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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Jeffrey Ryan Goldmintz
I want to start off by thanking Sydney McNally, Beth Watson, and Eimear Costigan; if it were not for them I would never have had this amazing opportunity; or made the decision to come from Canada to Cape Town. To make a long story short I cannot begin to express the gratification I have towards the whole team at Connect 123. They were exceeded all my expectations, were very accommodating, and extremely helpful for whatever problem or concern I encountered. They are basically your guardian angels. Just ask my roommate who fell down a flight of stairs at a World Cup game and got picked up at the hospital by the team at Connect 123! Bottom-line: they will always be there for you! Not only that, they knew how to organize spectacular events that gave all interns the opportunity to explore a distinctive cultural understanding Cape Town had to offer. These events were offered bi-weekly and provided a great time to meet new people and unfold new friendships. Whether it was climbing to the top of scenic Cape Point, camping out at the Wacky Wine Festival, or spending a day in the winelands at Franschhoek. The team at Connect knew exactly how to provide exciting adventures and memorable entertainment for all interns to experience. I worked at a social profit organization in Cape Town, as a student intern from June 2nd to August 26th 2010. The organization offers a friendly, accessible walk‐in environment where aspiring and operating entrepreneurs can come to access information and receive support relating to small business. I was tasked with searching for general, as well as industry specific business information from local sources; with the objective of compiling an electronic resource list for entrepreneurs. These resources would be available on computers in the information centre; and in hard copy format. With most entrepreneurs visiting centre having only very basic computer literacy and a poor educational background, this resource would facilitate and greatly reduce their search time. I delivered a comprehensive and well‐structured product that is currently in use to great effect. I fulfilled various other roles, such as switchboard and reception duties (as circumstances demanded) and integrated well with a multi‐cultural team; in general I felt to be a great asset to the organisation. It has been almost 5 months since I left Cape Town but I feel like I left a part of me there forever. To have been in Cape Town during the World Cup I felt as if I were in a dream, a dream that I never wanted to end. I consider myself truly blessed to have participated in this extraordinary internship; while simultaneously experiencing the world’s greatest sporting event. Looking back on it now, I am left with an overwhelming sense of nostalgia, incredible memories with incredible individuals that I will cherish forever, and an undeniable love for the beautiful city of Cape Town. Thank you so much Connect 123, you guys have changed my life, taught me so much about myself, and I wish you nothing but the best!
Internships in Cape Town
David Switzer
It would be impossible for me to describe my time in Cape Town in a few sentences because the memories could fill a book, but I will try. I worked for a technology start up organization. The company had just transitioned from a non-profit to commercial in nature. The company had just moved into some nice new offices, and my bosses brought me out for a beer to just shoot the breeze for the first afternoon to get to know me better. I worked directly for the directors of the organization which gave me an excellent opportunity to brainstorm with them some ideas about the company should go forward. My bosses were really great guys. One of them had over 20 years experience as an entrepreneur and he is smart as hell. The company’s president was a young guy in his early thirties and we really hit it off and got along great. We would bounce ideas off each other a few times a week to make sure that we were all on the same page. Going to work was a pleasure. The hours were flexible but consistent, and they gave me some time off to travel and see some of South Africa’s beauty outside of Cape Town. Specifically, I had an opportunity to work with the company at a time when it was growing really fast. While the directors were taking care of the wheeling and dealing I basically just helped them with all the nitty gritty stuff they didn’t have time to do. It was a really excellent way to put my business/ entrepreneurship degree to practice. I collaborated with the company’s president and developed the company’s marketing strategy. I also completed financial projections and wrote a comprehensive business plan for the company. In addition, I helped them to rewrite the website. The company was open to flexibility and new ideas, creativity and efficient research were helpful skills. The other people in the office were really nice and the atmosphere was relaxed. I had a blast and I would recommend the job to anybody. OK, so now the really fun stuff. CAPE TOWN IS AMAZING. I have been lucky enough to travel to every continent except Antarctica, and Cape Town is the only place I have ever travelled to that I did not want to leave and I felt I could live there forever. I fell in love with Cape Town and Africa. the people are amazing (all of them). The nightlife is great, the food is great, the booze is cheap, the people are beautiful, and the city is stunning. If you like doing stuff outside, Cape Town is for you. That’s all. If you want to work for the company I did and you have any questions get my contact info from Connect-123 and I will get back to you. Connect-123 was a great help. Eimear helped me get the perfect internship for me. They hooked me up with a great place to stay and some really awesome roommates. They organize some really fun social events that were some of the highlights of the trip. The Connect-123 crew is really cool and helpful in general, and I would definitely recommend it to anybody! Cheers!
Internships in Cape Town
Amy Caporello
Working at a Salvation Army hospital in Cape Town was an amazing experience! From the minute I walked onto the floors of the hospital, I felt welcomed and trusted. As a nursing student I was able to work alongside staff and be a part of the team caring for a variety of patients in rehabilitation. I learned about the differences in international healthcare and also spent a lot of time talking to and comforting the patients, along with getting to know the staff that I worked with there. The hospital is Nurse-led and focuses on creating a plan of care for each individual patient, regarding realistic goals and abilities in order for them to be strong enough to go home. I helped the Nurses and staff with dressing changes, morning care, feeding, occupational therapy, physical therapy and transport. I knew after a couple days that this was not your average internship; this was a chance to care for others and to learn from them as much as they learned from me. Not only did I enjoy experiencing the medical aspect of the hospital, and the different cultures in the area, but I also made a lot of friends there, and fell in love with the kindness and generosity demonstrated by the people I worked with. It is here that I learned the meaning of Nursing, and the compassion and intelligence needed to truly care for someone. In addition to such a wonderful internship, the city of CapeTown is thriving with culture! There is so much to do and see, and Connect-123 made it easy by organizing events and gatherings to not only meet other interns and students, but to get involved and out of your shell. I met many friends, and used my free time to explore, have fun, travel the area and learn about an amazing country. I will be graduating this spring from Nursing School, and am so glad that I took the opportunity to do something so different and exciting! I hope to one day work internationally again, and if I had it my way, I’d go back to Cape Town in a heart beat.
Internships in Cape Town
Annie Berger
My first day at a leading children’s hospital in Cape Town marked the true beginning of my push towards a career in medicine. While I already had a bachelor’s degree under my belt and had been accepted to a Physician Assistant program back home, I lacked the experience that was necessary to succeed in the healthcare field. When I stepped into the operating theatre on my first day, the attending anesthesiologist waved me over and instructed me to assist in holding the child’s mask in order to administer the initial anesthetic. 5 minutes later, I was inserting an artificial airway. Throughout the day, I ended up doing a few more of the same, along with some attempts at endotracheal intubations. While I wasn’t immediately successful performing the procedure, the doctors had enough patience and trust in me by the end of my time at the hospital for me to complete an intubation successfully on my last day. Throughout my time there, I was able to stand immediately next to the operating table to watch procedures such as liver transplants, resection of tuberculomas from the brain, and open-heart surgeries. More importantly, I was able to complete hands-on research regarding communication between consent-givers and their providers, as well as help change hospital protocol regarding their pre-operative fasting policies. It is now one year later. In one month, I will begin my clinical year of PA school. Had I not gone to Cape Town and worked in such a phenomenal teaching hospital, I would not feel nearly as prepared for my rotations. The doctors and nurses in Cape Town helped me feel more comfortable with procedures, equipment, and seeing blood and guts day in and day out. They helped me realize the value of patients as people and not just diseases. They fostered an attitude of 'see one, do one, teach one' and truly inspired me to make the most out of my experience at their facility. With the experiences I had in Cape Town under my belt, I now have the confidence to enter my clinical rotations and to get the most out of each day that I am in a hospital or clinic here in the US. I know that I wouldn’t feel this prepared had I not worked in Cape Town, and I am excited to complete my training so I can someday go back to practice medicine where it all began.
Internships in Cape Town
Tyler Maiers
My summer medical internship at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital was simply amazing. With the help of Gabby, a very helpful member of the Connect-123 staff, I was able to find an internship as part of the largest tuberculosis diagnostic study ever conducted. Workdays typically involved seeing patients alongside my supervisor and aiding with the collection of sputum and blood samples from patients that were suspected of having tuberculosis. I travelled between two different hospitals throughout the week and was able to learn about measles, HIV/AIDS, and drug-resistant tuberculosis by actually seeing patients with these diseases. By merely asking questions about how to get more involved and taking advantage of every opportunity, my single internship evolved into three as I began to spend three days each week at Red Cross, one day at a Doctors Without Borders clinic in a nearby township called Khayelitsha, and one day at diagnostic microbiology lab at Groote Schuur Hospital. In addition to my internship, Connect-123 did an incredible job of organizing large group activities on weekends, and I especially liked the Wacky Wine Festival in June. Most other students were also very motivated to plan weekend trips, so shark cage diving, safaris, bungee jumping, wine tasting tours, and trips to nearby suburbs were all possibilities as each weekend approached. Cape Town also has such a vibrant nightlife that any night of the week can be exciting, and like many others, I took full advantage of this during my stay. The Connect-123 staff was also knowledgeable enough to help me and were very comforting when I came to ask for help after failing to make my flight home on time. All in all, I enjoyed my Cape Town experience so much and met so many friendly and passionate people while there that I am hoping to return next summer to find medically-related work for a year before entering medical school. This was truly a life-changing experience and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a great alternative to a traditional study abroad while also enjoying every moment of being in one of the world’s most beautiful and multicultural cities.
Internships in Cape Town
Mike Sit
My experience to Cape Town was absolutely amazing. I was able to gain experience in the microfinance industry, indulge myself in culture, and gain new perspectives through the relationships I developed. At the company I volunteered with, I was given the opportunity to help host workshops at townships, review business plans for potential microfinance institutions (MFI), research potential sources of funding, and talk to a plethora of amazing individuals that have contributed to the MFI industry. These experiences not only engaged and challenged me, but I had to adapt and expand my current perception. Throughout my time I engaged in many Connect-123 organized activities that ranged from drinks nights and cultural outings, to outdoor activities. With the unheralded amounts of activities, it was difficult in deciding what I wanted to do within my short 3 month term. The friends and relationships I developed in Cape Town are lifelong, and the experience is beyond words. Through my experience I would recommend and encourage others to take the opportunity to travel and learn, especially with the supportive staff Connect-123 offers.
Internships in Cape Town
Sophie Bluhm
When first applying to Connect-123 I had no idea what I wanted to do. But as a business major in school, I knew that I wanted to try and use this experience to figure out where in the business world I would best fit in. Luckily, I was able to find an internship with a small company that was still in the early stages in development. In my internship I was able to see and get a feel for almost every facet of the business world. I met with the Loan Advisor at the bank to discuss what was necessary to secure a small business loan, I helped develop a mission statement and business objectives. I was even able to pretend to be a client for a day to see how the services offered worked and what the outcome was. I learned about how all aspects played a role in developing a business and what was necessary in making a business successful. As much as I loved my internship, I can’t say enough good things about Cape Town either. Between the weather, the people, the friends I made, and the Connect-123 staff I couldn’t have asked for a better time abroad. What started out as an impulsive decision to go to Cape Town turned into one of the best experiences of my life (and some may say an obsession). I can’t wait to go back and go out on Long Street, ride ostriches in Ooudsthorn, have a milkshake at Royale, explore the market at the Biscuit Mill on Saturdays and have picnics in Kirstenbosch. On top of all the fabulous things there are to do in Cape Town, the activities arranged by Connect-123 helped me go outside of the everyday activities and experience South African living on a greater scale and allowed me to do things that one might not find in a guide book. I am so glad I got to participate in the events and they were a great way to meet people. I wouldn’t trade my experience and time in Cape Town for anything. Connect-123 was so helpful and played a huge role is making my time in Cape Town so special. From the internship, to the people, to the setting, it was all amazing and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Internships in Cape Town
Sara Reed
It didn't matter how many people from my school arrived with me. I was still on this adventure by myself, to learn, grow, and explore this new place. It was intimidating at first, to realize I would be commuting to work independently, but after days of finally finding my routine and becoming familiar with the way the city worked, it gave me such confidence in myself that I could achieve anything and make it anywhere. The organization I worked for was an exemplary NGO and I feel so honored to have been a part of it, and I feel great knowing that I made a difference there and in people's lives in the surrounding communities. The staff at Connect-123, and even the staff at Perspectives genuinely cared for and looked after us on a daily basis. After a while it’s almost like you’re part of a family. There are so many opporunities to meet the other students that come from around the world, thanks to the weekly evenings at all the Cape Town hot spots that Connect-123 always had planned. It takes a lot of work orchestrating those kinds of events, especially the weekend excursions to all the major attractions within and outside the city. The people at Connect-123 really showed me what the city was about. Without them I would have never seen Cape Town like I do now.
Internships in Cape Town
Rebecca Sloan
My name is Rebecca Sloan and I was in Cape Town with Connect from the beginning of May to the end of August 2010. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget. I met some incredible people and saw things that I couldn’t even imagine. Cape Town is the city with endless possibilities and things to do. You definitely have to go to Camps Bay, drive the coast, do as much traveling as possible and meet as many people as you can. Connect 123 was a great program to go through because it made meeting people easy and the transition into a whole new world seamless. I definitely recommend Connect and Cape Town for the experience of a lifetime.
Internships in Cape Town
Zach Halfmann
My three-month stay in Cape Town was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. Not only did the Connect-123 staff find me the perfect internship prior to my arrival, they also made sure that my stay in South Africa was filled with exciting opportunities. From the weekend trips, social events in the city, and volunteer offerings, the Connect-123 staff was there for every step of the way. While in Cape Town, I interned with an NGO that specialized in promoting entrepreneurship and economic development in the city of Cape Town and surrounding Western Cape region. When I first arrived I didn’t really know what to expect. However, within the first week I had become accepted as one of the team members and had taken on a role to assist with the complete redevelopment of the business model and strategy for the organization. The chance to take on such an important task that contained real world implications was a rewarding opportunity that I had not expected out of the internship. Under this project I had regular meetings and phone/email conversations with executive council members who were based in Johannesburg. My time with this organization allowed me to grow professionally in ways that I had not anticipated. I am now able to transfer the skills I learned during my time in Cape Town to future projects in my professional and academic career. I can’t thank Eimear and the Connect-123 staff enough for working with me to find the placement that best matched my interests and skills, all their work definitely paid off! I encourage everyone to take part in an international experience and there is no better company to do that with than Connect-123!
Internships in Cape Town
Elysia Wong
My experience in Cape Town was nothing short of amazing. Connect-123 made both me and my sister feel warmly welcomed and well taken care of. They found us quality volunteer placements, a great place to live, ensured we knew how to get around with ease, recommended places to go and organized social activities. They placed me in two non profit organizations, where I volunteered working with kids and these fantastic organizations that I got to work with gave me so much, it made me grow as a person. The kids I got to work with absolutely made my days that much brighter. I couldn’t be more appreciative of the wonderful 8 weeks experience I had in Cape Town. The people – some of the warmest and friendliest in the world. The atmosphere – Fantastic and relaxed. The place – Amazing landscapes and there is always something to do, somewhere to go, something to see. Absolutely Incredible experience.
Internships in Cape Town
Elizabeth Tswana
My time at a gender advocacy organisation was amazing because I sharpened my research, communication and networking skills. I really wish I could have extended my stay because there was so much to learn. The staff were very friendly and the Connect-123 team were always ready to help. I personally volunteered soon after graduating because I wanted to gain relevant working experience in something I am passionate about. If you want to volunteer in the best city in South Africa with the best entertainment and great people, Connect-123 can make it happen!
Internships in Cape Town
Molly Fogel
There are a lot of reasons why people get away and make the choice to head to a foreign country to volunteer. Although I was looking for further professional development, I was also looking to revive my passion for the field of social work, and the good work that can be done within this discipline. In the fast pace life of New York City, faces become blurred and clients can become numbers, I needed a change and Connect-123 helped with that. I was fortunate enough to be placed with a refugee project, working with adolescent refugees from Zimbabwe. I was met as a peer, not an intern, and allowed to utilize my professional skills and get back to the values that are inherent to social work. I worked with incredible social workers, who broke down barriers, putting their blood, sweat, and tears into what they believed. With little funding, fuelled more by passion and willingness to make a difference, these women embodied social work and change. I am so happy I was able to be a part of it, even if it was for a short time. Connect-123 and my involvement in this incredible project created a fire inside of me. It revived my desire, allowed me to feel free, giving me the strength to continue to make a difference. I sought out Connect-123 to assist me in making some changes in my life, reconnect with myself, personally and professionally. It worked! Not enough people take the time out of their professional lives to do something like this. I took a risk, and realize that it was one of the best decisions I could have ever made.
Internships in Cape Town
Jen Jones
I arrived in Cape Town late at night, and was welcomed to an empty apartment when I crashed from 2 days of non-stop traveling. The next day I made countless new friends, and by the next week I had started my internship at a small tertiary institution 15 minutes out of town. Over the next three months I would learn more and grow more than I had thought possible. At my internship I mentored entrepreneurs from the surrounding communities in various business concepts like marketing and finance. I also created a user-friendly financial administration template and quote/invoice template using Excel, and was able to teach entrepreneurs how to use these templates to keep track of their company’s finances. At my internship I cultivated relationships with my coworkers and the people we mentored, and those friendships have continued to this day. My internship was the most meaningful work I’ve ever done and I looked forward to every day I spent working there. Outside of work a different adventure was planned every weekend. Whether it was taking a cab to Long Street, having drinks in Camps Bay, experiencing the Khayelitsha and Langa townships, planning a road trip to go bungy jumping, walking to the stadium to see a World Cup game, bartering for souvenirs at Greenmarket square, eating baguettes and Belgium waffles at the Neighbourgoods Market, getting up at 5AM to go cage diving with great white sharks, being chased by squirrels at the Company’s Gardens, watching the sunset at Chapman’s Peak, dodging baboons at the Cape of Good Hope, hiking Table Mountain (and taking the cable car down when you’re too tired to hike more), talking to locals on the train to Muizenberg, figuring out which minibus taxi will take you to Bellville, enjoying boerewors at countless braais, cleaning every Pick n Pay in Cape Town out of canned clams to make clam chowder, checking out the many museums near the apartment, learning how to pronounce words in Xhosa (clicking and all), learning to greet your coworkers in Afrikaans, seeing Nelson Mandela’s cell on Robben Island, enjoying giant avocados for 3 Rand, or simply going down to Mugged and talking with Eugene over a beer or coffee, every day was sure to be a new experience. I looked for an internship in South Africa to have a taste of what it would be like to work in a developing country. I’m preparing to leave for Western Africa soon for the Peace Corps, and my internship in Cape Town gave me great experience for my future volunteer position as a business advisor. Thank you Connect-123 and Eimear for giving me the experience of a lifetime, I can’t wait to come back to South Africa someday!
Internships in Cape Town
Caitlin Friel
I had just qualified as a solicitor in Ireland and I decided to take a few months off and go travelling. I had always wanted to volunteer abroad and through a friend at home I made contact with Connect-123. From the start Connect-123 was extremely helpful. They found a position for me with an organisation founded to deal with the high levels of sexual harassment in South Africa’s rural farming communities. The organisation raises awareness of the prevalence of sexual and domestic violence in the Western Cape. During my time with them, we, along with other organisations made a submission to the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth, Children and People with Disabilities on the lack of implementation of the Domestic Violence Act. The joint written submission was submitted to Parliament on the 26th October, 2009 and the oral submission to Parliament took place on the 29th October, 2009. My host organisation brought a beneficiary along to tell her story of how she tried to access the law to protect her from domestic violence and how it failed her. Her story was powerful and had a greater effect on Parliament than we could have ever imagined. It is our hope that steps will be taken to improve the implementation of the Act and protect the most vulnerable members of society. I had the most amazing experience in Cape Town. Not only did I get a chance to work with a great organisation, I also met amazing people who are truly inspiring. Cape Town’s setting is absolutely stunning. It is surrounded by the ocean and has the breathtaking Table Mountain right in the city. There is so much to do in the city, from high adrenaline activities and hikes up Table Mountain to chilling out on the beach and visits to vineyards, not to mention the great night life on Long St!!! I found Connect-123 extremely helpful and the employees very approachable. They organised events most weeks which was a great way for all the interns and volunteers to meet each other. I would recommend this programme for anyone who is interested in volunteering abroad. I cannot wait to go back and visit the Mother City and catch up with all the friends I made over there.
Internships in Cape Town
Lorraine Chilimanzi
The Social Entrepreneurship program was an amazing experience for me. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in issues of entrepreneurship and community led development. Not only did I get to learn some pretty amazing concepts in class and meet some real entrepreneurs and learn from them, but I was also able to get my hands into some live projects that, for me, really cemented what I was learning. I worked with the City of Cape Town government and with an NGO called Southern Africa Sustainable Development Initiative to come up with a model for building very innovative orphanages around the Western Cape (and maybe even the country!). I thoroughly enjoyed my experience – I worked hard, played hard and loved the outcome. Unlike other study abroad opportunities where you just attend classes the Social Entrepreneurship program ensures that the work you do will be meaningful and having lasting impact on the communities you work within. I fell in love with the city and the people and cannot wait to go back to visit….or even live there! Yep, that’s how much I loved it!
Internships in Cape Town
Brandon Pierson
Knowing that post graduation I would be in somewhat of a position of limbo before my career as an educator began, I decided to follow my dream of visiting the African continent. After a year of research, I finally found a program that seemed to fit my personality and needs in volunteering abroad; Connect-123. I was impressed with the communication throughout the process and the eagerness in having me become a part of their program. Melanie did a fantastic job placing me at ‘The Shine Centre’, a literacy based organization, teaching English to disadvantaged youth. Once I arrived, I realized I had extra time in my day and I wanted to do more – Melanie then put me in contact with ‘Home From Home’ which allowed me to spend time with six of the most remarkable children in the world! One cannot plan or anticipate everything that could happen in life – let alone some 7,000 miles away from home; however, the staff at Connect-123 in South Africa; Melanie, Kelly, Eimear, Mary, and Gabby all assisted in making Cape Town, South Africa a home away from home. Through various networking events and additional volunteering experiences, I became lifelong friends with individuals from around the globe – including some of the most inspirational and amazing people in South Africa! I quickly learned that a child’s smile speaks volumes to the perseverance, hope, love, and beauty of South Africa!
Internships in Cape Town
Michelle Adler
Equal Education has been working with Connect-123 for the past 2 years. We have had a range of fantastic volunteers coming through our organisation and have really benefitted from the time that they have spent with us. I feel that all of the interns who have come and gone from Equal Education have experienced something unique and have had an opportunity to see grass roots activism at its best and contribute in a valuable way to our success. We hope to continue this relationship for many years to come.
Internships in Cape Town
Grant Littke
I’ve been involved in developing and administering international internship programs in a variety of locations around the world for the last ten years, and have found them to provide transformative opportunities for student engagement with local issues, in local organizations, and with local peers. We began working with Connect-123 in Cape Town during the 2008-09 academic year, and sent our first students to Cape Town the following summer. Rarely have I seen a program come together so quickly and so seamlessly. Connect-123′s staff are very responsive, professional, and attentive both to the needs of students, and of administrators. Moreover, the internship placements are of the highest caliber, and the placement process involves extensive communication with the students from the time of application to their arrival in Cape Town (very unusual compared to other internship providers, and very helpful from a student perspective). The accommodations are high quality and safe, and perhaps best of all, incredibly affordable. With Connect-123′s offices in the same building, on-site communications with students (whether about internship issues, health and safety, cultural adjustment, or housing) are quick and easy to arrange. I can’t recommend Connect-123 highly enough!
Internships in Cape Town
Anna Maderner
In Sweden and the rest of the EU we have the opportunity to apply to send out our professional students on internships to other countries. Before it was mainly within Europe, but a few years back in Sweden we were also given the possibility to seek money for pupils to travel to countries outside of the EU to carry out internships. I was looking for new contacts abroad and the choice fell on South Africa. After many long hours in front of the computer Connect-123’s homepage turned up. Steven contacted me and we began planning for a possible collaboration. I applied for money for a preparatory visit and one year after the initial contact was created a colleague and I had the opportunity to visit Cape Town for a week. We loved everything about Cape Town immediately; the city, the people, the weather, and the food. During this week, Connect-123 took good care of us and Melanie showed us around potential host placements for our students. We also did a few visits to Robben Island, Stellenbosch and Cape Point. When we returned home a new application was written for students at our school. The application was for students to carry out their internships in Cape Town. The application came back and it was granted for seven students from vocational programs. Finally, in October 2010, seven students from six different programs, the hotel and restaurant-, child-and leisure, industry-, construction-, trade- and apprenticeship programs and a colleague and I were on our way to Cape Town. Connect-123 did a fantastic job at providing internships according to students ‘ abilities and wishes. I have from the first contact felt a big confidence in Connect-123 and the work that they do to provide for the students. Their safety was of course one of the big issues before we sent students abroad and the concept with the Connect-123 housing in the Perspectives apartment building where the students stay, is of course one of the big advantages. The students also had great internship placements such as our two construction students who worked in the Township of Philippi, helping Melvin and his boys to build houses for the people who live there. We had two of our girls working at a Children’s Hospital which has given them a lot of laughs but also a lot of sorrow. Our Industry student helped out at a center for homeless people that were able to get a three month education in, for example welding. We also had two students from the service sector and one of them worked at a Backpackers and got the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. Our kitchen student worked in a five star hotel and learnt a lot about what it is like to work in a place like that. I am really grateful to Melanie and the rest of the people that work at Connect-123 who have given our students this fantastic opportunity to work and see all the great things there are to explore in Cape Town. I know that this will be a memory for life for all of them and I already heard the rumor that at least one of them will be back next year. I will definitely write a new application for new students to get the chance to explore and see this part of the world and take part of the great hospitality and kindness of the people who live in Cape Town. At last, thank you again Connect-123 for taking good care of our students and giving them a memory for the rest of their lives.
Internships in Cape Town
