Reviews

Spencer Goodman

If I think back over the course of my short life, I can think of a few moments in which I was heavily challenged, grew, and came out of the situation a more mature individual. My time in Buenos Aires was certainly one of those: I experienced what it’s like to live in a big city, how to work around gaps in my knowledge of Spanish, and overall how to become more autonomous from living on my own so far away. The relationships, both with people from Connect-123 and my work placement, have been so uplifting and I miss them. In short, I would do it over again: Connect-123 gave me the chance to discover more of the world, as well as myself in my time in Buenos Aires.

Kristen Dougherty

I am so happy that I chose Connect-123. My summer in Dublin was better than I could have imagined. I went into the program knowing no one, but the other people in the program that I met have become close friends and we still see each other now and then. Nikki was the Connect-123 coordinator with us in Ireland, and she was fantastic. She was always available to help and planned fun group activities. I love Connect-123 because, first of all, I spent half as much as I would have if I had gone through my university, and second, the people that work for Connect-123 and the people that participated in the program with me are all wonderful. I can't imagine spending that summer any other way.

James Addington

After completing my studies at the University of Canterbury I wanted the challenge of living and working abroad in a foreign language. With the help of Connect-123 and the New Zealand Embassy to Argentina, I undertook a three-month legal internship in Buenos Aires. The experience has exposed me to the Argentine legal and commercial landscape and helped improve my Spanish. Buenos Aires is an epic city and I would 10/10 recommend this program!

Zoë Sernyak

When I decided that I wanted to do a gap year, I knew that I wanted to spend some time abroad. What I did not know was where I wanted to be, what I wanted to do, or how to make my aspirations of international living actually happen. When I was introduced to Connect-123, all of my questions were answered. I chose Ireland from many options, and after a discussion with very helpful people from Connect-123, I was able to find an internship. After finding a host family and making the necessary arrangements, I finally arrived in Ireland. My coordinator helped me every step of the way, by assisting me in finding my way to work on the first day to organizing fun events throughout my stay. My social work internship ending up being an extremely fulfilling yet challenging position that allowed me to attain real world experience while still being consistent with my overall career goals. By the end of my two and a half months, Dublin felt like a second home, and I never wanted to leave!

Austen Zoutewelle

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

Marlowe Jackson

My time in Cape Town will forever hold a sincere place in my heart. As much as I would like to capture the essence of the experience into a few simple sentences, it is something only to be fully understood through being there in person. The indescribable feeling of the city is something I will never forget and will cherish for all my days. Cape Town is so much more than a beautiful landscape of mountains, city, and beaches; it is vibrant and home to contrasts, history, and diversity. The people are what made the experience so unforgettable and I am immensely grateful to each person I met along the way. I have Connect-123 to thank for helping me make one of my biggest lifelong dreams come true. My social work internship was everything I hoped for and much more. I savored each moment spent at my placement, an NGO for survivors of prostitution and trafficking. Sometimes life has a strange way of pulling you towards a path or place that you’re meant to journey, which is exactly what this experience was for me. If home is where the heart is, then I certainly found myself another home.

Rebecca Pedras

Connect-123 gave me a unique opportunity to grow personally as well as professionally. My internship abroad in Buenos Aires gave me insight into how rehabilitation is approached across borders; and that similarities can be found half a world away. Developing my Spanish has added that extra layer of meaning for me because I was able to learn and share with more people throughout this process. Connections made, time well spent and memories I will not forget. Thank you.

Brittany King

I have always wanted to travel, but after graduating, I wanted to gain experience in my career as well. That is when I looked into internships abroad and I came across Connect-123. The reviews spoke highly of the program and I was not disappointed. My coordinator was wonderful. She made me feel comfortable being in a new country by myself and provided me with amazing ideas to get the most out of my trip. The placement they found was amazing and the people were so nice and helpful. I learned a lot and gained a lot of experience. I worked at a newspaper and wrote at least five articles every week. It was a very busy two months, my days were filled with my work as an intern and with lots of travel and fun activities too. I visited downtown Dublin many times, went to Kilkenny, Glendalough, Wicklow, Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Belfast and even travelled to Edinburgh, Scotland. Connect-123 gave me the best experience of my life where I got the chance to travel and gain experience to further my career. This program is the best choice for students interested in an internship abroad.

Ellie Shoji

Reflecting on the five-and-a-half months in Ireland I spent interning with Connect-123 as a research assistant at a University, I have to say that it was the best decision I have made for myself, ever. I applied for an internship with Connect-123 after deciding to pursue medicine and research. All I knew when I began my internship was what my research project entailed and the expectations the university had for me as an intern. Throughout my internship, I met Masters students and PhD students who became my friends and my mentors in research. I began to enjoy research and I was very fortunate to work with a great team. My supervisors were supportive, enthusiastic, critical and encouraging. As a bonus, I was invited to attend and helped organize a major conference that the university was hosting for the first time. It was a great way to finish off my research assistant internship. Behind the scenes I was supported by the Connect-123 Dublin Program Coordinator, Nikki Madden. It was very reassuring to have someone to reach out to and I felt safe with her by my side. I do not think anyone could do what Nikki does for the Connect-123 students. Nikki organized regular events for us, which was a great way to bring us together as friends and teach us a bit about Dublin since it can be hard to be in a new place without having anyone to talk to. As an avid traveler, it can be exciting to face new challenges in a new country but it is always the people that make it the best experience and worth the stay. Without Nikki & Lea, I would not have been able to meet my wonderful host family who are like an extended family that made me feel like Ireland is my other home. I would like to thank Connect-123 for making it possible for me to have the experience of a lifetime, and for the wonderful support you provided for me and my younger brother who interned with Connect-123 previously.

Liz S

After graduating from high school last June, I decided to take a semester off - which, thanks to Connect-123, ended up being one of the best decisions I've ever made. In Dublin, I was placed into a small television production company, where I pitched ideas, wrote proposals, and worked closely with industry veterans.I lived close to the city centre, which made exploring Dublin really convenient. And, most of all, I never felt completely on my own - the incredible Dublin program coordinator always made sure everything was going by smoothly. Without Connect-123’s help, none of this would’ve been possible. So, if you’re reading this testimonial and are wondering if this program is really worth it, let me leave you with the following: Intern abroad if you’re interested in honing in on what you’re passionate about, becoming more mature and independent, and/or opening yourself up to new experiences. Connect-123 really does deliver.

Laura Davids

My internship in Buenos Aires is something that I will always remember fondly. The city is vibrant and I had a never-ending list of things that I wanted to do! From Plaza de Mayo to intimate tango shows in San Telmo, there was never a dull moment. The people were kind and the city was unlike any place I have ever lived. Traveling around Argentina was also an incredible experience! My internship welcomed me with open arms, and I learned a great deal that I feel will be helpful to me in my future career. I am leaving Argentina with new passions and goals for my future, based on experiences I have had here. I initially had difficulty understanding the Argentine accent, but picked it up after a few weeks! Being immersed in the language helped my Spanish improve exponentially. The coordinators at Connect-123 were also very helpful, and answered every question I ever had. Having the support system of Connect-123 helped me make the most of my time in Buenos Aires!

Julian Douglass

Cody Larimore-Siu

John Lisella

Staci Tiedeken

Sophia Nelson

Valeria Isgro

Carly Bell

My two-month internship in Buenos Aires, Argentina was extremely transformative and more rewarding than I could have ever imagined. I interned at an organization that dedicates their efforts to the conservation of nature and promotes their values through education of the next generations. There I had the opportunity to write articles for their blog and conduct interviews with local contacts. My internship allowed me to learn about environmental issues and education in Argentina while developing professional skills like writing and doing research. Going into this experience I hadn’t spoken Spanish in years, but my supervisor and other staff were so kind, generous and patient that I was able to feel at ease practicing at the office. My work schedule allowed me plenty of time to explore the city and go on short trips with friends. Connect-123 organized some great cultural activities that allowed us to explore new parts of the city. This was my first time living in a big city, and Buenos Aires has so much to offer. This experience helped me to step out of my comfort zone and gain a lot of independence and confidence in myself while still feeling safe and supported. By the end of the summer, I felt really at home in Buenos Aires and plan to go back as soon as possible. Overall, I highly recommend this experience!

Maria Cacciapuoti

Joyce Jamal