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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Diya Khullar
My stay in Cape Town with Connect-123 was truly priceless. I entered with overwhelming anticipation and left with unimaginable clinical experience, bucket-list attractions checked off my list, and lifelong friends. Being a pre-med student did not pose an issue for me at the hospital as the surgeons and other interns were constantly encouraging questions and eager to teach. Not only did I get the opportunity to shadow cardiothoracics, I also ended up viewing general surgeries and neurosurgeries! The environment truly fosters your interests as long as you pursue them, whether it's spending all day in operating theater, focusing on ward work, or visiting other departments. Furthermore, Connect-123 was always there for me outside of the internship, from when I was sick as a dog to when I needed instructions on how to reset my electric power! Furthermore, the social events that Connect-123 set up for us allowed us to experience the various facets of Cape Town while CONNECTING (pun intended) with other individuals from all around the world! Overall, I highly recommend this experience to anyone who is willing to step outside of his/her comfort zone and seeks growth outside of the typical educational/career path; you will not regret it.
Internships in Cape Town
Kaitlin O’Brien
To say my choice to intern in Ireland with Connect-123 was the best decision of my entire life would be an understatement. I honestly owe so much to Connect-123 and I will never forget my experience in Dublin. Connect-123 set me up with not one but two internships working in two children's hospitals in Dublin. I learned so much about what I want to do with my life and where I want to be. I was able to meet some of the greatest people I’ve ever known through Connect-123 and I was never lonely or out of people to explore Ireland with. I can’t recommend this company enough! If you are looking for a life changing experience, look no further. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Internships in Dublin
Eden Klepper
Being an undergraduate studying biology, it is very difficult to find meaningful internships in the sciences. Almost impossible. But after contacting Connect-123, they were able to find me multiple, really nice internships. I actually had options to choose from! I ended up working in a neuroimmunology research laboratory. I felt at home there and was able to confirm my aspirations of working as a biologist, which is the main reason for why I wanted to pursue an internship. I learned so much about different laboratory techniques in a clinical setting. I learned techniques and worked with software and machines that I have never encountered during my undergraduate career, and probably will not encounter again until my post-graduate education, or later. Interning in Barcelona, I was also able to utilize the Spanish language, which I had studied for several years and am minoring in. It was a wonderful feeling being able to speak Spanish with native speakers 24/7 and immerse myself among the Spanish and Catalonian cultures for the summer. I would return to Barcelona and my internship in a heartbeat if I could. I wish I could have interned longer. Connect-123 is an awesome resource for students who want an international internship experience to boost their resumes and confirm their career aspirations, before applying for jobs or graduate schools. An international experience like this is also a great way to network abroad and form diverse friendships and relationships. I met a lot of other interns from all over the United States due to Connect-123’s planned events and outings. They have exceptional staff there, and they were so supportive, communicative, and caring right from the start. I cannot thank the staff at Connect-123 and my internship hosts enough!
Internships in Barcelona
Xizi Yu
Thanks to connect, I had the opportunity to spend my 50 day winter break working and living in a city I’ve always wanted to get to know. I know it’s a short time, but I was able to reach a deeper understanding of the culture, the country, and its people, also to have a fresh start of my Spanish learning. I worked as a medical intern in a hospital in Buenos Aires. Everyday we joined different doctors to observe and learn from their daily work. The experience was more than rewarding. Other than working, one of my objects of this visit was to experience the culture of tango. I started dancing Argentine tango in Fall 2016 and fell in love with it. Coming to BA after learning for 4 months, I found myself surrounded by amazing dancers, maestros and milongas. It was quite new and fresh to hear that there were some excellent ideas about tango from the young generations. I learned so much from this stay, not only academically and culturally, but also in terms of personal growth.
Internships in Buenos Aires
Naledi Makhene
I had an amazing time in Cape Town! My family is South African, so I’ve been to Cape Town before and was unsure if I wanted to go back there or experience a different city for my internship. I’m so happy that I decided to return, because I got to experience Cape Town in a different way. It is such a beautiful city that is rich in culture with lots of things to do. The people and the atmosphere are extremely inviting, which made the transition to living in a new place easier. My internship experience was phenomenal, and I hope to work there again when I earn my Master’s in Public Health. I reminisce on my trip literally almost everyday and I can’t wait to go back! Three months was too short.
Internships in Cape Town
Grace Severance
I spent 3 months of the fall semester of my senior year of university working as an intern in a surgical unit at a hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. Working with both the surgeons and registrars was a unique experience - I got to observe how the medical staff diagnosed, treated, and cared for patient on a daily basis. My relationship with the physicians was friendly and professional, and they were always helpful in explaining all the medical terminology and diagnostic reasoning to me. I also had opportunities to observe a public clinic an hour from Cape Town and see how healthcare was delivered on a local scale. I can highly recommend Connect-123 for anyone interested in doing an internship in Cape Town. The staff was prompt, professional, and always looking to help the interns in whatever way they could. I was able to learn a lot about South African culture and they, in turn, were interested in learning about American culture. Connect-123 is a dependable organization whose primary goal is to optimize the experiences of its participants. I would recommend this specific internship to any student interested in medicine, pre-PA, and nursing.
Internships in Cape Town
Alexandra Aldieri
I always knew I wanted to intern abroad and Connect-123 helped find a great opportunity in Ireland. I worked for a college research department in Dublin, and everything about my experience was unforgettable. It’s difficult for an American student to find pharmacy research abroad, so I can’t thank Connect-123 enough for helping me find the perfect research position. The professor that I worked closely with was an incredibly kind and generous mentor. He often treated me for tea and we would sit and discuss anything from our research project to life and travel. It was something I never expected from my internship, but something I’ll never forget. I came to Europe alone and not knowing what to expect, but I met so many people along the way that were supportive and a lot of fun. Dublin felt like home and everything good you’ve heard about the Irish is true. My best memories are thanks to my Dublin Connect-123 family. I miss it and I highly recommend working with Connect-123 for the opportunity to travel, work, and have the time of your life.
Internships in Dublin
Kaleigh Keown
The five weeks I spent in Cape Town, South Africa, were five weeks I will never forget. Although I was over 7,000 miles away from a single person I knew, I felt completely prepared thanks to Connect-123. I began my internship at a hospital in the city and when that experience did not exactly go as planned, Connect-123 was quick to change my setting and give me the most out of my time in Cape Town. I was not only able to experience the South African healthcare culture through my internship, but staying in the city allowed me to absorb as much of the Cape Town atmosphere as possible. During my trip, I experienced hiking, shark cage diving, rugby games, surfing, winery tours, a Robben Island tour, a Langa Township tour, a trip to Boulder’s Beach organized by Connect-123, among many others. I only wish that I would have stayed longer than five weeks!
Internships in Cape Town
Ashley King
I knew I needed medical research experience for the field I want to go into, but I also have quite the travel bug. I did a lot of research trying to find out who could give me exactly what I wanted. Honestly, most of my time was spent figuring out which company was the most credible. I stumbled upon Connect-123 and contacted them right away. After a few conversations, I knew that they were the right choice. From there the process was so simple. They found me a position working with a leading research hospital and it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. I’ve never been afraid to go somewhere far on my own, so I didn’t have any initial reservations. I arrived in Dublin and felt right at home. Within an hour of being there, my program coordinator was at my doorstep and welcomed me with open arms. I think that made the transition easier than expected. She checked in with me every few weeks to make sure things were going smoothly and even arranged trips and meet-ups for everyone to get to know each other. My boss and coworkers were the greatest, most helpful people I probably could’ve worked with. They taught me so much about everything that goes into medical research and included me in everything they did. I was always made to feel like I was a part of the team, despite the fact that I was only going to be there for a short amount of time. Three months seems like an eternity, but even now it wasn’t enough time for me to explore the beautiful country that is Ireland. I now feel as though it is my second home. Nothing will ever compare to the time I spent living in Dublin, what I learned during my internship, and every person I met along the way.
Internships in Dublin
Isaac Rooney
Cape Town gave me without a doubt, the most educational, eye-opening, and exploration-filled two months of my life. The experience my internship gave me was unlike any I could’ve imagined. Working in a hospital in South Africa exposed me to more than I ever could have been exposed to in the U.S. and has given me both a unique and favorable addition to my resume. Since getting home, I’ve been telling friends that Cape Town is the one place in the world where you can truly do anything. One day you could be hiking table mountain, the next you could be surfing, and the next you could be shark cage diving or visiting Kirstenbosch, the massive botanical garden. Going into my internship in South Africa, I was very unsure, as I’m sure mostly everyone was. Having returned home, I can confidently say I made the best possible choice on where to spend my two month internship. I felt as though Sough Africa wasn’t a place I would get another chance to visit and having taken the opportunity, I couldn’t be happier with my decision.
Internships in Cape Town
Sarah Banks
Connect-123 was one of my favorite experiences in my life. When I was first inquiring about the program, I was skeptical because of all the high reviews and the fact that there was not one low review. But this program is real and it is what it appears to be. After I graduated college I wanted to get some real world experience in a physical therapy setting where I was able to also practice Spanish. C-123's program coordinators were able to help me get that experience and so much more. Besides what I learned in my internship, I made life long friends, was able to travel, and spend 7 months living in Buenos Aires, Argentina! I am so grateful to have been able to have this experience that exceeded my expectations!
Internships in Buenos Aires
Lynsey Schafer
This summer, I was blessed with the opportunity to be an intern in Ireland. Before this experience, I had never been outside of the United States so traveling internationally was a new experience for me. Connect-123 helped calm most of my nerves and hesitations about traveling independently, living in a new home for two months, and having an international internship. Throughout the process, Connect-123 was quick to answer all of my questions and helped guide me. Although this experience is one of independence and self-discovery, Connect-123 tries their best to help you when you need it. Connect-123 did an amazing job of finding, not one, but three internship options for me! It was great to be able to have a wide variety of choices that related to my field of interest. The internship that I ultimately chose was a perfect fit. I worked under two wonderful and talented people who welcomed me with open arms and helped me to feel right at home. Ireland will forever have a piece of my heart and I wouldn’t have had the experience that I did if it wasn’t for Connect-123.
Internships in Dublin
Angie Shearon
Completing a Connect-123 internship was one of the best decisions I’ve made, not only for my career but for my growth as a person. It was my first time travelling away from home for such a long period, but they made everything go so smoothly that I had nothing to be nervous about. The internship was so perfect for me and was exactly what I was looking for! My supervisors made me feel extremely comfortable asking questions and made sure I got everything out of it that I wanted to. I gained so much from working in a hospital, it helped build my resume, I made strong connections with people who will support me through my career path, and it helped me figure out more of what I want out of my future job. Not only was I given the chance to assist with research, but I got to shadow a well-known doctor at the hospital and observe what he does every day. I got to see up close how he stayed calm and handled stressful situations, how he interacted with each patient on a personal level, and how he genuinely cared about giving every person the best possible care. This taught me a lot about the kind of doctor I want to be someday, and I will never forget the experience. What made this experience as amazing as it was were the livelong friends I made along the way. Connect-123 made it very easy to meet everyone in the program because of group events we did so regularly, like getting burgers after work or meeting up for Irish dancing lessons. They provided us with information about fun things to experience while in Ireland and gave us tips about traveling to other countries as well. I wouldn’t trade the memories from this summer for anything, and I am certain that the friends I made abroad will be friends I have throughout my life.
Internships in Dublin
Samantha Telgkamp
While in class studying to become a child life specialist, I am taught over and over that play is the universal language of childhood. It was not until I immersed myself in a whole new culture across the world, when I realized the truth to this statement. Having the opportunity to work with so many different children, in all sorts of settings, speaking many of the different languages native to South Africa was incredible. Recognizing how play is a language we all can "speak" and understand and its importance to a child is a lesson whose impact goes much further than the classroom. While I sit in class or am talking with my friends, I am always finding myself relating whatever the discussion is to my experience in Cape Town. I miss it so much, and could never thank Connect-123 enough for all you did to make my experience greater than anything I imagined.
Internships in Cape Town
Kristine Wright
During my time in Cape Town I was based in a fantastic government hospital and got to work with some incredible doctors and nurses. I observed open heart surgeries, organ donation surgeries and transplants. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring Cape Town and Langebaan in particular was awesome! I took a kite boarding course and spent most of my free time surfing and kite boarding! I found Cape Town to be very laid back and a great place to visit and hike!
Internships in Cape Town
Hubert Smith
Last spring, I spent three months living in Buenos Aires, Argentina and interning at a local hospital through the program, Connect-123. Luckily, I had already been accepted to medical school so after I graduated from college, I decided to take a gap year to travel and work in international medical settings. During my time in Buenos Aires, I completed a twelve-week internship with the department of oncology. Although I was assigned to the oncology department, I was able to rotate through and observe clinicians in various hospital departments, including, intensive care, coronary care unit, traumatology, gynecology, dermatology and surgery. Additionally, I had the opportunity to assist technicians with operating a 12-lead EKG monitor, attend and observe patient consultations consisting of casting, Pap smears, pre/post-operation check-ups, and other basic services. This experience taught me a lot about the health care system in Argentina and was a great way for me to improve my Spanish. I arrived in Argentina with basic Spanish skills and left as an intermediate speaker. Most weeks, I would go to the hospital for four hours in the morning and then spend three afternoons a week at a Spanish school. I was able to live in a large, shared apartment in the beautiful and lively neighborhood of Palermo. I lived with five other foreign exchange students and one Argentine from Salta. My roommates and I spent most of our free time exploring all the amazing cultural and social aspects of Buenos Aires. The staff at the hospital was also very lenient about allowing me to take time off so I was able to do a lot of traveling around Argentina and Uruguay. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone interested in travel, learning Spanish, and medicine. The program is really well run and organized. The local Connect-123 representative is really friendly and always available to help. Overall, I had a wonderful experience with Connect-123 and I absolutely loved Argentina.
Internships in Buenos Aires
Carly Henderson
My internship in Cape Town was an unforgettable experience. Connect-123 did a great job of matching me to an internship which suited my skills and interests which helped me slot in straight away with my co-workers. I attended weekly antibiotic stewardship ward rounds in adult burns, medical and surgical ICU and also paediatric ICU and had a number of projects to work on keeping me busy during my internship. The experience has helped me realise that whilst there are often financial constraints associated with healthcare, I have witnessed first-hand, that the right attitude goes a long way towards safeguarding the patients, even in low resource settings. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and feel inspired to seek improvements through innovation however small they may seem. The team and other participants at Connect-123 are extremely sociable and which really made sure I got the most out of my internship, both at work and in my spare time. Cape Town completely took me by surprise and exceeded all expectations with its beauty, adventure and culture. There are countless fun things to do, whatever your interests or budget. The more I learned about the city, the more I fell in love with it and the experience will stay with me forever.
Internships in Cape Town
Darlene Washington
Connect-123 created an amazing opportunity for me. I had the opportunity to spend 3 months in Buenos Aires doing things that I love. I did an internship at a public hospital, shadowing doctors. I had the opportunity to work in pediatrics, neonatology, and obstetrics. I was able to sit in on surgeries and get hands on experience with certain patients. Connect-123 provided me with the opportunity to experience what my career will be like in the future. I also had the chance to build my Spanish vocabulary and fluency. I built friendships with amazing people and learned interesting things about their culture. Going to Buenos Aires was a blessing for me and it was an experience I will never forget.
Internships in Buenos Aires
Lucy Morton
It’s difficult to sum up my two month experience in Cape Town without using the typical words amazing and unforgettable. Seriously, Cape Town is a beauty! As part of my 3 year scientist training programme in the UK, I was required to undertake a placement within a different field of healthcare in order to gain experience in a new environment. I love travelling and living abroad, and have always wanted to visit South Africa. Connect-123 provided an easy way for me to find an internship programme to fulfill the requirements of my training programme back home. Right from my initial enquiries they were so helpful and willing to find the perfect internship for me. They were able to match me to a placement focused upon infectious disease management and control, which was perfectly suited to my interests. Throughout my time they ensured that everything was going to plan and that I was enjoying it. Plus, they are all so friendly and helpful about the best things to do in the city! Although it’s possible to find an internship independently, Connect-123 allows you to meet and live with other interns, which is the best part about it! I have so many amazing memories from Cape Town and met a brilliant group of people to share my experiences with. I was able to go on insane adventures that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do if I completed an internship in the UK – e.g. shark cage diving, safari in Kruger National Park, abseiling Table Mountain! Cape Town is seriously the perfect place to intern – so many things to see/do, amazing food and of course so many wineries to visit!
Internships in Cape Town
Olivia Rogers
In five weeks Buenos Aires became the place in my dreams to the place of my dreams. Almost everyone asked me when I was here why I chose Buenos Aires, why I chose Argentina and I can't describe it, it just had this draw that made me want to go there so badly. Connect-123 allowed me to leave my bubble of Boulder, Colorado and experience one of the most stunning places I have ever been. It was also the fastest 5 weeks of my life and if I could do it over I would stay for as long as I could, many many months. I participated in a medical internship as an 18 year old who hadn’t even started college (so no medical training whatsoever). I worked at a public hospital which opened my eyes to a different type of medicine, more creative than what I was used to. I learned so much about the culture surrounding health and medicine from the doctors I worked with and it added to my want to pursue medicine. I was able to participate in gynecology, orthopedics, emergency, trauma, surgery, dermatology and oncology. I had the chance to bandage, remove bandages, cut off casts, help assist the patient after surgery, help put in catheters and interact with the patients in every other section. The surgeries I had the chance to observe were the removal of several tumors: colon and cervical, the implantation of a pacemaker, the amputation of toes and removal of parts of the colon. All the doctors were patient with me, always helping me to understand, practice my Spanish and engage with what was happening. My living situation was perfect, I couldn’t have asked for better and I became very close with many of my roommates. My house was unique in the way that I had people living with me from all over the world as well as people who were native to Argentina. There were people from Spain, Holland, France, Amsterdam, Scotland and the United States which was a very cool experience from the mix of cultures and backgrounds. I was taught how to play chess, had many delicious asados, had people constantly helping my Spanish, drank mate often and made many friends that I still talk with. My living situation was also incredible because of the location which made it easy to access the train, subway and bus system to get basically anywhere in Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires is also an incredible city and I was so lucky to have the time I did to barely graze what the city holds. Several of my highlights were my day trips to Tigre, visiting the Malba, eating empanadas and going to an amazing bar called Florería Atlántico. Connect-123 definitely helps out by providing activities to help you experience the best of the city. One experience that Connect-123 helped me participate in was Fuerza Bruta which I loved! In Buenos Aires, obviously the primary language is Spanish and if you want to become more fluent and more comfortable then it is an excellent place to do so! My Spanish improved so much and almost everyone in the city understands that you are learning and are appreciative that you are trying. (So if you are worried about the language barriers don’t be! Yes, it is hard and sometimes you will be frustrated but it gets easier). All in all I couldn’t have asked for a better experience: throughout all parts - my internship, my living situation, how Connect-123 assisted me throughout it all and the culture and city of Buenos Aires.
Internships in Buenos Aires
