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.
Barry Goldenberg
Trying to find the right words to accurately describe my experience in Cape Town during my 7 weeks as a Connect-123 participant would, quite frankly, be impossible to do. I’ve grown immensely as a person during those 7 weeks, experiencing things and emotions that will forever leave an imprint on who I am as a person. Furthermore, my experience in Cape Town was not just another trip but in fact the clichéd “life-changing” experience that we all want to happen! The staff at Connect-123 gave me all the tools to create a wonderful journey—and continued to help me all along the way. Unlike other tours or vacation stays, actually living in Cape Town with Connect-123’s help provides the opportune growing experience; I grew from a guy who just enjoyed the “cool,” tourist aspects of Cape Town to having a very, very deep-rooted passion for South Africa and even more, for the people who live there. Melanie and the entire Connect-123 team are wonderful; they helped me expertly craft my Cape Town experience to one that was uniquely “me.” Even more, Melanie found me the most awesome internship at a school. My internship allowed me to leave my comfort zone and fairytale life in Los Angeles resulting in the most eye-opening and humanizing experience ever. I worked with impoverished kids from the poorest townships outside Cape Town who also happened to be some of the most lively and warmest children I’ve ever been around. Again, my internship experience made my trip so remarkable and I truly cannot thank Melanie enough for her hard work to make my internship so perfect. Truthfully, writing my reflection on this trip is almost like running an impossibly long marathon; there is so much to say about my trip to Cape Town as I’m not I’ll ever be able to give justice to what my experience in South Africa has meant so me. In reality, what makes Cape Town so amazing is that it has something for everyone; there are endless array of tourists attractions that are special only to Cape Town (half that I never made it too), crazy amount of extreme activities like shark-cage diving and bungee-jumping, unique African-infused restaurants with engaging entertainment, and the most incredible night life (coming from someone who lives in LA) if you are into that sort of thing. Anyone can come here and really enjoy the city–and that is awesome in itself as I would encourage any prospective Connect-123 participant to do. The best part about it is Connect-123 gives you all the avenues to do those sort of awesome things. And for the first few weeks I did just that; I went from tourist attraction to attraction, doing all these “fun” things that I genuinely enjoyed. Since I only had 7 weeks to cram everything, Melanie and the staff really helped me find the best activities to do. In result, I’ll always have pictures reminding me of these awesome things–from hikes, to museums, to markets, to safaris, to restaurants, to malls, to rugby games, etc….the list goes on! But what truly makes Cape Town ever more special is when you go deeper into the making of this curious and oft-misunderstood city. What won’t fade will be the feelings I have felt, the things I’ve learned, the emotions I’ve become entrapped in, and again, mostly, the people I’ve met. While I spent the first few weeks as a tourist, I slowly dug deeper into the fabrics of this country and spent the latter few weeks in a different layer of meaning in terms of what it meant to be in South Africa. I began to find real meaning in why I was here. And after all, that is why I wanted to come to South Africa over other “beautiful” places in the world because the dynamics and history of this country is unmatched to any other. And I did just that. Connect-123 gave me extra suggestions to volunteer, gave me information on lectures on social change at various universities, and organized a class to help me learn the local language Xhosa that enriched my experience beyond belief. Again, the best part about their organization is that while they won’t hold your hand while you are there, they are the ideal support group, helping each participant mould his or her experience into something unique to them. Even after my trip, my brain continues to be in a state of insanity, trying to make sense of what just happened the past 7 weeks as my heart is still numb trying to comprehend all that has taken place. My 7 weeks went by so fast, but yet I know now that South Africa will always be a part of me. I once heard the line from a poem that said, “may great kindness come of it in the end.” After 7 weeks in Cape Town, South Africa, great kindness definitely came of my trip, and for that, I am forever grateful to the places and people—including the staff at Connect-123 that made this all possible—who made this such a truly special, heartfelt and exciting 7 weeks.
Internships in Cape Town
Steve Hopwood
I came to the refugee center in Cape Town expecting to be around every type of person this world has to offer. My goal was just to have overseas experience to have on my cv. I got so much more out of my volunteer experience than simple overseas experience. At the refugee center you sharpen communication skills, research skills, networking skills and gain friends. The best part for me was the people. I’d walk down the street and see friends and co-workers as well as the refugees. Most of the refugees help you more than you help them. Many come in with advanced degrees and are willing to help you as well.
Internships in Cape Town
Mike Cahoon
Spending the summer in Cape Town was the opportunity of a lifetime. When I arrived in June I wasn’t sure what to expect, though only a few hours after landing, I knew this summer would be something to remember. During my three months in South Africa, I worked with an NPO focused on youth empowerment, in helping to develop the business side of their organization. Unlike some of my previous internships, I had the chance to work on a diverse set of projects that required a significant amount of work and responsibility on my part. Looking back at my internship I am glad to know my effort made a direct impact on my host organization. Even though I was busy with my internship, I still had plenty of time to travel, not only around the Western Cape, but Southern African in general. One highlight has to be my trip to Zambia and Botswana to see Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park, a trip I highly recommend to any future Connect intern. When I think about my summer in Cape Town, I am always brought back to the amazing people I met and the lifelong friendships I made. Connect does just what it claims to do, it connect its interns with their host organization, like minded people from all around the world, and the beautiful city of Cape Town. I want to thank Eimear and everyone at Connect for organizing a great internship and sharing their amazing home with me.
Internships in Cape Town
Justin Baum
My experience in Cape Town over the past summer was my most enjoyable and fulfilling summer vacation I ever had. I was excited that I was given the opportunity to volunteer abroad and pleased with how much I learned. I took a job at a children’s hospital that involved spending time with the patients in order to make their stays more enjoyable. Although any stay at any hospital for whatever reason is most likely not enjoyable in the slightest, I was content with just seeing them smile. I also received the chance to work with the anesthetics department of the hospital, view surgeries, and work on any projects that were available at that point in time. Along with volunteering at the hospital, Connect-123 also informed me of other opportunities during my stay, such as volunteering at SHAWCO clinics, attending lectures from top physicians around the world, and tutoring children at nearby schools. Gabby was extremely helpful throughout the trip as well. She was always there to tell me what taxi to take, where banks are at that will exchange currency, and where to go in the unfortunate circumstance that you acquire pharyngitis in an unfamiliar foreign country. The people there were amazing. There is simply no other words that can describe everyone that I met. I have made many friends from not only all over the United States, but also Canada, England, and South Africa (but that last one is a given). From the Lion’s House guests to the Lion’s House guard and maid, Steve’s DJ skills to Mickey’s basketball skills, Ursula and Professor Thomas at the hospital to every intern and volunteer from Connect-123, and everyone in between, Cape Town was one trip that will be impossible to forget. It was very hard to leave after such a short stay, but I am thankful I got to meet such remarkable people in person and proud to call each and every one of them my friends.
Internships in Cape Town
Brad O’ Neil
I came to Cape Town not knowing what to expect. What I experienced, however, far exceeded any expectations I could have had. Connect-123 not only places individuals in internships that suit their unique interests, they constantly strive to provide their interns with as broad a perspective of Cape Town as they can. From organizing day trips to popular tourist destinations and local events to providing a constant flow of volunteer opportunities, Connect-123 always has the best interests of their interns in mind. I would encourage anyone who is interested in performing meaningful work, learning about different cultures, and interacting with a diverse group of wonderful people to seek out a placement with Connect-123!
Thao Nguyen
What can I say about my three months in Cape Town? It was absolutely one of the greatest experiences of my life! The people, culture, history, and atmosphere are just amazing! My internship allowed me to work closely with a local veterinarian and do research at a nature reserve situated about 20 minutes from the city center. Although I was having some issues with my internship in the beginning, Mary did an awesome job at finding me another opportunity and in the end everything worked out well! I continued to work at the animal hospital, where I was able to shadow and learn a lot about veterinary medicine, while at the same time, I was doing field work at the reserve to write an updated research report on mammal re-introduction. Every now and then, Mary would call me to see how I was doing and the Connect-123 team was always there for me when I just needed to talk, vent, or had a problem. They also organized some cool events, such as the Wacky Wine Weekend and a cooking class. But all-in-all, I must say that what made this experience were the people that I’ve met. From my co-workers to random strangers on a mini-bus, the Capetonians were so welcoming and genuine. And the friendships I’ve made I will never forget. It was hard to say goodbye, but I hope to say “Hello” to them again one day!
Internships in Cape Town
Kathryn Torres
We work with several volunteer programs in Cape Town, but we are always most excited when we get a call from Melanie Martin at Connect 123 in Cape Town! We know that the caliber of volunteers provided will be exceptionally high, and very well thought through: it is very apparent that the organisation spends a lot of time matching the volunteer to the project. In fact, the volunteers have been so well matched that we have had volunteers return for another year to help us! Connect 123′s professionalism, care, thoughtfulness and dedication to both the volunteer and the program shines through. The orientation that the volunteers are provided with is extremely thorough, and I have heard on the grapevine that the social events that are organised for the volunteers are second to none! An added benefit for us is that the accommodation is very central to everything, ensuring that our volunteers can either walk to the particular Shine Centre that they are volunteering in, or they can catch public transport. We are blessed to have such a well run, and well organised organisation send volunteers to us, and we hope that our relationship will continue for as long as we need high quality volunteers to help us with our program…. Thank you Connect 123 for supporting us so well.
Internships in Cape Town
Jay Lanners
My internship and time spent in Buenos Aires exceeded my expectations. I got the valuable work experience I needed, and the internship certainly helps differentiate my resume. In fact, my internship in Buenos Aires helped me gain pre-admission to IESE, one of the world’s top MBA programs, through the Young Talent Program. In addition, the Connect-123 employees were incredibly helpful and personable. They really care about matching you up with the right internship and housing and making sure that you are having a good time while living in Buenos Aires. It was a great way to spend two months of my summer. I improved my Spanish, got good work experience, made great friends from many different countries, lived in an exciting city, and got a chance to travel to some amazing places.
Internships in Buenos Aires
Prabhat Dhar
As far back as I can remember, I knew I wanted to go to South Africa and the wondrous city of Cape Town. Being close to wrapping up my undergraduate college career, I felt it would be a great place to spend some time during my summer/their winter before I decided upon my next steps. For this reason, I ultimately landed upon interning through Connect-123 for three months and can honestly say it was the greatest experience I could have ever wished for. Gabby and the rest of the Connect-123 team played an instrumental role in helping me find my internship and then also easily integrating me into my work environment. My internship was at The Children’s Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Unit (KIDCRU) in Tygerberg Hospital, which is one of the largest hospitals situated in the Cape Town area. I primarily worked under the assistance of Dr. Barbara Laughton on a research study aimed at monitoring and comparing the different psycho-developmental tests used for children in South Africa with HIV. Besides analyzing data and authoring a research article that is now in the publication process, I was also able to assist various doctors in the unit on patient visits and ward runs as I got exposed to the many facets of hospital life. As a person who was unsure about whether I wanted to continue into the field of medicine, my internship helped me realize that this type of work is meant for me and I can only thank Connect-123 for helping me obtain such a rewarding opportunity. I urge any person interested in the medical area to get in touch with Connect-123 and look at the possibilities of working in Cape Town, as its an area that has need for such assistance. I believe the work you do will be beyond gratifying and there are definite opportunities for you to help make a difference. Besides my work, I got to attend multiple World Cup matches in both Cape Town and Johannesburg while soaking up the atmosphere of the world’s most popular tournament, which is something I had always dreamt of. I was also able to explore the diverse areas and cultures of Cape Town, which is easily the most beautiful and captivating city I’ve ever been in. In addition, I had the chance to travel to different parts of Africa including Botswana and Zambia, with the highlight being my conquering of the Victoria Falls Bridge as I bungee jumped over the rapids of the Zambezi River. All in all, I’ll definitely remember Cape Town for the work I did, but more importantly for the friends and connections I’ve made. I believe Cape Town is a city that every individual should immerse himself or herself in and there is no better program than Connect-123 that helps one in doing so. I already know I will be back to the mother city once again in the near future and can only hope my second time there was as great as my first.
Internships in Cape Town
Adam Hewson
Oh how the time flies… It’s been a whole two months since I first walked in the doors of my internship with a refugee advocacy organisation, and on that day I had no idea what kind of a job I was getting into. The first big surprise which I encountered here was how much I was turned to for my knowledge and experience. In Canada, an intern is essentially the bottom of the food chain in any given office. Interns are told to write reports, get coffee, and maybe hunt down some information or a file. That is to say, we get the jobs that are brainless enough that they don’t need someone experienced, and are the jobs that the experienced neither have the time nor the desire to do. Here on the other hand… My first day my fellow intern and I were tasked to design a number of pamphlets to educate different sections of society on Xenophobia (a word which will come to dominate my professional life for the next two months). Of course, Xenophobia is a concept which is quite foreign to Canadians. Not to say that it doesn’t exist in Canada, just that the effects are minimal and we tend to pretend that it’s not there. This meant that from day one I was tasked with the job of teaching others about a concept which was somewhat foreign to me. This challenged me to step up, and I very quickly learned about the specifics of South African Xenophobia, its history as well as its effects on society, and transfer that knowledge on to others. The next task I was given was to design a programme to be presented at schools to teach children about Xenophobia. Fortunately I have a fairly substantial background in African current events (at least for a Canadian undergrad student), so I stuck to what I knew and decided that the best way to build empathy for refugees would be to show children the kinds of situations from which these people are fleeing. This has been a bit of a personal struggle for me. On the one hand, anyone who studies war extensively knows that it is not a fun situation, and would completely understand the desire to leave areas in conflict. On the other hand, these are children which I’ve been teaching this to, and I know that when I was a child, I would not have been mentally prepared for the knowledge of many of the things which go on in the world. This has resulted in a balancing act of the twin purposes of teaching about conflict in order to build empathy, and leaving out enough detail so as not to terrify the children. My time here has also given valuable experience in a number of other ways. I’ve seen firsthand the effects of different organizational structures and how that affects how a job gets done, as well as frustrations which can arise when these types of organizations interact. I’ve visited my first refugee camp (which officially did not exist) near Paarl, a rather eye opening experience. What shocked me most was that despite the poor conditions in the camp, all the refugees asked for was to help them return home. Not one asked for meals, warmer or softer beds, or entertainment; they just asked to return to their community. I was inspired by them, to say the least. I’ve also had the privilege to see many of the idiosyncrasies of South African, or at least Capetonian, life. Contradictions between government rhetoric and actions, problems in humanitarian coordination, public misconceptions over many issues and how these misconceptions and beliefs can vary drastically even between neighbouring communities, how the root cause of a social phenomenon may manifest itself in surprising ways, et cetera, et cetera. To say the least, it’s been an amazing learning experience. I’m not sure if I’m actually able to articulate the full impact of what I’ve seen and done here has had on me, nor am I sure if I will ever be able to. All I can say for sure is that these last two months have gone by far too quickly, but that even from such a short time working here I will be far more prepared for any future career which I undertake in this field, as well as future studies which I may conduct. My most sincere thanks go out to all of the staff, who have welcomed me with open arms into their organization, as well as the many other people whom I have worked with, who have all given me two of the best months of my life.
Internships in Cape Town
Leah Casanave
I am currently a doctoral student in public health and had just finished my Masters when I headed to Cape Town. The summer I was in Cape Town was probably the best two months of my life. Connect-123 set up a wonderful internship that allowed me to work on items that I was interested in. I worked for a research council that is currently surveying 12,200 babies and testing them for HIV. My focus has been in HIV epidemiology and this internship fit perfectly with what I wanted to do over the two months. The best part was probably the friends I have made along the way. I would have never thought I would make such good friends in two short months. I met people from across the United States, as well as the world (Spain, Italy, Brasil, Canada and Ecuador). Gabby and the rest of the team are wonderful to work with and are always there to help if something arises. There are several opportunities to volunteer outside the internship, which provide a great experience to those who participate. I would recommend this program to anyone who has wanted to travel and work abroad. I can honestly say that I was sad to leave Cape Town, but can’t wait for future opportunities to take me back.
Internships in Cape Town
Magdalena Niestrata
The internship in Buenos Aires was one of the best experiences I’ve had. It allowed me to combine excellent work experience in a public hospital with exploring the city and nightlife porteño style. Everyone I met was very friendly and helpful and made me feel at home in Buenos Aires very quickly. Connect-123 organized a bunch of great social events with Argentine spirit and although it was winter there when I did my internship, it immediately warmed up the atmosphere and outweighed the ‘polar cold’. I highly recommend it to everyone. Buenos Aires is really as great as its said to be if not better and Connect-123 team know how to help you make the most of it. Just be careful, once you go, you won’t wanna leave!
Internships in Buenos Aires
Kristin Bonello
Cape Town is one of my favorite places I have ever visited, and not just because of the beautiful scenery or the breadth of outdoor activities. The people in the city are some of the most friendly, welcoming men and women I have ever encountered. The South African culture is vastly different from any I have ever experienced, but in a truly eye-opening way. But what really made my experience in South Africa special was the work I was doing. Interning with the Neurosurgery Department at one of the largest hospitals in South Africa has to be the most incredible opportunity I have ever had. This group of doctors welcomed me into their family and taught me everything, from how to take a patient history to how to drill holes in a person’s skull. No question of mine was ever too big or too small, and everyone went out of his or her way to make sure my experience was all I had hoped for. My internship culminated with a large department dinner in the city one night, and the doctors each made sure to impart one last bit of wisdom before I left to go back to the States. I also have all of their email addresses and they made me promise to keep in touch. One of the hardest parts of leaving was knowing I probably wouldn’t see any of them again. Connect-123 made finding this internship so easy. Gabby was instrumental in setting up my job with the department, and also in providing the medical interns with different opportunities to learn; whether it was attending a talk by any one of the doctors in the area or volunteering with different clinics, we certainly had a ton of exposure to medicine in Cape Town. The hands-on experiences I have gained, the friends I have made, and the adventures I have been on will never be forgotten. Thank you Connect-123, for a truly wonderful summer!
Internships in Cape Town
Veronica Salas
I was born in Durango, Mexico and I am a Child Life Specialist with a BA in Child Development and a specialization in Hospitalized Child from California State University, Los Angeles. Making the world a better place; this is something that we may all want to accomplish. As a Child Life student in Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital I had the opportunity to work in the ICU/Burn Rehabilitation unit. Working with children and helping them develop cognitively, physically, and emotionally while in the hospital is what I enjoy doing the most. Having the support of the medical team and the Connect-123 staff made me feel comfortable both in the hospital and in the city. Being in Cape Town also gave me the opportunity to explore the city and its surroundings. I met wonderful people that were part of the program as well as outside the program, and developed great friendships. While I was in Cape Town I learned a couple of words in Afrikaans and Xhosa. Over all I had an amazing experience and it made me grow both professionally and personally. By volunteering I may not be able to change the world, but I am able to enhance the life of a child.
Laura Socha
Volunteering in Cape Town was probably the best experience I have ever had. My internship was at a small rehab hospital dedicated to the poor population. The people I worked with were amazing, friendly, and took me in with open arms. By working closely with the nurses, and showing my interest, I was able to function as a nurse myself. My hospital did everything to help me have a good experience and even offered for me to travel with patients to some of the big hospitals and day clinics. By doing so, I learned a lot about HIV/AIDS, TB, and the poor population. Working at a small hospital helped me to feel right at home. The city of Cape Town alone is breathtaking. There are numerous opportunities for fun activities including hiking Table Mountain, enjoying the beach, wine tours, safaris, and bungee jumping! The shopping is fun, whether at familiar stores down at the Waterfront or at Greenmarket Square bargaining with locals for a good price. There are plenty of things to do in and around the city, so there is no chance to be bored. Connect123 made traveling to South Africa and finding an internship very easy. They offer you enough freedom to be off on your own but give significant guidance throughout your stay so that you know you are well taken care of. Gabby, from Connect-123, gave me extra opportunities beyond the rehab hospital to experience South Africa’s health care, such as clinics in the townships and volunteering at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital. These combined experiences were invaluable and really helped me shape my future nursing career. I made lifelong friends with the people I met through the program and locally, and I eagerly look forward to an opportunity to visit South Africa again.
Internships in Cape Town
Frank Neufeld
When I started looking into intern opportunities I was very open to options. My preference was interning at a design firm, but I was open to anything remotely related to the art and design field. I knew the experience would be amazing regardless, and I was not disappointed in the least. Connect-123 found me a terrific position as an intern with an NGO focusing on the rights of the disabled. My role was to rebrand their organization. I started from the core with a new logo and brand image, applied the new image to existing print media and also created new materials providing my opinion on ways for them to promote their organization. Being the sole person in charge of their rebrand provided me with a lot of responsibility and creative freedom that I would likely not have had at a design firm where I would have been at the bottom of the “food chain.” It was also very rewarding being able to use my skills to help such a great NGO. Having the whole identity package for my portfolio and the international experience for my resume are just more benefits of an amazing experience. My internship was terrific, but that is just one aspect of the overall incredible experience. Cape Town is just as beautiful in real life as in the photos and provided a stunning environment to practice my photography and fine art hobbies. It provides sharp cultural diversities and an eclectic array of activities to suit anyone’s tastes from fine dining at the world class restaurants, letting loose on Long Street with the numerous bars and clubs, to hiking up Table Mountain or lounging at the Camps Bay beaches to name a few. Cape Town will always hold a special place in my heart, but it is the people I met there that I will miss the most. The only negative part of my experience there was having to say goodbye to the great friends I had made. It was one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had and I want to thank Connect-123 for making it possible.
Internships in Cape Town
Lee Weinberger
I was in Cape Town with Connect-123 for June and July of 2010. I cannot say enough about how amazing my experience was and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a valuable internship abroad and cultural experience. Cape Town is an amazing place for people seeking adventure, great culture, beautiful landscapes, and history. Whether you want to go hiking, bungee jumping, sunbathing, or go on a safari, there is something for everyone in Cape Town. It is also full of a variety of cultural heritage and backgrounds. The Connect staff is always available to help with any of your needs along the way, and they also organize monthly and bi-weekly events and trips for all of the interns to meet each other and experience South Africa together. The variety of internships available to students is incredible. During my internship I went to small businesses, like craft shops and agricultural farmers, to provide business consulting for how these companies could be more efficient, organized, and sustainable. It was a truly rewarding and valuable experience passing on the knowledge I had to others that needed it. Gaining hands on business experience in a foreign country during a summer internship was nothing short of priceless and I have the Connect-123 staff to thank for making it all possible.
Internships in Cape Town
Diane Zhang
After deciding to take a year off before work after I completed law school in May of 2009, I decided to look at legal internship opportunities in Cape Town, South Africa. Connect-123 found an internship for me where I could use my legal writing and research skills—as well as work in an area of law in which I have much interest but rare opportunities to work with in my future career. For six months, I worked at the Cape Town office of a human rights commission. The commission was created by the Constitution of South Africa and established to entrench constitutional democracy through the promotion and protection of human rights in the nation. During my time there, I was involved in both parliamentary and monitoring projects. I had the opportunity to attend many meetings of Parliament, in which bills addressing issues from personal privacy to domestic violence were debated. The commission works closely with government in commenting and advising on various human rights issues present in new legislation, and being able to be involved in these new bills were highly rewarding. On the monitoring side, I was involved in monitoring a temporary safety site for approximately 2,000 Zimbabwean nationals that have been forcibly displaced in the rural town of De Doorns as a result of xenophobic violence. I worked on a report detailing conditions at the camp and making various recommendations concerning site facilities, safety, and security. Connect-123 enabled me to pursue my interest in constitutional law in the context of a foreign country’s history and culture. To do this in South Africa was particularly exciting, as it is a country that has made great transformations over the past few decades. To be able to witness the country’s preparations for an international celebration as it hosted the World Cup in 2010—while being involved in human rights laws seeking to redress its legacy of apartheid—was extremely rewarding.
Internships in Cape Town
Katie Jhanke
My experience with Connect-123 was wonderful. I would recommend interning in Cape Town and the program to any law student (or other student). Planning my summer abroad, the staff at Connect-123 was fabulous. With the tough legal market, I knew I needed a placement that would provide me with substantive and practical legal research and writing experience. After conveying that sentiment to my assigned Connect-123 team member, she sought out and provided me with wonderful options. The placement process went smoothly with Connect-123 facilitating communication and helping to ensure that all necessary paperwork was in order. Additionally, before I even got to Cape Town, the Connect-123 staff was organizing group outings and other logistics. I still remember getting an e-mail about one of the outings while sitting in the library studying for final exams and getting so excited for what was waiting for me on the other side of finals… While many people kept saying, “You’re going where this summer?” I knew that it was gearing up to be a summer of a lifetime. My summer in Cape Town was phenomenal. My internship placement Connect-123 helped arrange was a perfect fit for what I was looking for. I was able to attend court, perform research for cases the organization was considering taking on, provide advice for issues arising in the walk-in legal advice clinic, attend advocacy events, and even go to a protest with youth speaking out against sexual violence! The work I did was life changing and will undoubtedly affect me throughout my legal career. Additionally, the attorneys and staff I worked with were amazing people who I continue to keep in touch with long after my departure from South Africa. In addition to the great internship placement, the Connect-123 program provided me with an instant network of friends and activities to take part in. The staff made sure that participants did not miss out on the Cape Town “essentials” (the penguins, seals, etc.) and was open to organizing other events that people suggested. Everything ran incredibly smoothly and I could not imagine trying to plan my summer without Connect-123’s help. Finally, since returning to the United States, my experience in Cape Town continues to have a positive impact on my life. Professionally, interviewers ask me about my summer in Cape Town during each and every interview I have. Additionally, researching an entirely different country’s legal system has sharpened my legal research and critical thinking skills. Personally, I made some wonderful friends while in Cape Town who I am sure will remain in my life for a long time to come. Since returning to Chicago, friends I met through Connect from as close as Southern Illinois and Michigan to as far away as Ireland and Scotland have come to visit. No matter how long it has been, we always reminisce about our times in Cape Town and what a remarkable summer it was.
Internships in Cape Town
Grace Sharp
I had a great experience in Cape Town. Connect-123 helped me find housing, food and a car to transport me to my volunteer program. They were my go-to for anything I needed and they planned fun outings that allowed us to explore the area and meet other people in the program. One of my favorite events was taking a bus to Franschhoek to celebrate the Bastille day festival and attending a local wine tasting. I also enjoyed the hiking and sightseeing in the local area. There are numerous museums and fun restaurants in and around Cape Town, and hiking trails can be reached within a 15 minute taxi ride. I volunteered with an after school marching band program that seeks to help children in the townships. Melanie helped establish a connection with the organization, although Connect-123 had not worked with them previously. She escorted me to my first rehearsal and facilitated my initial communication with the program director. Connect-123 took care of my needs in a generous and professional fashion and made my Cape Town experience one I will never forget!
Internships in Cape Town
