Reviews

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

Addison L

This opportunity has been one of the greatest experiences of my life and I highly recommend it. I got to immerse myself in the Spanish work culture as a marketing intern at a communications consulting company. I enjoyed learning more Spanish and forming a network with my colleagues. I was also able to learn about the consulting process and was able to work on some of my own projects for the company. I made the best friends with the others in the program and we all had the best time together. We went to dinners, went sightseeing, went out, and even travelled together. The Connect-123 events were also fun! P.S. Sophie is the best. :) I am beyond grateful for this opportunity that helped me grow both professionally and personally and brought me the best memories.

Marianna CU

Thanks to Connect-123 I was able to have an amazing summer in Barcelona. They helped me find an internship in the environmental sustainability field to work during my two months in Barcelona. Working at this organization helped me learn about the Catalonia region and the importance of it. As well as learning about the natural spaces and the Catalan work culture and lifestyle. In this internship, I was able to host activities in Spanish which helped me improve my Spanish. Connect-123 made sure to contact us about the internship in the beginning and during our time being there which made me feel confident since I knew I had a group of people supporting me. Also, I was able to meet people from all over the US and the world through their events. Connect-123 made sure to encourage everyone to attend these events since it was an amazing opportunity to meet people in the same program as you. Overall, I had a great time in Barcelona and made so many memories with the most amazing people.

Ella E

I have just left Barcelona after two months, and I already want to be back! I had the best experience exploring a city so unlike where I grew up and met introspective and wonderful people through my internship at a clinic for sick children, as well as through Connect-123. With like-minded new friends, I discovered amazing restaurants throughout the city, visited nearby places up the coast, went to a number of amazing art museums, and even went to an FC Barca game which was the best! My friends were the best, and I am even going to travel with some over the course of my gap year! Over my time working, I was able to form bonds with children struggling with challenging medical issues, as well as their parents, and doing so brought me fulfillment and awe of how such great difficulties can shape a person. All of my colleagues and the families were such lovely humans, and most of all inspired me to not take anything for granted and work through challenges with an open and light mindset. An experience I never would have found on my own, working at the clinic brought me clarity on the things I could see myself doing in the future and was lots of fun for improving my Spanish skills. The Connect-123 activities were a blast, my personal favorite was a tapas night on one of the best tapas streets in Barcelona! I am headed to the University of Washington this September, and while I will be sad to return back to the States, I am doing so with new perspectives of the world, new abilities to make global friends, and a mile-long bucket list of places I want to travel to next! Thank you Connect-123!

Sydney B

Daniel R

My summer in Barcelona was truly incredible thanks to Connect-123. I had an amazing experience living and working in such a vibrant and lively city. As a Biochemical Engineering/Physiology major, I have had the unique opportunity to apply my technical knowledge to real-world scenarios. I worked alongside a diverse and interdisciplinary team to dive into the problems associated with liver injuries and transplants. I participated in countless hands-on experiments and designed multiple setups. I was able to practice literature searching and presentation/project formulation and sit in on multiple business meetings. Additionally, I had the incredible opportunity to practice and develop my Spanish language skills in an entirely Spanish-speaking research project. My experience has shaped my future outlook and career plans and I left my internship with an invitation to return in the future. Barcelona is an incredible city filled with robust culture, incredible food, and amazing people. Being able to complete this program in Barcelona opened my eyes to the world and has provided me with incredible memories, friends, and experiences; all of this was thanks to Connect-123. Thank you for an incredible experience! ¡Hasta luego Barcelona!

Olivia C

I am very fortunate to have had such a cool and amazing internship experience in Barcelona this summer thanks to Connect -123. I was placed into a company in which I learned and grew professionally. My boss has become such a huge role model and influence to me. There were times when I really struggled and felt alone with what I was dealing with but that's all a part of living abroad - there will be amazing and unforgettable moments but there will also be times that you might struggle. You just have to make sure you take as much time for yourself as you need and do the things that make you happy. I also want to thank Adi at Connect-123 for always checking in on me and making sure I was okay during my time in Barcelona, she was always so helpful and super fun to hang out with. I am sad that this summer abroad has to come to an end but so grateful for the memories and friends I made.

Joey K

This summer, thanks to Connect-123, I had the wonderful opportunity to intern as a translator at a communications firm in Barcelona. As a linguistics major, this was a great chance to not only explore possible career options but also explore a city that has so much to offer in terms of food, beaches, sightseeing, and culture. I was able to meet lots of cool people also interning over the summer through Connect-123’s living arrangements, so there was never a time when I felt alone or had nothing to do. The company that Connect-123 set me up with also welcomed me with open arms and was a great place to become closer friends with locals. Although my job as a translator required Spanish, the city is very international and it is very easy to get around just with English. Overall, I had a great time in Barcelona and made many memories that I will cherish forever!

Melanie G

Through Connect-123 I was given the opportunity of a lifetime to intern at an incredible NGO in Barcelona! Coming out of a rough and uncertain year I was excited to be able to travel again especially with the added enhancing my resume. Connect-123 facilitated the process of finding the perfect summer marketing internship. I grew not only professionally but also personally during my time in Barcelona. I am so thankful to Lea and everyone at Connect-123 for making this opportunity possible!

Tajsha Pope

Being a global studies major, I am always fascinated with the idea of traveling the world. I knew that during my last year of college I wanted to complete an internship abroad. Not knowing where to begin with the search process, Connect-123 made it easy for me. They took into account my work and personal goals and found a position that helped me grow. I taught English classes at a non-profit organization that helps young adults continue their education. Not only did I improve my teaching skills but other work skills I didn’t know I had. I was able to improve my Spanish and now feel confident talking with native Spanish speakers. I truly felt challenged and feel confident that this experience will make me stand out in the work world. I made beautiful connections with my colleagues and students I worked with during my time. Each day I would learn something new about Barcelona and myself. I also made long-lasting memories with other people I met through Connect-123. This journey shaped me into a new person and I will always cherish my time. I can't wait to go back to Barcelona again.

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.

Domenico Dimatteo

Throughout the duration of my time abroad I met a lot of different people and made friendships that I know will last a lifetime. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to work for a startup in Barcelona, Spain. As a research assistant, I was assigned the task of studying a nano-coating product with hopes of optimizing it for commercial use, specifically within the automotive industry. Having had work experience in the United States, cultural differences were evident and uncomfortable at times. A major takeaway I had from the experience is that we all are capable of transforming ourselves to fit into unique environments. Often times, the fear of change holds us back from fully believing in our own capabilities. Finding a way to become comfortable with being uncomfortable is a useful skill that transcends the workplace. Overall, I am extremely grateful to have had an internship abroad for it has expanded my perspective on the world. My time in Barcelona is something that I will cherish forever and would recommend it to anyone contemplating it.

Tyler Yang

I've wanted to work abroad since I started studying at university, but had always lacked the foresight and planning to be comfortable with spending an extended period overseas. Connect-123 provided me with help in all of these areas; quickly providing job offers, housing availability and all sorts of resources for living in comfort. My job is in nanotechnology fabrications, and I was surrounded by intelligent and welcoming friends who are invaluable in learning more about science and engineering as well as local culture. Barcelona has quickly become one of my favorite cities, with newfound lifelong friends, university and job connections and most importantly, incredible food. It's a bittersweet feeling to know that my time in Barcelona is limited; but I'm already looking forward to visiting again, as well as the following internship through Connect-123 in Dublin!

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!

Taylor Paglino

The opportunity to intern abroad in Barcelona was one of the greatest experiences I have ever had. During my time here, I was able to grow tremendously both personally and professionally. Connect 123 helped facilitate my internship at a digital health company as a marketing intern. Zuzana took into great consideration my interest in healthcare and introduced me to a company where I learned an incredible amount and saw in real-time how a successful company is executed internally. My internship allowed me to think outside of the box. I was given several creative projects to work on and introduced to tools and programs a college course does not necessarily provide. I loved going into work every day and feeling a part of something great. Aside from my internship, these three months were the perfect way to travel. I explored the incredible city of Barcelona inside and out as well as other countries such as Croatia, Italy, Morocco, and Prague. I'd say that the two biggest takeaways from my time in Barcelona are the independence and confidence I gained from living and working in a foreign city and the skills I took away from my internship. Being abroad brings such value by showing how the "other world" works. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I have had to appreciate other cultures, languages, gain an entirely new perspective and overcome challenges different than ever before. This would not have been possible without the support and guidance from the Connect-123 team. Truly an experience of a lifetime!

Rebecca Willis

As a philosophy student planning to convert to law, I was keen to gain some professional experience in the field. I had struggled to find similar opportunities at home in the UK and was stuck in a sort of ‘Catch-22’ situation - to gain experience, experience was necessary. Connect-123 offered exactly what I was looking for! With their connections in Barcelona, they were able to offer me a two month internship at an immigration law firm. I have learnt so much in my time here and have been given a lot of responsibility, despite speaking hardly any Spanish. Additionally, Connect-123 has made the transition to living in a new country much easier. They have organized many social events and it has been easy to make friends with other interns in the city. I am grateful for the experience that Connect-123 enabled me to have, and the valuable first step it has given me in setting up my future career.