Reviews

Rachel Aboukhair

My internship through Connect-123 was definitely my best summer so far. I interned at a television production company in Barcelona. Not only was I able to gain experience in television production, but I was also able to do it in the amazing city of Barcelona. My first day, I was out on the streets filming something for an upcoming broadcast. I worked on a television episode, a broadcast of the Copa del Rey, and a taping of Cirque de Soleil in Madrid.

My placement was amazing, and my experience was above and beyond what I expected, and my program coordinator provided so much support throughout my stay. She is very helpful in communicating with you about your goals for an internship and finding the placement that suits your needs. She also provided housing option and socialization opportunities for the whole program. Meeting the other interns made the stay in a foreign city a lot of fun. Connect-123 staff organizes meet ups and activities to get to know each other as well as the city of Barcelona. I chose this program because it was by far the most flexible and affordable that I came across. Also, by housing interns in Barcelona with other students, rather than living in a dormitory, you get the full experience of living within a city and meeting people from all over Europe who come for the summer. A+

Nina Brosman

Barcelona is your next trip! If it's not, change your travel plans immediately and get on a flight to Spain! Bursting with vibrant culture and nightlife as well as some of the kindest people in the world, Barcelona is the place to be.

During my internship through Connect-123, I had the opportunity to truly experience life as a real "Barcelonese." I was able to intertwine myself into the culture and the language for a full immersion experience filled with new friends, personal discovery, and unbelievably delicious food! However, while living abroad changes you (usually for the better!), I still felt like myself throughout the entire experience because my internship was so tailor-made to fit my personal interests and strengths.

I believe I was able to get a lot out of this opportunity because my work was so closely tied and reflective of my personality that I could learn and grow in the areas I wished to improve upon in order to succeed. The internship was valuable to my future career because it allowed me to test the waters of what a life in this field would consist of and now after completing my program with Connect-123, I'm diving in headfirst!

Vanessa Gillette

It was a bit of a rash decision to intern in Barcelona with Connect-123. I was already spending two months in Spain, so I figured I mind as well round out my summer travels with an internship in Barcelona. Well, the month I spent in Barcelona did not "round out" my summer, it made my summer! It is impossible to summarize my experience in a testimonial. My internship placement was exactly what I was hoping for. It challenged me everyday as I produced marketing content and communicated in a spanish speaking business environment. I discovered new skills and gained self-confidence. It was exciting and invigorating.

Now I feel I can take on the world (or at least my next job/internship). I cannot recommend Barcelona enough. I am mentally prepared to pack up and move to this amazing city for good! I lived in a great neighborhood with vibrant locals who often held live-concerts right outside my window. I lived close enough to run to the beach in the morning and watch the amazing sunrise. Barcelona feels like a big city because it has so much to offer. Yet, it's small enough to feel like home.

And finally, Connect-123 lived up to the name by connecting me with other interns who are now lifelong friends. Coming from vastly different countries and cultures, my friends inspired me every day. We learned from each other's experiences and celebrated our differences. I truly believe that meeting people from around the world can broaden your perspective on life. We met in a paella cooking class organized by Connect-123, but soon we were inseparable and organizing our own adventures such as hiking Montserrat and exploring beaches of la Costa Brava. I am saddened to leave Barcelona behind, but I take solace in knowing that it is only goodbye for now. Thanks to my internship, my friends, and all the adventures, I have fallen in love with this city. I know I'll be back again one day!

Siena Fabiano

Wow! I have so much to say. I have never had such an amazing experience than living and volunteering in Barcelona, my favorite city in the world. Give yourself about two or three weeks to get settled in and then you can truly recognize what an unbelievable city Barcelona is. From the famous Catalonian tapas to the beautiful beaches, Barcelona is enriched with so much culture, diversity, and just the coolest people. There are so many fun things you can fill your days up with there. I am dreaming of going back now while writing this. It is also the perfect place to be situated for traveling to different parts of Europe. Everything is only a few hours away!

Connect-123 set me up with the most awesome volunteer opportunity at a children's hospital.The staff and all the patients turned out to be the most kind and patient people. I was immediately welcomed by an array of volunteers that showed me around and explained to me what I would be helping out with. The best part of the whole internship was the kids. Even though the language barrier was a tad difficult, the kids were just so happy to have someone hanging out with them playing games. I was truly in awe of what high spirits they had, no matter their circumstance. Their laughter and smiles were totally infectious making me leave the hospital everyday glowing with happiness.

My whole experience here let me step back for a minute and re-evaluate my values and outlooks on life for the better. I am so extremely fortunate and grateful to have this experience, and I thank Connect-123 for helping me set everything up.

Overall, I loved my time in Barcelona and would go back in a heartbeat!

Charlotte Harris

I was fortunate enough to have the time to volunteer in, as well as explore, one of the most amazing cities I have ever been to. Barcelona's culture is a beautiful experience, my volunteer work at two non profit youth centers was definitely a new adventure each day and I am grateful to have had the chance to meet and explore Barcelona with other Connect-123 volunteers. I had a chance to work within the realm of what I am passionate about and in turn the experience has made me even more eager about my future and what I will choose to pursue.The fact that I do not speak Spanish worried me but nevertheless I had the chance to relate and converse with fellow staff members, the children of my volunteer establishment and the people I met during my time in Spain. In return, their own curiosity and kindness towards me broadened my sense of connection with the world and myself. The opportunity to come to Barcelona not only created beautiful memories but offered some clarity regarding my future. I arrived in Spain with no expectations other than the ones I had set for myself, now looking back this trip would have exceeded every single expectation if I originally had any. The time flew by much to quickly and I am returning home with more energy, confidence in myself and future, experience, extraordinary memories, and of course the artwork and gifts from all the incredible children I worked with. During my stay I traveled to Betanzos as well as Caruña and Santiago with a friend I made while staying in Barcelona. It is a completely different experience to explore a new place with someone who lives there. Her family was so generous and hospitable to me during my short stay with them and I hope to visit them again. My time in Barcelona wasn't just enriching for me, it was also gratifying. Lea from Connect-123 and the staff at the youth organization granted me a terrific opportunity, truly the best I have ever received. The response and overall feeling gained from my work here has made me so appreciative for Connect-123's organization. Hasta Pronto!

Eric Savoie

It is hard to believe that it has been almost four months since I have returned from my internship in Barcelona. It is still an experience that I reflect upon nearly every day, especially as I approach my graduation and try to figure out what I want do with my future. Although I am still figuring out exactly what I want to make of my life, I am now confident that I will one day find it, and will forever be thanking Lea Levy and Connect-123 for helping me get there. From day one, Lea was extremely accommodating in helping me find the proper placement and ensuring I had a top-notch experience. We Skyped about my aspirations, and within a short period of time I was set up for an internship with a company that matched my interests and resume perfectly. As soon as I landed in Barcelona, I was shown around town and given suggestions about where to shop, eat, and have fun. If I ever had any questions or needed assistance, I could count on Lea to be just an email or phone call away. I couldn't have ever guessed that what I anticipated to be such a huge "leap of faith" would be such a smooth transition. After having two weeks of exploring the city and learning Spanish at my quickest rate ever with Camino Barcelona, it was time for me to begin my Marketing & Communications internship. I was pretty sure that I would enjoy the work and learn quite a bit, but I had no idea to what extent. Every single day I was faced with new challenges, and with each moment spent in the office I grew closer to my co-workers and developed my professional skills. By doing my best to immerse myself in the local culture, while also traveling about half of the weekends, I became more in-touch with myself and expanded my worldview more than ever before. Interning abroad was an experience that I will never forget, and will always be thankful for. During all of my interviews thus far, potential employers have been very excited about my experience in Barcelona and have told me how impressive it is. If you want to boost your resume while also gaining a stronger understanding of yourself and the world, I urge you to intern abroad through Connect-123.

Dan Weise

Even after being away from Barcelona for almost 2 months, I can say that Connect-123 has provided me with the best opportunity I have ever been afforded. This past summer, I was a food and beverage intern at a 4-star hotel in downtown Barcelona where I was able to meet others from all around the world, develop Spanish language skills, and gain professional development. However, the experience extended far beyond the walls of the hotel. Connect-123 regularly contacted me to make sure that I was having a safe, enjoyable experience and even coordinated so many different activities all throughout Barcelona! Without Connect-123, I would have been much more intimidated by the process of living and working and abroad. Barcelona could not have been a more ideal city to hold an internship. The people and sites are equally amazing and living 15 minutes away from the sea was incredible. As I move through my “day-to-day” back in Chicago, I will forever remember the time I spent in Barcelona and the great people who surrounded me. Hasta pronto!

Priscilla Choi

When people ask me “How did you enjoy Barcelona?”, I always respond: “I loved it. I want to go back and stay there forever.” And then they laugh. Little do they know that I’m only half joking. My summer experience in Barcelona can be summed up in one word: AMAZING, and I have to thank Connect-123 for that! My dream has always been to travel to Barcelona, Spain and it was surreal to me that I was able to go to Barcelona and not only get real-world experience, but also have the time of my life! I was introduced to Connect-123 by a college friend, who also went to Barcelona through the same program and after his glowing review, I also decided to take the Connect-123 route. The coordinators at Connect-123 are awesome (special shout out to Lea, who is the bomb!) and make sure you’re getting the most meaningful experience you can have. And that’s why I would recommend it to everyone interested in interning abroad! Barcelona will forever be in my heart. I was able to work with a small startup company based in Barcelona, which has shaped my professional experience background in a whole new way. Getting international internship experience is so valuable and I’m glad to have been able to do it! The great part was that aside from working, I was still able to enjoy myself, getting to know the city, exploring, traveling and of course, eating!! Being able to spend two months in Barcelona and integrating myself into the culture was one of the greatest experiences I ever had. After work, I would spend time getting to know the city and discovering the hidden gems and the major attractions of Barcelona! On the weekends, I would take day trips to cool places nearby Barcelona, like Costa Brava and Sitges. I even did a weekend trip in Madrid which was fantastic! I know it’s cliché to say that traveling abroad is life-changing, but it really is! I’ve learned so much more about myself and it’s such a great feeling! When I got back to the US, I thought to myself, “Man I really wish I was in Barcelona again!” If you’re considering studying/interning abroad, go for it! I promise you’ll have an amazing time once you’re there and there’s a reason why everyone loves traveling! Thank you so much Connect-123 for allowing me to grow as a person and helping me fulfill my case of wanderlust!  

Daniel Cooke

Before I even knew which college I wanted to attend, I had already made up my mind about one important aspect of my collegiate career: I wanted to study abroad. I had been blessed with many international trips prior to my summer in Barcelona, but there is truly a difference between visiting a city and living in a city, intensively experiencing a new culture, stepping way out of your comfort zone, and all the while growing more confident as a global citizen. That is why I wanted to study, work, and live abroad for an entire summer, and the efforts of Lea and the Connect-123 team made that dream possible and unforgettable. Barcelona has become another home city to me. The twelve incredible weeks I spent there were irreplaceable with regards to the people I met, the lived, and the memories I made. I was matched up perfectly by C-123 with not only an NGO that truly sparked my interest in social investing in Latin America as a career path, but also a supervisor that quickly became a mentor and life-long friend. The city itself is absolutely amazing… Barcelona has something for everyone: some of the best food in the world, relaxing beaches, mountains for hiking, classic Spanish plazas filled with street life, world class art, architectural gems, medieval and gothic-era quarters, some of the best nightlife in Europe, and some of the friendliest people I have ever met. In spite of what I just wrote, that is only the very surface of that remarkable city… Every day in Barcelona is an adventure with regards to your career aspirations, language abilities, and life experiences while submerging into a foreign culture. As mentioned before, Barcelona is now another home for me, even after only 3 months of living there. I fell in love with my work, the people I encountered, and the incredible city that never ceased to amaze me. I always look back on my time in Barcelona with C-123 as a major milestone in my life, and I strongly encourage anyone else interested in the program to do the same and experience the amazing city of Barcelona!

Maria Estrada

Coming to Spain has been on my bucket list, and I never imagined it was actually going to happen. I am a Textile and Apparel Fashion Design student, thirsty for experiences and making worldwide connections that will help me later on in life. The internship location was equipped with specific machinery, cutting tables, and room for creativity i.e. such as working on a customized bicycle raincoat. I was able to participate in workshops and courses: pattern design, basic sewing, bikinis, and baby clothing. I was able to be part of the Master class de Papirolexia de Gori de Palma, who have collaborated with Swarovski, Vans, American Apparel y General Optics. My ten-week experience in Barcelona was the perfect balance of work and play. I worked mornings in the first month and afternoons the last two months, which gave me the opportunity to explore and live the local life of Barcelona. I cannot emphasize how helpful it was to be a part of the Connect-123 program – thanks to the amazing director Lea Levy, I was established in my housing and well equipped for my summer and internship. My orientation included useful resources about moving around the city as well as other parts of the country. I was extremely pleased with the internship they found for me and guidance that was given to me throughout the 3 months I stayed in Barcelona, Spain.

Abril Contreras

Now 2 months after my internship, I am so happy to have chosen Barcelona as the place to live and work in. I interned for a tourism company and my job was to find new unique activities for people that visit Barcelona outside of the regular touristy things. It was awesome! I had the opportunity to try out some of these activities, my favorite one being the segway tour in the mountains. I also had the opportunity to work on my marketing skills such as blogs, social media and corporate presentations.  Connect-123 was great not only at finding me an awesome internship but also meeting other people who were interning in Barcelona as well. I met a lot of people and had the chance to get to explore Barcelona and other places with them. I am so happy so have taken the chance to build my resume and live in such an amazing city. Barcelona is so lively and there is always something to see and do.

Trevina Joseph

My summer in Barcelona, Spain was an incredible experience that fostered growth both personally and professionally. Barcelona was a lively city with history, art, gorgeous beaches, and fantastic music. The culture ignited an excitement in me to learn more, experience more, and meet as many people as possible. The people I have met here are from all around the world. I have made friends from Russia, France, Spain, England, and Italy that I will have forever. There is nothing like meeting a few strangers and growing closer through traveling around Barcelona. La Sagrada Familia is magical, and Gaudi’s other work around the city is equally as breathtaking. The nightlife is unreal, often times the clubs do not even open until 2 AM. The city itself was catalyst for adventure and laughter. My internships showed me another side of Barcelona. I worked at a children's hospital and an outpatient facility for adults with mental illness. I saw a community come to support those in need. My internship showed me how Spanish culture facilitates rehabilitation for adults experiencing schizophrenia, bipolar, depression, and personality disorders. I ran an art therapy group session every Wednesday where I learned about their day-to-day lives, the stigma, the support from others, and their personal creativity. I learned how to be present and listen to those in care. The children’s hospital taught me the importance of compassion and bringing joy to children and their families in care. In the morning I would go to children’s hospital rooms and sit with them while their parents would get breakfast or take a break. Those moments with kids ranging from a few months old to thirteen, I will treasure forever. Sometimes all they wanted was someone to hold their hand as they slept, other times I talked with them and played games. In the afternoon I would go to the chemo/dialysis unit or the child psychiatric unit. Both were so drastically different but equally rewarding. I am so grateful to have this experience to remember them by. This experience was deeply impacting and I owe it all to Connect-123! Thank you all for la vida en Barcelona!

Mark Lainoff

Fifty years from now, when you are (hopefully) peacefully retired in the place of your dreams, reflecting on your past experiences, your education, your work, your family, the friends you have made and the friends you have lost, the places you have visited and the places you will never see, what do you think will come to mind? In my mind, I will picture Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain in the summer of 2014. I will picture my internship at an organization that actively fought to eradicate the housing and economic crisis that began in 2007. A crisis, which, in Spain, resulted in the forceful evictions of thousands from their homes, left thousands more indebted to the banks for life, and even led some to take their own lives. I will picture myself, a 22-year-old university student from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee who at first struggled with language and communication, constantly stressing over research, work and cultural awareness, but who quickly adapted to an intimate work environment, becoming truly comfortable with immersion, and having the opportunity to contribute personal, meaningful, and useful work to the fight for housing rights in Spain. All this, still being able to have an unexplainable about of fun and adventure within Barcelona, around Spain, and throughout Europe and Africa. Lea and Steve Levy at Connect-123 gave me tools I needed to make my experience in Barcelona not only a memory I could happily look back on 50 years from now, but also a contribution to the city that will forever have an impact on the livelihood of its citizens. Without the help of Conncect-123, I would have never been able to be placed at an organization that fit my exact interests and aspirations for a summer internship abroad. To anyone who hopes to look back on their time abroad with a sense of accomplishment, personal growth, and unmatchable happiness, Connect-123 is the way to go. 11 out of 10.  

Chelsea Temple

I have always dreamed of coming to Spain. It was a pipe-dream, really, as I never thought I would actually be able to go. So, when I found out that my school was financing an internship in Barcelona through the Connect-123 program, I was dually dumbfounded and ecstatic! My eight-week experience here in Barcelona was the perfect balance of work and play. I worked for a think tank Foundation, where I worked on a research project for the duration of my internship. I wrote a (really long!) paper comparing the 2008 Global Financial Crisis's effects on employment in the European Union and the United States, and the ensuing strategies and policies proposed and enacted by the two in order to combat the high levels of unemployment. I learned quite a bit while researching and writing my paper, as well as realizing that I have a large interest in labor economics. My mornings were devoted to work, while my afternoons I spent relaxing at the beach, exploring the treasures of Barcelona, and working out. Some weekends I took day trips--Sitges, Tarragona, Tossa de Mar in Costa Brava--and I also visited Madrid. I also got to fuel my passion for being active by hiking Mount Tibidabo, Montjüic, and Montserrat. I had so many great experiences here, and I was very sad to leave--especially because I became really close with the other Connect-123 interns while living in Barcelona. I made really great friends with whom I plan to keep in touch. Thank you Connect-123, and Lea, for helping me transition into the Barcelona lifestyle, for introducing me to some great people, and for helping me find a wonderful internship. I grew a lot in my two months. I have fallen in love with this city, and I cannot wait to come back. Until then, adéu Barcelona!  

Andres Rodriguez

Working with Connect-123 was as easy as 1, 2, 3, pun intended! Lea, our program director, was a great point of contact from the day we e-mailed her regarding information about Connect-123, processing our résumés to making sure we were set up properly in Barcelona. Lea walked us through the process of finding an internship that was fitted to our interests and skills with the least amount of burden on our side. Upon landing in Barcelona we met with Lea, where she gave us valuable lessons in the lifestyle and culture of Barcelona. On top of that Lea set up amazing outings that allowed us to see, feel, and even taste the culture of Cataluña! Working for a start-up has truly been an awakening experience. As an aspiring entrepreneur it has been a blessing to work under the leadership of the founder, whose ambition and determination to make his company a success is definitely contagious. What this start-up lacks in size and resources, it makes up in ingenuity and innovation. Overall my experience with Connect-123 has been pleasurable. Time has flown by without an incident, but it’s nice to know that Connect-123 has your back.

Tara Opalinski

Barcelona is the place to be-between its people, tapas, countless outdoor plazas, beautiful scenery, beaches and nightlife-there is something for everyone. My decision to go live and work in Barcelona was last minute. I was offered two internships, but the one I chose pertained to my career path most and was in the heart of Barca. I cannot emphasize how helpful it was to be a part of the Connect-123 program. I had transportation from the airport and the director, Lea Levy, was at my apartment less than an hour later to greet me, make sure I was settled and explore the neighborhood with me to get my bearings. I was able to make friends immediately through the program and eventually, as we made local friends, it felt more like a city we belonged to. I also continued daily activities I would normally do at home, like going on daily runs through the city and having coffee at the same local shop, (where I eventually became a ‘regular’). The think tank I worked for opened a lot of doors to build my professional career. I was able to complete a full report regarding economic relations between the EU and the US (the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership), in which a shorter version was published through the organization I worked for, as well as a Barcelona E-journal. In addition, I was able to network with people in the Barcelona European Parliament, a few NGO’s and think tanks and even conduct interviews with the Trade Spokesman and a think tank researcher in Brussels. I grew professionally and personally through my experience in Barcelona, I only wish it had lasted longer. You will not regret your decision to go to Barcelona, if anything you will want to stay longer and then look for job opportunities so you can go back.

Paige Rothschild

Ever since I began college I always wanted to go abroad and experience the world. I think traveling gives someone a lot of knowledge and the ability to see things in a different perspective to grow and obtain their full potential as an individual. This was my reasoning behind coming abroad and honestly this has been the best decision I have made for myself this far in life. BEST. DECISION. You simply cannot experience more than what you want unless you chase after your dreams and that is what I did. (as cliche as that sounds). But I honestly could not have experienced this amazing journey without Connect-123. I knew I wanted to do an internship in Sales and Marketing but there was no way I could have found a steady, legit, and proper internship in Barcelona without their help. I have had an amazing experience here in Barcelona while doing my internship and the credit has to go to Connect-123. They have been nothing but helpful and truly have made me feel appreciated. The knowledge I have gained from interning in another country is outstanding. It's really amazing how different working in Spain compared to the US. The experience i've gained here I will carry with me for the rest of my life and that will only make me a stronger candidate for the career I go into. I think if anyone is on the fence with going abroad, you DEFINITELY should. It is true when they say "Life begins outside of your comfort zone." Whether you want to study abroad, or intern abroad, you must go and experience the world. This truly has been an amazing, outstanding, extraordinary experience and I hope everyone can have the opportunity to experience it. PLEASE if anyone has any questions or is hesitant feel free to reach out to me. I did this all alone and I would be happy to help anyone with any doubts.

Vicky Maier

As a social sciences student i found it hard to find internships in my field. Being an active person I really wanted something "out of the office" and Connect-123 has been able to offer me several options and I managed to do exactly what I wanted. During four months I interned in an Association helping people with AIDS in Barcelona where I had the opportunity to work alongside a team of devoted people eager to help those in need and also live in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The organizers of the internship were extremely helpful by giving information about the city and tips, organizing meetings between interns and events! It was an amazing experience and I recommend it to anyone who is looking for an organized work/traveling experience!  

Henna Mishra

Choosing Connect-123 to help me find an internship abroad was the best decision I could have ever made. From the first e-mail I sent inquiring more about the company and what it offered, I was constantly and quickly assisted by the program staff who worked extremely hard to find me the perfect internship. I had the rare opportunity to work in a developing web start-up in beautiful Barcelona and gained international business experience that I personally think is more valuable than an internship I otherwise would have held in the states. Aside from my highly rewarding work experience, I also was able to learn and grow so much under Connect's support--from planning festive, cultural activities around Barcelona to telling us about the more underground, local offerings of the city, I was able to leave my summer in Spain feeling as though I truly had found a new home. I definitely recommend Connect for anyone looking to have a life-changing time spent abroad, and I guarantee you will have an unforgettable experience!  

Jeanne Lieberman

My Connect-123 experience has been great! The team connected me to all kinds of opportunities and to all of the people who have made it possible for me to have the eye-opening experience that I have had in Barcelona. There was tons of flexibility in every step of the process and everything has personalized around my goals and desires. I have found the perfect balance of support and independent decision-making and Connect-123 has equipped me to be able to fully explore the unique opportunity that they helped me get together.