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!
Scroll down to view all – or filter by destination, opportunity or both.
Tara Opalinski
Barcelona is the place to be-between its people, tapas, countless outdoor plazas, beautiful scenery, beaches and nightlife-there is something for everyone. My decision to go live and work in Barcelona was last minute. I was offered two internships, but the one I chose pertained to my career path most and was in the heart of Barca. I cannot emphasize how helpful it was to be a part of the Connect-123 program. I had transportation from the airport and the director, Lea Levy, was at my apartment less than an hour later to greet me, make sure I was settled and explore the neighborhood with me to get my bearings. I was able to make friends immediately through the program and eventually, as we made local friends, it felt more like a city we belonged to. I also continued daily activities I would normally do at home, like going on daily runs through the city and having coffee at the same local shop, (where I eventually became a ‘regular’). The think tank I worked for opened a lot of doors to build my professional career. I was able to complete a full report regarding economic relations between the EU and the US (the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership), in which a shorter version was published through the organization I worked for, as well as a Barcelona E-journal. In addition, I was able to network with people in the Barcelona European Parliament, a few NGO’s and think tanks and even conduct interviews with the Trade Spokesman and a think tank researcher in Brussels. I grew professionally and personally through my experience in Barcelona, I only wish it had lasted longer. You will not regret your decision to go to Barcelona, if anything you will want to stay longer and then look for job opportunities so you can go back.
Internships in Barcelona
Juliana Torrens
After I graduated from college I decided to take a year to acquire more experience on the medical field before applying to medical school. Doing an internship with Connect-123 was an amazing opportunity for my personal and professional growth. I had the opportunity to work in a public hospital with a group of Oncologists in Buenos Aires, Argentina. During my time there, I was under the wing of a great group of doctors that taught me everything I needed to know in order to succeed in the medical field. With this experience I was able to learn more about the oncology field, work ethics and the doctor-patient relationship. Some days when I wasn’t at the hospital, I worked on a clinical research for a new drug for metastatic breast cancer patients. I’m so thankful to everyone that made this one of the best experiences of my life. First of all, the Connect-123 team in Buenos Aires is amazing! Paula and Katie were always very helpful and supportive in every way. I also made tons of new friends from all over the world, many of which I’m still in touch with. If you are looking for the experience of your life, don’t hesitate to contact Connect-123!
Internships in Buenos Aires
Bridget Haley
Living abroad in Dublin was an incredible, life-changing experience. I spent three months there, but it was so hard to leave at the end, that I wish I could have stayed longer. The whole experience was very smooth right from the beginning. Connect-123 found me the perfect internship, performing research on the childhood cancer neuroblastoma at the University College Dublin. I didn’t have a whole lot of research experience before arriving, but everyone there was so friendly and willing to teach me, that I learned so much more than I could have imagined and feel more prepared for a future career in medicine. In addition to exploring Dublin, I was able to travel around Ireland and other European countries. The scenery was so spectacular that I literally had to pinch myself to know it was real. Coming from Chicago, Dublin was a smaller city, but its charm and friendly people made me feel so at home. It has a rich history, great nightlife, and there was always something new to do and see. The Connect-123 events helped me get acclimated to the city as well as meet some great, life-long friends that I still keep in touch with. This was absolutely the experience of a lifetime, and I can’t wait to go back. I would recommend this internship and the opportunity to travel to Dublin to anyone and everyone!
Internships in Dublin
Laura Messenger
I was fortunate enough to spend my summer interning in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As a undergraduate Spanish major, my main goal in my travels was to improve my fluency. Little did I know that my Connect-123 experience would not only improve my Spanish, but would expose me to a life-changing internship opportunity and incredible friends. Though I was only in Buenos Aires for two months, Connect-123 offered me the chance to intern at an anti-human trafficking organization. As part of my internship, I researched the cases of girls who had gone missing in the past year and found the contact information for the relatives of these girls. I interviewed these family members in order to create a database for my organization, which was used to assist these families with legal proceedings and help them find support systems with other families. This was a truly eye-opening experience. My internship in Argentina is what made me want to pursue a career fighting for human rights, especially in terms of fighting human trafficking. Not only was I able to immerse myself in the rich and fascinating culture of Argentina, but I was able to discover a part of myself while doing so. I made amazing friends, figured out (eventually) how to use the Buenos Aires bus system, and felt like I was making a difference with each day that I interned, all thanks to Connect-123.
Gary & Pat Chin
When our daughter, Tracy, made the decision to travel abroad to South America to work and reside there for three months we were very concerned. She did not have a place to live or any idea of job prospects. As a parent, our first reaction was to try and dissuade her from going. After she found Connect-123 online purely by chance, everything fell into place. Paula Carrettoni of Connect-123 was instrumental in finding her an internship in her field and securing a safe place for her to live. She made sure that all the legalities were taken care of prior to her entering the country. Details such as the reciprocity fee and other matters that she would not have been aware of if Paula was not on top of these important details. It was at this point that we began to relax and could embrace and support her decision to make the trip. We had the opportunity to join Tracy during her stay in Buenos Aires and witnessed first hand the major role Connect-123 played in the success of her trip to South America. We had the pleasure of meeting Paula and being able to thank her in person for being there 24/7 for our daughter. Connect 123 went above and beyond on many levels and we would highly recommend them to any parent whose child has the desire to travel abroad. Thank you so much Paula and the Connect 123 team!
Internships in Buenos Aires
Emma-Louise Wagstaff
As a student of languages at my home university in the UK, I decided to spend 5 months of my year abroad in one of the most incredible cities in South America. My time in Buenos Aires is one that I will never forget and neither will I forget the friends I was able to make out there, too. I undertook two internships out in Buenos Aires; for two months I worked as a camp councillor for a summer camp and for 3 months I was privileged to work at a primary/secondary school as a sports coach. My internships were amazing, and I can not thank the Connect-123 staff enough for finding them for me. My colleagues at the school became my friends and I still get to keep in touch with them today. The only time I felt like I would cry out there, was when I had to leave. My last day at my school was the worst day ever. Not because I didn't enjoy myself, but because I was going to miss everyone of those children that I was able to see and bond with everyday. Even though the Spanish was not the European Spanish that I was used to, it definitely helped develop my Spanish and prepare me for my final year at University. The guidance and help I received during my time in Buenos Aires truly helped me to make the city feel like my home. Connect-123 also helped me to meet an array of genuinely amazing friends that have now become my family across the pond. If, like me, you are from Europe and are considering trying something different from the Erasmus programme on your year abroad, I would highly suggest the Connect-123 programme in Buenos Aires. The flight may be 15 hours long, but once you're there, you'll never want to leave.
Internships in Buenos Aires
Mary Reed
I am so grateful for the experience I had in Cape Town, South Africa with Connect-123. The time I spent there has absolutely changed the way I look at the world. Connect-123 made sure all the interns were getting the most out of their experiences, starting with making sure all the interns were in a placement with a host organization that would help them grow. Honestly, my favorite part my time abroad was working with my internship because it really complemented my interests and was tailored to my skills set. I spent my time in Cape Town working with a non-profit company with grant-writing and economic development proposals. I also was able to spend a fair amount of time doing field research collecting data in the townships which was extremely eye opening. At the beginning of my time in Cape Town, I thought I would become a Certified Public Accountant after graduation. However after my internship in Cape Town, I am so inspired to continue in the field of economic development that I was exposed to in South Africa. I continue to stay in contact with my coworkers and South African friends. I really feel that Connect-123 personalized my entire experience and made sure that I left the country with complete appreciation for the culture and so much that the country as to offer.
Paige Rothschild
Ever since I began college I always wanted to go abroad and experience the world. I think traveling gives someone a lot of knowledge and the ability to see things in a different perspective to grow and obtain their full potential as an individual. This was my reasoning behind coming abroad and honestly this has been the best decision I have made for myself this far in life. BEST. DECISION. You simply cannot experience more than what you want unless you chase after your dreams and that is what I did. (as cliche as that sounds). But I honestly could not have experienced this amazing journey without Connect-123. I knew I wanted to do an internship in Sales and Marketing but there was no way I could have found a steady, legit, and proper internship in Barcelona without their help. I have had an amazing experience here in Barcelona while doing my internship and the credit has to go to Connect-123. They have been nothing but helpful and truly have made me feel appreciated. The knowledge I have gained from interning in another country is outstanding. It's really amazing how different working in Spain compared to the US. The experience i've gained here I will carry with me for the rest of my life and that will only make me a stronger candidate for the career I go into. I think if anyone is on the fence with going abroad, you DEFINITELY should. It is true when they say "Life begins outside of your comfort zone." Whether you want to study abroad, or intern abroad, you must go and experience the world. This truly has been an amazing, outstanding, extraordinary experience and I hope everyone can have the opportunity to experience it. PLEASE if anyone has any questions or is hesitant feel free to reach out to me. I did this all alone and I would be happy to help anyone with any doubts.
Internships in Barcelona
Ben Ashby
My experience in Dublin is one I will not forget. I met many interesting people, got to see plenty of beautiful sights, and had a chance to participate in one of the most lively and spirited cultures that I know of. I was in Dublin to gain hands on experience machining with a manufacturing company. It was a small company, so I was immediately given the chance to participate in projects and use the machines on the shop floor. I learned about the nuances of running a small but quite busy business, and the skill required to produce high quality parts. They had me start on simple projects, and work my way up to more complicated pieces. Connect-123's support from beginning to end was incredibly helpful. Finding an engineering internship abroad can be difficult, but they were able to provide me with several choices soon after I applied. They guided me through the processes, and answered all questions I had about immigration and travel. Upon arrival, Connect made sure I was taken care of and on my way to my residence in Dublin. I definitely would not have had as memorable a time if Connect-123 had not been there to help me. The lessons I learned and the friends I made will last a lifetime. Hopefully they will for you too.
Internships in Dublin
Andrew Schleeter
My experience in Cape Town was, bar none, the greatest and most influential experience of my life. I spent just two short months, and made lifelong connections with people from all over the world. That is what’s so unique about Connect - 123; you meet extraordinary people, from all over the globe, and we all learn from one another and grow from our experiences. I came to Cape town after just a few months of University because decided I need a dramatic change to fulfill my life goals. During my two months in Cape Town, I grew more as a person than I have in the past two years. I spent everyday in Crossroads, a township 20 minutes outside of the city. My time there defied all odds of the townships as I was welcomed and made friends with everyone in the community. I spent my two months coaching basketball to boys and girls from eight local schools. It was absolutely incredible. There are many stereotypes associated with the townships, but I was able to experience first hand the love and gratitude that surrounds the community. By the time my two months was up, I felt as if I had another family. You become so close with all of the people you work with, as well as everyone in Connect - 123. The impact the experience will have on my life going forward is huge, and an experience I feel has really put my life into perspective. Connect made it all possible, working with me and for me from the day I expressed interest.
Internships in Cape Town
Kateryna Tepylo
I had no idea what I wanted to do with my summer. I knew I wanted to travel and I knew I wanted some exposure to nonprofits in other countries. Connect-123 was the perfect vehicle to help find the perfect place. After I had decided to travel to Dublin, Connect-123 found me a perfect place to intern for the 6 weeks I spent in Ireland. At a very small NGO I was able to discover more about non profits around the world while also improving my advertising and promotions skills. I was able to do so much because of the size of the organization which helped me better understand what I want to do with my life. I was even invited as a guest on an Irish environmental radio show to talk about my journey to Ireland and to give a Canadian point of view on Irish and world environmental issues. It was such a cool experience! The internship allowed to grow both my professional and personal skills while having the chance to explore the unbelievably beautiful country of Ireland. My summer in Dublin changed my life for the better and I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to do what I did. Through Connect-123 I was able to meet a ton of amazing people who helped make my summer even more grand. My summer helped me become more confident, more independent and opened my eyes to more of the world. I can't say enough what an amazing experience it was!
Internships in Dublin
Renee Barouxis
After learning about South African history in college, I was eager to learn more about the country's politics through an internship in the country. With Connect-123's assistance, I landed an internship with so many opportunities: sitting in the Parliament's gallery above President Zuma as he defended his 2013 State of the Nation Address to Members of Parliament, hearing the Minister of Health explain ways to lower child mortality rates, or passing a United States Senator in the hallway! I attended meetings for the Portfolio Committees on Water and Environmental Affairs, Home Affairs, Women, Children, and People with Disabilities, Public Service and Administration, and more! The internship was challenging and rewarding-- the perfect combination! During my free time, I spent my time hiking, going to wine-tastings, or relaxing at the beach, with other Connectors and locals I befriended. There was so much to explore in beautiful Cape Town.
Internships in Cape Town
Nichole Drolet
The summer I spent in Dublin was literally the best summer of my life! Not only was it an amazing life experience to live in another country for 10 weeks, but the experience I got in my nursing internship at the pediatric hospital was beyond words. The internship wasn't at all what I thought or hoped, but it turned out to be a fantastic foundational learning experience. My goal going into this internship was to work on my clinical skills, instead I got a completely different experience. I was able to see more in my 10 weeks than I did in my 2.5 years in nursing school. The staff really worked with us to get us any experience we wanted, or thought we could be interested in. I was able to sit in on a full day of cardiac surgery, spend a day on a burn unit, spend several weeks on a cardiac PICU, among many other things. If ever I had a question, I was never hesitant to ask it without feeling dumb. I got to work on my foundations of practice, and the nurses I worked with tried to get me to understand why we were doing what we were doing. Why are we giving this patient these meds, why are we doing this treatment, how will this affect the rest of the body systems, what lab values should we be looking at, etc. This was the best experience I could have hoped for. The friends I made, are ones I will keep for life. I really believe that this is something that everyone should try to do. There aren't a lot of opportunities for nursing internships today, but this gives you a taste of what you will be doing in a few short years (or months in my case).
Internships in Dublin
Vicky Maier
As a social sciences student i found it hard to find internships in my field. Being an active person I really wanted something "out of the office" and Connect-123 has been able to offer me several options and I managed to do exactly what I wanted. During four months I interned in an Association helping people with AIDS in Barcelona where I had the opportunity to work alongside a team of devoted people eager to help those in need and also live in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The organizers of the internship were extremely helpful by giving information about the city and tips, organizing meetings between interns and events! It was an amazing experience and I recommend it to anyone who is looking for an organized work/traveling experience!
Internships in Barcelona
Tatenda Mhundwa
I love to travel and when the time came for me to pick a country for my internship, I thought ‘go big or go home’. I started to research internships abroad and Connect-123 came up. I completely loved the idea of going all the way to Cape Town South Africa, even though initially I was skeptical because I didn’t know anyone there. Connect-123 was able to place me with an amazing fashion designer located in the city center. Everyone in the company was so welcoming and super friendly. I got to work side by side with the designer herself which helped advance the skills I already had. With the internship I was able to see exactly what goes into the production of a collection and the fact that the designer was invited to show at Mercedes Benz Cape Town Fashion Week made it all the more incredible. I helped with all aspects of production including research on trends and story boards. Along with having a great place to intern, Connect-123 also had weekly events and set up sight-seeing tours of the beautiful Cape Town for all connectors. Overall, I will say I truly enjoyed my stay, enjoyed learning about the culture and differences and would go back in a heartbeat. Thanks Connect-123!
Internships in Cape Town
Georgina Hore
Ireland was part of my bucket list: a place I had dreamed of visiting. I got the opportunity to not only experience the rich culture, but do so while completing a fantastic internship with a local newspaper through Connect-123. The friendly people and amazing scenery added to this experience; one that I will never forget and one that I will cherish for years to come. It was incredible to get the opportunity to write for a local newspaper and get my articles published. My work environment was truly great and I loved going to work each day. I learnt a lot and was treated like a real journalist, as I was given my own stories and interviews; all of which will be a beneficial addition to my portfolio. This wouldn’t have been possible without the great team at Connect-123. They were able to place me in the internship and help with accommodation. They were always there if I needed anything and they also organised a great summer program involving all interns which enabled us all to get to know people from all over the world and create new friends. I would have no hesitation in recommending Connect-123’s Dublin internships to anyone. You are able to gain important hands on experience in your chosen career while also having the flexibility to experience the lifestyle and culture of another country.
Internships in Dublin
Shelby Moran
I couldn't have asked for a more rewarding experience in Cape Town - and a lot of it is thanks to Connect-123 and my host organization. Between the two, I feel like I learned to know the city and understand it's unique perspective, both culturally and professionally. Connect-123 did a great job at encouraging program participants to get out of their apartments and experience they city - whether that be through hiking Table Mountain, touring a township, or visiting Cape Point. The regularly scheduled activities and outings helped participants see the city and its people. Overall, I found my internship to be the most rewarding, especially because I was the only non-Capetonian in my office. This coupled with the welcoming staff allowed me to engage in unique discussions with my co-workers about South African culture, music, and politics and compare and contrast them to the United States. The friends (many of them from work) and professional connections that I made in Cape Town will be apart of me for years to come as much as the beautiful, dynamic city will be.
Internships in Cape Town
Martina Peter
During six amazing months I was an intern in an Irish NGO based in Dublin. My work consisted of helping migrants with their application for citizenship. I had not expected connect-123 to find such a great match for myself – but they did it. Even though I did not have a clear idea of what exactly I wanted to do (it just had to be in the social sector and connected to migration), they managed to find the perfect internship. I loved living in Dublin and especially immersing myself in a new culture and enjoying the first time experience of everything that comes with it. Dublin has just the right size for a city: It’s small enough to get almost anywhere by foot (it might take you a while, you might get lost, but with numerous help from anonymous strangers, you’ll eventually get there), but it’s still a capital with a huge diversity of cultures, all of them offering something worthwhile to explore amidst the numerous sights of the city itself. Connect-123 provided the perfect structure for an internship abroad. It was a great help with building a network of people, that became friends, and getting around Ireland with the various monthly trips and events.
Internships in Dublin
Taylor Wichrowski
Upon arriving in Dublin I immediately fell in love with the city and knew my summer would be one I wouldn't forget. Connect 123 got me settled in my apartment and prepared me well for my summer and internship with a casual orientation filled with helpful resources about getting around the city as well as the rest of the country. I was very happy with the internship they found for me. I worked as a graphic design intern at a design and video production company and loved every minute! The internship alone was more than I could have asked for. My boss had me jump right into projects like logo design, weekly infographics, and animation. All things that I can happily add to my resume and portfolio. The company I worked at also had Guinness as one of their big clients, and on my second week I was lucky enough to help out at a video shoot at the Guinness Storehouse! Finding a job or internship anywhere is a difficult task and I was very happy with how well Connect worked with me to ensure I got one that I would be happy with. I would advise anyone interested to start applying as early as possible, as this will allow Connect to have more time to find you something you'll love. My program coordinator found various job offers for me over a two to three month span which allowed me to really be a part of the process. Connect also set up activities or nights out which were especially helpful in the beginning of the trip. It was a great opportunity to get a feel for the culture and meet the people I became such good friends with by the end of the summer. This summer was by far the best summer of my life, and I am very thankful that I chose Connect 123 as my abroad program. I'd absolutely recommend it! I'd also recommend Dublin because it's a great city in a gorgeous country, filled with some of the nicest and funniest people you'll ever meet!
Internships in Dublin
Hannah Sprick
With the help of Connect-123, I was able to spend the best summer of my life in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The local program organizers were incredibly helpful, and made sure I felt welcome in my new environment from the moment I arrived. They helped me find a wonderful apartment in a great location, and matched me up with an amazing internship. For three months, I had the privilege of working with a cross-cultural consulting firm as a translator and social media manager. It was a start-up company, and the assignments I completed were challenging but incredibly rewarding. Besides my professional experience, I also had a fantastic time learning about the culture and traditions of Argentina, participating in a variety of local festivals and traveling to several different cities. Our advisers also planned a variety of fun events that allowed me to meet other people in the program, several of whom have become my closest friends. I was very sad when the time came for me to depart, but I was also thankful that my experience with Connect opened my eyes to the possibility of living and working abroad in the future. All in all, I had a phenomenal time as a Connect-123 intern and would highly recommend this program to anyone who would like to gain international work experience.
Internships in Buenos Aires
