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!

Scroll down to view all – or filter by destination, opportunity or both.

Destination

Opportunity

Ben Adams

Communications Intern | Cape Town
Ohio State University
5 January 2012

I came to Cape Town in the summer of 2011 with high expectations.  Thanks largely to the helpful staff at Connect-123, my expectations were easily matched and surpassed.  The Connect-123 team was able to place me in an internship that allowed me to grow professionally.  I was given plenty of responsibility and enjoyed going to work each day.  I now feel more confident and prepared to search for jobs and internships back home knowing that I have such an amazing and unique experience behind me. This being said, the greatest part of my trip was the growth I experienced as a person.  Being far away from home for an extended period of time can seem frightening, but the staff at Connect-123 did a great job of welcoming me to Cape Town, a city they clearly know and love.  The physical beauty of Cape Town is only matched by the beauty of its people.  I was able to meet many people, including both other interns and locals, that have had a tremendous impact on me. I wouldn't trade the two months I spent in Cape Town for anything and I hope to return one day!

Internships in Cape Town

Avishka Juta

Literacy Intern | Cape Town
McMaster University Graduate, Canada
19 September 2011

I can say without a doubt that my six week social work and education internship in Cape Town, South Africa was the most incredible six weeks of my life. Having travelled to South Africa before, this was my second time in Cape Town and it definitely provided me with a different perspective on all things South African and allowed me to really immerse myself in issues I have a passion for as well as get to know the city and people. Cape Town is a city you’ll quickly fall in love with! I decided to work at two organizations during my time in Cape Town. A huge thanks to Melanie Martin for working with me and providing me with so many options and giving great insight into what would be the best fit. She definitely took my interests and experience into consideration when suggesting organizations, so thanks Mel! In the mornings, I was a volunteer teacher at a Literacy Centre based at a primary school where myself and another volunteer, Elysia were floaters. We worked with Grade 2 and 3 learners on their reading and writing skills and making the experience of learning these skills fun. We also helped to celebrate their success at the end of term which was great fun. The children there were so eager to learn and had such great spirits and their willingness to learn touched me. Shout out to Trudy and all the volunteers who helped me familiarize myself. In the afternoons, I wooked on a book drive project of a movement of learners, parents, teachers and community members striving for quality and equality in South African education. The project collects book donations from the public and prepares them to be put into public school libraries, as well as setting up these libraries. I was the first Connect-123 intern to work there and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who has a passion for books and helping youth and promoting quality and equality. It was a very relaxed environment and the afternoons were spent organizing books and having some amazing conversations about life, the world and all things South African. Thanks so much to Themba and Cosmas for taking the time to get to know me and involve me in a high school opening and other events, and also to the other volunteers who made me feel so welcome. During my time there, I was involved in the preparation of books and helped with the establishment of the hhigh school library. It’s been great to follow along with their progress since I left and there is definitely a sense of progress in the work they are doing, especially with their library campaign. My time at both organizations complimented each other so well and I felt like I had made a meaningful contribution at both and had learned so much in just six weeks. This experience has definitely opened my eyes, inspired me and only reaffirmed the academic and career path I’d like to pursue in the non-profit/development field. It was a great exposure to youth development work and promoting quality and equality. Outside of work, Cape Town is one of those cities that has something for everyone. From eating out, to the nightlife, climbing Lion’s Head and Table Mountain and just hanging out on the beach with friends, there’s a wide array of things to do and experience! Cape Town has certainly embraced all walks of life and there is such a fusion of art, culture, music and food. It’s very easy to navigate and find your footing. I also had a chance to become friends with some of the locals which gave me a new and exciting perspective on life in the Mother City. The staff at Connect-123 were incredibly helpful and friendly! They are always there to chat or answer any questions or queries. I can’t thank Melanie enough for being there whenever I had questions or queries and needed further insight. Accommodation wise, I would definitely recommend Perspectives. It is right in the heart of the city and a quick taxi ride to many sights in Cape Town. Many volunteers and interns choose to stay there so it’s a great way to meet other Connect-123 participants. My internship with Connect-123 was the perfect blend of work and sightseeing. I gained exposure to issues in a South African context while also experiencing the city and getting to know the sights and the people. Not only did I make some wonderful friends at Connect-123, but also made some incredible friends at work who I still remain in touch with and have built long lasting friendships with. It is so true what they say about people making the experience. I can say with all honesty that I had the time of my life in Cape Town. Trust me when I say that you’ll be wishing you had stayed longer. I will definitely be back in Cape Town soon and would love to work there in the future!

Internships in Cape Town

Laura McFee

Teaching Volunteer | Cape Town
Quinnipac University
9 September 2011

The two months I spent in Cape Town through Connect-123 were simply incredible. It’s impossible to describe how much I learned about myself and how much I gained from volunteering in only a few paragraphs. Melanie set me up with a primary school where I volunteered as a teacher’s aide in various classrooms. The school is an incredible organization that provides impoverished children with an education, free of charge, to break the cycle of poverty in their families. Spending so much time with the children was a life changing experience; I think I learned more from them than they learned from me! The students I worked with taught me so much about the value of education; even though many of them came from difficult home lives, they cherished the education they were receiving and were always eager to learn. I gained a wealth of knowledge about the diversity of education in different countries, which is an experience that will help me grow to become a better teacher. Connect-123 was always available during my stay. They made sure that I was enjoying my volunteer experience and that I was getting what I wanted out of my trip. Not only did they help with the volunteering portion of my trip, they also helped with socializing. There were numerous events organized by Connect-123 that helped me form lifelong friendships with the other interns and volunteers I was living and working with. Through the social nights, trips to festivals, sightseeing trips, and the multiple discounts with local businesses that Connect-123 offered, my free time in Cape Town was filled with amazing adventures! All in all, my trip to Cape Town exceeded my expectations. It was perfect! I can’t thank Connect-123 enough for giving me the summer of a lifetime!

Volunteer in Cape Town

Nathan Seef

Human Rights Intern | Cape Town
York University, Canada
2 September 2011

I knew going into my senior year I wanted to do an internship abroad to gain experience in the human rights sector. Choosing to go with Connect-123 to Cape Town, South Africa, as a human rights intern for two months made this decision easily the best I have ever made. I can’t say enough good things about my experience working towards and in Cape Town. Connect-123 made the pre-trip process quite easy. They were extremely helpful in understanding the type of internship that I wanted to have and how to get me there in the most effective way. The experience in Cape Town is beyond anything I can explain. Work was extremely interesting. I always felt a part of the team when working with my NGO whether I was doing research, doing interviews at service centres or going into the townships to run educational workshops. What I quickly realized was that while I had gone to Cape Town for work experience the whole living experience was incredible. There is never a dull moment in Cape Town and the surrounding areas. Connect-123 was great at planning fun activities for us including but not limited to wine tours, township tours and kayaking with the whales. All of this while gaining valuable work experience. Other activities I did on my own and with friends that I met in Cape Town (some of which will most definitely be life long friends) were bungee jumping, safaris, many beach visits, restaurant tourism (amazing seafood!), climbing mountains, shark cage diving and so much more! Even the small things make you smile on a daily basis. Walking home from work, no matter how busy or hectic my day was, walking home with a beautiful mountain staring at you just puts you to peace. The scenery and lifestyle on a daily basis is just a pleasure! There is a lot of work to be done in Cape Town to improve the living conditions of many and with Connect-123 you can help make a difference in any way you find most interesting and really gain experience in every facet of life while doing it. I will always look back fondly with at my time in Cape Town and Connect-123 was a huge part of making it happen. Saying thank you could never encompass it properly but, THANK YOU!

Internships in Cape Town

Antonina Hassouni

Medical Intern | Cape Town
University of Sheffield, United Kingdom
31 August 2011

I was part of the Connect-123 program in Cape Town for two months where I was an intern at a children’s hospital. The experience I had - I unfortunately cannot describe in words since that would not suffice. Firstly, the organization of the program was flawless – I felt at ease all the time because I knew that any little problem I may have, one of the Connect-123 representatives would fix it as soon as possible. I also felt at home instantly due to the welcoming nature of everyone on the program – the interns, volunteers and the whole team! The activities they had were great for meeting people such as the many drinks nights or trips around Cape Town. That also made it a safe way to travel around. Secondly; the hospital I worked in was technologically advanced with all the staff there very welcoming and friendly – from the cafeteria staff to the surgeons. It was great being around them every day and I have made long-term friends whom I intend to visit more often. That being said, I would love to eventually return to Cape Town and work there for some time again....the scenery is breathtaking and I felt like I was living in a scenic postcard for most of the time. I must say that I definitely loved my whole experience not only with my internship but in the country, and all of that is truly because of the amazing job that Connect-123 did ; their ongoing support and care, their organization and their concern for each and every intern / volunteer in their program! Thanks Connect-123 for everything and for making me feel at home...away from home!

Internships in Cape Town

Patrick Corcoran

Human Rights Intern | Cape Town
International Affairs, New School University
5 August 2011

I worked with former President FW de Klerk at his foundation: FW de Klerk Foundation and the Center for Constitutional Rights. I worked side by side with South African scholars who sought to ensure the Constitution was respected by all levels of government and that all minorities within South Africa were treated fairly under the law. Some of the major issues the Foundation focuses on include: Affirmative Action or Cadre Deployment, The Afrikaans Language, and Voting for citizens abroad. Patrick is now working as a research associate at the Public Affairs Council. In addition, he was granted a research assistsantship for Dr. Maryann Cusimano Love at the Institute of Policy Research and Catholic Studies. Patrick is also an adjunct consultant with Consultancy Africa Intel and an international political consultant with Influentials Network.  

Internships in Cape Town

Sarah Plumb

Marketing Intern | Cape Town
Dartmouth College
4 August 2011

The three months that I was able to spend in Cape Town taught me so much about myself and provided me with an experience that will undoubtedly stick with me for the rest of my life. While living in Cape Town, I had the opportunity to do a marketing/communications internship with a small fashion website as well as a larger fashion organization, both of which worked to help promote the local fashion industry in Cape Town as well as educate local designers. Some of my responsibilities included writing blog posts, editing website content, and assisting with the planning required for designer workshops and the fashion organization’s Annual General Meeting. My working experience in Cape Town was extremely positive and provided me with invaluable work experience that I am continuing to benefit from. Throughout my internship and time in Cape Town, Connect-123 was with me every step of the way. They ensured that my living and working experience exceeded my expectations, and were extremely helpful with any questions that I had throughout the process. They also made sure that all program participants were provided with plenty of additional opportunities to travel, volunteer, and get to know the city. Each month they would send out an events calendar highlighting the different trips they had planned for us as well as contact information for additional places to visit and organizations that are looking for volunteers. Cape Town and South Africa as a whole has such a wide variety of activities, there really is something for everyone. With plenty of beautiful beaches, hiking opportunities, shopping, museums, landmark locations, thrilling adventures, and a lively night life, the possibilities for things to do are endless. Living and working in Cape Town was a truly unbelievable experience that surpassed my every expectation, and I can’t thank Connect 123 enough for providing me with this wonderful opportunity.

Internships in Cape Town

David Frank

Finance Intern | Cape Town
University of Cologne, Germany
29 July 2011

I was fortunate enough to spend three wonderful months in Cape Town. In retrospect, it was really the time of my life, and that's not only because I got to propose to my girlfriend on the top of Table Mountain, but I also met so many nice people, made friends for a lifetime and last but not least did a perfect internship thanks to Connect-123. I was working for an investment boutique in downtown Cape Town. Due to my prior knowledge in finance and statistics, I was lucky enough to get my own project. I was mainly responsible to develop an econometric model that would be able to predict the earnings growth of local companies. During my three months, I not only familiarized myself with the South African capital market and investment environment, but I was also able to build up a solid skill set in financial and statistical analysis which I'm sure will help me a lot after my studies. I'm especially thankful for the joy my colleagues showed to help me to turn my project into a great success. But it wasn't only a pleasure to work together with such great people. It was also phenomenal to see how they integrated me into their community. No matter if climbing Table Mountain or watching a rugby match at the stadium, grabbing a sandwich for lunch or getting advices for the perfect engagement ring, I knew that I could always count on my fellow colleagues. All in all, I can only say that I would do everything all over again.

Internships in Cape Town

Don Gilbert

Parent of Social Work Intern | Cape Town
Austin, Texas
19 July 2011

I don’t know which emotion is stronger, the pride you feel in your daughter’s adventurous spirit or the trepidation you feel in having her half way around the world in a country that is unfamiliar.  In any case, Melanie Martin and the people at Connect 123 made the experience absolutely perfect…for my daughter and for me.  I traveled to Cape Town in order to help get Jenny settled into her new surroundings…and to check things out first hand.  It is clear to me that Melanie Martin has a lot of experience with anxious dads as she showed patience with my many questions about security, dealing with every one of them with grace and professionalism.  Seeing Cape Town for the first time was a wonderful and reassuring experience for me.  The people are warm and engaging, and the city felt safe to me.  For Jenny, the experience in Cape Town (her second time there) was nothing short of life changing.  She was able to absorb the rich culture of South Africa in a way that will benefit her throughout her life.  Her time there was the final step of her Masters Degree in Social Work at the University of Texas, and the knowledge and life experiences she gained will no doubt better prepare her for the career she has chosen.  Thank you Connect 123…for the experience of a lifetime and for giving an anxious dad the comfort of knowing that my daughter was in good hands!  Thanks especially to you Melanie, you are the BEST!

Internships in Cape Town

Sam Imbeault

Business Consulting Intern | Cape Town
Mount Allison University Graduate
30 June 2011

When I began to think about my plans for the summer I wanted to make sure that they met certain criteria I had laid out for myself.  I wanted to gain some real world work experience, travel, network and have something to add to my resume.  In reality, my experience with Connect-123 in Cape Town was so much more!  I was able to not only visit, but live in one of the most beautiful cities on the planet. Traveling from North America, and having never set foot in Africa, there is nothing that truly prepares you for what you will experience during your time there.  On one hand, Cape Town is a picturesque, culturally rich, electric city which is almost surreal.  On the other, it is still facing many issues such as poverty, inequality and other socioeconomic challenges.  However, this mix of both only adds to the uniqueness of this incredible place and allows you to truly appreciate it. As for my internship, once again my expectations were far surpassed.  Despite only being able to spend 6 weeks at my host organisation, a research and consulting firm, I was able to get a taste of life after university.  From the get go, I was given the opportunity to earn additional responsibilities and play a larger role within the organization.  I was involved in various projects with varying levels of importance and complexity.  This gave me the chance to apply many of the concepts and skills which I have learned throughout my years at university.  In addition, learning how to work with people including co-workers and clients will definitely help me in my future career as I truly believe this isn't something which can be learned in school.  The people I met during my internship were truly amazing and genuine.  From day one they were very friendly and made me feel part of the organization.  I was invited to each meeting and treated as an equal, not as an intern.  Even three months later I am still in contact with those people I met at my host organisation.  I have no doubt I have made longtime friends which I hope to visit again in the near future! In summary, I embarked into the Connect-123 program with a simple set of expectations, which turned out to be completely overshadowed by what I actually experienced during my short 6 week stay.  In addition to my initial objectives, I was able to experience something unique and incredible, which will not only impact me professionally, but has also impacted me personally.  If I had an opportunity to go back, I would do it in a heartbeat.

Internships in Cape Town

Jeff Steiner

Microfinance Intern | Cape Town
University of Miami, Graduate
16 June 2011

My experience in Cape Town far exceeded any expectations I had prior to arrival.  The close friendships I formed, business experience attained, and the immersion to a new culture and city all helped make this experience the best three months of my life. As an intern with the southern African office of a global microfinance NGO, I attained a greater understanding of development, business at the Base of the Pyramid, and more specifically insight into the microfinance sector.  Connect-123 worked with me to find a company that fit my needs, and in turn, my host organisation involved me in projects related to my field (Human Resources). This was an extremely valuable and unforgettable experience, and I highly recommend an internship in Cape Town to all those seeking a unique experience.

Internships in Cape Town

Francesca Pastore

Human Rights Intern | Cape Town
University of Torino, Italy
24 May 2011

I am an italian student and I came to Cape Town to volunteer at a refugee NGO in the city bowl! I was a bit afraid when I first arrived in Cape Town, because I expected a completely different environment and I didn’t know what I should expect from my day to day life.  But fortunately my experience was amazing, thanks also to the marvellous staff of connect-123 that welcomed me and helped me for all the three months in South Africa!!! I suggest everyone who wants to come to CT to join connect-123 to find amazing friends from all over the world to share your experience with!!!

Internships in Cape Town

Segolene Savoye de Puineuf

Human Rights Intern | internships in cape town
University of Nottingham Graduate
12 May 2011

I just got back from 6 months in the beautiful Cape Town and one thing is sure I would not mind going back tomorrow. During that time I was an intern at a National Human Rights Institution constitutionally mandated to promote respect for, observance of and protection of human rights in South Africa. I worked on different reports, attended Parliament meetings and conducted a survey with refugees and people from the townships. These different tasks confirmed my interest for the human rights field. My experience also gave me the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds (members of parliament, refugees, ordinary citizens), which improved my ability to work with people from overseas. In addition to the professional experience gained I got to visit an amazing city. There is always something to do in Cape Town whether during the day or during the night. I met so many incredible people from South Africa and from other countries. I will never forget my time there and it taught me some valuable lessons. I cherish all those South African memories and I am very much looking forward to going back one day. Once again thank you to Connect Staff for giving me this opportunity and for being there no matter what (wounded finger, accommodation…). Merci.

Sharon Riley

Education Volunteer | Cape Town
University of Denver, College of Law Graduate
11 May 2011

My experience in Cape Town was amazing and life changing.  I always had a passion for helping others but after working in the corporate world for the past 7 years I lost sight of my purpose and meaning in my life.  After returning back to the United States after my 30 day volunteer experience at a creche, I have a new outlook on life and have learned to appreciate even the small things that I have. I worked in a creche in a very diverse neighborhood outside of Cape Town and was assigned to work with 3 and 4 year old children from all different races and backgrounds.  I was surprised at the differences between the classroom environment in the United States and South Africa, such as the discipline, the teaching methods and the overall demeanor of the children.  I learned new things about the children every day and they learned new things about me.  Since there were approximately 30 children in the classroom at one time, I believe my ability to spend one on one time with each child made a huge impact on them.  The most memorable experience of my volunteer position was the children's hugs and smiles when I left every day.  In addition to the children, the teachers and administrator at the creche are the most inspirational and kindest people I have ever met.  I only had a limited amount of exposure to the cchildren and this experience taught me very valuable techniques on how to interact with children as well as how to keep their attention.  In addition to learning about teaching, I learned a significan amount of information about South Africa's struggle with Apartheid and the current social and economic structure of the country in general. The experience changed my life so much that I am making plans to return to Cape Town to volunteer for a longer period of time.  I thank Connect-123 for giving me the opportunity to connect with such fantastic children and staff and finding that sense of purpose that I had lost.

Internships in Cape Town

Ellen Teel

Social Work Intern | Cape Town
Western Washington University, Graduate
3 May 2011

My 3 months in Cape Town were absolutely amazing.  Connect 123 supported me throughout the whole process – from setting up my internship to acting as a resource throughout my stay.   I found that interning through Connect provided a great balance of the saying, “work hard, play hard.”  My internship was a rewarding, learning experience that opened my eyes to new people and a new culture.  Connect set up many social events throughout my time in Cape Town which was a great way to get to know the people and city around me.  I thrived off of the adventure that living in Cape Town brought to my life every day.  I enjoyed hiking, cliff jumping, bungee jumping, shark cage diving, traveling, and so much more.  Cape Town is a beautiful city with so much to offer – never a dull moment!  The only thing I regret is not staying longer, but I guess that means I’ll have to start planning my next trip to South Africa!

Internships in Cape Town

Kevin Murphy

Law Intern | Cape Town
University of Denver
2 May 2011

My internship in Cape Town, South Africa last summer, the Summer of 2010 was an extraordinary experience.  The social interactions and cultural observation were invaluable.  Not only was the cultural transformation occurring from the World Cup occurring, but I was able to participate in some very socially valuable activities. My day-to-day activities in South Africa consisted of going to the University of Cape Town Law School.  Specifically, I worked under the supervision of Professor Debbie Collier, who works in the Department of Labor and Development.  Debbie also sits on the board of a non-profit organization that specializes in community farming. I assisted Debbie with a lot of her research, and was lucky enough to co-author an article that examine a new personal information privacy law and our article focused on this law’s impact on employee privacy in the workplace. In addition to that wonderful opportunity, I was able to assist the non-profit in assessing whether they should apply to be approved through what is known as the “Black Economic Empowerment Program (BEE).”  This program allows companies and non-profits to basically gain points through the amount of empowerment their company provide to minorities in South Africa. We ultimately decided not to, but it was not a waste of time.  They saved considerable resources by having me do it as opposed to an attorney and also by not following through on what we found would ultimately not provide them with the level of BEE certification that they wanted.

Internships in Cape Town

Shamsa Suleiman

Human Rights Intern | Cape Town
University of Wales
2 May 2011

The experience I had with Connect-123 and the human rights organisation where I worked will be something that I will remember for as long as I live!! Despite working five days a week and volunteering to teach in Gugulethu on Saturdays I still managed to surf, bungee jump, hike Table Mountain, swim, learn Xhosa, go to the World Cup matches, facilitate human rights workshops and tour the city. I learnt that there are those who have very little but appreciate and live everyday to the fullest! I will be forever grateful.

Internships in Cape Town

Greg Goldstein

Medical Intern | Cape Town
Dartmouth University
8 February 2011

I can honestly say that I could not possibly have hoped for a better internship experience than the one I got in Cape Town with Connect-123. Volunteering, especially internationally, is always a scary experience. You never know exactly what to expect but Connect-123 was there for me every step of the way. Even before I left the States they were there to help me with everything: from my initial internship offer, to the best way to get to Cape Town, to where to stay there was always someone I could ask questions of and who would help me find out the answers. However, it was my internship that made my experience so incredible. My work at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital remains one of my most significant experience and the deciding factor in my decision to peruse a career in pediatrics. The surgeries and procedures I observed there were truly eye opening and the research I was involved in made me a very real part of them. I was only a college junior and I was not only relaying important information about patients to anesthesiologists but I was also helping surgeons understand how they could communicate more effectively with their patients. My work not only took me into the operating room on a daily basis but it also facilitated regular interaction with nurses, other volunteers, heads of departments and specialists. The bonds I formed with these professionals and the things that I learned from them remain with me even to this day, over a year after I left the hospital. No matter what brings you to Cape Town, once you arrive it’s impossible not to fall in love with the city. Cape Town is not only breathtakingly beautiful but it is full of countless cultural, athletic and just plain fun opportunities and Connect-123 really helps its interns take advantage of those. My time in this incredible city was filled with day trips to the Cape of Good Hope, hikes of the iconic Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, cruises on the harbor, sunset cocktails, or “sun-downers”, on Signal Hill with other interns and Connect staffers, shark diving, beautiful beaches, a wine festival, rooftop “braais” (think delicious BBQ) and even a pot-luck Thanksgiving dinner. As I approach medical school and continue on the long journey toward becoming a doctor, I find myself thinking back on the time I spent in Cape Town and I feel incredibly thankful for my experiences at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital, experiences I would have never had without Connect-123.

Internships in Cape Town

Audrianna Sibiski

PR Intern | Cape Town
Michigan State University graduate
11 January 2011

Connect-123 made my experience in Cape Town phenomenal! I cannot thank Gabby and the rest of the Connect staff enough for providing me with such an amazing opportunity. Connect-123 was there every step of the way from arranging a ride from the airport to accompanying me on the first day of my internship. Connect-123 staff and interns become the family you left at home and the best friends you acquire for a lifetime! I interned at a small marketing/pr firm founded in 2007. As successful as it already was, there was still plenty of room to grow and improve which provided me with a tremendous work opportunity during my internship. As the social media wave has become such a dominant factor in the business world here in the US, and not so prevalent in South Africa, I was able to structure and introduce a social media campaign for one of our luxury clients. I provided a platform for the other interns to follow and it has been a success! The MD was so impressed she asked me to create one for her firm. I was also given the responsibility of managing the guest list for a penthouse luxury event that included famous celebrities from South Africa, the US and others abroad! Not to mention the perks of the internship, which included tickets to Cape Town Fashion Week! Connect-123 does a wonderful job matching you up to prospective internships that comply with your interests. As an advertising graduate interested in marketing and public relations my internship was a perfect match! With work comes play. Connect-123 did a fantastic job keeping us interns busy. The monthly schedule sent electronically provided us options to participate on group trips and ideas to create our own trips around South Africa. My favorite excursions were Wacky Wine and the Garden Route. If you’re an adrenalin junkie, well this trip is certainly for you. Shark cage diving with great whites, bungee jumping from the world’s longest jump, playing with elephants, riding an ostrich, hiking Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, even skydiving! If you need any advice or help planning trips Connect is there to help. Connect also provides volunteering opportunities through host organizations. I was able to volunteer with an organization called Sisanda Fundaytion. As a volunteer we had the chance of visiting orphanages in various townships and taking children out for a day of fun. In most cases this is the first, and maybe only, time the children leave the township and enjoy simple pleasures such as going to the movies or riding a ride at an amusement park. Needless to say, it was an experience I will never forget. I chose to intern in Cape Town as a personal and professional growth experience and what I received was so much more. I met South Africans and other international travelers that I still maintain close contact with. I’m passionate about my experience, as it has positively impacted my life in many ways. This will prove to be a valuable contribution to my future endeavors. I recommend the Connect-123 internship experience vigorously!

Internships in Cape Town

Zahra Nealy

Public Relations Intern | Cape Town
University of Southern California
3 January 2011

My short time in Cape Town has made an everlasting impact on my life. Flying for 26 hours and landing in the Mother City was the most amazing feeling of accomplishment and belonging I have ever felt. Not only was the landscape amazing, but the people are what made my trip great. South Africa has the nicest, most humbled people I have met.Being able to see them come together during the World Cup was a momentous occasion and hopefully that will last. All the people I met welcomed me with open arms and that meant a lot. I was able to meet people who were like me at the Centre of Science and Technology (COSAT) in Khayelitsha. Seeing them come from adverse living conditions and being the smartest, brightest people I have met is a true testament to the human spirit.  The way of life in Cape Town really made me realize that it's okay to sit back, relax, enjoy life; yet work hard and get things done all the while. That is some thing I think Americans have forgotten. Also, going to Cape Town showed me that people share more similarities than differences; something that the media doesn’t equally portray. Also, I was  able to apply my skills and interests in the internship I had with fashion designer Thulare Monareng. For example, I was able to organize events and photo shoots, create press kits and a strategic communications plan for her, as well as help her with scouting her new retail location on Long Street. In return, she showed me so much about the industry; introduced me to others in the industry; and really listened to and considered the suggestions I recommended for her work.  I was able to come home with a sense of contribution, as well as experience no book could ever teach me. Equally important, because of that experience I am using it as the basis for my thesis. Two-and-a-half months went by so fast. All I know is  that won't be my last time in Cape Town. Thanks to Erna Smith, USC Annenberg and Connect 123 for making my first trip abroad unforgettable

Internships in Cape Town
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