Reviews

Catherine Kozuch

Ben Ditlevson

Reyhan Sinha

Connect-123 facilitated my sustainable development internship in Buenos Aires, Argentina over the summer. It was hands down one the best things I've ever done! Not only did I learn about working in a foreign country, but I also learned how to adapt to unexpected situations at work and my confidence grew in my ability to voice my concerns and opinions with my supervisor. I met some of the most amazing people, I made lifelong friends and I traveled to fantastic places such as Iguazú and Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay. The two most important takeaways for me from this experience abroad were: 1. learning Spanish, and 2. figuring out how to push myself beyond my comfort zone.

Wiktoria Brodzinska

Interning abroad in Argentina was unlike anything I could have ever imagined. Right from the start of my internship, I developed practical and tangible career skills that I will be able to utilize in the future. From designing logos, to coding in CSS, my digital marketing internship allowed me to explore various areas of marketing, helping me determine what I enjoyed most. Besides the wonderful work experience, I was amazed by the number of opportunities for learning and growth that were offered in the city of Buenos Aires itself! You could easily find yourself attending art exhibits, watching horse races, exploring antique fairs, seeing the ballet, napping in a park, and taste-testing the best dulce de leche in the world – all in only one weekend! I’m incredibly grateful to Connect-123 for providing me with an outlet for creating such wonderful memories, and most importantly, for connecting me with truly fantastic people from all over the world!

Amaruc Gessen

Interning in Buenos Aires was an amazing experience. It exceeded all my expectations. The city is amazing, my housing was pretty good, the food is incredible and there is always something going on in the city that you can go and do. My engineering and industrial design internship was incredible, even though at first I was a bit intimidated because I did not know anything about 3D printing, but after the first few weeks of doing research, I was actively participating in the design and development projects. This really helped me develop my skills as an engineer and learn how to design and manufacture working prototypes to be implemented in the final product. Connect-123 was always there to help when needed, organizing cool events every week and helping me meet a group full of fantastic people. All in all the experience was a solid 11/10!

Josh Braun

My time in Buenos Aires has been unreal. I really did not know what to expect before I arrived. There were so many uncertainties going into the experience, but I could not be happier with how everything turned out! I was welcomed with open arms at my host organization, had an international-filled and always exciting apartment, and the city, oh my gosh. The city is so vibrant and so alive. At times it can be overwhelming, but there is always, like really ALWAYS something to be a part of, or to experience. From cultural events to concerts to sharing mate with friends on a Sunday afternoon. As far as the internship is concerned, I was blown away with the work that I was able to do. I worked with an NGO and with the Provincial Government of Buenos Aires. The office was so welcoming, and the opportunities that I was given were so valuable. For my main project during the internship, I traveled around the province conducting interviews with municipal officials as part of a sustainable development report working in tandem with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. The work was meaningful, and hopefully in the future will have a tangible positive impact in the province. In short, I am so glad that I chose Connect 123, and will be forever grateful for my time in Buenos Aires.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.

Kourtney Walter

My experience in Argentina was definitely a worthwhile experience. I was able to learn, practice, and enhance my Spanish speaking skills by just everyday life and by attending classes the organization suggested. I learned so much about a culture that was different from mine; I ate styles of food I have never eaten and of course, the culture of mate was a big learning experience. I loved that the country has a huge sharing culture, which explains the large prevalence of mate sharing. I am taking a few mate cups home to share with my family and friends, so they can learn too. Argentina is an incredibly beautiful country with many places to visit to keep your weekend or days off busy. Just walking around Buenos Aires there is so much to see and do, like going to Recoleta Cemetery, Puerto Madero, San Telmo market, Casa Rosada, and so many more. I was fortunate enough to also take 2-weekend trips; one to Iguazu falls, which was incredible and another to Puerto Madryn to whale watch and swim with sea lions :) My experience exploring Argentina was amazing. I've made so many unforgettable friends that I hope to keep in contact with and plan to visit eventually.

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.

Seth Greengo

When I first arrived in Buenos Aires, it was a dark and cold morning. My flight from the United States had been delayed so much that my arrival was pushed back a full day. I thought this incident would set the tone for my trip; I couldn’t have been more wrong. Both the literal and figurative clouds passed and I found myself falling for Buenos Aires and Argentina as a whole. I was an intern at a public hospital in Buenos Aires province, where I threw on a lab coat and was able to watch doctor’s appointments in multiple departments, observe surgeries in the operating room, and even attend lectures about cancer medicines with the oncologists. The doctors and staff were all super welcoming and willing to explain things to me, in both English and Spanish. Living in Buenos Aires and immersing myself in the Argentine culture created many unforgettable experiences. I cannot thank Connect-123 enough for setting up my internship, organizing cultural events, and making my experience one to remember!

Sergio Demara

I was only finishing up my freshman year of college at the start of Connect-123, but I knew I wanted to take risks and explore parts of myself I hadn’t before. I was so blessed to work in Buenos Aires at an impactful human rights non-profit organization, completely organized by Connect-123. The experience is more than you could bargain for-- as a cohort, we attended dance performances, dinner nights, and street art tours together to explore local culture. The staff helped us feel comfortable and immersed in Argentina’s rich heritage. At my internship, I was shown similar support and encouraged to draft project reports, secure funding for LGBT refugees, and develop a storyboard for a film. I attended official board meetings regarding refugees in Argentina and local workshops on sexual diversity, even meeting refugees to hear their stories and represent them. This internship experience allowed me to breathe in experiences that have allowed me to grow and flourish for my next step in life. I am so grateful to have participated in this program and I look forward to returning to South America some day.

Jasmine Purifoy-Lewis

My time in Buenos Aires has been great. I really love the city, I was worried about getting lost, and I probably only got lost three times. The city is really easy to explore, the subway system is very easy to learn and quite interesting to people watch and language ease-drop. I feel like being here has really enhanced my Spanish skills and that was my reason for wanting to travel abroad. I also really enjoyed working with my coworkers in my internship. My advice would just pick an internship you know is going to be interesting to you, and be prepared to possibly not do what you thought you were going to do, and/or more than what you expected. Our program coordinator was also very helpful and interested in helping everyone. Argentina is a beautiful place and I would definitely come back again.

Casey Copp

Three months ago I got on the plane shaking. I had never left the United States before and I had never never left home for so far and for as long as I was about to do. I had never lived in a big city. I had never left my comfort zone. Much of my family preferred that I go to Europe than South America. Indeed, I was shaking as I got on the plane. Three months later now I am a changed person. Buenos Aires is an incredible city with never-ending options of things to do and it's impossible to get bored. I've had more fun here the past three months that I had in my first 3 years of college! The best aspect of the city is the people. Everyone I've met, from strangers that pass by on the streets, to the worker in an ice cream store next to my apartment, to other students from a local university, and obviously my host family who are always so friendly, caring, and accommodating. Connect-123 provided me with a perfect internship that mixed my career aspirations working in non-profits as well as my passion soccer, which is also the passion of the entire Argentine nation! Although I've studied Spanish for 7 or 8 years, I felt like my language knowledge had plateaued but now not only has my Spanish improved drastically but I will return to my university confusing all my professors as I speak to them like a Porteño. I'm so sad to leave and I will most definitely return many times in my life. For the impact it has made on my personal growth, Buenos Aires, Argentina will forever have a special place in my heart.

Collin Kruzel

My adventure to Buenos Aires was a first in many ways. Big firsts like leaving the country for the first time and being really, really far from family for so long. Connect-123 truly exceeded any expectations I could have in regards to this big change. Connect-123 placed me with a host family, who very quickly became a part of my family. A fantastic host family and a constant stream of available activities and events kept me busy and excited while being integrated into the culture and life here in Argentina. This is all in addition to being placed in an internship that was very flexible, friendly and provided me a unique work experience.

Samantha Minnette

The three months that I spent in Buenos Aires were amazing, as I spent them improving my Spanish, exploring a culturally rich city, and meeting new and exciting people every day! I came to this internship with the goal of improving my ability to speak Spanish and I can say confidently that I have accomplished my goal. Working in a small office really helped me connect with the language and with the people I worked with, allowing me to form strong connections and friendships. Working in my internship really impacted the way that I look at my degree and the future that I want to pursue! In addition to this, Buenos Aires and Argentina in general is a beautiful and fascinating part of the world to explore and live in! From the North to the South my travels really opened my eyes to the beauty of this country. I cannot wait to return some day! Thank you Connect-123 for such a great experience!

Calum Ahmed

Having not had the opportunity to travel much, I jumped head first at the chance to take advantage of an internship program in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I didnʼt have much prior knowledge of the country, so I didnʼt really know what to expect. Shortly after touching down, any prior concerns or hesitancy were put to rest. What youʼll immediately notice is how helpful and understanding the locals are and Connect-123ʼs ability to seamlessly integrate each and every one of us. As far as my internship, it was  everything I could have asked for. Right off the bat, I was made aware that the company was truly counting on me and that I was now apart of their family. The country itself is absolutely stunning. If you ever want to escape the city (which is unlikely), surreal locations and natural wonders are easy trips from the capital. All in all, the memories made and experiences had in these few short months have been among the best Iʼve had in my life and I canʼt wait to come back.