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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Angela R
Connect-123 gave me the opportunity to do my internship with a company that allowed me to expand my skills in design and professionalism. The internship was done remotely but it was still effective. Connect-123 was able to find an internship that fit the description I gave in our first phone call. Their professionalism throughout the entire process made me feel secure and excited about the internship. I'm very glad I was able to design a new logo in the summer of 2021. I worked as a logo graphic designer for a studio in Buenos Aires, Argentina that was about to open a side business. It was amazing to communicate with people outside of the country about a business-related issue and be taken seriously with my designs. They let me take creative control and their feedback was very kind. They loved most designs and only ever commented on how to make it better for the final design. The internship experience has encouraged me to keep designing and reach out to other businesses for more opportunities. It was lovely working with Connect-123 this past summer.
Dayana V
As I began my search for internships abroad, my University guided me towards Connect-123 and their amazing team. Through them, I was able to work remotely with a non-profit organization in Cape Town, South Africa where I created content for their social media pages and YouTube. While interning there I learned about the importance of communication, leadership, creativity, and stepping outside your comfort zone. In fact, at the beginning of my internship, I was a bit apprehensive about connecting with the people and the content due to being a remote intern but with Connect-123 supporting me along the way I was able to experience some of the best six months of my professional and personal life. In all, I learned so much during my internship and was able to really understand where I want to go with my career in the future. I will forever be grateful to Connect-123 for opening doors for me and encouraging me to follow my professional and personal dreams. Thank you so much to Carla, Lea, and the team!
Emma O
As a young and newer child life student, I was looking for a program that offered a very diverse, authentic experience of what Child Life is truly about. Connect-123 provided me with that and so much more. During my time in Cape Town, South Africa I gained skills and developed great confidence in observing, documenting, and carrying out therapeutic play sessions with children of various ages and diagnoses. Outside of time spent at the two hospitals, we got to attend workshops that helped build communication and knowledge about Child Life, resumes, and interview skills. On top of all these wonderful experiences, we also had many opportunities to explore the beautiful country of South Africa! The girls I met were amazing, my preceptor prepared and helped me in more ways than I can count, and the program provided me with the well-rounded, enjoyable experience I set out to find! I would recommend this program in a heartbeat.
Internships in Cape Town
Melanie G
Through Connect-123 I was given the opportunity of a lifetime to intern at an incredible NGO in Barcelona! Coming out of a rough and uncertain year I was excited to be able to travel again especially with the added enhancing my resume. Connect-123 facilitated the process of finding the perfect summer marketing internship. I grew not only professionally but also personally during my time in Barcelona. I am so thankful to Lea and everyone at Connect-123 for making this opportunity possible!
Internships in Barcelona
Garrett W
My remote internship was facilitated through Drexel University with Connect-123, for a duration of 6 months, which allowed me to learn a lot during my time at the research lab in Dublin. My primary job was to model and animate 3D printing and imaging devices. Connect-123 allowed me to develop important software skills in my field which I will use for the rest of my life. However, the most important thing Connect-123 did was to allow me to narrow in my major, and find something that I would like to pursue a future career in. Thank you very much for organizing an amazing internship and helping me build my career to the next level. I appreciate everything that you did.
Emily M
Connect-123 is more than a liaison company looking to connect students to employers and home organizations. Connect-123 goes further, facilitating the dynamic between students and professionals in a supportive environment. When I signed up for a Human Rights and Social Impact Internship with my university, I had no idea what type of work that would encompass. I thought I would randomly get assigned to an organization that may, or may not, suit my interests and skill set. Instead, I was approached by kind, intelligent professionals who had my learning as a core influence in their actions. Through every email interaction, I was asked how I was doing, and what I was learning. I'm not going to say that interning was easy, but growth never is. Connect-123 placed me with an organization focused on people and hands-on application of research, particularly within the law. I was put in a research internship that I would never have found on my own. Working with that organization has now opened doors that I could never have considered. I thank Connect-123 for never settling for me, and for always reaching out a hand, even when I didn't think I needed it.
Sophie H
Through Connect-123, I got the incredible opportunity to pursue a remote internship during another uncertain summer due to covid-19. I felt very fortunate to have helpful assistance getting paired with an internship position without the confusion and stress. I worked as a research intern at an arts archive that documents the multiple recent histories of art in Asia. Connect-123 managed to select an internship that fit the description we had discussed on our first phone call, helping me get experience in a field I was curious about pursuing post-graduation. It was a lovely experience and showed that Connect-123 matched me with a high-quality opportunity. It was also nice to have a contact to reach out to during the internship, particularly given that the work was remotely done.
Emmett L
Due to the turbulence of this past year and a half, I am grateful that Connect-123 not only found me a wonderful internship, but one which could have an impact on those affected by said turbulence. My remote internship at a Budapest-based non-profit consisted of helping migrants and marginalized communities in Hungary through grants and legal aid, spreading awareness through social media, and working closely with my supervisors to come up with ideas. The professional development provided by both the internship experience and Connect-123 has made me more confident in my abilities in the workplace, but what sets Connect-123 apart is the international reach. As I study international relations and I plan on working abroad in the future, this was the perfect opportunity to practice working in an international context and gaining experience in communication and managing time differences. With the future of labor moving towards the online space, I'm grateful I had an opportunity to see what that could feel like while having the chance to network and get to know folks who pursue social justice work.
Meghan P
I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with Connect-123 and the internship organization they set me up with! A virtual internship was a new and exciting experience, keeping me motivated and developing new skills. I made connections in Ireland that I will continue to have as I develop my career, as well as practicing the skills the Connect-123 workshops taught me. Connect-123 genuinely wants to see every student succeed, and they work hard to make your program worth it! As a Pre-Med student, the pandemic made opportunities limited, but my virtual internship gives me a nice advantage on my resume, and I thank Connect-123 for a worthwhile experience.
Alyssa L
As an aspiring Certified Child Life Specialist, I am incredibly grateful I chose to complete my Child Life Practicum through Connect-123. This program provided me with the once in a lifetime experience, and I learned so much in just a short four weeks. During my time, I volunteered with two hospitals in South Africa, worked with many different children and families, and met so many warm-hearted people that I will never forget. Connect-123 is a helpful program that will support and help you even after you complete the program. Completing this program through Connect-123 helped me step out of my comfort zone in the right direction and prepared me for my future in more ways than I can imagine. I will never forget this experience of a lifetime and the friends I made during my practicum. I highly recommend Connect-123 to everyone, and I hope others choose this program to study internationally!
Internships in Cape Town
Zahra A
Connect-123 offered me an experience I would have never otherwise been able to have. I have a strong interest in Global Public Health and how this impacts the development of communities. Though my interest was quite broad, Connect-123 was able to match me with an organization based in Mumias, Kenya that helped to develop my interests well. Working on project sustainability with the organization, I now have a better understanding of sustainable, and culturally sensitive Public Health approaches, and how to assess them. My professional skills have also developed greatly, as juggling a time difference and completing independent tasks, I have had to remain extra cognizant of my communication and organizational skills. I have met a great community and been exposed to helpful resources at Connect-123. For students looking to explore their interests, I would recommend finding an internship with Connect-123!
Emily P
In the times of COVID-19, finding an interior design company that would provide me with strong industry experience as well as still being fully remote was very difficult. Connect-123 made this easy and stress-free. In my initial inquiry phone call, all my questions were answered and my anxieties were eased and within a few weeks, I was matched with a company that fit exactly what I was looking for in my field in terms of goals, identity, and professionalism. I never felt like I was alone when working through Connect-123 because I always knew I had someone behind me every step of the way and plenty of contacts to reach out to if I was feeling uncertain about anything. They made it obvious that they care about each of their student interns and our future career paths through webinars and group meetings as well as encouraging us to improve and reflect on our work skills. I’m so grateful for Connect-123 and their support and guidance!
Carly S
The remote internship that Connect-123 paired me with was an amazing experience that helped keep me motivated and excited about my studies during the pandemic. I was able to complete research about gender equality in the Tokyo Olympics and my research was used in a press release for the group I was interning for. It was awesome to be able to see my work on their website and without Connect-123 listening and truly understanding what I wanted to gain from my internship I wouldn’t have been able to have this opportunity. Whenever I needed assistance the staff at Connect-123 was there to answer their questions and the career workshops they provided in addition to the internship experience were great! I would recommend that anyone searching for a truly hands-on and exciting internship experience go to Connect-123!
Mayela D
With the help and guidance of Connect-123, I was able to work with a nonprofit organization in Argentina. Even after Covid-19 cases started to decrease in the U.S., in-person internships were still very unlikely to happen in the summer of 2021. That’s why instead I started looking for virtual internships. I first learned about Connect-123 in a university email that was sent out to encourage students to join virtual internships. Connect-123 caught my eye since that first email because it offered international virtual internships. Since my major is International Relations, I figured this would be a great opportunity for me to build up my resume and gain experience working remotely. I’m very grateful for this opportunity because it allowed me to work with an Argentinian organization that is partnered with many NGOs that help people in vulnerable situations. My role as an intern was mainly translating documents and presentations for the organization’s campaigns so that English speakers could understand the mission and goal of the campaigns. Overall, this internship taught me how to work remotely with people in different time zones that have a different cultural background than my own. It was a great experience and I highly recommend it.
Reagan Y
My experience with my remote global internship and Connect-123 was the best way to conclude my undergraduate studies. I believe that my internship provided the perfect segway into a real career experience, as well as applying remote culture to my work life. It was amazing to finally apply some of the things that I have learned while studying, to a real-life project that will mean something in the future. I am honored to have been a part of my remote experience and I would definitely do it all again.
Morgan W
I was introduced to Connect-123 through my university. Searching for internship opportunities during the pandemic was a very stressful and trying experience. However, once I was made aware of the Connect-123 global internship program I jumped at the possibility. Now, I am so glad I did! The Connect-123 team did not only provide me a remote internship with a fantastic NGO but also imparted invaluable career advice and a great community that does anything to help its members succeed. The wonderful advisors at Connect-123 nurtured my passion and helped facilitate my dream internship, I highly suggest everyone pursue an internship with Connect-123!
April W
I am incredibly grateful for the experience that I had with Connect-123. They were able to place me with a non-profit organization in South Africa that directly matched my career goals and preferences. I, unfortunately, was unable to complete my internship in person due to the current pandemic, but Connect-123 was able to still place me with a virtual internship. Not only does Connect-123 place you with an internship, but they provide workshops to help their participants succeed in their professional careers. The support they provided throughout the course of my internship was amazing. I appreciate all that Connect-123 staff did to help make me succeed during my internship.
Rebekah L
I am a senior at Pennsylvania State University with a major in Marketing and Management. This summer I had the honor of working with an incredible NGO as a Marketing and Brand Awareness intern through the support and help from Connect-123. As my spring semester in college was wrapping up fast and also during the global pandemic, I was unsure whether or not to complete the internship experience virtually or in person. From the support of Connect-123, they were able to find an opportunity that gave me the best of both worlds. I was able to start my internship virtually, and when I felt ready to travel was able to complete the rest of my internship in Dublin, both remote and in person. I learned skills of campaign and project management, along with social media marketing. The time went by so fast when you’re having fun! The experience was challenging, impactful, and I was able to develop business skills out of it! I highly recommend this organization and process for anyone!
Internships in Dublin
Vanessa M
The internship experience that Connect-123 matched me with was one of the highlights of my college experience. I had been waiting for over a year to intern with Connect-123 because all summer 2020 programs were halted due to the pandemic, and the wait was well worth it! Connect-123 does not only place you into an internship, but also supports you throughout the entire experience, which is one of the many things that made this opportunity stand out to me. I was placed within a non-governmental organization in Argentina, which lined up exactly with my preferences. While in my host organization, I have had the opportunity to be a part of a significant project that investigates all Latin America. I feel deeply grateful for having met the staff at Connect-123, as well as my team in my host organization.
Yuriko Y
The remote internship with Connect-123 kept me constantly motivated during the global pandemic. It has been wonderful working with an NGO in Dublin for 3 months. It gave me a good amount of time to explore migrants' rights in-depth and understand the staff, projects, and working environment well. The weekly homelike meeting on zoom and informal follow-up phone calls have made me feel more included and supported. The last 3 months have been absolutely meaningful and incredibly helpful to think about how I would like to pursue the future career.
