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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Mara Willemin
As a student studying International Relations at Michigan State University, I was drawn to Cape Town not only for its beautiful picturesque scenery and lifestyles, but because South Africa offered a fascinating story in the development world. I sought an internship experience which would provide a snapshot into some of the most pressing issues existing within South African society, as well as the opportunity to play a part, however small, in working to rid some of these issues. Connect-123 offered me exactly that. Besides the amazing support in living arrangements, trips and travel experiences, networking and workshop opportunities, and personalized advised on how to get the most out of my trip to Cape Town, Connect-123 helped ensure that my trip to South Africa was as rich as it could have been. After struggling to find the perfect internship, the staff at Connect-123 worked above and beyond to ensure my organizational placement was ideal for the type of experience I sought to gain. Because of their commitment to my placement, I was able to work in an organization, which addressed issues of development and poverty alleviation through higher education initiatives. It is because of this work that I have been able to continue research on such issues in my university studies upon returning home. Because of the care and support offered through the Connect-123 team, my experiences in Cape Town, South Africa will forever live in my heart.
Tina Rubanik
I had a wonderful experience in Shanghai! I had a chance to work in a company I had always dreamt I could work for! It was just awesome! The work was intense but so interesting. Shanghai is like an Asian New York that never sleeps, nobody will remain indifferent! My Connect-123 program coordinator, Jimmy, was very helpful and we were having so much fun with him and other interns! I can’t say what the best thing in this trip was because literally everything was great! I was very lucky to find Connect-123 because they helped me find this amazing internship! I would never have thought that I could get that much experience in such a short period of time. I can say that these three months were unforgettable and I really would love to come back or one of the other destinations that Connect-123 offers. The only thing I regret is that it was too short, I would stay there longer! Thank you Connect-123!
Internships in Shanghai
F. Ishi
Working in China has always been a dream for me. I’ve always pictured myself working for a company in China to learn about the economy and how I could take advantage of being involved with the economic growth between Brazil and China. During my 4 months with the firm asan intern, I had a lot of opportunity to experience this, network and make friends. What really made me proud was that I was offered a full time position and my boss was counting on me to develop their brand in Brazil. That made me realize that I was on the right track and did my best while in China to achieve the company’s goals. Thanks Connect-123 for making the connection between me and my organisation in China.
Internships in Shanghai
Adam Steward
During my last year of undergraduate studies at Eastern Washington University I decided that I wanted to work and gain experience abroad. I searched through hundreds of programs that provided assistance to students like me with finding internships abroad. I finally, after 2 months of searching found Connect-123. This program was a great fit for me because it wasn't to expensive and allowed me to stay as long as I wanted without having to pay additional costs for staying a certain period of time. The staff were very helpful and provided all of us with everything we needed. Melanie set me up with the biggest coffee chain in Ireland and next thing you know I'm on a plane to Dublin. My process of going to Dublin was a little different than the rest of the group because I stayed 5 months and Connect-123 was helpful in giving me information about the visa process. It was a very difficult process but in the end it all worked out. I learned a lot about my field (marketing) and gained some experience within the coffee sector. The people I worked with were amazing and I will never forget them. I loved going in to work everyday because it was a blast. The good thing also was free coffee and lunch, not to mention all the treats I got to taste from prospective clients wanting to put their treats in our stores. Outside of work was an amazing experience too. I loved hanging out with my roommates and getting to know them. I had roommates from Italy, America, France. I also met a ton of amazing people along the way and got the chance to see them again after my internship was finished. Dublin for me was great because I just loved the culture and the atmosphere. Everyone was so nice and welcoming that it allowed me to just relax. Melanie and Daniela made sure our group got to see most of Ireland which was amazing and beautiful. I also did other trips with friends outside of our program as well. I had an amazing time in Dublin and I don't think words can really describe it, you have to just go and see for yourself. At the end of my internship I was fortunate enough to get the chance to travel to Italy, Spain and Belgium. My roommates from Italy showed me around and I also did some couch surfing which was really great. I encourage everyone to try it. Overall my time spent in Dublin was truly life changing and I will never forget it.
Colin Wee
Words cannot describe the wonderful experience I had in Cape Town, South Africa. The sites are amazing, the activities were adrenaline filled and the people are great! Although Cape Town is only one part of South Africa, I had multiple chances to converse with locals and internationals. My internship equipped me with skills that are valuable to my career. I had the opportunity to be in the forefront of economic policy in South Africa. Addressing problems and issues that South Africa are facing. Working with my colleagues and South African parliamentarians to help solve social policy issues that South Africa are facing. My three months in Cape Town allowed me to integrate with my colleagues and understand local culture and history. Connect-123 has facilitated and ensured that my experience was most valuable, professionally and personally. Connect-123 has ensured that I was satisfied with my host organisation, so that I would gain a worthwhile experience that would be valuable in my future career. Furthermore, Connect-123 has organised many events, so that participants are well integrated and learn about the local community. I would like to thank the team at Connect-123 for making my experience a safe and enjoyable! I recommend going through Connect-123 with organising a wonderful Cape Town experience!
Allyson Flak
My experience is Cape Town has been an incredible one. Connect-123 is not only concerned with finding you an internship, but working with you the whole way through to make sure you are comfortable and meeting all of your goals. Connect-123 not only provides support and an introduction to the working world, but also helps with adjustment to a new culture and big city life. My host organisation not only taught me a lot about my field, but also about the local cultures and values. I was blessed to be working with such a welcoming and accommodating group. Cape Town is an amazing city for people to study abroad or complete an internship in. Exploring the city is an education in itself. Witnessing the diverse blend of cultures and learning about the complex history is nothing short of a worthwhile experience. Everyone will have something that they can take away from their time in Cape Town.
Internships in Cape Town
Mia Chen
I have enjoyed my internship working at a foster home in Shanghai. I was always fond of babies but didn’t actually have too much experience with them prior to this internship. During the 2 months spent working with them, I have grown to be very attached and have a better understanding of them. It was quite hard to say goodbye at the end of the internship. Being a part of Connect-123 was a wonderful way of meeting new people and participating in group activities. Our program coordinator Jimmy organized many trips that were fun and educational to us, including a trip to Hangzhou, Zhouzhang and KTV in Shanghai. Overall, I have had a wonderful time in Shanghai and I wish I could stay longer!
Volunteer in Shanghai
Tamara Thevarajah
Just two weeks before my departure, I accepted an internship position at a major hospital in Dublin, Ireland and as scary as the thought was, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. After some phone conversations and long emails back and forth, Connect-123’s Melanie McDowell understood exactly what I was looking for and found me the position of my dreams! The hospital is the leading center for Gynae-Oncology in Ireland. During my time there, I started the bench work for a research project in which thromboelastography is used for the detection of hypercoagulability in patients after major gynaecological surgery, specifically the malignant cases. When I wasn’t conducting research, I was attending Multi-Disciplinary Meetings (team meetings to discuss all aspects of treatment options including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, histology, radiology), attending journal club presentations about various topics in medicine (including the new field of chronic pain management under the anesthesiology field), observing in the clinic, and observing in surgery. It is so interesting to observe how health care is conducted in a country that practices universal healthcare (and also offers private insurance for those who choose it and can afford it). The experience I gained by being immersed in Ireland’s healthcare field is priceless. This internship was much more than a resume booster. I became more assertive in a professional setting; healthcare is so fast-paced and you have to put yourself out there and form strong relationships with the doctors and they are very willing to give back and help you with anything and answer all your questions. I also learned more about what it will be like to be a doctor—and I LOVED it. Providing care and empathy for patient after patient in the clinic and going into surgery and watching tumors being removed and pelvic floors being repaired—I cannot wait until I’m the one with the stethoscope around my neck and the scalpel in my hand! Ireland is amazing and beautiful. The people are so nice and so very diverse! My house included students/interns from Italy, France, and Spain, and I made some awesome friends! I also traveled all around Ireland and to London (days before the Olympics!!) with friends I met through this program! Connect-123 is excellent, from the internship match up to social events and fields trips! I had the time of my life, and I’m sure any other excited intern will too!!
Internships in Dublin
Matthew Burns
During the summer, I had the privilege of doing an environmental/sustainability internship for 2 months in Dublin. Now, I know when people think of environment and sustainability they do not usually think of Dublin as the first place they would look, but there is actually a very large web of environmental agencies, and the environment is a key political issue in Ireland right now. The internship was mostly dealing with integrated coastal zone management, meaning that I did everything and anything to do with the coast. Sometimes I was in the lab helping a PhD student with their bivalve research, other times I was out in the field surveying sea grass, but my main work was going to high-end government meetings and doing all kinds of research for different political meetings. I was actively involved in politics; I even appeared in newspapers and on the radio! This internship completely met my expectations and allowed me to explore many different aspects of the environment. Although I have to say, the best part of this job was that it allowed for me to travel all around Ireland, some days I would be down in County Wexford for an event, the next day I would be in County Donegal doing surveys and meeting with local people. This allowed me to see sights that normal people working just in Dublin would not be able to see, and meet some amazing local people. I have to say a big thank you to Connect-123 for setting me up with this internship. They were so helpful in getting me a placement, and finding housing for me. They also take you around on your first day (which was a big help), showing what buses you need to take, some of the sights you can go and see, and going with you to meet your boss for the first time. The tours were always fun that were set up by Connect-123 too! By far my favorite tours were the Cliff of Moher and the Aran Islands, Giants Causeway, and Glendalough. Dublin is a great small city, the people are amazing, and Connect-123 makes it all possible. I have made friendships with people from all over the world, from Ireland (of course) to Italy, to South Africa and even met people from my home in Canada! If you're looking for a good internship in the environment/sustainability sector, then I would recommend looking through Connect-123 in Dublin.
Internships in Dublin
Christine Cifelli
Connect-123 has provided me with a unique and valuable experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. After researching several international internship programs, I felt that Connect-123 was the only program with a specific one-on-one placement process, which provided me with a position based on my individual preferences and background. I was able to find exactly what I wanted, for that reason I really enjoyed going to work every day. I had the opportunity to work with great people from all over the world. Working and traveling abroad helped me to better understand people from other cultures on a professional and personal level. Connect-123 provided me with many social opportunities in Barcelona that really enhanced my experience. Barcelona is a vibrant, multicultural city with great food, culture, nightlife, and people. I highly recommend the program for anyone who wants to develop their professional skills, learn about a different culture, and explore an amazing city.
Internships in Barcelona
Vish Chandarana
Having only heard about Connect-123 last minute, I decided to enquire about summer internships abroad. Connect-123 were extremely helpful and managed to arrange a two month summer internship in just a matter of weeks. I was thrown in at the deep end on my first day, establishing connections with domestic and international clients. Working amongst a team from a variety of locations around the globe, including India, Ireland, U.S, U.K, Nigeria, Mexico and Spain, I was able to gain experience with interns from different cultures and personalities. Not only in the work place, but my house also contained a diverse group of interns who I thoroughly enjoyed living with. Our aim was to assist companies with more reliable and useful connections which in turn increased level of business domestically, as well as internationally; adding value to trading activities. One method of doing this was through the centre's online trade network. I was also working outside the office, attending a variety of business networking events, presentations and meetings in Dublin. Connect-123 will also give you the opportunity to visit well known landmarks in Dublin, ranging from the Guinness Storehouse to the cliff tops just outside of the city. My experience was more than just an internship, as I gained invaluable knowledge about international trade, as well as vital life skills including networking and establishing strong business partnerships. I strongly recommend an internship with Connect-123 to anyone looking to enhance their resume and stand out from other candidates.
Internships in Dublin
Laura Beth Lathrop
I would have never imagined that an internship could have provided me with the experience and exposure to the medical field that my Dublin internship did. During my time spent working in the hospital, I was involved in two main projects; processing of blood and tissue samples for the ovarian cancer bioresource centre and assessing the use of thrombo-elastography (TEG) for the detection of hypercoagulability in patients post gynaecological surgery. Aside from research, I was lucky enough to stand in on major gynaecological surgeries as well as caesarean section births (all of which brought me to tears of joy). The experience of living in a foreign country was one that I would recommend to anyone who is considering it. Dublin is a history rich, lively hub of European culture. This melting pot makes for a worldly experience when meeting new people and sharing cultural traditions. What stood out to me the most though while living in Dublin were the kind and fun-loving Irish. Helpful is an understatement to describe the Irish folk. They are welcoming and always open for a good laugh. When considering whether an internship might be something you are interested in, I highly recommend seeking it through Connect-123 and when considering where I recommend Dublin but the field of study is up to you!
Internships in Dublin
Cassandra Wood
My summer internship in Dublin, Ireland was unforgettable! The hands on experience I encountered was more than anything I could have hoped for in an undergraduate dietetic internship. While serving as a Student Dietitian Intern at a rehabilitation hospital, I worked alongside the Clinical Nutrition Manager as well as many other friendly and fun health care professionals. I was thrilled to be able to apply so much of what I learned in the classroom to a practical clinical setting. This was an amazing learning experience that I will remember for the rest of my life!
Internships in Dublin
Wayne Wu
In my time in Shanghai, I have met many people, learned many things and most importantly, had lots of fun. Shanghai has been very different and interesting for me, and has definitely changed my perspective of how I view the world. Working at my company has helped me learn many things that may be important for me in the future. Connect-123 has been very good to us as well and Jimmy has organized many fun and interesting events for us.
Internships in Shanghai
Chloe Kwon
I made a last minute decision on whether to take a microfinance internship in India or work as a business intern in Dublin, Ireland and I think my decision to spend my summer in Dublin was a great choice. I met so many people and was amazed by the unexpected diversity that Dublin offered; just alone in my house, there were Italians, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Americans and wherever you go, you met people who are friendly and excited to get to know you. I think it depends on one's mindset as to make this opportunity the best time of your life but combining the internship experience with opportunities of touring around the Irish sceneries such as Belfast, Giant's Causeway, and Cliffs of Moher, and meeting lasting friends (I ended up traveling around Europe with a girl from Connect-123 program after my internship was over) definitely act as the catalyst for me to find other experiences like this. I had a blast this summer and I would recommend Connect-123 to anyone who's interested in finding a balanced summer of work and fun that you will remember for a long time.
Internships in Dublin
Breanna Lujan
Knowing only that I wanted to pursue an internship in environmental sustainability in Barcelona, I turned to Connect-123 to make this goal possible. From the beginning of the internship placement process, Connect-123 was very perceptive and responsive to my needs, questions, and concerns so as to ensure that I received the most out of my experience. Thanks to the efforts of Connect-123, I was able to work for an amazing environmental NGO based in Barcelona that focuses its efforts on many of the environmental issues I consider most pertinent. As a third year environmental studies major and a native Spanish speaker, Connect-123 allowed me to not only gain professional experience working abroad, but also to further explore my career goals and to further develop my interests. I now know that if I were ever to return to Barcelona, I would have a position waiting for me with the environmental NGO that I worked for on account of Connect-123. Barcelona is an absolutely incredible city. The people, food, language, and culture create an atmosphere that is as eclectic as it is beautiful. Connect-123 helped me to really appreciate my time in Barcelona, providing ample opportunities to do things in the city that I ordinarily would not have done. To those considering interning in Barcelona, I highly recommend it!
Internships in Barcelona
Kayleen Meyer
I had the opportunity to work with Occupational Therapists in a hospital setting, building up a variety of skills. This internship taught me how to work in a fast-pace environment where everyone gets to know each other very quickly. I learned a lot about how OT is done for patient's with hip and knee surgeries and how to apply it to each patient. An important skill I learned was how to work directly with patients. It is easy to make people feel comfortable but being able to apply it to OT is always a work in progress. Everyday I learned something new and I will carry all of these skills with me for the future. Throughout this internship, I found that it was very rewarding to help people everyday. It truly is a joy to work in OT because it looks at a person in a holistic way by taking in all aspects of that person and their life. My internship was so rewarding and I would suggest it for anyone looking to practice OT. I was very lucky because at home it would have been very hard for me to find a truly full experience that this internship offered me. My coworkers were so helpful and very nice people. They would go out of their ways to help me and by the end we were kind of like a big family. Everyday I learned so much about OT and I actually got to have my own case load of patients that I got to do therapy with. My supervisor was absolutely amazing because she was the one that helped me have the confidence to try all those knew things.
Internships in Dublin
Ariel Fowler
Living in Ireland for the summer really helped me gain a lot of confidence, both professionally and personally. It was nice to be part of a program that gave me so much support while still encouraging me to be independent. I really appreciated the social opportunities Connect-123 offered, too, even if I wasn’t able to join as often as I would have liked. My internship was at an equine hospital in Kildare, and it gave me the chance to explore a part of veterinary medicine I had not had much experience with as well as letting me see how veterinary medicine is practiced in a different part of the world. I feel like my international experience will really help me stand out in vet school applications, both in my actual experience and in taking the initiative to do it. I got to do a lot of hands-on work with the veterinary nurses, and the doctor in charge was great about turning each case into a learning opportunity. Spending the whole summer there meant that I got to take on more responsibility and really get to know the people I was working with. Connect-123 was very supportive in helping me set up everything before I got there. My internship was difficult to find, but they still made sure I got an ideal placement. I also appreciated the collaboration throughout my stay in Ireland. Even though I ended up outside of Dublin, there was always a definite effort to keep in touch and make sure I was doing well. There was also an emphasis on the future, and what this internship can do for me—especially at my last meeting, we talked a lot about how I can discuss this experience in interviews. My Connect-123 internship was a great resource for me in trying to be competitive as a veterinary school applicant.
Internships in Dublin
June O’Connor
When I decided to spend a few months in Barcelona my main concern was how was I going to find voluntary work there when I could hardly speak any Spanish. Thank goodness I came across Connect-123. They made everything so easy for me. Even though I only gave them a couple of weeks notice of coming here, they went all out to help me to find the right accomodation and to match me with suitable voluntary placements. They also recommended a really good Spanish school which gives you 25% discount if you are registered with Connect-123. My first 2 weeks here were spent at the school doing an intensive Spanish course which I really enjoyed. On the day I arrived Lea met with me to talk through all sorts of useful information that would help me to settle in quickly. She gave me her mobile number and assured me that I could contact her with any queries or concerns, no matter what the time. She continued to suggest several options of voluntary work that I could do and I soon found myself with 3 different placements, working with children in various capacities, all of which I am loving. I have now been here for 10 weeks and it has been an amazing experience. Barcelona is a beautiful city and Lea is always sending e-mails to us to suggest things to do and places to go and to arrange regular get togethers with the other volunteers and interns. I am very happy with the help and support that I have received from Connect-123. To have done this on my own would have been very difficult, if not impossible. I can't thank them enough and would not hesitate to recommend them to others.
Volunteer in Barcelona
Lucy Rimmington
I'd always known that Cape Town was a great city but nothing could have prepared me for the beauty that I discovered when I arrived. No guide book or travel site can convey the wealth of opportunities that the city offers. Though I filled every weekend with activites from shark cage diving to bungee jumping to hiking, I still didn't manage to fit everything in that I would have liked to - there is just so much to do! I also never expected to make the friends that I made during my time in Cape Town. Both the people I was working with at my internship and the people I was living with at Perspectives soon became some of my best friends and we've already planned reunions all across the globe! Within weeks I felt at home and had soon developed traditions such as Monday night quiz nights and Friday nights at the Long Street bars. All of this made my time in Cape Town one of the best experiences of my life, even before I begin talking about my internship. Working in such a different environment was an experience which will never leave me. In some ways, I learnt more during the past two months than during the two years I've spent at university! I wouldn't hesitate in recommending Connect-123 Cape Town to anybody, the organisation is fantastic, the city is outstanding and the people are some of the best I've ever met!
