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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Carly S
The remote internship that Connect-123 paired me with was an amazing experience that helped keep me motivated and excited about my studies during the pandemic. I was able to complete research about gender equality in the Tokyo Olympics and my research was used in a press release for the group I was interning for. It was awesome to be able to see my work on their website and without Connect-123 listening and truly understanding what I wanted to gain from my internship I wouldn’t have been able to have this opportunity. Whenever I needed assistance the staff at Connect-123 was there to answer their questions and the career workshops they provided in addition to the internship experience were great! I would recommend that anyone searching for a truly hands-on and exciting internship experience go to Connect-123!
Mayela D
With the help and guidance of Connect-123, I was able to work with a nonprofit organization in Argentina. Even after Covid-19 cases started to decrease in the U.S., in-person internships were still very unlikely to happen in the summer of 2021. That’s why instead I started looking for virtual internships. I first learned about Connect-123 in a university email that was sent out to encourage students to join virtual internships. Connect-123 caught my eye since that first email because it offered international virtual internships. Since my major is International Relations, I figured this would be a great opportunity for me to build up my resume and gain experience working remotely. I’m very grateful for this opportunity because it allowed me to work with an Argentinian organization that is partnered with many NGOs that help people in vulnerable situations. My role as an intern was mainly translating documents and presentations for the organization’s campaigns so that English speakers could understand the mission and goal of the campaigns. Overall, this internship taught me how to work remotely with people in different time zones that have a different cultural background than my own. It was a great experience and I highly recommend it.
Reagan Y
My experience with my remote global internship and Connect-123 was the best way to conclude my undergraduate studies. I believe that my internship provided the perfect segway into a real career experience, as well as applying remote culture to my work life. It was amazing to finally apply some of the things that I have learned while studying, to a real-life project that will mean something in the future. I am honored to have been a part of my remote experience and I would definitely do it all again.
Morgan W
I was introduced to Connect-123 through my university. Searching for internship opportunities during the pandemic was a very stressful and trying experience. However, once I was made aware of the Connect-123 global internship program I jumped at the possibility. Now, I am so glad I did! The Connect-123 team did not only provide me a remote internship with a fantastic NGO but also imparted invaluable career advice and a great community that does anything to help its members succeed. The wonderful advisors at Connect-123 nurtured my passion and helped facilitate my dream internship, I highly suggest everyone pursue an internship with Connect-123!
April W
I am incredibly grateful for the experience that I had with Connect-123. They were able to place me with a non-profit organization in South Africa that directly matched my career goals and preferences. I, unfortunately, was unable to complete my internship in person due to the current pandemic, but Connect-123 was able to still place me with a virtual internship. Not only does Connect-123 place you with an internship, but they provide workshops to help their participants succeed in their professional careers. The support they provided throughout the course of my internship was amazing. I appreciate all that Connect-123 staff did to help make me succeed during my internship.
Rebekah L
I am a senior at Pennsylvania State University with a major in Marketing and Management. This summer I had the honor of working with an incredible NGO as a Marketing and Brand Awareness intern through the support and help from Connect-123. As my spring semester in college was wrapping up fast and also during the global pandemic, I was unsure whether or not to complete the internship experience virtually or in person. From the support of Connect-123, they were able to find an opportunity that gave me the best of both worlds. I was able to start my internship virtually, and when I felt ready to travel was able to complete the rest of my internship in Dublin, both remote and in person. I learned skills of campaign and project management, along with social media marketing. The time went by so fast when you’re having fun! The experience was challenging, impactful, and I was able to develop business skills out of it! I highly recommend this organization and process for anyone!
Internships in DublinVanessa M
The internship experience that Connect-123 matched me with was one of the highlights of my college experience. I had been waiting for over a year to intern with Connect-123 because all summer 2020 programs were halted due to the pandemic, and the wait was well worth it! Connect-123 does not only place you into an internship, but also supports you throughout the entire experience, which is one of the many things that made this opportunity stand out to me. I was placed within a non-governmental organization in Argentina, which lined up exactly with my preferences. While in my host organization, I have had the opportunity to be a part of a significant project that investigates all Latin America. I feel deeply grateful for having met the staff at Connect-123, as well as my team in my host organization.
Yuriko Y
The remote internship with Connect-123 kept me constantly motivated during the global pandemic. It has been wonderful working with an NGO in Dublin for 3 months. It gave me a good amount of time to explore migrants' rights in-depth and understand the staff, projects, and working environment well. The weekly homelike meeting on zoom and informal follow-up phone calls have made me feel more included and supported. The last 3 months have been absolutely meaningful and incredibly helpful to think about how I would like to pursue the future career.
Merri K
I am so grateful for the opportunity Connect-123 had to offer. Working as an overseas intern was such an eye-opening experience and one I will never forget. Everyone at the Connect-123 team is so helpful and supportive. Our group discussions we’d have every week helped boost my confidence and work hard on my internship. They also did an amazing job pairing me with the perfect internship because I created long-lasting connections and learned so many new skills that will help me in my professional career. I’d recommend this program to all my peers because I had the time of my life participating in it!!! Thank you to everyone at Connect-123!!!
Israel L
Trusting Connect-123 to match me with an internship was one of the best decisions I’ve made during my 4 years at Michigan State University. They listen to your goals and try to match those goals closely with various internships abroad. Thanks to Connect-123, I was matched with an internship that not only enhanced my skills of design, but also enhanced my skills on a communicative level. The staff at Connect-123 understand that this leap is important for many students, so they make it clear that this is a space to learn about yourself professionally. They take the time to listen and help you grow and they don’t expect you to have everything figured out already. Thanks to their opportunities, not only have I improved my skills, but I have also had an incredible experience to talk about to future employers. I’d definitely recommend this to all other students.
Caroline P
For my master’s degree program, I either needed to complete a master’s paper or an internship. I wanted to intern abroad, but due to the pandemic, it was suspended. However, in a short period, Connect-123 managed to find me a virtual international internship that aligned with my interests. Connect-123 has supported me throughout the process and after landing the internship. The organization provided weekly meetings to discuss the interns’ experiences and develop skills. The organization also hosted virtual workshops. I have been working for an Argentina-based non-partisan organization that works to strengthen legislatures and consolidate democracy in Latin America. My tasks within the organization range from data gathering to investigation related to the Venezuelan crisis. My role within the organization was to assist the Political Analysis Coordinator in gathering quantitative data about laws passed by 18 countries in Latin America, including the Caribbean. In the last weeks of the internship, I worked on curating the database and making sure it was accurate for analysis. This process is critical for the organization to produce a legislative balance for each of these countries. I have come across the opportunity to stay for longer to help produce the legislative balance. I would be analyzing the quantitative information along with the data department. It could be an opportunity for me to strengthen my quantitative skills. Overall, this internship has helped me strengthen my research and quantitative information skills. It's all thanks to Connect-123 and the extraordinary job they perform.
Laura H
Thanks to Connect-123, not only was I able to grow my network within Michigan State University, but also globally with my remote internship based in Shanghai, China. This is one business aspect that can be tricky to maintain as most work remains virtual, but this program opened multiple networks to reconnect with those around me. I am so thankful for the lessons I've learned from the leaders at Connect-123 and all the collaborative discussions I have had the pleasure to be a part of with other interns in my same position.
Shayla P
I am so very thankful for the Connect-123 team! Not only was I able to intern remotely, but I was also able to do something I enjoyed. The team took the time to ask what I would like to do and were able to pair me up with a team in Cape Town that needed a motion designer! Connect-123 was always willing to help and give advice on all sorts of topics. I could see that they really wanted you to succeed and they did that with workshops and group discussions. I really appreciate the helpfulness, kindness, and patience of Connect-123 because that made the whole process a lot smoother for me. Apply with Connect-123 because they really do want you to succeed and will help however they can for you to get there!
Zach S
The coveted internship during/after your junior year of college was beginning to seem out of the question due to COVID-19. After expressing concerns to my advisor, he suggested I contact Connect-123, they did the rest. Connect-123 managed to find me an international internship that not only aligned with my interests but was flexible around my university schedule. Genuine support from the organization was evident, providing weekly meetings to discuss our experiences and develop skills, along with immediate email responses to any questions. I would highly recommend utilizing the Connect-123 team to help you reach your internship goals.
Elizabeth B
Amidst the global pandemic, the summer of 2020 was looking very uncertain for me. I decided to participate in Connect-123’s virtual internship program, and I could not have been more happy with my decision. The organization’s staff put in great effort to find internship options that suited my needs, and I ended up doing research alongside a professor at a university. The virtual component was definitely a challenge at first, but with Connect-123’s care and assistance, the transition was much easier. By the end of my internship, I was producing graphics and presenting data in ways I had never done before. Not only did this virtual experience teach me a lot about myself, but it also taught me how to work with people of other cultures—something that’s definitely worth investing in!
Anna McCliment
Connect-123 looked at my dream internship and made it a reality. With my passion for language exchange, economics, and law, Connect-123 placed me with a highly respected legal-economic think-tank in Madrid. It was everything I could have asked for! On top of the amazing placement process, the Connect-123 team always made me feel supported, with weekly workshops on how to succeed and get the most out of my internship, and genuine one-on-one check-ins from my coordinators. Connect-123 is truly the best opportunity to come my way during my entire college experience. This is an amazing organization that I would recommend to everyone!
Jacqueline Van Humbeeck
Spoiler alert: applying for the Connect-123 virtual internship was the best decision I have made this year. I was heading towards the end of my master’s in International Human Rights Law and, while I was looking for career opportunities abroad, the pandemic restricted my options and hopes like for many of us. I then discovered the Connect-123 virtual internship program and I applied thinking that I did not have anything to lose, and I am so glad I did! Due to some complications related to the pandemic, I could not land an internship in my first choice destination but they instead found an opportunity that was far greater than I expected when I applied in the first place. I was thrilled as soon as I saw the offer to work in law reform and that’s when I understood how thoughtful the members of Connect-123 are, and how they make sure that the position matches your skills, your future goals, and what you are looking for in this experience. Not only did they find a perfect opportunity that I would not have found on my own, but they also provided me with great support during the whole duration of the internship. I highly recommend it!
Sasha Ng
Connect-123 planned an incredible internship for me. I had an amazing experience interning with an architectural office in Barcelona. I worked on 3D modeling, drawing, and contributed to the production of Virtual Reality and project proposal. I enjoyed the internship and I felt even more passionate about working in the architecture field. Connect-123 really helped make this virtual internship experience possible and meaningful. I was able to communicate smoothly with my advisor and Connect-123. This internship has provided me an incredible opportunity to learn, participate, and have fun, even under the situation of Covid-19.
Saanya Advani
I first heard about Connect-123 through my university. I was looking for internship opportunities, but due to the pandemic, everything was limited. When I received an email about a global remote internship program, I wasn’t sure what to think, but I applied anyway. I’m so glad I did! I talked about my interests and plans for the future, and the Connect-123 team was able to find a great match for me. They offered helpful zoom sessions to discuss our internships and give us advice on how to develop our skills. I would highly recommend finding an internship through Connect-123.
Alyssa Delarosa
Working remotely for a nonprofit organization in Cape Town, South Africa, proved challenging due to different time zones but I was so grateful for the support of Connect-123 as they provided continuous support throughout the semester through virtual workshops, social events, and check-ins. Knowing that I had a solid support system through Connect-123 and hearing testimonies from other peer interns at Connect-123 events, helped me realize that I was not alone. Overall, I had a very rewarding experience as a remote intern and had the amazing “plus” of Connect-123 supporting me every step of my journey.