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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Allison M
I really enjoyed my time in Buenos Aires. Brenda was amazing. She was always willing to help us with anything no matter the time of day. She gave us great recommendations for things such as places to eat. The weekly excursions were really fun and useful to get to know the city and everyone else in the program. I really enjoyed the horseback riding event we had. Overall, I really enjoyed exploring Buenos Aires and the people there were equally as amazing.
Internships in Buenos AiresGabriela R
I had a really nice experience with Brenda. She was super helpful in answering our questions and clarifications while living in Buenos Aires. She was more than a coordinator but also a trusted friend. She exceeded my expectations as a coordinator and also provided amazing experiences for the excursions.
Internships in Buenos AiresMadelyn G
Lea and Steven at Connect-123 did a great job not only placing me in an internship for this summer but also keeping up with me to ensure things were running smoothly. They were always available if I had any questions and were a huge support system while I was in Dublin. Now that I have completed my internship, I can say that I have gained valuable skills and experience that have allowed me to propel myself forward in my future career path.
Internships in DublinAmelia J
I really enjoyed this experience overall. The Connect-123 program was really helpful and quite organized throughout the whole experience. The day trips we did were good to learn more about the culture we were entering. The people who were in charge of it all were also helpful and always available to us to reach out if anything was going wrong. In terms of my internship, I cannot give them enough praise. Not only was I completely involved in everything at the organization, they cared about my performance and were wanting to teach me as much as possible. I really enjoyed my coworkers and overall I loved the type of work I did there.
Internships in DublinZach P
My two months in Sydney, Australia were without a doubt the best of my life. Everyone at Connect-123 did a fantastic job at making this process as easy and fun as possible. Getting to do this experience was genuinely life-changing and something I will remember forever.
Kayla V
I loved that there were multiple interns in my job from different companies, I feel as though it really helped me to fit in quicker. I also loved how international my internship organization was. Also Connect-123 overall was very helpful when I needed anything.
Internships in BarcelonaKayla H
I have grown so much from my experience with Connect-123. From the very beginning I knew they had my best interests at heart as they set me up with an internship that is both fulfilling and helping me grow as a professional. I cannot thank them enough as I know, moving forward, I will be more prepared and globally knowledgeable.
Internships in Dublin
Ingrid O
Visiting South Africa for the summer, as a medical student was an amazing experience! With the help of Connect-123, I was able to transition into my clinical experiences with no issues. While maintaining a good balance on tourist fun! Their organized events were some of the best parts of my trip! Their suggestions of local events made me love the culture even more. The people of South Africa were very welcoming and kind to me throughout my whole experience. Their rich and diverse culture, allowed me to learn both in clinic and on excursions. I will definitely be returning one day!
Internships in Cape Town
Sofia P
This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to spend two enriching months in Barcelona working with a human rights NGO dedicated to supporting LGBTQ immigrants and refugees. Over the course of this summer, I gained meaningful professional experience in social work, particularly with asylum seekers and immigrants. I also gained invaluable insights into multiculturalism and outreach in a remarkably short period. Additionally, I further honed my translation skills for legal documents and asylum stories/statements. I even had the chance to write an article about my first Pride Parade and my overall experience, which was published on their website! In that article, I expressed—and would like to reiterate here—my deep gratitude for the experience that Connect-123 has given me. I especially want to thank Sophie Mulcahy, who guided me along the way and paired me with this unforgettable internship. This experience has taught me so much about the struggles immigrants and marginalized communities face—struggles that the world often sees but chooses to ignore. My understanding of the LGBT community and its unique role in global immigration has deepened, and the warm welcome I received here, as someone eager to learn, has opened my eyes to different ways of life and challenged my initial perceptions. The NGO I was placed at is a pillar of human rights in a special city like Barcelona. For me, it’s more than an organization; it’s a home—a place that welcomes everyone, regardless of background or past—a true melting pot of cultures.
Internships in Barcelona
Juan S
This program is the easiest way to study abroad and get to know a whole different country/continent if that is something you have in mind. They care enough for you to get to know where you are and also to make sure you know everything about how to move around and how to be safe around the cities. Additionally, some of the supervisors are super nice and they enjoy having conversations with you as well and learning about you. Their team is awesome because they would help you to get most of the things that you need to get done together with your school.
Internships in Barcelona
Kaylee C
As an aspiring lawyer, having the opportunity to intern at a business law firm was a dream come true! Brenda, one of the dedicated Connect-123 program coordinators, played a big role in supporting my journey as she helped place me in an internship that aligned with my interests and professional endeavors.
Internships in Buenos Aires
Lily R
The Connect-123 program in Buenos Aires is a wonderful experience. Argentina is full of the most welcoming and generous people including the program coordinator, Brenda, who was so helpful and kind. All of our group outings were so fun and really allowed us to experience every part of this incredible city. Buenos Aires truly has something for everyone and I will definitely be leaving a piece of my heart here in BA.
Internships in Buenos Aires
Catherine N
My time in Dublin, Ireland, living on the UCD Campus while interning at a mental health and wellness organization, has been an incredible experience. The internship in policy writing allowed me to deeply engage with my passion for sociology and mental health advocacy. Exploring Ireland and neighboring countries enriched my understanding of diverse cultures and provided unforgettable memories. Connecting with new friends and coworkers has been invaluable, fostering a sense of community and belonging. This experience has taught me so much about myself and the workplace, while expanding my knowledge in psychology, sociology, and business organization. I am immensely grateful for this opportunity.
Internships in Dublin
Leila R
I am beyond grateful for Connect-123 and my internship experience in Barcelona. It is the most amazing city with so much to see and do. My internship experience allowed me to grow both professionally and personally which I have no doubt will hugely benefit me in the future. I will cherish the experiences I have had over the past 2 months forever!
Internships in Barcelona
Max F
Choosing to intern abroad in Dublin, Ireland was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Of course at first I was a little apprehensive about my internship placement, since I was not sure if It would be a good fit, but I honestly had nothing to worry about. Connect-123 worked tirelessly to find a personalized internship placement that would fit me perfectly, and they were there to support me every step of the way. I will cherish all the memories and experiences I have gained from this opportunity for the rest of my life. Exploring the vibrant city of Dublin, making new friends along the way, and enjoying the excursions that Connect-123 provided for us made the trip very special. To anyone who is interested in studying abroad, I 100% recommend Dublin and I can safely say Connect-123 is the perfect program to support you on your journey.
Internships in Dublin
Nheriessa M
I had a phenomenal experience with Connect-123 global programs. Through this program, I was fortunate enough to conduct research at a prestige University in the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology Department. I also had the opportunity to observe Pediatric Reconstructive Surgery at one of Cape Town's biggest public Hospital's. As a pre-med student it is almost essential to have a background in research. I am grateful to this program and my principal investigator because I gained technical skills and knowledge in the subject. I regained my love for science because of my work at the University. It is my goal to become a surgeon and I got the distinct opportunity of observing surgical procedures I was never previously exposed to. I am tremendously grateful for the people I met along the way, administration, physicians and patients. I am grateful for Carla and the program, who worked hard on my placements to make it unique to my needs. Connect -123 has a large variety of weekly activities that they provide students with. As a student who has done study abroad previously, I can say that Connect-123 goes above and beyond to make sure students are engaged and that they have opportunities witness the beauty of Cape Town. There is nothing I would change about my trip and if I could have extended my stay, I would :)
Internships in Cape Town
Cameron G
Cape Town was a great opportunity for me to become more culturally competent in healthcare, and Connect-123 provided a fantastic opportunity and location for me to learn from. They provided excellent recommendations for education and entertainment as I became a local and embraced South African culture!
Internships in Cape Town
Linda A
My experience in Dublin as an intern was both challenging and rewarding. It provided me with invaluable insights into the field of social inclusion and allowed me to develop a global mindset. The cultural exchange, the support provided, and the lessons learned will stay with me forever. If you are considering an internship abroad, I would recommend considering opportunities in Dublin, Ireland.
Internships in Dublin
Amaya A
Thanks to Connect-123 and Michigan State University, I have had a fantastic experience living in Dublin. While living in Ireland, I had the pleasure of working as a research and policy intern with an incredible NGO. I felt immersed culturally, deepening my understanding of policy, international relations, community organizing, and development. Planned weekend trips and my own journeys allowed me to see the beauty that the world (and Ireland) offers me in my post-grad journeys. I am thankful for the time spent catering to my interests in selecting my internship, the people I've met and grown close to, and the experience of a lifetime. Sláinte!
Internships in Dublin
Ellie M
I recently graduated college, and faced the question, "now what?" I wanted to figure out my career path, but I also hoped I could find an opportunity to travel. The Connect-123 program is a fantastic solution! I was really impressed by their internship finding process. Lea and I communicated a lot and I feel like my internship was custom tailored to fit my goals. My placement at the national office of a nonprofit has been incredibly valuable. My supervisor was incredibly supportive, organized, and always willing to take time to teach me more about nonprofit work. I really enjoyed the work environment and it felt safe to ask questions. Also, exploring the city is a blast! There is so much history and culture. Despite staying for 2 months, I still feel like there is more I want to see! I am so glad that I took the leap and did this program. It has been such an adventure and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to try something new.
Internships in Dublin
