Reviews

Nikki Jamieson

My experience in Cape Town completely surpassed my expectations. I was excited to experience a summer immersed in a culture so different from my own, but I was not exactly sure what life in my internship and outside of it would entail. Other Connectors and I spent time hiking the famous trails of the city, exploring the different areas and beach towns, and immersing ourselves in South African culture. My time spent in Cape Town opened my eyes in ways I never knew possible and I truly fell in love with the city that is so vibrant and unique. My medical internship gave me exposure unlike ever before. It gave me the opportunity to expand my knowledge of different health care systems and medical practices used around the world. The doctors, nurses, and fellow interns I worked alongside were inspiring and made me look forward to going to the clinic each day. I can not imagine a better way to have spent my summer growing in knowledge, experience, and making connections with other students from all around the globe. I know this opportunity will shape the way I move forward in my education and career and for that, I am so thankful!

Rae Filley

Connect 123 gave me the opportunity to try something that I didn’t think I would be able to do while still in college. As a nursing major, I only see the clinical side of healthcare, where Connect gave me the opportunity I had wanted to try research. I learned so much and met some amazing people at the research lab where I worked, and have been able to apply the new skills and knowledge that I have gained into my studies. They made it so easy right from the beginning, from finding housing and figuring out what documents I needed to travel, to getting a phone and making sure I was comfortable traveling to work. I felt fully supported and prepared for everything that came my way. I met such an amazing group of people, who made exploring Dublin, and the rest of Ireland, much more fun. Whether it was hiking the trails in the coastal towns, grabbing a bite to eat, checking out a local festival or event, or exploring Galway or Belfast, there was always someone who was excited to go with you. The Connect community, especially the program coordinator Nikki, couldn’t have been nicer or more welcoming. She knew exactly how overwhelming a new and foreign city can be, but she helped make Dublin feel like home right away. She always made sure we were getting the most out of our internship experiences all while planning fun events and showing us the less touristy side of Dublin. I can’t recommend Connect 123 more and I already cant wait to visit this wonderful city again

Alison Wall

I cannot recommend Connect-123 enough! I was excited to learn more about my family history in Ireland, as well as gain new professional skills through this internship. I was nervous to spend three months in a foreign country, but Nikki - the Connect-123 program coordinator in Dublin - made me feel so welcome and was a wealth of information on fun things to do both in and out of the city. She also made sure that all the interns in Dublin felt connected and set up activities for us every week! I had an amazing experience, learned new things, and made friends from all over the world. I'm so happy I chose Connect-123 to help me through my internship abroad.

Nicole Johnson

My time in Barcelona was an unforgettable experience and an amazing adventure. I’ve dreamt of going to Spain since I was in high school. For me it wasn’t if I’d travel to Barcelona, it was when. It was my first time ever leaving the United States, so to say I was petrified would be an understatement. I’ll never forget boarding the plane, hugging my family goodbye and heading off into the unknown. A million questions flooded me with anxiety, from “Will anyone speak English?”, “Who am I going to hang out with?”, or “How am I supposed to get to work every day?”. When I got to my apartment, I met with the Connect-123 program coordinator in Barcelona and a few other interns at a nearby coffee shop. I was welcomed with a warm smile and every single anxiety-filled question was answered for me. I met some of the most wonderful, caring, fun, passion-filled people I know. We experienced hiking up to Tibidabo Amusement Park, seeing a Flamenco show, running through Parque Ciutadella, reading at Parque Guell, tanning at Barceloneta, shopping on las ramblas, and eating every tapa imaginable. We traveled to other parts of Europe like Italy and Greece, which was crazy to me how easy and affordable it was to travel to from country to country. I truly could not have asked for a better group of people to experience a new place with. I am beyond blessed that I stumbled upon Connect-123. Connect-123 set me up with an awesome healthcare internship at a leading pediatric hospital in Barcelona. I was pushed here to really dive back into all the years I studied Spanish. In school, I was taught how to read and write Spanish very well, but the conversations in class were minimal and usually with another person whose preferred language was English. But I’ll never forget one day at the hospital it all just clicked for me. I was holding real conversations confidently in Spanish with native speakers, which was something I never believed I would be able to do. Besides getting to live in one of the most renowned cities in the world, one of the biggest things I will take away from this whole experience, was being put into situations where my only choice was to try to speak, understand, and learn Spanish. I feel the only way you can truly learn is when you indulge yourself in the culture. I am beyond grateful to Connect-123 and their staff for being inviting and making my transition easy for me. A quote that stuck with me through this experience is, “One day, you’re 17 and you’re planning for someday. And then quietly, without you ever really noticing, someday is today. And then someday is yesterday. And this is your life.” So my best advice to anyone beginning this journey is to live in the moment, go eat as much as you can, and go experience as much as you can, because the two to three months you have in Barcelona are going to fly by!

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.

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.

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.

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!

Maria Cacciapuoti

Alina Bosa

Maggie Schmitt

Joshua Dowds

My internship and overall experience working at a leading hospital in Cape Town has left me with memories and friends that I will have for a lifetime. I came into the internship on the fence of what I wanted to pursue career-wise and with little medical experience. After working with the doctors at the hospital I can honestly say I left knowing what I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing. I was given the opportunity to have many one-on-one conversations with both the patients and doctors during clinical and ward rounds. I was responsible for many tasks, such as running blood work, booking x-rays, completing admittance and discharge sheets, and updating the patients' results. The doctors were all very hands-on throughout my time there, getting us engaged and answering all of our questions. Outside of the hospital, my experience was equally as great. Having weekends off gave us plenty of time to really explore Cape Town and our program coordinators always had an activity for us to do. Whether we were shark cage diving, paragliding, enjoying the local restaurants and wine, or sandboarding, our tight-knit group of friends really took advantage of our time in the country. I hope to one day have the opportunity to go back and see the beautiful city of Cape Town again. Thank you Connect-123 for this unforgettable experience.

Mahanna Elsheik

I interned for 7 weeks working in the research department of an organization that focuses on suicide and self-harm prevention. Seven weeks felt like 7 days. I had a wonderful time and it was an extremely fruitful experience; I learned so much! Everyone working there was so kind, friendly, and funny and made me feel very welcomed. My last day was a lot more emotional than I ever thought it would be, it was hard saying my goodbyes- a sign of a great experience and even greater people. Dublin is a beautiful city with so much to do and see. Exploring the city and towns nearby was so much fun and I definitely plan on coming back and exploring Ireland even more. Huge thanks to the Connect-123 team's time and efforts spent answering all my questions and for their patience during the application process. Fun events, hangouts, and tours were organized for the C-123 members and our program coordinator gave us suggestions on what to do/where to go during the bank holidays and weekends. She was extremely helpful and checked up on us frequently and was always there to answer any questions we had no matter how silly they were. It’s truly been a wonderful summer. I met awesome people and made great friendships. I'm very thankful for the experience and the memories that came with it! Thank you Connect-123 !

Treasure Inyang

For 2 months, I had the wonderful experience of working in a day hospital in Cape Town. The staff at the hospital were very welcoming and accommodating to any of our needs. They really included us in the day to day running of the hospital and I’m happy that I was able to contribute in the little way I could. It was a very hands on internship and I was able to gain clinical experience which would have been a lot harder to get in the UK. I’m very grateful to all the clinical staff at the hospital and also the Connect organisers for being so warm and checking in with us regularly. Cape Town is such a beautiful city and I hope to visit again very soon! Thank you so much for all your help and making this experience so memorable!

Ioana Moldovan

Having had the experience of studying abroad for four months in Spain, my unease for an adventure in Buenos Aires did not come from lacking language skills. Instead, I feared feeling lonely and out of place, both in the city and in the public hospital where I completed my internship. Truth be told, I did struggle at the beginning because the weather conditions were not short of depressing, which made it difficult to start exploring the city. Shortly after I started my internship, however, I met other program participants at social events and the hospital where I interned. During my time in this hospital, which focuses on care for mothers and children, I rotated among specialties such as obstetrics, pediatrics, and neonatology. The residents became my friends and the doctors took me under their wing, making sure that I understood the medical terminology and the procedures involved in patient treatment. My time in Buenos Aires was filled with close friendships, adventures in the city, and it concluded with a confirmation of my desire to pursue a career in medicine.

Brielle Johnson

Interning at an orthopedic hospital in Cape Town was one of the most rewarding and amazing experiences of my life so far. As a nursing student, it provided me with a deeper understanding of the culture and healthcare system in South Africa, and at the same time I could explore my passion for pediatric nursing. The nurses and doctors alike were all extremely kind and helpful, and allowed you to get up close to any surgeries and procedures that were happening; they would let you help out with essentially anything you were comfortable with. Connect-123 was incredibly helpful with organizing housing, as well as planning events to help you get familiar with the city. There are endless adventures to be had in Cape Town, and my weekends were packed full thanks to the information provided by Connect-123. Being able to live and volunteer in a city as beautiful and diverse as Cape Town will be an experience that I will carry with me for a lifetime.

Madeline Egan

Connect-123 made my dream internship of observing doctors at both general and pediatric hospitals abroad possible. At first I was a bit nervous to be jumping between the two hospitals because I was not confident in my Spanish speaking abilities and was worried I wouldn’t be able to establish connections. However, this fear quickly faded as I was warmly welcomed into both hospitals. I was pleasantly surprised by how flexible and self-directed the internship was. Within my second week at the general hospital, I observed several surgeries and quickly fell in love with the OR. My adviser at the general hospital encouraged me to spend time in the specialties that I was passionate about and to continue learning from the doctors I connected with. I was fortunate enough to also rotate through a pediatric and maternal hospital where I choose to spend most of my time observing pediatric surgeries as well as natural and C-section births. The surgery teams I met worked efficiently as a team but also kept the mood light with laughter and music and they allowed me to be a part of it. Most of the time my engagement came from me asking the doctors or nurses questions, but because I communicated with them, they asked about my life and some asked me to do small tasks like adjust the surgery light, hold the patient in place, or take photos during the surgery. There were several occasions where I had the opportunity to interact with doctors off the clock. My favorite memory was when an ER doctor & plastic surgeon invited me and a fellow colleague to have dinner at his house. We ate authentic Argentinian food and ended the night singing along while he played guitar. Buenos Aires was a wonderful place to live and I would not have felt as welcomed and as confident in the city if it weren’t for Connect-123.

Rachel Meade

Connect-123 was an incredible summer program. Not only did they arrange a research internship with a top university in Dublin, but they also provided fun opportunities to experience Ireland while socializing with other members of the program! My favorite excursion was definitely the visit to the Hills of Tara! The legends surrounding the place were amazing, the views were unparalleled, and I got to offer a marshmallow to a fairy tree in exchange for a wish. Altogether, it was a fantastic experience. I would highly recommend this program for any student wanting to spend time in Ireland!

Brianne Heney

Being in Cape Town, South Africa as a part of Connect-123 was by far the best 4 months of my life thus far. I was fortunate enough to be able to split my time between two pediatric care facilities. The two hospitals were incredibly different, and allowed me to gain a broad understanding of Cape Town’s health care system. I had the opportunity to observe surgeries, cast a clubbed foot, join the doctors and nurses on ward rounds, assist with the placement of feeding tubes, and provide compassionate, comprehensive care to sick children. Outside of my internship, I had plenty of time to explore the beauty that is South Africa. Our weekends were spent hiking, going to the beach, touring vineyards, sand boarding, sky diving, shark cage diving, going on safari, touring the Garden Route, eating at phenomenal restaurants, and visiting incredible markets. Our program coordinators were available to help us plan excursions, ask questions, or to just say hi! They are always willing to listen and were extremely resourceful with any question brought to their attention. I still cannot believe that I was lucky enough to call Cape Town my home for 4 months. The friendships and memories I made here are some that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I cannot think of a better place for an internship and am already looking forward to the day when I can make it back to visit!

Sophia Busacca

Connect-123 was very well organized and extremely helpful. They helped me find a nursing related internship and organized my living arrangements. As a nursing student the internship was exceptional! I had a great experience shadowing doctors and nurses and learning from them. I was able to see a wide variety of patients and understand their needs clinically and emotionally. It was interesting to compare the needs of different patients. I was able to work on the Labor and Delivery Unit, Well Baby Clinic, Postpartum Floor, Emergency Room, and the Pediatric Emergency Room. This experience has helped prepare me for my senior year in nursing school. I was able to narrow down the fields that I am more passionate about. As well, Cape Town is a phenomenal city to explore. I had so much fun meeting other interns and exploring Cape Town with our shuttle driver who took us on a tour of the Cape and a township. The museums, ocean, and city in Cape Town are great for a college student. Thank you Connect-123 for the awesome experience.