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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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.
Internships in Buenos Aires
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!
Internships in Dublin
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!
Internships in Cape Town
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.
Internships in Cape Town
Julianna Choi
I had an incredible experience as a Connect-123 intern. My internship pushed me as a nursing student and provided opportunities that were unique and specific to my interest in Midwifery. After one month working in a township clinic, I helped deliver over twenty babies. Outside of work, I loved my time living in Cape Town. I met some amazing people, visited the safari and wine country, hiked mountains, browsed markets and museums, and through it all developed a good understanding of South Africa’s complex politics and culture. Everywhere you turn, there is something new to learn in Cape Town!
Internships in Cape Town
Mackenzie Jones
I interned for 2 months at a children's hospital in Cape Town. To summarise such an incredible and action-packed experience is a challenge with so many highlights to pin-point. From the beautiful mountainous views and sights of South Africa to the adorable little faces at the hospital, every moment has left a great impact on my life. Interning with Connect-123 was such a safe-place for me. Any fears I had regarding traveling were eased by the warm welcome by the Connect staff and their continuous support throughout my internship experience. Interning with Connect-123 has given me a new found confidence to take up opportunities presented no matter how daunting. At my workplace, I got a chance to challenge myself, to use my creativity, to be hands on with policy analysis, policy creation, and meetings and to make a difference to the lives of the infants at the hospital. I have gained a new love for South Africa, South African culture, their food, their music and the smiles and joyful spirit of the people there. It became a home away from home. This internship has given me the mindset and courage to aim high, to travel, to explore, to connect with new people, to network, and to live fearlessly seizing all opportunities and challenges presented throughout my academics and later life. When you look over Cape Town from the highest peak of Table Mountain or fly over the continent of Africa, it is humbling to realize how small we are. Yet the impact we can have on each other's lives is so big. It is amazing what one person's willingness to help can do for an organisation. Interning with Connect-123 at a hospital reinforced to me how great it is to just help out selflessly. I am sure your internship will greatly impact you also as you impact others with your willingness to volunteer your work. The whole experience was a blessing. I would do it all over again. My career ambitions have been given an extra dose of energy, passion and enthusiasm. I'm grateful.
Internships in Cape Town
James Bradley Minton
My time as an intern with Connect-123 was an experience that helped give me experiences and skills that will be extremely useful for my future employment. Every day there were many opportunities to learn something new, and the work was so much fun. The people who I interacted with; other interns, Connect-123 employees, drivers, and supervisors at work were very influential, helpful, and became friends. The logistics involved in traveling and living locally were arranged and easy for me to keep up with. The city of Cape Town has most everything anyone could be looking for. If you like night life or shopping there are opportunities all over down town. The mountains provide great hiking. The ocean is cold and fun. If you're willing to go out and have adventures you will find them in Cape Town for sure.
Internships in Cape Town
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!
Internships in Buenos Aires
Stacy Gallegos
My time in Ireland was an unforgettable adventure. I learned resourceful skills, made lifelong friendships, and gained a new perspective about the world. My internship experience has changed the way I view healthcare delivery and has given me a boost of confidence to address the issues I care about the most. In the process, I gained a brilliant mentor and realized that you can accomplish even the most intimidating goals with hard work, passion, and some inspiration. Connect-123 made sure their students felt right at home from the moment they arrived. I am looking forward to returning to this magnetic city and am grateful for all the memories that have molded me to the friend and professional I am today.
Internships in Dublin
Ania Aliev
This summer I worked at a biomedical research institute in Barcelona. Connect-123 did an excellent job finding me this internship and listened to my parameters and found the perfect internship for me. This internship was heavily based in statistical analysis in the medical field, which is exactly what I asked for. I was able to improve my coding skills as well as learning new methods to run data analyses. In addition to this, my housing was also great. I lived right in the center of the city with easy access to all part of the city. Everyone I met was extremely friendly and I was able to make friends through people on Connect-123, the people I lived with, and worked with. Barcelona is a versatile and vibrant city, which makes it full of life so it is never boring. If you are considering a study abroad program with an internship component Connect-123 in Barcelona is amazing and I would definitely recommend it!
Internships in Barcelona
Allen Hu
The month I spent in Cape Town really was the time of my life. The city and the surrounding environment was absolutely beautiful, the food was delicious (also cheap), and the South African people were so kind and friendly! I woke up every day excited to explore the city and learn something new about South Africa's history and culture. In addition, my internship was so eye-opening, because I got to go out into the townships every day and see a different way of life, as well as the challenges of providing healthcare to impoverished areas. That's not something very many people get to do, and I consider myself so lucky to have been able to go to Cape Town for an internship. I'm so grateful for all the people I met and all the experiences I had. If you're having trouble deciding whether or not you should go abroad for an internship with Connect-123, let me just say: take the leap. Just go for it. You absolutely won't regret it. I certainly didn't!
Internships in Cape Town
Drew Peth
It’s amazing what can happen in just a short month, and it would not have been possible without Connect-123. This became evident from our very first meeting, and I knew I had made the best decision to spend my summer with them. Their grasp on Cape Town life and connections around the city are unparalleled. We were connected with some of the best doctors and mentors in Cape Town. Rotating through a community day clinic, secondary hospital, pediatric care center, and touring a first tier government hospital, where the first heart transplant took place, as well as a private hospital, we gained well-rounded insight into the healthcare of Cape Town. Connect-123 made sure we not only had an incredible internship experience, but also amazing opportunities to see the beauty of Cape Town. They gave fantastic recommendations, listened to what we wanted to do, and took the stress of planning, scheduling, and arranging accommodation away, allowing us to more fully enjoy ourselves. The staff at Connect-123 go above and beyond to not only ensure you have an excellent experience, but also work to foster a relationship with you. I can honestly say Connect-123 shaped my time in Cape Town, and for that I am forever grateful. My only regret is that I didn’t stay longer! Thanks again for everything!
Internships in Cape Town
Cassidy Lawrence
From before we even arrived in Cape Town up until we left for the journey home, the Connect-123 staff was extremely accommodating, supportive, and communicable. I am sure that without the hard working and knowledgeable staff we would not have had even half the experience during our month in Cape Town. They planned many excursions for us, taking a huge burden off us by contacting companies and setting up transportation and meals. In addition, they arranged beneficial experiences based on our professional interests and organized fulfilling community service days throughout our trip. One of the most impressive things about the Connect-123 staff is their genuine passion and care for all their students. They truly wanted us all to have the best trip possible and were always open to feedback on how they could make that happen. I would absolutely recommend Connect-123 to any student looking for a great experience in Cape Town!
Internships in Cape Town
Mary Abella
Studying abroad has always been something I've wanted to do, but as a pre-health major, it can be hard fitting it into my schedule and degree plan. When I came across Connect-123, I was intrigued. It was the perfect opportunity to travel abroad while interning in a field that actually pertained to my future career. Armed with minimal Spanish abilities, I made my way to Buenos Aires. Connect-123 helped me settle in and adjust to the different culture. The support from staff allowed me to take Spanish classes, make lifelong friends, and experience the city without feeling completely alone. My internship was exactly what I wanted, and I learned so much about myself and physical therapy. The language immersion improved my Spanish exponentially and allowed me to fall in love with the city and the wide variety of people that inhabit it. Overall, this is an experience that I will never forget!
Internships in Buenos Aires
Brooke Wendling
I couldn’t ask for a better internship here in Dublin. Everyone I have met, has been super friendly and welcoming. The Irish like to banter with and tease their co-workers, so if you intern/work here, don’t be nervous when they tease you, that means they like you. Also, I learned so much about how offices/organizations are managed. While here, I got to work with a small private charity organization to help people with a chronic disease. I also then worked a little bit with the Public Health services. I worked in two very different atmospheres, which I enjoyed immensely, because I got to see the different aspects of public and private offices/companies. In addition, I got to attend many different meetings regarding health and COPD. Ireland has so much to offer, from the Cliffs of Moher to Galway to Belfast and many more! Also, RyanAir sells super cheap flights to different places all throughout Europe, so you’ll not only be traveling a lot throughout Ireland, but through Europe as well (at least this is what I did). The nightlife is great too! All the pubs have live music and you become friends with everyone there. I can’t begin to explain how many amazing people you will meet if you intern here! Ireland truly is the place to be if you want to meet and make new lifelong friends. I advise anyone to intern here with Connect-123, you will not regret it!
Internships in Dublin
Sarah Cabala
Starting my internship in Buenos Aires, I was nervous and anxious but most of all I was excited. I didn’t quite know what to expect and it was thrilling for me. I knew I made the right decision - Argentina, the culture, the people – everything is amazing. My host family welcomed me with open arms, as did the Spanish school and my colleagues at work. I think the “worst” part of this experience is the fact that I had to leave after three short months. I have traveled to Northern and Southern parts of beautiful Argentina, and I have made lifelong friends. It’s a pretty amazing feeling stepping out of your comfort zone and having it all pay off. Thanks to my internship, I’ve learned about myself, and my goals for my life – both personal and my professional. I am so thankful for this experience and for Connect. I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in seeing different parts of the world, learning different cultures, and learning more about themselves.
Internships in Buenos Aires
Anne Bryan
The time I spent in Ireland was such an amazing experience it's hard to put into words how easy it is to fall in love with the city, people and culture that surrounds you. While I was in Ireland I was able to work with and live by locals who welcomed me with open arms. The Connect-123 program found an internship that was tailored specifically for me and my career path. The program placed me in a clinical and laboratory setting which provided me with an invaluable learning opportunity, of which I took full advantage. My Connect-123 roommates and I were regular tourists, frequently traveling to other countries or to the countryside of Ireland, it was hard to find idle time. The live entertainment you will find at any bar, pub, or restaurant is just another reason as to why this city so easy to love. Another benefit of living in Dublin is how easy it is to travel. The Dublin airport was 30 minutes away by a cab and finding cheap plane tickets was not a hard task. We were able to travel to 5 different countries and over a dozen cities, it was truly an experience I won't forget. I will always cherish the time spent and the people I met during my internship in Dublin. I can't imagine a better way to spend an internship while also having the experience of a lifetime. There is no doubt in my mind I would do it all over again the same way if I could, and for that I am forever grateful.
Internships in Dublin
Kimberly Cohen
My experience with Connect-123 in Cape Town, South Africa has been one of the most valuable takeaways of my education. I was given the opportunity to split my time between two separate pediatric hospitals; an orthopedic, public hospital and an intermediate, public care facility. This pairing of independent care providers allowed me to get a broad understanding of the healthcare system in South Africa. I learned to be resourceful while still providing compassionate and thoughtful care, which is a mindset I can bring back to my nursing education at home. Connect-123 offered endless support through every step of my experience. They made sure my internship gave me every experience that I asked for. In addition to pairing me with a valuable volunteer opportunity, the Connect-123 office planned weekly or biweekly activities for the interns. We were able to go sand boarding one week and go to a traditional African dinner the next. They gave us information regarding upcoming events in the city and travel trips we could access at a discounted price. Cape Town is the perfect city for an array of activities. The city has mountains, beaches, vineyards, gardens, arenas, museums...all in one place! No length of time would be long enough to cover all that you can do there. I wholeheartedly recommend to consider interning in Cape Town, since there is no experience like it.
Internships in Cape Town
Tini Thomas
I graduated from medical school and had some time before moving to the next level, so I decided instead of just sitting and waiting, why not do something useful? I knew I wanted to do an internship in Dublin Ireland so I started googling for agents who could help me find one. I saw a couple but it was just so much work, then I stumbled on Connect-123. They were pretty straight forward with the process. They don't just abandon you when you get to your destination either, Connect-123 had all these events planned and always ready to assist. Thank you so much Connect-123, I met amazing people and enjoyed my time in Dublin. Definitely going back!
Internships in Dublin
Katherine Thomas
My experience with Connect-123 in Cape Town was amazing. I spent the best four months of my life in this city meeting the most wonderful people, eating and drinking at the most fantastic restaurants and bars, exploring countless activities in and outside the city, and learning at two exceptional hospitals. As a nursing student, I was able to gain new nursing skills, shadow during surgeries, participate in ward rounds, help and eventually do my own castings, and learn about a completely different healthcare system than my own. The pediatric patients and other healthcare workers we spent our time with were extremely welcoming, enthusiastic, and dedicated. When we weren’t working, we were taking advantage of the many attractions Cape Town has to offer, with tons of help from Connect-123. The program coordinators helped us with everything from figuring out how to turn on the hot water in our apartment to taking us out on a sunset cruise and sand boarding in the dunes outside Cape Town. I got to know amazing interns from all over the world and made lifelong memories and friendships. Cape Town allowed me to adventure more than I ever have before – we skydived, bungee humped off the highest bungee bridge in the world, traveled along the Garden Route, went on safaris, crawled through caves, hiked mountains, swam in waterfalls, shark cage dove, and paraglided. When our adrenaline wasn’t pumping, we were wine tasting, relaxing at the beach, hanging out on the rooftop pool, swimming with penguins, going to beautiful markets, watching rugby, attending the awesome museums, listening to live music in the gorgeous botanical gardens, and taking in the incredible views. I cannot imagine a more fun and interesting place to intern or a better program than Connect-123 in Cape Town!
Internships in Cape Town
