 contact also had outings for all of the students in the program to meet and get to know each other. My favorite outing would have to be the Bunsen Burgers night (even though I was late). The burgers were delicious and I met girls from all around the world. I am sad now to leave this wonderful city of Dublin, but have a yearning to come back to Dublin and continue where I left off. I have had many adventures in this city from getting lost trying to get to O’Connell Bridge to trying to figure out the bus system. Even though, I was not here for very long all of my ventures will be with me when I return to Washington, DC, to start my next adventure….a job. I will never forget Ireland and will be back to visit soon!

Blake Cooper

Connect-123 offers a great fit for someone looking for an experience that goes beyond the traditional study abroad program. Regardless your level of experience with traveling, living or working abroad, Connect-123 can help you find your place, get acquainted with the local environment and culture and settle into an exciting new chapter in your life. I had been to Buenos Aires once before, and was looking for an experience that allowed me to use my previous knowledge of the place to live comfortably and authentically among the local population. 

Connect-123 was crucial in helping me find a placement, filling me in with vital information I didn't know from previous experience (information about things like hospitals and the city layout) and offering weekly events where I could meet up with fellow travelers in a social setting. But they were also excellent about giving me the space I needed to find my own way. It really was the best of all possibilities with Connect, and I couldn't recommend them highly enough for someone looking for a unique experience that will set you apart.

Tatiana Baez

What can I say? Traveling to Cape Town, South Africa was an experience of a life time! It’s been a year since I departed and I am still experiencing nostalgia. Having never traveled before, let alone by myself, I found Connect 123 extremely accommodating. From the moment I arrived I felt at ease and very comfortable. Upon arriving at Perspectives (where most of you will be housed) we had a meeting with Jess that went over the Dos and Don’ts of living in new country, the culture and general information that I found very useful, such as the nearest markets, museums and the gym! Jess and Rachel were awesome and very encouraging about exploring the city on our own and were always a phone call away if we needed them. In terms of my placement, Connect 123 placed me at a leading international magazine which until this day still boggles my mind – in a positive way! Although, I was initially interested in Marketing/Events and believed I would be able to translate this somehow at the company. I wouldn’t trade my experience for the world. During my four months I wrote several features for a partner publication, and learned a great deal about South African culture/music. Learning to concentrate while writing a story with music blaring in the background is something I’m quite proud of too. My workers were essentially like teachers who taught me about Cape Town’s rich history and the music scene, later becoming friends that I still keep in touch with from time to time. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to be surrounded by during the week. They truly taught me the importance of enjoying the "process", but not allowing it to consume me which many people do in the States since our work culture is VERY different. This is a lesson I have taken back with me and applied it to school and work in general which has proved to be helpful. It's all about the "Cape Town Vibes" Overall, my experience living, working and playing in Cape Town was life changing and it would not have been a success had it not been for Connect 123 and their dedicated staff. Leaving your comfort zone especially if you have never traveled before can be distressing, but from the beginning I felt at “home”, in partly because I knew I had a great support system. The excursions that they scheduled were definitely worth it in terms of meeting other students and “breaking the ice”. As for Perspectives? I loved living there. It was situated in the middle of everything and our apartment was nice. I know some may argue that the total cost is “pricey”, but after returning having put everything into perspective, it really is worth it. The staffs at Connect 123 literally take care of everything: your placement, securing you an apt. that is safe, making sure you arrive/depart safely etc. All you have to do is show up, play it smart and enjoy your stay in the lovely Motherland! What I miss most about Cape Town is its simplicity. Living in CT taught me to pump my brakes in terms of living life. I learned to appreciate the things we most often take for granted, such as nature, genuinely interacting with people and appreciating another’s culture. It is truly a place that will captivate you and still a piece of your heart! I plan to hopefully return by summer 2015. I can’t wait. A big THANKS to the Connect 123 staff for running a great program. Hope to see you soon.