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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Zafreen S
I’m incredibly grateful for the support I received from Connect-123 and my supervisors throughout my internship experience. Their guidance made it possible for me to secure an internship quickly, and over the course of eight weeks, I learned an incredible amount—not only through the internship itself, but also through the professional and skill development opportunities they encouraged. Beyond gaining hands-on experience, I developed stronger communication, time management, and problem-solving skills that I will carry forward in my career.
Cynthia S
I have had an amazing time during the virtual internship and have learned a lot of new technical and soft skills. I thought doing an internship virtually would be difficult because of the lack of in-person contact, but the process was smooth, and I got into the rhythm of things very quickly. I ended up really enjoying the remote aspect of the internship because I was able to manage my own schedule.
Arsh K
My internship through Connect-123 provided an incredible opportunity to grow professionally while contributing to meaningful, real-world projects. I developed skills in finance strategy, marketing, outreach, and creative design, working on tasks such as building a professional film deck and connecting with potential donors. The experience strengthened my communication, time management, and project coordination abilities, while giving me valuable insight into my career interests. I am grateful for this opportunity!
Siti N
Finding an internship as an international student is very tough, especially when you don’t really have experience related to your field, but Connect-123 made it possible for me to learn and gain experience. It was overall very enjoyable and I am glad to have underwent such an experience. Now I have gained some understanding about working in a company to some extent and not to mention, there's also many soft skills which I feel like had improved. I am very grateful for the opportunity!
Monica G
Connect-123 exceeded every expectation in helping me secure a transformative remote internship with a Human Rights NGO in Cape Town, South Africa. Thanks to the incredible support of professionals like Xena, I landed my dream role as a Policy, Research, and Advocacy Intern. This experience deepened my passion for international law and public service. The internship not only sharpened my copyediting and research skills, but also clarified my career path in global policy and human rights. Connect-123’s personalized guidance and commitment to meaningful placements truly set them apart. I’m deeply grateful for their role in launching my professional journey.
Julia T
I am very grateful for the opportunity to work in Cape Town with the support of Connect-123. Our program coordinator, Carla, was welcoming and supportive, which gave me a real sense of ease. They helped me explore my interest in working with a creative agency that made every day feel exciting. I left with new skills and amazing memories that I will cherish forever.
Internships in Cape Town
Leyla M
This was the best experience of my life. I had the opportunity to immerse myself in Argentine culture, meet many new people, eat amazing food, and learn so much at my internship working with promoting diversity and inclusion. Since day one, our coordinator, Brenda, was super communicative and very helpful throughout the whole trip. This was such a unique experience, and I will carry it with me forever!
Internships in Buenos Aires
Sofia S
My experience in Cape Town was great! Carla is extremely helpful and was always there for anything I needed. She made me feel so comfortable and taken care of. I also really enjoyed all the planned activities!
Internships in Cape Town
Fernando V
Cape Town! Cape Town! What can I say, such a beautiful and wonderful experience overall. So many fun adventures with friends and outings on my own. I was hugged by the tastes and music of South African delicacies and culture, overall, an incredible opportunity. At my internship, I worked in the psychosocial department as a counselor and I have gained so much experience and wise advice from colleagues and supervisors. I created a family in such little time. Thank you Connect-123 and thank you Carla for being so reliable, kind, and respectful, always being there when I had questions and giving me support when I got sick, needed cellular data, to learn about cool places to visit, and the list never ends.
Internships in Cape Town
Caroline T
I am truly so thankful for Connect-123 for helping me find my perfect internship. Both my internships have been through Connect-123 and both were amazing experiences. My program director, Xena Pulliam, has been such a wonderful source of guidance and support throughout this entire process. The company I was initially interviewed by was about an hour late to the interview, and though the deadline for finding a placement was approaching, she didn’t give up on me. She found me the perfect placement at another company and even communicated on my behalf to ensure the work I was given aligned with my goals and interests. Through this experience, I was able to build valuable connections, develop new skills, and gain hands-on experience that has shaped my career path. I’m so grateful to Xena and Connect-123 for making both of my internships not only possible but truly meaningful.
Kiah G
During my four-week live-on-site practicum in Cape Town, South Africa, I experienced significant personal and professional growth. The practicum challenged me to be flexible and constantly be thinking. I observed a certified child life specialist (CCLS) educating children and families about medical procedures, providing trauma-informed care, and offering preparation and support for procedures. The CCLS guided post-procedural play in both outpatient and multiple inpatient settings in a developmentally appropriate and trauma-informed manner. When appropriate, I supported children and families through caregiver respite, normalization play, and post-procedural play. I learned and practiced communicating with children and families from diverse backgrounds, which led me to examine my biases, identify areas for growth, and establish personal and professional boundaries. I learned to grow from feedback, be flexible, and approach new situations with respect and confidence. Our group of 18 started out as strangers, but we left with lifelong friends with many shared experiences.
Internships in Cape Town
Avonleigh B
My internship in Cape Town was an experience of a lifetime. I met so many great friends in the program, and my internship taught me so much beyond the surface. Being a well-traveled person, I can confidently say that Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve been to.
Internships in Cape Town
Leana G
My time in beautiful Cape Town has been thrillful and a memorable experience. From the cultural food, to the amapiano music, to the life lessons I have learned from my fellow colleagues at my internship. Observing and also having the opportunity to work with not only adults with disabilities, but adults with diagnosed mental disorders has truly helped me gain knowledge and experience I will need to continue on to the next steps in my career. I also felt welcomed by our Connect-123 advisor, Carla, whom I felt supported by and she was able to help me in any way she can. This experience was truly unforgettable, and a great start to solo travel for me.
Internships in Cape Town
Madeline K
I had a great time in Buenos Aires immersing myself in a culture and people filled with such a rich history of food, music, and language. I was able to improve my language skills greatly in both a professional work setting and casual conversation. Thank you Connect-123 for this experience of a lifetime!
Internships in Buenos Aires
Alex H
I learned many valuable lessons from this experience and the practice as a whole. During my time, I engaged in developmentally appropriate play in an urban setting through a live on-site program, Connect- 123, in South Africa. Throughout my 4-week intensive, I gained important knowledge related to cultural humility, the scope of practice, applying theory during play, and overcoming communication barriers or difficulties in the hospital environment. I was part of a group of 16 people, which was then divided into cohorts of 8, as the locations changed every 2 weeks. This program aims to help students (like me) excel in areas such as providing emotional respite for caregivers (if applicable), planning interventions for children, and giving Child Life education to hospital staff through modeling. I also had the opportunity to grow personally, as it was my first time being alone internationally. Relying on peers during both stressful and successful times was a skill I needed to develop. Additionally, I gained knowledge by observing my preceptor during interventions and procedures. Given this opportunity, my heart was reinforced in the belief that play is universal and that everyone deserves space to engage in it! I will forever be grateful for this place and the wonderful friends I made in it <3.
Internships in Cape Town
Edward F
This experience was incredible! This is something I really did dream about doing for a while and Connect-123 made it a reality. Thanks to the help of my program coordinator, Brenda, she made everything a smooth transition and always helped us when we needed her. I would recommend this to anyone who is traveling abroad because it’s experience unlike others. Best summer ever!
Internships in Buenos Aires
Lillian D
I’m so glad that I chose to complete my practicum abroad. It is an experience that will stay with me for so long and taught me so many valuable things pertaining to child life. It was amazing to make friends with the same passions as me and the mentorship I received and still receive after the trip from my preceptor is incredibly uplifting and crucial to my journey.
Internships in Cape Town
Rokia K
Connect-123 made my time in Cape Town unforgettable! The city is vibrant, full of culture, and there's always something to do. I gained hands-on finance experience through an internship that perfectly matched my goals thanks to Carla, the Program Coordinator. I was initially nervous about finding the right fit, especially in a field like finance, but they really delivered. Plus, exploring Cape Town with other students made it even better.
Internships in Cape Town
Aston G
My time at this internship has been an incredibly valuable experience. I was initially very nervous to commit, even during the interview. However, I had nothing to worry about since, looking back, I was able to choose the internship field based on my interests and career. They help you along the whole process and answering your questions is just an email away. My experience at my internship organization was your usual spreadsheet task and helping with whatever the team needed. Due to the remote nature, there is only so much you can do to help; they do have in-person ones also! Each organization is different, and depending on the organization, it can affect your experience. My university also offered credits (usually an online class) and covered any costs of the internship as part of the program. I recommend it to any student because not only do you get credit, but you also have the freedom to do other summer activities; the best of both worlds. I'm grateful I had the opportunity to advance my career path, help out a genuine and impactful organization, and learn what real-world work looks like.
Ava S
I had an incredible experience. I was able to complete an internship abroad during the summer of 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. I was able to help with the marketing efforts along with interacting with the students. I was able to grow both professionally and personally. As I continue with my career, I will always remember the positive impact that Connect 123 had!
Internships in Dublin
