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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John Hawley
To be totally honest, this internship is exactly what I was looking for. Not only am I going to be able to make a significant contribution to the pollination programme but, I’m also going to help put together another research paper with the head of the division…i.e., if I do a good job over the next little while I get PUBLISHED in an academic journal as full co-author! Pretty sweet man. This is really just a cool place to work with a wicked location and tonnes of other scientists doing all kinds of interesting things. The work is relatively hard, but the experience is proving itself to be more than I could have hoped for. Guess this is a good time to say thanks for doing a great job hooking me up with this opportunity.
Internships in Cape Town
Byung Kang
One word. Impeccable. Connect-123 will match you up with an ideal internship! I had an invaluable experience volunteering with an influential human rights NGO in Cape Town, where I had the opportunity to help with their work in the townships. Through Connect-123, I truly had a life changing experience.
Alia Tanko
I wish I found a way to stay in Cape Town because I truly enjoyed the work that I was doing and the opportunities that Connect-123 provided me. The organisation where I volunteered is on its way to accomplishing great things and I feel fortunate to have been a part of that growth!
Elizabeth Boyer
I had the time of my life in Cape Town. My internship was exactly what I was looking for, and helped me make some major decisions concerning the career that I would like to pursue. I was able to meet South African students and get to know more about their culture. Everyone was so welcoming and interested in helping me learn more about them. Lea and Steven are amazing. Their pure passion for their work and their city makes this program a once in a lifetime experience. They showed us all the hot spots around Cape Town and were always willing to help out. Our apartment had an amazing view, and living in the same building as other participants allowed me to get to know other students from all around the world. Between the internship, the city, and people, I could not ask for a better experience than what Connect-123 has shown me!
Internships in Cape Town
Isabelle McKusick
My experience in South Africa has been remarkably eye-opening. I had the perfect internship that gave me the opportunity to dive right into South African culture and make significant differences in the lives of those I worked with. After studying abroad in Cape Town I wanted to do something to give back to the place that I had grown to love. I was able to live in a high quality and safe setting as well as be a valuable addition to an organization working with students in townships. Steven and Lea are so obliging and supportive in every area. They have an expansive network and give interns the chance to explore South Africa’s culture, nightlife, and natural beauty. Connect-123 opened doors that offered me the internship of a lifetime and the experiences I have had will be extraordinarily beneficial to whatever I choose to do in the future.
Richard Glover
Being thrown in at the deep end with the newspaper was the best possible way for me to start my journalism internship in Cape Town as it gave me an insight into a part of the city that very few people, even locals, know about. In terms of my goals, I’ve always wanted to write for newspapers, get decent experience of the world of newspaper journalism and have a good time whilst doing it. I can safely say that my time as an intern has given me all of that. I have had in excess of 20 bylines which is more than I could ever have hoped for and everyone in the newsroom has gone out of their way to help me. As a result I have had an amazing internship.
Internships in Cape Town
Alyson Venti
Connect-123 provides an incredible opportunity to gain a unique experience in a remarkable culture. Traveling as a tourist is limited by achieving only a surface knowledge of a country, whereby living and working there offers an insight into a country’s distinctive features. Through Connect-123, I was able to spend six weeks working in marine conservation. My office was square miles of protected beach fronts and hiking trails, my desk a twin engine rubber duck (zodiac). My co workers were an accurate representation of the diversity that makes Cape Town so special. I was awoken to a truly remarkable place that everyone should get a chance to see. Connect-123 provides this unique opportunity.
Internships in Cape Town
Kelsey Puuri
My internship has been great! I have a nice variety of things to do at the hospital. I’ve been able to care for children, observe surgeries, and shadow some very interesting hospital personnel. I’d say the internship has more than met my expectations! The housing is also great, in a good location in the center of the city, with lots of things in the surrounding area to always keep us busy. It’s also great that Connect-123 makes recommendations of places to go that you might not think of going to.
Internships in Cape Town
Andrew Thuss
After graduating from the London School of Economics I was not particularly sure what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to work internationally, but I did not want to stay in Europe. Connect-123 paired me with a great multi-national company that provided me with a great internship experience. Combined with the spectacular setting of Cape Town, my experience with Connect-123 helped me develop both professionally and personally. I was hired soon after by a great company in Singapore as a direct result of my professional exposure in South Africa. I cannot thank Steven and Lea enough for their help in providing a fantastic experience in one of the world’s most unique places.
Internships in Cape Town
Jon Duplisea
My internship with Connect-123 was a phenomenal experience, one that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Every morning I woke up excited to see the children at the hospital. The staff were extremely helpful and took me in as one of their own. While interning in South Africa I had the opportunity to observe many surgical procedures and conduct research within the Department of Surgery. The events organized by Steven and Lea were always a blast. Cape Town is beautiful! If the opportunity arises to do an internship with Connect-123, DO IT!!!
Internships in Cape Town
Jessica Borek
My experience in Cape Town would not have been as extraordinary as it was, without the expertise of Connect-123. They are the most well connected people in Cape Town and took a caring and holistic approach to ensure that my internship, accommodation and social experiences were nothing short of amazing. The small size of the program combined with planned excursions to wineries, scenic hikes and popular clubs, to matching my interests and skills with an internship that fit perfectly with my majors has truly made my time in Cape Town unforgettable, and has undoubtedly left me wishing I could extend my stay. I feel as though I have made lasting relationships with the people I have met here and am certain that my international internship experience combined with a great reference letter from my boss will give me an edge on the competition when applying for other positions back in the States.
Internships in Cape Town
Xavier Bengoa
The placement was ideal, from both a personal and professional perspective. I couldn’t have imagined such a great work atmosphere, with the friendliest South Africans ever. Thanks again!
Silvia Carl
My two months in Cape Town was an amazing time! The Connect-123 staff were really helpful and made me feel welcome throughout my time here. To know I could call them at anytime to ask for anything made me feel safe, welcome and never alone being far from home. Choosing Connect-123 to do an internship in South Africa was a great decision!
Internships in Cape Town
Matthew Price
One word sums up my experience in South Africa: incredible! I was there for three months and had the time of my life. Steven and Lea, who run Connect-123, are two of the greatest and most accommodating people in the world and they are completely dedicated to making sure that each intern has a positive and life changing experience. They both have extensive experience in traveling and working with younger people. On top of that, as the company implies, they are two of the most well connected people in the city. When you meet them you will understand what I mean. While I have done internships in other places, Steven and Lea are one of the main reasons why I would recommend Connect-123 and Cape Town above any other. I don’t know what else I can say other than to tell you to take the adventure to the end of the world and make the most of Cape Town and Africa. It is an incredible journey that I will never forget.
Internships in Cape Town
Emily Hughes
From the indescribable poverty of the townships to the gorgeous, breathtaking landscapes of the wine lands and coast, the amazing thing about Cape Town is that it is such a land of extremes. Fortunately I was able to see both extremes as Connect-123 was great at organizing trips to venture beyond the city and my internship granted me access to the clinics in the townships. My internship in the clinic, a mixture of both helping and observing, also allowed me to learn a great deal about HIV and antiretroviral treatment. Besides arranging my fantastic internship and organizing memorable social events, Connect-123 are great in that they truly care about making each student’s experience in Cape Town the best that it can be and thus offer very personalized attention. This has been an amazing experience that I will always value; I only wish I had stayed longer!
Internships in Cape Town
Katja Fahrland
I had the time of my life in Cape Town, and this was largely due to Lea and Steven who run Connect-123. Both are so caring and give every intern the most personalized attention you can imagine. You can call them in the middle of the night and they will try to help you. With the type of the internship I was taking part in, they really tried to figure out my personal expectations. On the weekends, they always tried to arrange interesting activities so that I also became extremely familiar with the country. The Connect-123 program was the best choice for my internship South Africa. So, thank you very much for your help, support and the great time you made possible for me!
Internships in Cape Town
Ryan Murphy
Connect-123 exceeded all expectations imaginable and I will undoubtedly remember my time in Cape Town for the rest of my life. Not only did I have the opportunity to interact with and befriend local South Africans but Connect-123′s elaborate social calendar also allows for the making of strong friendships with other interns from around the world. I could not have spent my time in a more beautiful city with more beautiful people while accruing unique and valuable work experience. Still not convinced? Based on interview offers, my resume has tripled in quality! What more could I ask for?
Internships in Cape Town
Brett Abrams
The hospital was a great place, and I got a good general feel for the way it operates. Connect-123’s social events have also been great. It was extremely nice to have social events that allowed me to get to know the group better and become a part of team Connect! I wish I could extend my internship for another 8 weeks!
Internships in Cape Town
Sarah Wilson
My internship was perfect. Connect-123 understood what I wanted and made it happen! They were also very hands-on, took care of all the details, and gave me everything I needed to make the most of my time in Cape Town. I met such wonderful people and learned so much at my internship that my only regret is not staying longer.
Internships in Cape Town
Marina Cardona
Connect-123 gives you the most personalized attention and treatment you can get ever! From matching you up with a great internship, to finding you the ideal housing arrangement, to making your stay in beautiful Cape Town fun and enjoyable, Connect-123’s internship program was perfect. My accomodation was excellent, very comfortable and spacious, and located very close to the city centre and to my internship office on a very quiet and safe street. One of the best things about this program is that you can be very independent, but also easily meet and get-together with the other interns, all from different countries and interests, or you can join in on the weekend sightseeing and adventure trips.
Internships in Cape Town
