Reviews
Real stories from real participants, parents and university partners who share their experiences as well as their advice. Learn more about the benefits Connect-123 interns and volunteers receive on our programs around the world!
Scroll down to view all – or filter by destination, opportunity or both.
Zach Halfmann
My three-month stay in Cape Town was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. Not only did the Connect-123 staff find me the perfect internship prior to my arrival, they also made sure that my stay in South Africa was filled with exciting opportunities. From the weekend trips, social events in the city, and volunteer offerings, the Connect-123 staff was there for every step of the way. While in Cape Town, I interned with an NGO that specialized in promoting entrepreneurship and economic development in the city of Cape Town and surrounding Western Cape region. When I first arrived I didn’t really know what to expect. However, within the first week I had become accepted as one of the team members and had taken on a role to assist with the complete redevelopment of the business model and strategy for the organization. The chance to take on such an important task that contained real world implications was a rewarding opportunity that I had not expected out of the internship. Under this project I had regular meetings and phone/email conversations with executive council members who were based in Johannesburg. My time with this organization allowed me to grow professionally in ways that I had not anticipated. I am now able to transfer the skills I learned during my time in Cape Town to future projects in my professional and academic career. I can’t thank Eimear and the Connect-123 staff enough for working with me to find the placement that best matched my interests and skills, all their work definitely paid off! I encourage everyone to take part in an international experience and there is no better company to do that with than Connect-123!
Internships in Cape Town
Jackie Laplant
Volunteering in Buenos Aires through Connect-123 not only provided me with one of the best experiences of my life but also confirmed my passion for medicine. My internship was with a non profit HIV/AIDS foundation where I was given the opportunity to volunteer in the Infectious Diseases Department of the hospital, as well as a Children’s Home. I primarily assisted with organizing medical histories, distribution of HIV/AIDS supplies and any other needs of the department to ensure that each day ran smoothly. Observing and participating in a medical environment in another country served to further enhance my desire to enter the medical profession and serve a diverse community in the future. Outside of work I was able to immerse myself in a new and vibrant culture. Connect-123 helped to organize events throughout the month including bike rides, futbol games and tango lessons. This was extremely helpful in the transition to such a large city and allowed program participants to meet each other and discuss their placements. From the outrageous futbol fans to the wonderful meals I feel as though Buenos Aires has become a part of me. I recommend to anyone interested in medicine or exploring a new culture to do an internship in Buenos Aires through Connect-123. I already know that I will be returning to Buenos Aires in the near future.
Internships in Buenos Aires
Elysia Wong
My experience in Cape Town was nothing short of amazing. Connect-123 made both me and my sister feel warmly welcomed and well taken care of. They found us quality volunteer placements, a great place to live, ensured we knew how to get around with ease, recommended places to go and organized social activities. They placed me in two non profit organizations, where I volunteered working with kids and these fantastic organizations that I got to work with gave me so much, it made me grow as a person. The kids I got to work with absolutely made my days that much brighter. I couldn’t be more appreciative of the wonderful 8 weeks experience I had in Cape Town. The people – some of the warmest and friendliest in the world. The atmosphere – Fantastic and relaxed. The place – Amazing landscapes and there is always something to do, somewhere to go, something to see. Absolutely Incredible experience.
Internships in Cape Town
Shelby Pals
I interned through Connect-123 in Buenos Aires, Argentina for two months. It truly was one of the best experiences of my life. Buenos Aires is one of the most vibrant cities I have ever lived in. It seems a bit intimidating at first, but after the initial shock the city welcomes you as part of itself. All the advisors at Connect-123 were very helpful and always wanted you to experience all that you could while living in Buenos Aires. They provide everything that you may need while abroad such as maps, phones, and most importantly advice and guidance. Everyone is warm and friendly and are always just a phone call away. They truly care about their students and interns and I believe with Connect-123 you are in good hands. My internship was a great working experience. They placed me with a Spanish school and it was a perfect match. The people, environment, and job itself were just what I was looking for in an internship. I would gladly and strongly recommend Connect-123 for anyone looking for a great cultural experience.
Internships in Buenos Aires
Daniel Aversa
Architecture is, and always has been, one of my foremost passions. As my undergraduate studies were coming to a close in the spring in 2009, I struggled with the decision of whether or not to postpone graduate school for real-life work experience. In the midst of my growing indecision, it was perhaps fate that led me to Connect-123’s website late one sleepless night in studio, as I randomly searched the terms “architecture” and “internship.” After visiting the Connect website repeatedly over the course of the next week, my indecision fell victim to a growing sense of excitement as I imagined my life on the Mother continent. And the rest, as they say, is history. For eight months, I interned with an architecture firm in the heart of Cape Town’s city bowl, a stone’s throw from my comfortable apartment in Perspectives. The firm specialized in ecological design – specifically, ecologically friendly green building with a focus on the use of local, natural, non-toxic and recycled building materials. I was exposed to numerous alternative building methods: straw-bale, thatch, sand bag, and compressed-earth building systems. The principal architect of the firm, a recipient of numerous accolades from both North American and South African design institutions, took me under his wing for the duration of my internship and made me feel as though I was a valued member of the design team. I was given real responsibility in my day-to-day work and had the opportunity to accompany my fellow colleagues to site inspections, client meetings, lectures, tours and building sites, not only in Cape Town, but also in various locales across the Western and Northern Cape provinces. Outside of my rewarding internship experience, I was able to experience the best of the Western Cape’s natural beauty, stunning landscapes and vibrant cultural scene: hikes up Table Mountain and Lion’s Head; tours of the picturesque winelands of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek; day-trips to Cape Point, Fish Hoek, Muizenberg, Kalk Bay and outlying townships; nights out experiencing Cape Town’s vibrant club and bar scene; multiple road trips with my fellow interns to a weekend music festival (Rocking the Daisies) and a five-day excursion along the breathtakingly beautiful Garden Route… my list of experiences is infinite! I was also fortunate enough to venture off to a few far-flung locations: a rafting trip on the Orange River in Namibia; a weekend in Zimbabwe and Zambia sleeping on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River; a safari in Kruger National Park; and weekends in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Durban (where I caught my first wave!) To anyone considering an internship through Connect-123, I highly recommend it. You will meet people from all walks of life and all corners of the globe who will make lasting, lifelong impressions on your life. Go forth and explore all this world has to offer!
Molly Fogel
There are a lot of reasons why people get away and make the choice to head to a foreign country to volunteer. Although I was looking for further professional development, I was also looking to revive my passion for the field of social work, and the good work that can be done within this discipline. In the fast pace life of New York City, faces become blurred and clients can become numbers, I needed a change and Connect-123 helped with that. I was fortunate enough to be placed with a refugee project, working with adolescent refugees from Zimbabwe. I was met as a peer, not an intern, and allowed to utilize my professional skills and get back to the values that are inherent to social work. I worked with incredible social workers, who broke down barriers, putting their blood, sweat, and tears into what they believed. With little funding, fuelled more by passion and willingness to make a difference, these women embodied social work and change. I am so happy I was able to be a part of it, even if it was for a short time. Connect-123 and my involvement in this incredible project created a fire inside of me. It revived my desire, allowed me to feel free, giving me the strength to continue to make a difference. I sought out Connect-123 to assist me in making some changes in my life, reconnect with myself, personally and professionally. It worked! Not enough people take the time out of their professional lives to do something like this. I took a risk, and realize that it was one of the best decisions I could have ever made.
Internships in Cape Town
Elizabeth Tswana
My time at a gender advocacy organisation was amazing because I sharpened my research, communication and networking skills. I really wish I could have extended my stay because there was so much to learn. The staff were very friendly and the Connect-123 team were always ready to help. I personally volunteered soon after graduating because I wanted to gain relevant working experience in something I am passionate about. If you want to volunteer in the best city in South Africa with the best entertainment and great people, Connect-123 can make it happen!
Internships in Cape Town
Jen Jones
I arrived in Cape Town late at night, and was welcomed to an empty apartment when I crashed from 2 days of non-stop traveling. The next day I made countless new friends, and by the next week I had started my internship at a small tertiary institution 15 minutes out of town. Over the next three months I would learn more and grow more than I had thought possible. At my internship I mentored entrepreneurs from the surrounding communities in various business concepts like marketing and finance. I also created a user-friendly financial administration template and quote/invoice template using Excel, and was able to teach entrepreneurs how to use these templates to keep track of their company’s finances. At my internship I cultivated relationships with my coworkers and the people we mentored, and those friendships have continued to this day. My internship was the most meaningful work I’ve ever done and I looked forward to every day I spent working there. Outside of work a different adventure was planned every weekend. Whether it was taking a cab to Long Street, having drinks in Camps Bay, experiencing the Khayelitsha and Langa townships, planning a road trip to go bungy jumping, walking to the stadium to see a World Cup game, bartering for souvenirs at Greenmarket square, eating baguettes and Belgium waffles at the Neighbourgoods Market, getting up at 5AM to go cage diving with great white sharks, being chased by squirrels at the Company’s Gardens, watching the sunset at Chapman’s Peak, dodging baboons at the Cape of Good Hope, hiking Table Mountain (and taking the cable car down when you’re too tired to hike more), talking to locals on the train to Muizenberg, figuring out which minibus taxi will take you to Bellville, enjoying boerewors at countless braais, cleaning every Pick n Pay in Cape Town out of canned clams to make clam chowder, checking out the many museums near the apartment, learning how to pronounce words in Xhosa (clicking and all), learning to greet your coworkers in Afrikaans, seeing Nelson Mandela’s cell on Robben Island, enjoying giant avocados for 3 Rand, or simply going down to Mugged and talking with Eugene over a beer or coffee, every day was sure to be a new experience. I looked for an internship in South Africa to have a taste of what it would be like to work in a developing country. I’m preparing to leave for Western Africa soon for the Peace Corps, and my internship in Cape Town gave me great experience for my future volunteer position as a business advisor. Thank you Connect-123 and Eimear for giving me the experience of a lifetime, I can’t wait to come back to South Africa someday!
Internships in Cape Town
Lorraine Chilimanzi
The Social Entrepreneurship program was an amazing experience for me. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in issues of entrepreneurship and community led development. Not only did I get to learn some pretty amazing concepts in class and meet some real entrepreneurs and learn from them, but I was also able to get my hands into some live projects that, for me, really cemented what I was learning. I worked with the City of Cape Town government and with an NGO called Southern Africa Sustainable Development Initiative to come up with a model for building very innovative orphanages around the Western Cape (and maybe even the country!). I thoroughly enjoyed my experience – I worked hard, played hard and loved the outcome. Unlike other study abroad opportunities where you just attend classes the Social Entrepreneurship program ensures that the work you do will be meaningful and having lasting impact on the communities you work within. I fell in love with the city and the people and cannot wait to go back to visit….or even live there! Yep, that’s how much I loved it!
Internships in Cape Town
Caitlin Friel
I had just qualified as a solicitor in Ireland and I decided to take a few months off and go travelling. I had always wanted to volunteer abroad and through a friend at home I made contact with Connect-123. From the start Connect-123 was extremely helpful. They found a position for me with an organisation founded to deal with the high levels of sexual harassment in South Africa’s rural farming communities. The organisation raises awareness of the prevalence of sexual and domestic violence in the Western Cape. During my time with them, we, along with other organisations made a submission to the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth, Children and People with Disabilities on the lack of implementation of the Domestic Violence Act. The joint written submission was submitted to Parliament on the 26th October, 2009 and the oral submission to Parliament took place on the 29th October, 2009. My host organisation brought a beneficiary along to tell her story of how she tried to access the law to protect her from domestic violence and how it failed her. Her story was powerful and had a greater effect on Parliament than we could have ever imagined. It is our hope that steps will be taken to improve the implementation of the Act and protect the most vulnerable members of society. I had the most amazing experience in Cape Town. Not only did I get a chance to work with a great organisation, I also met amazing people who are truly inspiring. Cape Town’s setting is absolutely stunning. It is surrounded by the ocean and has the breathtaking Table Mountain right in the city. There is so much to do in the city, from high adrenaline activities and hikes up Table Mountain to chilling out on the beach and visits to vineyards, not to mention the great night life on Long St!!! I found Connect-123 extremely helpful and the employees very approachable. They organised events most weeks which was a great way for all the interns and volunteers to meet each other. I would recommend this programme for anyone who is interested in volunteering abroad. I cannot wait to go back and visit the Mother City and catch up with all the friends I made over there.
Internships in Cape Town
Brandon Pierson
Knowing that post graduation I would be in somewhat of a position of limbo before my career as an educator began, I decided to follow my dream of visiting the African continent. After a year of research, I finally found a program that seemed to fit my personality and needs in volunteering abroad; Connect-123. I was impressed with the communication throughout the process and the eagerness in having me become a part of their program. Melanie did a fantastic job placing me at ‘The Shine Centre’, a literacy based organization, teaching English to disadvantaged youth. Once I arrived, I realized I had extra time in my day and I wanted to do more – Melanie then put me in contact with ‘Home From Home’ which allowed me to spend time with six of the most remarkable children in the world! One cannot plan or anticipate everything that could happen in life – let alone some 7,000 miles away from home; however, the staff at Connect-123 in South Africa; Melanie, Kelly, Eimear, Mary, and Gabby all assisted in making Cape Town, South Africa a home away from home. Through various networking events and additional volunteering experiences, I became lifelong friends with individuals from around the globe – including some of the most inspirational and amazing people in South Africa! I quickly learned that a child’s smile speaks volumes to the perseverance, hope, love, and beauty of South Africa!
Internships in Cape Town
Michelle Adler
Equal Education has been working with Connect-123 for the past 2 years. We have had a range of fantastic volunteers coming through our organisation and have really benefitted from the time that they have spent with us. I feel that all of the interns who have come and gone from Equal Education have experienced something unique and have had an opportunity to see grass roots activism at its best and contribute in a valuable way to our success. We hope to continue this relationship for many years to come.
Internships in Cape Town
Grant Littke
I’ve been involved in developing and administering international internship programs in a variety of locations around the world for the last ten years, and have found them to provide transformative opportunities for student engagement with local issues, in local organizations, and with local peers. We began working with Connect-123 in Cape Town during the 2008-09 academic year, and sent our first students to Cape Town the following summer. Rarely have I seen a program come together so quickly and so seamlessly. Connect-123′s staff are very responsive, professional, and attentive both to the needs of students, and of administrators. Moreover, the internship placements are of the highest caliber, and the placement process involves extensive communication with the students from the time of application to their arrival in Cape Town (very unusual compared to other internship providers, and very helpful from a student perspective). The accommodations are high quality and safe, and perhaps best of all, incredibly affordable. With Connect-123′s offices in the same building, on-site communications with students (whether about internship issues, health and safety, cultural adjustment, or housing) are quick and easy to arrange. I can’t recommend Connect-123 highly enough!
Internships in Cape Town
Anna Maderner
In Sweden and the rest of the EU we have the opportunity to apply to send out our professional students on internships to other countries. Before it was mainly within Europe, but a few years back in Sweden we were also given the possibility to seek money for pupils to travel to countries outside of the EU to carry out internships. I was looking for new contacts abroad and the choice fell on South Africa. After many long hours in front of the computer Connect-123’s homepage turned up. Steven contacted me and we began planning for a possible collaboration. I applied for money for a preparatory visit and one year after the initial contact was created a colleague and I had the opportunity to visit Cape Town for a week. We loved everything about Cape Town immediately; the city, the people, the weather, and the food. During this week, Connect-123 took good care of us and Melanie showed us around potential host placements for our students. We also did a few visits to Robben Island, Stellenbosch and Cape Point. When we returned home a new application was written for students at our school. The application was for students to carry out their internships in Cape Town. The application came back and it was granted for seven students from vocational programs. Finally, in October 2010, seven students from six different programs, the hotel and restaurant-, child-and leisure, industry-, construction-, trade- and apprenticeship programs and a colleague and I were on our way to Cape Town. Connect-123 did a fantastic job at providing internships according to students ‘ abilities and wishes. I have from the first contact felt a big confidence in Connect-123 and the work that they do to provide for the students. Their safety was of course one of the big issues before we sent students abroad and the concept with the Connect-123 housing in the Perspectives apartment building where the students stay, is of course one of the big advantages. The students also had great internship placements such as our two construction students who worked in the Township of Philippi, helping Melvin and his boys to build houses for the people who live there. We had two of our girls working at a Children’s Hospital which has given them a lot of laughs but also a lot of sorrow. Our Industry student helped out at a center for homeless people that were able to get a three month education in, for example welding. We also had two students from the service sector and one of them worked at a Backpackers and got the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. Our kitchen student worked in a five star hotel and learnt a lot about what it is like to work in a place like that. I am really grateful to Melanie and the rest of the people that work at Connect-123 who have given our students this fantastic opportunity to work and see all the great things there are to explore in Cape Town. I know that this will be a memory for life for all of them and I already heard the rumor that at least one of them will be back next year. I will definitely write a new application for new students to get the chance to explore and see this part of the world and take part of the great hospitality and kindness of the people who live in Cape Town. At last, thank you again Connect-123 for taking good care of our students and giving them a memory for the rest of their lives.
Internships in Cape Town
Callie
My internship experience went above and beyond anything that I expected. I worked for a very successful non-profit dealing with HIV/AIDS. I definitely felt needed in the office where I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to actually participate and work on big projects. I left feeling accomplished and learned in a whole new area. I gained experience in marketing, sales, organizational skills, research and development, and the overall governance of a successful non-profit. It was all that I was looking for in a summer internship, and to complete the picture I made wonderful friends within the office who made me feel a part of the team. Connect-123 made sure I got the internship of my dreams. I explained to them exactly what I was looking for and we worked together to find a successful one. My first few weeks in Cape Town, they called in and made sure I was happy with the work I was doing. They are there to provide you the opportunity to experience a job of your dreams. This was the best summer of my life, thanks Connect-123!
Internships in Cape Town
Jenny Glickman
When I signed up to be a social work intern for a children’s home in Cape Town, I was hoping to gain a kind of education that my master’s program simply could not give me. I had just finished graduate school, and wanted to add some tangible “real life” time as another kind of schooling. Little did I know that my experience would provide me with a new kind of learning about social work, and so much more. I often refer to my time in South Africa as “social worker’s boot camp”, because it has been intense, challenging, and more fulfilling than I could ever dream of. I strongly urge any social worker, both those studying and those already in the prime of their careers to come here, and watch their lives and their professional experiences change forever. I can say without hesitation that volunteering via Connect-123 has altered my entire life. I have relocated permanently to Cape Town, gotten work experience that continues to be invaluable on a daily basis, built a community of friends, and have even met my future husband here. None of this would have happened without my time in Connect-123. Of course, I realize that I am the exception to the rule, but I can safely say that even had I gone back to the USA after the four months I originally committed to, my life and my perspective would still be immeasurably altered. When people ask me about the differences between social work in South Africa and the US, I usually say, ‘It’s like a different planet”. Unfortunately, here in Cape Town, the challenges that people are facing are proportionally so much greater than I ever witnessed at home. Socially, economically, racially, culturally—the problems are vast, they are deeply entrenched in society, and often times, the circumstances are quite dire. On my very first day of work, I escorted a girl to the local hospital for an HIV test, where we waited for hours to be seen. She didn’t speak English, and I certainly didn’t speak Xhosa. Within one morning, I was already exposed to systemic challenges, cultural differences, and healthcare issues. My entire time as a volunteer was as intense, and I found myself on a steep learning curve. However, the joy that I saw in the faces of the girls I worked with, the laughs I had with women of all races and cultures about funny things, the hugs I saw reunited families give one another—these experiences and so many more made my time unbelievable. In addition, the security and comfort that Connect-123 provided me made my experience even better. Knowing that I had a built in community of friends, a team of caring professionals looking after me (from fixing stuff in my flat to helping me with visa issues), and a wonderful home in a fabulous location offered a level of safety that was invaluable. Nearly two years later, some of my closest friends in the world (ranging from London to Sweden) remain those I met from Connect, probably because of the shared experience we had. I literally cannot imagine what life would look like without having participated in Connect-123, and I am a far better social worker and person because of it.
Internships in Cape Town
Karin Andersen-Stortz
“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page”. – St. Augustine The whole of my experience in Cape Town was unforgettable! I arrived ready to complete my academic goals, experience and explore the South African culture. Fortunately, for me, I left with more than I could have planned! I worked as a Program Development Coordinator at a nationally accredited child and youth care program. I was able to assist in streamlining a program for women and children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. For me, Social Work is about advocating for those in need and working toward a world with equality and safety. I felt I was working toward these goals while at my internship. Connect-123 assisted me in not only arranging my field placement, but in guiding me through a safe and memorable time in Cape Town. Prior to my arrival, my almost endless list of questions were promptly and effectively answered. I was given directions and guidance on the “how to’s” of staying safely in Cape Town. The social aspect was amazing and a great way to connect with other students from around the world- I made lasting friendships! My time in Cape Town was not only spent successfully accomplishing my internship and thesis, but shark diving, wine tasting, going on safari and enjoying the diverse culture. It was the best way to both conduct an internship and discover another part of the world! I would not change my experience for anything!
Internships in Cape Town
Christian Tabor
South Africa seems like a dream. I can’t believe I was able to experience such a diverse and beautiful country. Connect-123 secured my living space and provided a home base for me while I explored this country. I was placed with an amazing literacy NGO. The work I was able to accomplish with them was extremely rewarding and completely relevant to my Communications studies at Drexel University. On top of all these experiences, I was able to be there during the World Cup. I cannot imagine a better time to see South Africa. It was constantly buzzing with new people and events (and vuvuzelas…). Throughout the four months that I spent in Cape Town, I explored much of South Africa. I was able to do everything from safaris and whale watching up the Eastern Cape, to great white shark cage diving, to spending the day at vineyards then camping out at the wine farms. While all of these trips were extremely exciting and are some of my favorite times in Cape Town, my most memorable moments were some of the weekly outings with Connect-123. It allowed me to meet some amazing people. Once I became closer with these new friends I was able to take those memorable trips and enjoy them even more than if I hadn’t met them through Connect-123. I will treasure this time immensely for the rest of my life. There is no other place in the world like Cape Town, South Africa. I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone interested!
Internships in Cape Town
Marni Salmon
I don’t think there are words that can adequately describe my experience in Cape Town. I’ve heard people talk about “life-altering” experiences, and my internship with Connect-123 gave me mine. The work I did over the course of my three-month internship will play a defining role in my professional life. Working in Cape Town not only gave me the opportunity to be a part of an incredible, grassroots civic education project, but I also learned a great deal about the culture and history of Cape Town. Connect-123 is always putting together amazing daytrips, and the staff is always there to help make your time in Cape Town as rich as possible. It is an experience you will never forget!
Internships in Cape Town
Katie McElhiney
I look back on the four months I spent in Cape Town as some of the best in my life. My internship at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital was truly incredible. Connect-123 was able to set me up working with the hospital’s Child Life team, something that the program actually helps make possible in Cape Town, and it was everything that I wanted and so much more. The people I had the chance to work with are some of the most inspirational I have met in the medical field; they all left lasting impressions that only increase my enthusiasm to go into medicine. Everyone was so eager to help me to learn and experience everything I could during my time volunteering there. I also had the chance to work with really great kids, and many of them had more of an impact on me than I expected. Connect-123 also provided various opportunities to volunteer throughout the community, which I really enjoyed becoming involved in whenever possible. In addition to all of this, they planned social events to help make adapting to the completely new environment as easy and fun as possible. My experience with Connect-123, and in Cape Town, was even more than what I hoped it could have been and is definitely one I will never forget!
