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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Josefine Tegerdal Hune
I decided to do an archaeology internship in Dublin to get as much practical experience as I possibly can. It was always something I knew I would do this summer, but the challenge was to actually find somewhere to work. After searching a bit on the internet and being stressed about not finding anything, I found Connect-123 and everything went swimmingly after that. Before I knew it, I arrived in Dublin. Deciding on Ireland was more or less a spontaneous choice, but after it was confirmed it really did make sense. The Irish are very proud of their history, especially the Viking Age, so it felt like a good place to practice archaeology. My boss was also enthusiastic about the subject and made me visit all these cool sites and museums. I appreciated how involved the Connect-123 team was. They organized different events and fun things for us to do so that everybody had the chance to meet each other. I definitely learned a lot on my journey in Ireland, and I do not regret it for one second.
Internships in Dublin
Taylor Watson
I applied to Connect-123 in search of an internship to fulfill graduation requirements, and what I got out of my experience was more than I could have ever imagined. I did an 11-week health and wellness internship in Dublin. I learned a lot from my coworkers, they were so nice and always willing to help. I was blessed to have Nikki and Rosie, Connect-123 program coordinators in Dublin, assist me along the way with little tips and tricks about transportation, things to do, places to eat, where the best scones are, literally anything you could think of, they were always there to help! I was able to travel around Ireland and Europe a bit on the weekends with one of my roommates from Connect-123, which was amazing. There were group dinners, weekend trips and events planned with all the Connect-123 interns, which was a great way to meet new people and make new friends. Overall, it was an experience I will never forget and I cannot wait until the day I'm able to go back to Ireland.
Internships in Dublin
Emily Painter
This summer I completed an internship in Dublin in historic building conservation. Connect-123 provided a dream-come-true opportunity with my internship. Building conservation is not a very large field, but I couldn’t have thought of a more amazing or perfect internship experience for this summer! My company was very friendly and taught me so much about the field. Connect-123 was super supportive and it was wonderful to have such a great community in Dublin! Having spent time traveling on my own, it was incredibly nice to have a ready-made group of friends waiting when I arrived. The connections at work and through Connect-123 will last me a lifetime and provide an amazing portal to my future career.
Internships in Dublin
Nina Samarelli
Connect-123 found the perfect medical internship for me in Dublin! In the hopes of becoming a Physician Assistant, shadowing various doctors and nurses around two children’s hospitals has been an incredible experience, one that is difficult to find in the US. I have had the opportunity to observe what it is really like in a children’s hospital and how things operate. Each healthcare professional I have met has been more than willing to answer my questions and explain any type of medication, diagnosis or procedure. Not only were the people in the hospitals kind, but everyone in Dublin was! I felt so comfortable living in this city and it quickly became my favorite place in the world. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to advance in my healthcare career, meet some of the most amazing people, and grow into a more independent and confident person.
Internships in Dublin
Sarah Treanor
I completed my environmental and sustainability internship in Ireland at a Dublin-based creative studio and shop with a focus on the environment and healthcare design. From the day I started my internship, I helped make the products that were sold in the shop, as well as help manage the cash register. There was a big street festival a few weeks after I arrived, so a lot of work needed to be done to prepare. After the festival, I assisted on a project that aims to create a green corridor connecting the Botanical Gardens (located in the Northwest Inner City) to the Liffey (the river running through the center of the city). The nature corridor, it is envisioned, will create a ribbon of biodiversity and fertile ground for social innovation, green enterprise and nature-based solutions in Dublin. The Connect-123 coordinators made sure that everyone was adjusting well to life in Ireland, and set up different events for everyone to get together at! Dublin is one of my favorite cities. It's not as big as NYC, and it also has a much more laid back atmosphere than anywhere I've been. For anyone thinking about doing an internship abroad, I can't recommend this program enough.
Internships in Dublin
Melissa Osorio
I participated in Connect-123’s internship program this summer. I enjoyed every second of my time in Dublin, Ireland. Dublin is a city that I’ve always wanted to live in and all my expectations were exceeded. The city is filled with many wonderful things to do and there is something in the city for everyone. I enjoyed my time with the program so much that I decided to extend my time in Ireland by a month after my internship ended. The price for the extension was reasonable, the process was hassle-free, and I was able to stay in the same lovely accommodation. I was still invited to every event and the program continued to look out for my well-being. Trust me the events can be amazing! I was able to visit Giant’s Causeway and cross the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge for one of the trips. I have been left with a positive impression of my experience with Connect-123 itself. The program is most definitely legit and well-organized. The program’s coordinators and advisors are wonderful people; I could always count on Rosie, Nikki, and Lea to be there for me if ever I needed them. I would recommend the program to anyone who would like to attain an international experience that will bring memories of a lifetime.
Internships in Dublin
Diksha Chopra
I completed a web development internship in Dublin, Ireland this summer. I worked at a global tech company, where I gained valuable coding skills. I got the opportunity to observe how work culture differs around the world. My internship experience in Dublin was everything I wanted it to be, and more. On the weekends, I went on trips around Ireland and visited other countries in Europe. If you have the opportunity to come to Dublin for a summer, I would definitely recommend it. I’m already planning my next trip!
Internships in Dublin
Monica Nievandt
I am so glad that Connect-123 was able to help me find this incredible opportunity! I couldn’t have been more thrilled with my software engineering internship in Dublin. The work environment was relaxed and the people were welcoming and friendly. I worked in software engineering and in marketing and helped collect and analyze data. The work that I did as part of my internship that will be useful to the company long after I’m gone. I learned many valuable programming skills along the way and further developed my professional communication and networking skills. Not only was my internship great, but being in Ireland was absolutely incredible. Every weekend I visited a new place and even got to spend time in some nearby countries. It truly was a summer to remember forever!
Internships in Dublin
Leslie Reitz
I knew that I wanted to intern abroad, but I was unsure of what organization to go with. I heard about Connect-123 from a friend. I submitted my application very early and was thrilled with the public relations internship in Dublin placement I got. Connect-123 really listened to what I wanted in an internship. Plus, I was beyond impressed with everything Connect-123 offers for the amazing program price. As for my internship in Dublin - it was above and beyond my expectations. I grew so much as a human, student, and leader during my time abroad. Having the opportunity to intern internationally is truly life-changing because you adapt to a new workplace culture, are pushed out of your comfort zone, and take chances that you would not ordinarily take. Not only did this experience in Ireland boost my resume, it boosted my life because I now have amazing friends and connections globally. I could not be more grateful! Connect-123 are there for you every step of the way and are truly invested in giving you the greatest experience.
Internships in Dublin
Jillian Rhinehart
My communications internship in Dublin perfectly combined the array of interests that I wanted to cover, including human rights, writing, and strategic communications. I interned at a small non-profit organization that aims to educate students on global issues and how to make a positive change in the world. I received the best balance of independence and support, from both my host organization and Connect-123. The city of Dublin is absolutely amazing, and so were the friends and connections I made. During my summer internship I gained more experience and confidence than I ever anticipated! I learned more about myself, different cultures, and my future career goals in these two months than any other summer in my life.
Internships in Dublin
Malwina Motyl
I spent five fantastic weeks working with animals at my internship in Dublin. In the future I want to become a vet, therefore I wanted to spend my summer working with animals and gaining experience in animal behavior and veterinary medicine. Apart from walking dogs and petting cats, I had the opportunity to assist in surgeries and observe the work of a veterinarian during the examination of animals in the veterinary clinic. My host organization has loads of different areas such as the cattery, rehoming kennels, rehabilitation center and veterinary clinics so it’s a perfect place for everyone who loves animals. Connect-123 found a perfect place for me where I could work and gain experience but also enjoy every week of my summer holidays. The same day when I arrived, I met wonderful people and we had a great time together. I will always remember my first day in Dublin when, with my new friends, we went all together to a parade in town. It was one of the best moments that I experienced during my internship. My coordinators were really helpful during my stay. It was the first time that I left home for such a long time and at the beginning, I was scared that I won’t be able to live on my own in a completely new city. But thanks to Nikki and Rosie I didn’t encounter any problems, but I’m sure that if there was one, they would solve it immediately. I’m really glad that I met them and many other interns who were also really helpful during my internship. It was an unforgettable experience which I will remember forever.
Internships in Dublin
Haven Wang
My medical internship in Dublin was absolutely amazing! I got the opportunity to work at a Dublin-based medical research center, where I helped develop a topical treatment for RDEB, a rare skin disease. RDEB is a genetic skin blistering condition caused by a lack of collagen protein in the skin. Since I'd just finished my freshman year of college, I came into my medical research internship with very little lab experience. I didn't need to worry though, because everyone in the lab was so incredibly patient and willing to help me with whatever I didn’t understand or needed help with. I found myself shadowing certain Ph.D. students, trying to understand their role in the lab and what projects they were working on. Throughout my internship in Dublin, I enjoyed many incredible experiences, and some challenging ones too! I knew I had help and support if I ever needed it - Connect-123's group of advisors were so helpful. They planned adventures for us on the weekends, big thanks to them. I will never forget the people I met along the way!
Internships in Dublin
Jessica Foo
Connect-123 helped make my law internship in Dublin one of the best episodes of my life. They eased me into settling into a new environment, explained anything I was apprehensive about and made me feel comfortable and excited. We were always informed about any events that were being arranged. I loved going to them because of all the different people I would meet and all the new places I would get to visit. I interned at a law firm with solicitors and was able to learn so much. The people at the office were exceptional, there was always someone who would be willing to help or answer my questions. They were so kind and made me feel welcome. I was a little skeptical at the beginning of my journey. I was looking for a program that would allow me to gain some experience in the legal field and was unsure about doing an internship abroad, however, I am very glad that I did it. It has been an amazing experience and I have met some incredible people along the way. I loved my time in Dublin and hopefully, I'll return one day.
Internships in Dublin
Prashant Tiwari
I really enjoyed my finance internship in Dublin, where I worked as an International Trade Associate. Initially I was very nervous and not quite sure what to expect, but as I progressed in the internship my confidence grew and I was able to perform all my tasks easily. The office environment in which I worked was amazing – my boss and supervisors were really nice and if I ever got stuck on anything they had no problem assisting me with the issue. I think I really grew both personally and professionally and really benefited from the experience. Dublin is a very small city, almost everything is within walking distance of St. Stephen’s Green. That was pretty cool because if I ever missed a bus or if it would take too long to get there, I could just walk instead. We visited a lot of pubs, restaurants and cool historical sites and museums around Dublin. Connect-123 took us on a hike from Bray to Graystone, which was really fun, as some of us decided to hike over the mountain rather than around it. We also had dinner at the Hairy Lemon, and went on a day tour that included an adventure course where we did zip lining, rock climbing, rope courses and a lot of other fun stuff. The Dublin Program Coordinators also kept us updated on all the events happening around Dublin that we might be interested in, which was really handy. Me and my roommates also visited the Cliffs of Moher, which were really cool, and went on a day tour to Cashel, Blarney and Cork. Overall I really enjoyed my experience in Dublin. It is a really interesting city, and Ireland has a lot of sights to see and things to do. I liked experiencing a completely different culture to my own and exploring the city. I’m looking forward to visiting Europe and Dublin again.
Internships in Dublin
Lindsay Morrissey
My internship abroad in Dublin was better than I could have imagined! I visited Dublin briefly during my sophomore year abroad and fell in love with the city and people. So I was happy to return in my junior year. I found the program through my university and applied to Connect-123. Connect-123 matched me with an internship that suited my interests and skill sets. I worked at a nonprofit organization in Dublin that specializes in supporting agriculture and enterprise development projects in Sub-Saharan Africa. Everyone in the office was incredibly warm and helpful. I certainly made professional connections that will help me in my career. This internship was the fourth one I have had since being in college and I can honestly say this was the best one! I decided to choose a homestay option for my living accommodation and I was not disappointed. I was placed with a wonderful family in a home not too far from my office and the city center. As a city, Dublin is great because it is easy to navigate. It offers everything that you could need, with lots to do on the weekend. I am extremely grateful to the Connect-123 coordinator, Nikki, who did an amazing job of helping me get adjusted to the city. She not only planned fun trips and events, she was incredibly warm and helpful.
Internships in Dublin
Anne Willems of Brilman
After I got my legal bachelor’s degree I decided I wanted to take some time off to get some practical experience in the field before continuing to get my master’s degree. I chose Connect-123 because of its connections abroad, specifically in the field of human rights. Thanks to Lea Levy and Nikki Madden (Dublin Programme Coordinator) I spent six months working for a human rights organization in Dublin. Coming to Dublin, and working for a small NGO, has truly been a phenomenal experience and one of the best choices I’ve made in my life. Dublin is a city filled with culture, history, multiculturalism, and of course pubs. It is a city where the craic never ends! My time here has been marked by one amazing event after another, both organized by my workplace and Nikki. When I started, all I knew was that I would be working as a policy intern for a migrant women’s rights organization. During my time there, the scope of my work evolved far beyond policy. During my time, I have been able to attend UN meetings, organize a national conference, facilitate training for migrant women, conduct several types of research and much more. I have met and worked with national politicians and policymakers such as Leo Varadkar (Taoiseach) and David Stanton TD (Minister of Justice and Equality). I was part of a small team of strong, multicultural women all dedicated to the advancement of migrant women’s rights in Ireland. Due to the differences in cultural upbringing, all of us brought a unique perspective to the table which enabled us to tackle issues from various perspectives. Next to these experiences, Nikki turned an amazing experience into a truly phenomenal and memorable one. Her guidance, care, and support proved instrumental in my being able to settle into work and the city. Furthermore, the events she organized allowed me to not only enjoy the work but also explore the city, the country and the culture together with the other Connectors. Indeed, her care, commitment, and dedication lifted this experience to a whole new level. I recommend Connect-123 and Dublin to everyone who wants an unforgettable internship experience abroad.
Internships in Dublin
Isaiah Sauvageau
Living abroad is a liberating experience. Once I stepped off the plane and onto Irish soil, the world grew a little bit smaller. I had never traveled alone before, and the idea of living without any of the comforts of my familiar life was daunting. That is where Connect-123 made life easy. Nikki, my program coordinator, helped me establish the essentials (housing, phone, connections, etc…). I quickly grew comfortable and started to travel throughout Ireland and Europe, experiencing some of the world’s greatest sights, sounds, and tastes. Dublin truly is an international city, and I met people from around the world looking to travel, learn English, study, and work. At my internship, I contributed to a project that reduces agricultural wastes. I was even able to tour a site that converts wastes to energy. This experience helped me to grow into a more confident and independent person and exposed me to new people, ideas, and ways of life.
Internships in Dublin
Hannah Barnes
Ireland is a gorgeous country with plenty to see and do. I had never traveled abroad before, but the Connect-123 team made it incredibly easy and fun. Connect-123 took care of all of the logistics of my experience, including housing, travel paperwork, and finding the perfect internship in Dublin, and that meant that I could focus on making the most of my time abroad in Ireland. I am so thankful to Lea and the team for making this brilliant experience possible. I have to say that my trip to Ireland was hands-down the best experience of my academic career. I worked as a user experience designer at a company that develops travel apps. My company accepted me as an equal member of their team, and I met so many amazing people who were both mentors and friends.
Internships in Dublin
Cisem Odabasi
This was the best decision I ever made! My internship through Connect-123 in Dublin was fantastic. I came in spring, and the weather was lovely. There were flowers, singing birds, and greenery everywhere! I worked next to the Grand Canal, and it was a luxury to have lunch sitting casually next to the canal and enjoying nature. My work environment was lovely, everyone was so nice. Generally, Irish people are friendly, which I think is important when you are far away from home. Dublin is an international city, a multicultural hub, and you hear lots of different languages in the city center. I think Dublin, or Ireland in general, is a place for nature lovers. There are so many outdoor activities to enjoy and it is easy to travel around the country. It's easy to visit places such as Cork and Galway in a couple of hours using public trains and buses. The only thing I wish I'd realized before, is that instead of bringing lots of thick warm clothes, I should've brought mostly waterproof thin clothes, for this time of year.
Internships in Dublin
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
Internships in Dublin
