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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Morgan Sanders
My time in South Africa with Connect-123 turned out to be one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had! My internship in small business consulting allowed me to work with several entrepreneurs from townships in and around Cape Town. My task was to refine my clients’ business ideas and write up business plans, but in the process I really developed a close rapport with them and genuinely wanted them to succeed! It was such an incredible opportunity to be there for the start-up of their hopefully successful business ventures. I also benefited a great deal from the support and guidance of my boss, who was equally practical and passionate about the work we were doing. In addition, I’ll take home wonderful memories of my time when I wasn’t working. There were constantly social events and day trips planned for us, so there was never a dull moment! Last but not least, I’m happy to say that I made the most incredible friends in South Africa! We had an absolute blast together and I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard in my life! There wasn’t a single moment that I wanted to go home, and I’d go back in a heartbeat!
Internships in Cape Town
Simone Stephenson
Connect-123 was great! After I applied, they found an internship for me that was absolutely PERFECT for my major. I got to travel, sightsee, write, and photograph a totally new country…which was an amazing opportunity. The great thing about Connect-123, is that they really make an effort to bring everyone together. There were many nights where we went out to dinner in an organized outing. Another great thing is that most of the housing is in buildings with several other Connect-123 students. It allowed me to meet lots of other people, which made going out a lot easier! I would absolutely recommend Connect-123 to all of my friends…who are already completely jealous of my awesome experience!!
Internships in Cape Town
Nyasha Mvenge
I asked for a placement that involved research and lab work which was exactly what I got when I arrived. However, I’ve since also received training at a hospital which was my number one goal. So all in all I have gotten back far more than I had originally expected. I am super thrilled that not only am I achieving what I set out to do but I will leave with totally new skills. The location of the placement is also a bonus. Not many people can say they conducted their work with stunning scenery of a mountain and animals like wildebeest and impala right in front of them. On weekends there is so much to do, you truly never get bored. I am certain I made the right choice choosing Connect-123.
Internships in Cape Town
Jared Brown
I had always wanted to visit South Africa and found that Connect-123 was the most impressive group out there. My expectations were far exceeded throughout my interaction with Steven and the gang. Not only did Steven call me almost immediately after my application, but he quickly replied to all questions I had in my preparations for my trip. From picking me up from the airport, to ensuring that my work at the hospital went smoothly, to arranging excellent and affordable accommodations; I was continually impressed by Connect-123. I wouldn’t travel to Cape Town any other way.
Internships in Cape Town
John Hawley
To be totally honest, this internship is exactly what I was looking for. Not only am I going to be able to make a significant contribution to the pollination programme but, I’m also going to help put together another research paper with the head of the division…i.e., if I do a good job over the next little while I get PUBLISHED in an academic journal as full co-author! Pretty sweet man. This is really just a cool place to work with a wicked location and tonnes of other scientists doing all kinds of interesting things. The work is relatively hard, but the experience is proving itself to be more than I could have hoped for. Guess this is a good time to say thanks for doing a great job hooking me up with this opportunity.
Internships in Cape Town
Kelly Neel
I honestly don’t know where to begin. If I tried to say all the amazing things I gained throughout my experience with Connect-123, I’d end up with a novel the size of the latest Harry Potter. One thing I had asked Steven was “How did I stumble across this program while surfing the internet, and have it COMPLETELY change my life?” Not only did I gain experience from working in the hospital, but I gained an overwhelming appreciation for the people and world around me. There are just no words to explain how much I have grown as a person by simply being immersed in the culture that surrounded me. To find beauty in a place with such devastating poverty is beauty in and of itself, if that makes any sense at all. I highly recommend Connect-123. They make the best team and are super supportive of every participant in the program! Steven and Lea were there for us at the drop of a hat, as professionals and as friends and I wouldn’t trade my experience for the world!
Internships in Cape Town
Kelly Paradis
Connect-123 is the most organized and efficient program that I have ever been a part of. They put a great amount of time and thought into every detail, helping you instantly feel at home. The program’s small numbers and planned group outings create an intimate, fun environment and opportunity to meet new people. My internship applied to my studies more than I ever anticipated, and I was given tasks and responsibilities that taught me so much and greatly expanded my interests. On top of that, Cape Town is truly an amazing city with so much to offer. I did everything from shark cage diving to wine tasting and constantly found myself wishing for more time. I feel extremely fortunate that I was given this opportunity, and I know that it will be a life changing experience that I will never forget.
Internships in Cape Town
Elizabeth Fiala
The two months I spent in Cape Town, South Africa were by far the best two months of my life. I had a wonderful internship, superb housing, and incredible roommates. I met some amazing people while I was there and gained invaluable work skills and knowledge that can be applied towards my career in the future. Not to mention the social life that Connect-123 hooks you up with! I highly recommend this experience to anyone who has the opportunity to enjoy it.
Internships in Cape Town
Ashley Nelson
My experience with Connect-123 significantly impacted my life. From the second I applied to the program until after I returned home they were in constant communication with me making sure everything went smoothly. I loved how the program participants were from all over the world, offering different experiences, opinions, and areas of interest. The dynamic environment of South Africa was something so incredible and so very different. The food, people, and surroundings were like nothing I had ever seen before. The culture is so unique and there is always something new to experience in Cape Town. The responsibilities given to me during my internship made me really feel like I made a difference in my company, something not always the case at home. I learned an immense amount, but also was able to contribute information I have studied but have never been able to apply in the real world.
Internships in Cape Town
Elizabeth Boyer
I had the time of my life in Cape Town. My internship was exactly what I was looking for, and helped me make some major decisions concerning the career that I would like to pursue. I was able to meet South African students and get to know more about their culture. Everyone was so welcoming and interested in helping me learn more about them. Lea and Steven are amazing. Their pure passion for their work and their city makes this program a once in a lifetime experience. They showed us all the hot spots around Cape Town and were always willing to help out. Our apartment had an amazing view, and living in the same building as other participants allowed me to get to know other students from all around the world. Between the internship, the city, and people, I could not ask for a better experience than what Connect-123 has shown me!
Internships in Cape Town
Richard Glover
Being thrown in at the deep end with the newspaper was the best possible way for me to start my journalism internship in Cape Town as it gave me an insight into a part of the city that very few people, even locals, know about. In terms of my goals, I’ve always wanted to write for newspapers, get decent experience of the world of newspaper journalism and have a good time whilst doing it. I can safely say that my time as an intern has given me all of that. I have had in excess of 20 bylines which is more than I could ever have hoped for and everyone in the newsroom has gone out of their way to help me. As a result I have had an amazing internship.
Internships in Cape Town
Alyson Venti
Connect-123 provides an incredible opportunity to gain a unique experience in a remarkable culture. Traveling as a tourist is limited by achieving only a surface knowledge of a country, whereby living and working there offers an insight into a country’s distinctive features. Through Connect-123, I was able to spend six weeks working in marine conservation. My office was square miles of protected beach fronts and hiking trails, my desk a twin engine rubber duck (zodiac). My co workers were an accurate representation of the diversity that makes Cape Town so special. I was awoken to a truly remarkable place that everyone should get a chance to see. Connect-123 provides this unique opportunity.
Internships in Cape Town
Kelsey Puuri
My internship has been great! I have a nice variety of things to do at the hospital. I’ve been able to care for children, observe surgeries, and shadow some very interesting hospital personnel. I’d say the internship has more than met my expectations! The housing is also great, in a good location in the center of the city, with lots of things in the surrounding area to always keep us busy. It’s also great that Connect-123 makes recommendations of places to go that you might not think of going to.
Internships in Cape Town
Andrew Thuss
After graduating from the London School of Economics I was not particularly sure what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to work internationally, but I did not want to stay in Europe. Connect-123 paired me with a great multi-national company that provided me with a great internship experience. Combined with the spectacular setting of Cape Town, my experience with Connect-123 helped me develop both professionally and personally. I was hired soon after by a great company in Singapore as a direct result of my professional exposure in South Africa. I cannot thank Steven and Lea enough for their help in providing a fantastic experience in one of the world’s most unique places.
Internships in Cape Town
Jon Duplisea
My internship with Connect-123 was a phenomenal experience, one that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Every morning I woke up excited to see the children at the hospital. The staff were extremely helpful and took me in as one of their own. While interning in South Africa I had the opportunity to observe many surgical procedures and conduct research within the Department of Surgery. The events organized by Steven and Lea were always a blast. Cape Town is beautiful! If the opportunity arises to do an internship with Connect-123, DO IT!!!
Internships in Cape Town
Jessica Borek
My experience in Cape Town would not have been as extraordinary as it was, without the expertise of Connect-123. They are the most well connected people in Cape Town and took a caring and holistic approach to ensure that my internship, accommodation and social experiences were nothing short of amazing. The small size of the program combined with planned excursions to wineries, scenic hikes and popular clubs, to matching my interests and skills with an internship that fit perfectly with my majors has truly made my time in Cape Town unforgettable, and has undoubtedly left me wishing I could extend my stay. I feel as though I have made lasting relationships with the people I have met here and am certain that my international internship experience combined with a great reference letter from my boss will give me an edge on the competition when applying for other positions back in the States.
Internships in Cape Town
Silvia Carl
My two months in Cape Town was an amazing time! The Connect-123 staff were really helpful and made me feel welcome throughout my time here. To know I could call them at anytime to ask for anything made me feel safe, welcome and never alone being far from home. Choosing Connect-123 to do an internship in South Africa was a great decision!
Internships in Cape Town
Emily Hughes
From the indescribable poverty of the townships to the gorgeous, breathtaking landscapes of the wine lands and coast, the amazing thing about Cape Town is that it is such a land of extremes. Fortunately I was able to see both extremes as Connect-123 was great at organizing trips to venture beyond the city and my internship granted me access to the clinics in the townships. My internship in the clinic, a mixture of both helping and observing, also allowed me to learn a great deal about HIV and antiretroviral treatment. Besides arranging my fantastic internship and organizing memorable social events, Connect-123 are great in that they truly care about making each student’s experience in Cape Town the best that it can be and thus offer very personalized attention. This has been an amazing experience that I will always value; I only wish I had stayed longer!
Internships in Cape Town
Matthew Price
One word sums up my experience in South Africa: incredible! I was there for three months and had the time of my life. Steven and Lea, who run Connect-123, are two of the greatest and most accommodating people in the world and they are completely dedicated to making sure that each intern has a positive and life changing experience. They both have extensive experience in traveling and working with younger people. On top of that, as the company implies, they are two of the most well connected people in the city. When you meet them you will understand what I mean. While I have done internships in other places, Steven and Lea are one of the main reasons why I would recommend Connect-123 and Cape Town above any other. I don’t know what else I can say other than to tell you to take the adventure to the end of the world and make the most of Cape Town and Africa. It is an incredible journey that I will never forget.
Internships in Cape Town
Katja Fahrland
I had the time of my life in Cape Town, and this was largely due to Lea and Steven who run Connect-123. Both are so caring and give every intern the most personalized attention you can imagine. You can call them in the middle of the night and they will try to help you. With the type of the internship I was taking part in, they really tried to figure out my personal expectations. On the weekends, they always tried to arrange interesting activities so that I also became extremely familiar with the country. The Connect-123 program was the best choice for my internship South Africa. So, thank you very much for your help, support and the great time you made possible for me!
Internships in Cape Town
