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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David Frank
I was fortunate enough to spend three wonderful months in Cape Town. In retrospect, it was really the time of my life, and that's not only because I got to propose to my girlfriend on the top of Table Mountain, but I also met so many nice people, made friends for a lifetime and last but not least did a perfect internship thanks to Connect-123. I was working for an investment boutique in downtown Cape Town. Due to my prior knowledge in finance and statistics, I was lucky enough to get my own project. I was mainly responsible to develop an econometric model that would be able to predict the earnings growth of local companies. During my three months, I not only familiarized myself with the South African capital market and investment environment, but I was also able to build up a solid skill set in financial and statistical analysis which I'm sure will help me a lot after my studies. I'm especially thankful for the joy my colleagues showed to help me to turn my project into a great success. But it wasn't only a pleasure to work together with such great people. It was also phenomenal to see how they integrated me into their community. No matter if climbing Table Mountain or watching a rugby match at the stadium, grabbing a sandwich for lunch or getting advices for the perfect engagement ring, I knew that I could always count on my fellow colleagues. All in all, I can only say that I would do everything all over again.
Internships in Cape Town
Stuart Hendry
At SASDI we are very pleased with the relationship we have with Connect-123. It is a very well-run organisation that consistently delivers high level students, that are committed, motivated and eager to make a difference.
Don Gilbert
I don’t know which emotion is stronger, the pride you feel in your daughter’s adventurous spirit or the trepidation you feel in having her half way around the world in a country that is unfamiliar. In any case, Melanie Martin and the people at Connect 123 made the experience absolutely perfect…for my daughter and for me. I traveled to Cape Town in order to help get Jenny settled into her new surroundings…and to check things out first hand. It is clear to me that Melanie Martin has a lot of experience with anxious dads as she showed patience with my many questions about security, dealing with every one of them with grace and professionalism. Seeing Cape Town for the first time was a wonderful and reassuring experience for me. The people are warm and engaging, and the city felt safe to me. For Jenny, the experience in Cape Town (her second time there) was nothing short of life changing. She was able to absorb the rich culture of South Africa in a way that will benefit her throughout her life. Her time there was the final step of her Masters Degree in Social Work at the University of Texas, and the knowledge and life experiences she gained will no doubt better prepare her for the career she has chosen. Thank you Connect 123…for the experience of a lifetime and for giving an anxious dad the comfort of knowing that my daughter was in good hands! Thanks especially to you Melanie, you are the BEST!
Internships in Cape Town
Sam Imbeault
When I began to think about my plans for the summer I wanted to make sure that they met certain criteria I had laid out for myself. I wanted to gain some real world work experience, travel, network and have something to add to my resume. In reality, my experience with Connect-123 in Cape Town was so much more! I was able to not only visit, but live in one of the most beautiful cities on the planet. Traveling from North America, and having never set foot in Africa, there is nothing that truly prepares you for what you will experience during your time there. On one hand, Cape Town is a picturesque, culturally rich, electric city which is almost surreal. On the other, it is still facing many issues such as poverty, inequality and other socioeconomic challenges. However, this mix of both only adds to the uniqueness of this incredible place and allows you to truly appreciate it. As for my internship, once again my expectations were far surpassed. Despite only being able to spend 6 weeks at my host organisation, a research and consulting firm, I was able to get a taste of life after university. From the get go, I was given the opportunity to earn additional responsibilities and play a larger role within the organization. I was involved in various projects with varying levels of importance and complexity. This gave me the chance to apply many of the concepts and skills which I have learned throughout my years at university. In addition, learning how to work with people including co-workers and clients will definitely help me in my future career as I truly believe this isn't something which can be learned in school. The people I met during my internship were truly amazing and genuine. From day one they were very friendly and made me feel part of the organization. I was invited to each meeting and treated as an equal, not as an intern. Even three months later I am still in contact with those people I met at my host organisation. I have no doubt I have made longtime friends which I hope to visit again in the near future! In summary, I embarked into the Connect-123 program with a simple set of expectations, which turned out to be completely overshadowed by what I actually experienced during my short 6 week stay. In addition to my initial objectives, I was able to experience something unique and incredible, which will not only impact me professionally, but has also impacted me personally. If I had an opportunity to go back, I would do it in a heartbeat.
Internships in Cape Town
Jeff Steiner
My experience in Cape Town far exceeded any expectations I had prior to arrival. The close friendships I formed, business experience attained, and the immersion to a new culture and city all helped make this experience the best three months of my life. As an intern with the southern African office of a global microfinance NGO, I attained a greater understanding of development, business at the Base of the Pyramid, and more specifically insight into the microfinance sector. Connect-123 worked with me to find a company that fit my needs, and in turn, my host organisation involved me in projects related to my field (Human Resources). This was an extremely valuable and unforgettable experience, and I highly recommend an internship in Cape Town to all those seeking a unique experience.
Internships in Cape Town
Francesca Pastore
I am an italian student and I came to Cape Town to volunteer at a refugee NGO in the city bowl! I was a bit afraid when I first arrived in Cape Town, because I expected a completely different environment and I didn’t know what I should expect from my day to day life. But fortunately my experience was amazing, thanks also to the marvellous staff of connect-123 that welcomed me and helped me for all the three months in South Africa!!! I suggest everyone who wants to come to CT to join connect-123 to find amazing friends from all over the world to share your experience with!!!
Internships in Cape Town
Segolene Savoye de Puineuf
I just got back from 6 months in the beautiful Cape Town and one thing is sure I would not mind going back tomorrow. During that time I was an intern at a National Human Rights Institution constitutionally mandated to promote respect for, observance of and protection of human rights in South Africa. I worked on different reports, attended Parliament meetings and conducted a survey with refugees and people from the townships. These different tasks confirmed my interest for the human rights field. My experience also gave me the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds (members of parliament, refugees, ordinary citizens), which improved my ability to work with people from overseas. In addition to the professional experience gained I got to visit an amazing city. There is always something to do in Cape Town whether during the day or during the night. I met so many incredible people from South Africa and from other countries. I will never forget my time there and it taught me some valuable lessons. I cherish all those South African memories and I am very much looking forward to going back one day. Once again thank you to Connect Staff for giving me this opportunity and for being there no matter what (wounded finger, accommodation…). Merci.
Sharon Riley
My experience in Cape Town was amazing and life changing. I always had a passion for helping others but after working in the corporate world for the past 7 years I lost sight of my purpose and meaning in my life. After returning back to the United States after my 30 day volunteer experience at a creche, I have a new outlook on life and have learned to appreciate even the small things that I have. I worked in a creche in a very diverse neighborhood outside of Cape Town and was assigned to work with 3 and 4 year old children from all different races and backgrounds. I was surprised at the differences between the classroom environment in the United States and South Africa, such as the discipline, the teaching methods and the overall demeanor of the children. I learned new things about the children every day and they learned new things about me. Since there were approximately 30 children in the classroom at one time, I believe my ability to spend one on one time with each child made a huge impact on them. The most memorable experience of my volunteer position was the children's hugs and smiles when I left every day. In addition to the children, the teachers and administrator at the creche are the most inspirational and kindest people I have ever met. I only had a limited amount of exposure to the cchildren and this experience taught me very valuable techniques on how to interact with children as well as how to keep their attention. In addition to learning about teaching, I learned a significan amount of information about South Africa's struggle with Apartheid and the current social and economic structure of the country in general. The experience changed my life so much that I am making plans to return to Cape Town to volunteer for a longer period of time. I thank Connect-123 for giving me the opportunity to connect with such fantastic children and staff and finding that sense of purpose that I had lost.
Internships in Cape Town
Ellen Teel
My 3 months in Cape Town were absolutely amazing. Connect 123 supported me throughout the whole process – from setting up my internship to acting as a resource throughout my stay. I found that interning through Connect provided a great balance of the saying, “work hard, play hard.” My internship was a rewarding, learning experience that opened my eyes to new people and a new culture. Connect set up many social events throughout my time in Cape Town which was a great way to get to know the people and city around me. I thrived off of the adventure that living in Cape Town brought to my life every day. I enjoyed hiking, cliff jumping, bungee jumping, shark cage diving, traveling, and so much more. Cape Town is a beautiful city with so much to offer – never a dull moment! The only thing I regret is not staying longer, but I guess that means I’ll have to start planning my next trip to South Africa!
Internships in Cape Town
Shamsa Suleiman
The experience I had with Connect-123 and the human rights organisation where I worked will be something that I will remember for as long as I live!! Despite working five days a week and volunteering to teach in Gugulethu on Saturdays I still managed to surf, bungee jump, hike Table Mountain, swim, learn Xhosa, go to the World Cup matches, facilitate human rights workshops and tour the city. I learnt that there are those who have very little but appreciate and live everyday to the fullest! I will be forever grateful.
Internships in Cape Town
Kevin Murphy
My internship in Cape Town, South Africa last summer, the Summer of 2010 was an extraordinary experience. The social interactions and cultural observation were invaluable. Not only was the cultural transformation occurring from the World Cup occurring, but I was able to participate in some very socially valuable activities. My day-to-day activities in South Africa consisted of going to the University of Cape Town Law School. Specifically, I worked under the supervision of Professor Debbie Collier, who works in the Department of Labor and Development. Debbie also sits on the board of a non-profit organization that specializes in community farming. I assisted Debbie with a lot of her research, and was lucky enough to co-author an article that examine a new personal information privacy law and our article focused on this law’s impact on employee privacy in the workplace. In addition to that wonderful opportunity, I was able to assist the non-profit in assessing whether they should apply to be approved through what is known as the “Black Economic Empowerment Program (BEE).” This program allows companies and non-profits to basically gain points through the amount of empowerment their company provide to minorities in South Africa. We ultimately decided not to, but it was not a waste of time. They saved considerable resources by having me do it as opposed to an attorney and also by not following through on what we found would ultimately not provide them with the level of BEE certification that they wanted.
Internships in Cape Town
Liz Schneider
For my Gap Year, I really wanted to combine travelling, experiencing other cultures, work experience and of course, fun. Which is what Connect-123 offered. Connect-123 placed me in a fantastic Architecture firm. They gave me a lot of responsibility and therefore, it was a great experience learning how to use programs like Auto CAD, SketchUp and Photoshop. Having just come out of High School, I was introduced to the architecture world which was fascinating and always took me by surprise. I had to pick up skills fast and very often had to use my initiative to be able to keep up with the pace of the architecture world. I got the pleasure of working alongside a senior architect and being able to visit a variety of architectural sites. As for the living experience, I couldn't have chosen a better city than Cape Town. Living in the Perspectives building means that you're part of the intern community. I made great friends and was able to explore and experience this incredible, new city with them. It offers so many unforgettable activities; Shark Cage Diving, Sky Diving, Bungy jumping, surfing, wine-tasting, safari, hiking, the list is endless. The accommodation is well equipped and perfectly located. As well as placing me in a fantastic Architecture firm, Connect-123 were a great help from the first day. They were the support I needed while I was there and were always very happy to answer questions and help solve any problems I had. I tried to have few expectations before going but I could never have expected that the whole experience would affect more aspects of my life than just my work and I’d say I had the best three months of my life there.
Sara Khodair
I spent a little over a month in Buenos Aires. By far that has been one of the best experiences yet. The city is absolutely beautiful. The people were amazing. There was always something to do. I thought the volunteer program was lots of fun. I'm very grateful for Connect-123. Best summer ever.
Internships in Buenos Aires
Greg Goldstein
I can honestly say that I could not possibly have hoped for a better internship experience than the one I got in Cape Town with Connect-123. Volunteering, especially internationally, is always a scary experience. You never know exactly what to expect but Connect-123 was there for me every step of the way. Even before I left the States they were there to help me with everything: from my initial internship offer, to the best way to get to Cape Town, to where to stay there was always someone I could ask questions of and who would help me find out the answers. However, it was my internship that made my experience so incredible. My work at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital remains one of my most significant experience and the deciding factor in my decision to peruse a career in pediatrics. The surgeries and procedures I observed there were truly eye opening and the research I was involved in made me a very real part of them. I was only a college junior and I was not only relaying important information about patients to anesthesiologists but I was also helping surgeons understand how they could communicate more effectively with their patients. My work not only took me into the operating room on a daily basis but it also facilitated regular interaction with nurses, other volunteers, heads of departments and specialists. The bonds I formed with these professionals and the things that I learned from them remain with me even to this day, over a year after I left the hospital. No matter what brings you to Cape Town, once you arrive it’s impossible not to fall in love with the city. Cape Town is not only breathtakingly beautiful but it is full of countless cultural, athletic and just plain fun opportunities and Connect-123 really helps its interns take advantage of those. My time in this incredible city was filled with day trips to the Cape of Good Hope, hikes of the iconic Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, cruises on the harbor, sunset cocktails, or “sun-downers”, on Signal Hill with other interns and Connect staffers, shark diving, beautiful beaches, a wine festival, rooftop “braais” (think delicious BBQ) and even a pot-luck Thanksgiving dinner. As I approach medical school and continue on the long journey toward becoming a doctor, I find myself thinking back on the time I spent in Cape Town and I feel incredibly thankful for my experiences at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital, experiences I would have never had without Connect-123.
Internships in Cape Town
Julia Coleman
To say that my experience with Connect 123 changed my life would be an understatement. Not only did it change my life but it changed the lives of so many around me. I was able to show so many friends and family members how truly amazing this program is and how much it bettered me as a person. I came to South Africa to work with the Child Life team because it is what I am studying at school and is what I aspire to be when I graduate. Even though I was not as experienced as my fellow volunteers, I was able to learn so much from all of them. Just by watching them do what they love so much made me even more eager to become better at being a Child Life Specialist. Learning about the child life program in a classroom setting does not nearly give it enough justice as it does from seeing it first hand. The way the children at the Red Cross hospital would light up each time one of our child life specialists walked into a room was something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. The impact that this program and these volunteers make is indescribable and I’m so proud to say I could be a part of this incredible team of people. Not only did this trip make me fall even more in love with children and helping others but it also opened my eyes to a whole other world. South Africa is one of the most amazing countries, not only for its beauty but also for the people and the culture that it reveals to you. From the people that I met along this trip, I will take pieces of them with me wherever I go and am so thankful to have learned so much from each one of them. Traveling to South Africa also gave me the ambition to move to Maui where I plan to attend the University of Hawaii Maui College for next semester and continue to study Child Life and work with children. While I’m still young and have these wonderful opportunities I want to see as much of the world as I can and help as many people as I can along the way. Because what I’ve learned from being a volunteer, even though you are taking time to help others, in the end the people you help are really helping you. These children have helped me understand so much more about life and made me appreciate and value the life I have. I plan to return to South Africa some day and experience even more than I did on my first trip there. Even though I was only there a short while, South Africa will always be a place in my heart that I can feel at home.
Audrianna Sibiski
Connect-123 made my experience in Cape Town phenomenal! I cannot thank Gabby and the rest of the Connect staff enough for providing me with such an amazing opportunity. Connect-123 was there every step of the way from arranging a ride from the airport to accompanying me on the first day of my internship. Connect-123 staff and interns become the family you left at home and the best friends you acquire for a lifetime! I interned at a small marketing/pr firm founded in 2007. As successful as it already was, there was still plenty of room to grow and improve which provided me with a tremendous work opportunity during my internship. As the social media wave has become such a dominant factor in the business world here in the US, and not so prevalent in South Africa, I was able to structure and introduce a social media campaign for one of our luxury clients. I provided a platform for the other interns to follow and it has been a success! The MD was so impressed she asked me to create one for her firm. I was also given the responsibility of managing the guest list for a penthouse luxury event that included famous celebrities from South Africa, the US and others abroad! Not to mention the perks of the internship, which included tickets to Cape Town Fashion Week! Connect-123 does a wonderful job matching you up to prospective internships that comply with your interests. As an advertising graduate interested in marketing and public relations my internship was a perfect match! With work comes play. Connect-123 did a fantastic job keeping us interns busy. The monthly schedule sent electronically provided us options to participate on group trips and ideas to create our own trips around South Africa. My favorite excursions were Wacky Wine and the Garden Route. If you’re an adrenalin junkie, well this trip is certainly for you. Shark cage diving with great whites, bungee jumping from the world’s longest jump, playing with elephants, riding an ostrich, hiking Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, even skydiving! If you need any advice or help planning trips Connect is there to help. Connect also provides volunteering opportunities through host organizations. I was able to volunteer with an organization called Sisanda Fundaytion. As a volunteer we had the chance of visiting orphanages in various townships and taking children out for a day of fun. In most cases this is the first, and maybe only, time the children leave the township and enjoy simple pleasures such as going to the movies or riding a ride at an amusement park. Needless to say, it was an experience I will never forget. I chose to intern in Cape Town as a personal and professional growth experience and what I received was so much more. I met South Africans and other international travelers that I still maintain close contact with. I’m passionate about my experience, as it has positively impacted my life in many ways. This will prove to be a valuable contribution to my future endeavors. I recommend the Connect-123 internship experience vigorously!
Internships in Cape Town
Ralph Rogers
The most honest introduction to describing this past summer that I spent in Cape Town through Connect-123 is that it was the best I have ever experienced. When I first heard about the program it seemed too good to be true, but I was delighted to find that it really was as awesome as it seemed. Connect-123 not only arranged a great internship with the national park service located in Cape Town, but they also gave me the structure I needed to create the perfect experience abroad. My work with the national park service was perfect for my interests and studies (Ecology). I had the opportunity to work outside everyday with locals. Connect-123 truly catered to my needs. I did not want to pay to rent a car, I needed to receive credit through my university, and I wanted to find an internship that was hands on and gave me plenty of practical experience. They found a program that allowed me to walk / take public transport every morning, I am receiving credit, and every day I learned valuable information about the field of Natural Resource Conservation. One of my favorite aspects of my internship was working with the People’s Trail. It is a two day trail designed to promote environmental conservation to local underprivileged youth. During the People’s Trail I was able to learn about everything from the local culture, to the natural history of Cape Town. On the days where I was not involved with the People’s Trail, I was involved with Klipspringer research, working in a tree nursery to grow indigenous trees, trail maintenance, people trail hut maintenance, and any other miscellaneous work that the park needed. Connect-123 gave me a wonderful internship that was perfect for my studies, and supplied me with the most valuable intercultural experience I have had in my life thus far. I was surrounded by like minded people looking for an adventure. Connect-123 gave me the setting to build friendships that will last far longer than summer. I am now determined to find an adventure that lives up to the one I experienced this summer. Thanks Connect!
Zahra Nealy
My short time in Cape Town has made an everlasting impact on my life. Flying for 26 hours and landing in the Mother City was the most amazing feeling of accomplishment and belonging I have ever felt. Not only was the landscape amazing, but the people are what made my trip great. South Africa has the nicest, most humbled people I have met.Being able to see them come together during the World Cup was a momentous occasion and hopefully that will last. All the people I met welcomed me with open arms and that meant a lot. I was able to meet people who were like me at the Centre of Science and Technology (COSAT) in Khayelitsha. Seeing them come from adverse living conditions and being the smartest, brightest people I have met is a true testament to the human spirit. The way of life in Cape Town really made me realize that it's okay to sit back, relax, enjoy life; yet work hard and get things done all the while. That is some thing I think Americans have forgotten. Also, going to Cape Town showed me that people share more similarities than differences; something that the media doesn’t equally portray. Also, I was able to apply my skills and interests in the internship I had with fashion designer Thulare Monareng. For example, I was able to organize events and photo shoots, create press kits and a strategic communications plan for her, as well as help her with scouting her new retail location on Long Street. In return, she showed me so much about the industry; introduced me to others in the industry; and really listened to and considered the suggestions I recommended for her work. I was able to come home with a sense of contribution, as well as experience no book could ever teach me. Equally important, because of that experience I am using it as the basis for my thesis. Two-and-a-half months went by so fast. All I know is that won't be my last time in Cape Town. Thanks to Erna Smith, USC Annenberg and Connect 123 for making my first trip abroad unforgettable
Internships in Cape Town
Jeffrey Ryan Goldmintz
I want to start off by thanking Sydney McNally, Beth Watson, and Eimear Costigan; if it were not for them I would never have had this amazing opportunity; or made the decision to come from Canada to Cape Town. To make a long story short I cannot begin to express the gratification I have towards the whole team at Connect 123. They were exceeded all my expectations, were very accommodating, and extremely helpful for whatever problem or concern I encountered. They are basically your guardian angels. Just ask my roommate who fell down a flight of stairs at a World Cup game and got picked up at the hospital by the team at Connect 123! Bottom-line: they will always be there for you! Not only that, they knew how to organize spectacular events that gave all interns the opportunity to explore a distinctive cultural understanding Cape Town had to offer. These events were offered bi-weekly and provided a great time to meet new people and unfold new friendships. Whether it was climbing to the top of scenic Cape Point, camping out at the Wacky Wine Festival, or spending a day in the winelands at Franschhoek. The team at Connect knew exactly how to provide exciting adventures and memorable entertainment for all interns to experience. I worked at a social profit organization in Cape Town, as a student intern from June 2nd to August 26th 2010. The organization offers a friendly, accessible walk‐in environment where aspiring and operating entrepreneurs can come to access information and receive support relating to small business. I was tasked with searching for general, as well as industry specific business information from local sources; with the objective of compiling an electronic resource list for entrepreneurs. These resources would be available on computers in the information centre; and in hard copy format. With most entrepreneurs visiting centre having only very basic computer literacy and a poor educational background, this resource would facilitate and greatly reduce their search time. I delivered a comprehensive and well‐structured product that is currently in use to great effect. I fulfilled various other roles, such as switchboard and reception duties (as circumstances demanded) and integrated well with a multi‐cultural team; in general I felt to be a great asset to the organisation. It has been almost 5 months since I left Cape Town but I feel like I left a part of me there forever. To have been in Cape Town during the World Cup I felt as if I were in a dream, a dream that I never wanted to end. I consider myself truly blessed to have participated in this extraordinary internship; while simultaneously experiencing the world’s greatest sporting event. Looking back on it now, I am left with an overwhelming sense of nostalgia, incredible memories with incredible individuals that I will cherish forever, and an undeniable love for the beautiful city of Cape Town. Thank you so much Connect 123, you guys have changed my life, taught me so much about myself, and I wish you nothing but the best!
Internships in Cape Town
Emily Wong
Coming to Cape Town truly changed my perspective in life. I work as an Interior Designer in Melbourne and this year, my sister and I took time off to travel and see the world. We were both seeking a unique experience and came across Connect-123’s programme – made a harmless enquiry and it snowballed from thereon. Connect-123 found me a placement at an architecture firm, which specializes in sustainable development and environmental building techniques. I was given the opportunity to work on the interior of a public building appointed by the City of Cape Town. Located in the outskirts, their goals were to promote the preservation of the land’s heritage while alleviating poverty through community involvement. As a designer, it was exciting to be exposed to new ways of design thinking and to engage with sustainable building techniques and eco-friendly materials and finishes. Never imagined that one day I would be involved in the process of constructing buildings with mud bricks and straw or plaster walls with a grandfather’s hand me down recipe of clay, lime and cow manure. The sight was simply amazing and definitely ‘breathtaking’ literally. Being involved on the building site gave me opportunity to engage with a broad spectrum of people, including with the city’s environmental & heritage departments, their contractors, builders and suppliers. This provided me a greater insight into the local design industry and also a platform for contacts. As the building was in its final construction stage, I was lucky enough to be able to see some of the designs I worked on being implemented. Cape Town itself is visually stunning and the people are amazing- it exceeded expectations on all levels. The Connect-123 team are professional, down to earth and very supportive. Mary, my account manager and friend, was in constant touch throughout my time in the programme ensuring that all my goals were being achieved. I had an amazing time in S.Africa and can’t wait to come back one day. For anyone planning to come, Cape Town will mesmerize you! architecture, design, sustainable development As a designer, it was exciting to be exposed to new ways of design thinking and to engage with sustainable building techniques and eco-friendly materials and finishes.
