Reviews

Ima B

Reflecting on my time in Cape Town and the amazing opportunities that Connect-123 provided, I can proudly say that coming here has been the best decision I have made during my time at Penn State. From the instant I set foot in this amazing country, every single person has made me feel welcomed and loved! Regarding my internship, my placement was an absolute game-changer. Not only for my personal growth but also because I was able to work alongside talented and passionate people who pushed me to become a better version of myself! Beyond the professional aspect, the trips and activities sponsored by Connect-123 have been nothing but exceptional. From having the time of our life at Food Jams with our program coordinator, Carla, to having a breathtaking safari through the Garden Route. Overall, this has been an unforgettable journey and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity. This has been a wild experience and Connect-123 and this place will always hold a special place in my life!

Scott M

I am a senior studying International Relations with a specialization in Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin America. For the summer of 2022, I was able to work abroad for a human rights-based NGO in Buenos Aires, Argentina and it was an amazing experience. Connect-123 carefully linked my career interests and passions perfectly to align me with a fantastic internship opportunity that fits those interests. The NGO was my first internship that I truly loved, and I have Connect-123 to thank for setting it up. I was able to help in organizing the 6th annual International Environmental Film Festival, while other tasks included translating work, accounting, extensive use of Microsoft Excel, and researching. The staff were incredibly warm and welcoming and made me feel at home on the very first day. I took away a lot of incredible knowledge, skills, and advice from my time working there. This program gave me a totally new perspective on life, work, and everything in between. I was able to balance work and life and school perfectly well during the program. In addition, throughout this time I became very immersed in Argentine culture, traditions, and history. Outside of the internship, during my free time, I explored every part of the beautiful city of Buenos Aires and I made lots of new friends. Furthermore, I also returned home with an enriched understanding of how to use film and art to advance social awareness of themes related to Human Rights all across the world, something that I wish to expand upon further in my professional and academic career. The overall journey was very enriching in every sense - personally, professionally, and academically- and I thank Lea, Steven, and all the other workers at Connect-123 for allowing me this incredible opportunity

Sam G

Alex Woodward

My time in Cape Town has been incredible. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the events and excursions put on by Connect-123, as well as the independent exploration I have been able to do. Life has such ease in Cape Town. My internship was incredible and I have come to love all of my co-workers. I highly suggest stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things. From foods or activities to your future internship placement, try something outside of your comfort zone. Cape Town is one of the most culturally diverse places on the globe, experience it. When in Cape Town make sure to visit the places recommended by Connect-123 and also discover your own places. My friends and I rarely frequented the same place more than twice. My time was so enriching and I feel like I have gained an irreplaceable experience. My internship helped me to grow my knowledge of the inner workings of small non-profits. I have worked in so many different areas and the organizational focus on women has inspired and assured me that marginalized groups are being seen and assisted. Connect-123 did an amazing job connecting and facilitating my internship. They are so accommodating and professional. I highly suggest Connect-123 to anyone looking for a global experience!

Ivanna Olvera

As an International Relations student, I was looking for the best option for an internship abroad. I’m interested in global issues such as international law, nationality, migration and human rights. Thanks to Connect-123, I secured a placement in a non-profit organization that assists immigrants and refugees with naturalization in Dublin, Ireland. This experience is by far one of the best I’ve had as it helped me grow professionally and personally. First of all, I was able to work in a multicultural environment. Each of my colleagues had a different nationality and it helped me discover new ways of working. Apart from that, I put into practice and strengthened the knowledge I acquired during my studies, as I had to learn about Ireland’s immigration law and international treaties regarding asylum seekers and refugees. On a personal level, working with refugees and immigrants who are experiencing really difficult situations, made me realize that we need to raise consciousness when treating them in our countries. Every day they taught me things about life and to stay positive no matter what. Connect-123 was there before, during and after my internship. They picked me up at the airport and got me to my place; they were in contact with me to find out how my internship was going and put together social events for interns. I invite all young people to live this experience and to travel internationally to do an internship.

Emily Heiser

I will always look back on my time in Cape Town as a very special time in my life, and I owe it all to Connect-123! I had just graduated and wanted to travel abroad somewhere for a while but also build up my experience in my studied field. I heard good things about Connect-123 from my friend and decided to apply. The people at Connect-123 were very responsive during the whole process of applying and finding me an internship. They couldn’t have picked a better placement for me! My internship gave me real-life experience that will help me in future jobs and just in life in general. Connect-123 also held very fun and exciting events for the other interns which gave us all a chance to get to know each other and explore other things in South Africa. The people in this program have become some of my very best friends. I treasure the people I have met through Connect-123 and my internship.

Allysa Miller

After graduating I wanted to travel and explore the world while gaining experience in my field of psychology. I decided the best way to do so was through an internship. After doing extensive research I found Connect-123 and they helped link me with the perfect internship opportunity working for an NPO in Cape Town. I worked with refugees, asylum seekers, and South African citizens helping them find job opportunities and build professional skills. I loved every minute of my time in Cape Town. I was able to gain so much experience in my field while obtaining life experiences that I only dreamt of having. I don’t believe words can express the love I have gained for South Africa. It is my home away from home and I am determined to return to Cape Town again one day. I believe Connect-123 was the ultimate reason that my experience was so amazing. Because of this program, I have made life-long friends through the interns that were also on the Connect-123 program, as well as members in the Cape Town community. Thank you to Carla, Robyn, Saskia, and Kate for giving me the best experience of my life!

Mallory Slavin

I spent three months interning in Cape Town, South Africa, and it will forever be some of the best months of my life. I gained valuable experience in my field while working for a human rights organization and in the South African Parliament, all while experiencing the unique culture of South Africa and making lifelong friends! Looking for internships is hard, and I didn’t even know where to start after deciding on Cape Town. Thankfully, Connect-123 was there throughout the entire process! Robyn and the crew at Connect-123 helped me find the perfect internship. They also set up my housing before I arrived and met with me when I got to Cape Town to ensure I was settling in! They were always just a call away if I needed anything, and while I never had a single issue during my three months in Cape Town, knowing that they were there if anything should go wrong was reassuring. Connect-123 also set up different events and excursions for all of the interns which was a great way to experience new and unique things that South Africa had to offer. I wouldn’t trade my months in Cape Town for anything, and I’m glad I now have a home away from home in my favorite city in the world!

Danielle Anderson

I got the amazing opportunity to work within the local government of San Isidro in Buenos Aires. As a student majoring in Political Science and International Development I have always been interested in learning about the inner workings of government institutions. I have gained invaluable and inspiring insight by watching the democratic process unfold first hand, seeing how laws and policies are drafted, debated, voted and implemented. I leave this experience knowing that we all have an important role to play in society when it comes to influencing the laws and policies that shape our communities. I cannot wait to take what I have learned back home to Canada with me and continue this amazing work!

Carolina Lubinus

My internship in Barcelona was absolutely incredible. My goals for my time there, to get hands-on experience in the Human Rights field and improve my Spanish, were both reached beyond my expectations. I spent two months working for a small Human Rights NGO, where I was assigned to a project that allowed me to improve my research, analytical skills, and Spanish literacy skills. Since the office was so small, it was easy to become comfortable with everyone who worked there, and there was always someone to help if I had any questions about my work. Connect-123 also organized a lot of fun events outside of work, such a cooking class where we learned to make paella (one of the dishes I'll miss most from Spain). I also had the chance to practice my Spanish, and I learned quite a few new Castilian words, which are different from the South American Spanish I was taught in school. I managed to make so many new friends and have such amazing experiences in Barcelona that I wouldn't have anywhere else; I can't wait to be back! Thank you so much, Connect-123 for this opportunity!

Anne Willems of Brilman

After I got my legal bachelor’s degree I decided I wanted to take some time off to get some practical experience in the field before continuing to get my master’s degree. I chose Connect-123 because of its connections abroad, specifically in the field of human rights. Thanks to Lea Levy and Nikki Madden (Dublin Programme Coordinator) I spent six months working for a human rights organization in Dublin. Coming to Dublin, and working for a small NGO, has truly been a phenomenal experience and one of the best choices I’ve made in my life. Dublin is a city filled with culture, history, multiculturalism, and of course pubs. It is a city where the craic never ends! My time here has been marked by one amazing event after another, both organized by my workplace and Nikki. When I started, all I knew was that I would be working as a policy intern for a migrant women’s rights organization. During my time there, the scope of my work evolved far beyond policy. During my time, I have been able to attend UN meetings, organize a national conference, facilitate training for migrant women, conduct several types of research and much more. I have met and worked with national politicians and policymakers such as Leo Varadkar (Taoiseach) and David Stanton TD (Minister of Justice and Equality). I was part of a small team of strong, multicultural women all dedicated to the advancement of migrant women’s rights in Ireland. Due to the differences in cultural upbringing, all of us brought a unique perspective to the table which enabled us to tackle issues from various perspectives. Next to these experiences, Nikki turned an amazing experience into a truly phenomenal and memorable one. Her guidance, care, and support proved instrumental in my being able to settle into work and the city. Furthermore, the events she organized allowed me to not only enjoy the work but also explore the city, the country and the culture together with the other Connectors. Indeed, her care, commitment, and dedication lifted this experience to a whole new level. I recommend Connect-123 and Dublin to everyone who wants an unforgettable internship experience abroad.

Austen Zoutewelle

Three themes emerged in my life while in South Africa: embracing adventure, exploring culture, and absorbing information. First and foremost, living in such a naturally beautiful place provided a playground in my backyard. Each day I could find a novel, fun experience, like hiking Lion's Head to see the sunrise, choosing whether to run along the Indian or Atlantic Ocean or taking a drive out to Chapman's Peak. Intentionally capitalizing on the opportunities to fall further in love with our extraordinary world was a high priority for me. Second, my focus while living in a new place is to immerse myself in the local culture. In Cape Town, incredible opportunities abound to engage with many diverse cultures. People prioritize relationships in South Africa and my favorite moments were spent talking with others about their beliefs and backgrounds over coffee or delicious Cape Malay meals. People's most valuable gift is a narration of their stories and the people in South Africa that I encountered were gracious in taking time to talk with me and share their experiences. Finally, as a graduate student in Texas completing my final internship abroad, my time in South Africa focused on cross-cultural learning. I wanted to better understand how another culture approaches similar, global issues. One of the projects I completed for my degree was researching disaster preparedness in South Africa and the United States, specifically focusing on the drought in sub-Saharan Africa and Hurricane Harvey in Texas. Similarly, my internship was spent working at an organization that addresses violence against people with sexual and gender minority status in the Western Cape. I was working on compiling research that informed the organization's positions on relevant policy issues in Parliament, which was extremely similar to my work in Texas. In both contexts, I was able to see how different countries respond to and prevent problems that arise across the world. Cape Town, for me, is a 'thin place,' meaning the line between heaven and earth is extremely thin. People make the place what it is and I am grateful to the people of South Africa who let me walk alongside them experiencing the adventure, appreciating the diversity, and learning how to create universal opportunities for growth.

Sophia Nelson

Maansi Dewani

My internship in Barcelona was one of the most interesting and innovating experiences of my life. I learned so much interning with a Human Rights NGO who aided different refugees and immigrants in Barcelona. The internship not only gave me the opportunity to learn about human rights in another country, but also to expand my Spanish and immerse myself in Spanish life and culture. Connect-123 was there to provide me with support and help me every step of the way. From before I reached Barcelona I was offered a great amount of support and help from them. The experience was definitely one of the most liberating and exciting of my life, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about another society, culture and gain new skills.

Sergio Demara

I was only finishing up my freshman year of college at the start of Connect-123, but I knew I wanted to take risks and explore parts of myself I hadn’t before. I was so blessed to work in Buenos Aires at an impactful human rights non-profit organization, completely organized by Connect-123. The experience is more than you could bargain for-- as a cohort, we attended dance performances, dinner nights, and street art tours together to explore local culture. The staff helped us feel comfortable and immersed in Argentina’s rich heritage. At my internship, I was shown similar support and encouraged to draft project reports, secure funding for LGBT refugees, and develop a storyboard for a film. I attended official board meetings regarding refugees in Argentina and local workshops on sexual diversity, even meeting refugees to hear their stories and represent them. This internship experience allowed me to breathe in experiences that have allowed me to grow and flourish for my next step in life. I am so grateful to have participated in this program and I look forward to returning to South America some day.

Maggie Crowell

Picture this: a stunning, palm-lined coastal city that bustles in the shadow of Table Mountain -- a city filled with diverse culture and friendly people. Then, add a knowledgeable team of individuals dedicated to assisting you with everything, from finding the perfect weekend brunch spot to sourcing the best guide for a Cape of Good Hope tour with penguins. You're looking at an internship in Cape Town with Connect-123, and if your experience is anything like mine was, you'll never look back! During my time in South Africa, I was fortunate enough to intern in a local human rights organization, which helped me realize my passion for social justice and human rights issues. In addition to great experiences through my job, I was able to participate in some fantastic weekend activities such as cage diving, paragliding, and feeding elephants on safari. Connect-123 helped make this one of the best and most memorable summers of my life, and I would recommend this program to anyone looking for adventure, learning, and a whole lot of excitement!

Becky Franklin

During my time in Dublin, I interned at a non-profit organisation, which aided migrant and refugee families in gaining their Irish citizenship. I really enjoyed my time at the company and felt it has greatly benefitted me for my future career. It taught me a lot of skills that are invaluable and really gave me the confidence that I was lacking. If you are looking for a historic and vibrant city to live in, Dublin is definitely the place! There are so many wonderful things to see and do all around Ireland; you’ll never be bored! I would say that visiting Galway and the west coast was just magical. The scenery all around is incredible and just feels like you’re in your favourite Irish movie! I enjoyed my time so much that I have decided to pursue my Masters degree at Trinity College Dublin. I cannot wait to be back in September!

Eli Quirk

Dublin was a learning opportunity for me in so many ways. Before moving to Ireland for a few months to intern at a non-profit organization working with homelessness, I had only lived in my small-town community. I went from knowing everyone on my street and saying hello to all my friends, family and neighbours in the grocery store to not even knowing one person on that side of the Atlantic. To say it was a drastic change would be an understatement! Luckily for me I had plenty of support from Connect-123 throughout the entire process. I left Ireland knowing that a piece of my heart will always be there. My host family made me feel welcomed and valued and became my Irish family. In my internship, I had plenty of support from the hard working folks there and I linked in with people from all different backgrounds and places. Dublin gave me the space to explore and to be myself. I am certain that without the support of the Connect-123 program throughout the entirety of my experience I would not have made such progress in my future and in myself.

Emma Repp

My experience in Buenos Aires has been nothing short of incredible! Connect-123 set me up with a fantastic host family and a great internship at a non-profit, providing me with an experience that went far beyond that which I would have had simply as a tourist. My host family introduced me to just about every type of Argentine cuisine, explained Argentine politics (or at least tried to), and went out of their way to make me feel like part of the family. I also had a great experience at my internship, where everyone went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable. My coworkers included me in all aspects of the non-profit, including numerous conferences where I got to listen to powerful Argentine politicians discuss topics related to peace activism. Although the language barrier was challenging at first, with the help of two weeks of Spanish class, my host family, and my coworkers, my Spanish improved significantly. Of course, I also had plenty of time to travel around Buenos Aires as well as make a few trips outside of the city, making my three months abroad fly by! I couldn’t be more thankful for all the work Connect-123 put into my stay, from the large task of finding me an internship to the small details of teaching me how to use the public transportation. If you are looking for a fun, immersive, and challenging internship experience, I highly recommend using Connect-123!

Michaela Bromm

Interning in Dublin was one of the greatest decisions I have ever made. I had the opportunity to live in a different city and work for a great non-profit organization! I made so many friends through the Connect-123 program, which was fantastic. I always had someone to go on adventures with me around Ireland and Europe. The Connect-123 staff was incredibly thoughtful and helpful. The staff always answered my many emails with no problems. They made applying for my internship and living in Ireland an easy and welcoming experience. It was nice having people there for you actually in Dublin if you needed something. What I found extremely helpful was that Connect-123 gave us sim cards, public transportation cards, and directions on how we should get to our work. This definitely helped prepare me for my internship. Dublin was a really great city to travel around. I enjoyed walking around the city (which is what I did most), taking the Luas tram on the north side of Dublin, using the DART train system to go to different coastal towns, and using the Dublin Bus system. My internship experience was quite rewarding. I am very interested in International Relations, Foreign Affairs, and Geography. I worked for a human rights organization that supports, advocates for, and promotes awareness for the trans community. My coworkers were incredibly kind and respectable. They answered all the different questions I had, and I learned so much! I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking to intern or volunteer abroad. I recommend coming to Dublin as it is a very easy-going city. It was very easy getting to know the people and the culture. Traveling to Ireland for this internship was my first time leaving the country, and I had absolutely no problems! I cannot wait to go back!