Reviews

Samantha Telgkamp

While in class studying to become a child life specialist, I am taught over and over that play is the universal language of childhood. It was not until I immersed myself in a whole new culture across the world, when I realized the truth to this statement. Having the opportunity to work with so many different children, in all sorts of settings, speaking many of the different languages native to South Africa was incredible. Recognizing how play is a language we all can "speak" and understand and its importance to a child is a lesson whose impact goes much further than the classroom. While I sit in class or am talking with my friends, I am always finding myself relating whatever the discussion is to my experience in Cape Town. I miss it so much, and could never thank Connect-123 enough for all you did to make my experience greater than anything I imagined.

Kristine Wright

During my time in Cape Town I was based in a fantastic government hospital and got to work with some incredible doctors and nurses. I observed open heart surgeries, organ donation surgeries and transplants. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring Cape Town and Langebaan in particular was awesome! I took a kite boarding course and spent most of my free time surfing and kite boarding! I found Cape Town to be very laid back and a great place to visit and hike!

Hubert Smith

Last spring, I spent three months living in Buenos Aires, Argentina and interning at a local hospital through the program, Connect-123. Luckily, I had already been accepted to medical school so after I graduated from college, I decided to take a gap year to travel and work in international medical settings. During my time in Buenos Aires, I completed a twelve-week internship with the department of oncology. Although I was assigned to the oncology department, I was able to rotate through and observe clinicians in various hospital departments, including, intensive care, coronary care unit, traumatology, gynecology, dermatology and surgery. Additionally, I had the opportunity to assist technicians with operating a 12-lead EKG monitor, attend and observe patient consultations consisting of casting, Pap smears, pre/post-operation check-ups, and other basic services. This experience taught me a lot about the health care system in Argentina and was a great way for me to improve my Spanish. I arrived in Argentina with basic Spanish skills and left as an intermediate speaker. Most weeks, I would go to the hospital for four hours in the morning and then spend three afternoons a week at a Spanish school. I was able to live in a large, shared apartment in the beautiful and lively neighborhood of Palermo. I lived with five other foreign exchange students and one Argentine from Salta. My roommates and I spent most of our free time exploring all the amazing cultural and social aspects of Buenos Aires. The staff at the hospital was also very lenient about allowing me to take time off so I was able to do a lot of traveling around Argentina and Uruguay. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone interested in travel, learning Spanish, and medicine. The program is really well run and organized. The local Connect-123 representative is really friendly and always available to help. Overall, I had a wonderful experience with Connect-123 and I absolutely loved Argentina.

Carly Henderson

My internship in Cape Town was an unforgettable experience. Connect-123 did a great job of matching me to an internship which suited my skills and interests which helped me slot in straight away with my co-workers. I attended weekly antibiotic stewardship ward rounds in adult burns, medical and surgical ICU and also paediatric ICU and had a number of projects to work on keeping me busy during my internship. The experience has helped me realise that whilst there are often financial constraints associated with healthcare, I have witnessed first-hand, that the right attitude goes a long way towards safeguarding the patients, even in low resource settings.  I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and feel inspired to seek improvements through innovation however small they may seem. The team and other participants at Connect-123 are extremely sociable and which really made sure I got the most out of my internship, both at work and in my spare time. Cape Town completely took me by surprise and exceeded all expectations with its beauty, adventure and culture. There are countless fun things to do, whatever your interests or budget. The more I learned about the city, the more I fell in love with it and the experience will stay with me forever.

Darlene Washington

Connect-123 created an amazing opportunity for me. I had the opportunity to spend 3 months in Buenos Aires doing things that I love. I did an internship at a public hospital, shadowing doctors. I had the opportunity to work in pediatrics, neonatology, and obstetrics. I was able to sit in on surgeries and get hands on experience with certain patients. Connect-123 provided me with the opportunity to experience what my career will be like in the future. I also had the chance to build my Spanish vocabulary and fluency. I built friendships with amazing people and learned interesting things about their culture. Going to Buenos Aires was a blessing for me and it was an experience I will never forget.

Lucy Morton

It’s difficult to sum up my two month experience in Cape Town without using the typical words amazing and unforgettable. Seriously, Cape Town is a beauty! As part of my 3 year scientist training programme in the UK, I was required to undertake a placement within a different field of healthcare in order to gain experience in a new environment. I love travelling and living abroad, and have always wanted to visit South Africa. Connect-123 provided an easy way for me to find an internship programme to fulfill the requirements of my training programme back home. Right from my initial enquiries they were so helpful and willing to find the perfect internship for me. They were able to match me to a placement focused upon infectious disease management and control, which was perfectly suited to my interests. Throughout my time they ensured that everything was going to plan and that I was enjoying it. Plus, they are all so friendly and helpful about the best things to do in the city! Although it’s possible to find an internship independently, Connect-123 allows you to meet and live with other interns, which is the best part about it! I have so many amazing memories from Cape Town and met a brilliant group of people to share my experiences with. I was able to go on insane adventures that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do if I completed an internship in the UK – e.g. shark cage diving, safari in Kruger National Park, abseiling Table Mountain! Cape Town is seriously the perfect place to intern – so many things to see/do, amazing food and of course so many wineries to visit!

Olivia Rogers

In five weeks Buenos Aires became the place in my dreams to the place of my dreams. Almost everyone asked me when I was here why I chose Buenos Aires, why I chose Argentina and I can't describe it, it just had this draw that made me want to go there so badly. Connect-123 allowed me to leave my bubble of Boulder, Colorado and experience one of the most stunning places I have ever been. It was also the fastest 5 weeks of my life and if I could do it over I would stay for as long as I could, many many months. I participated in a medical internship as an 18 year old who hadn’t even started college (so no medical training whatsoever). I worked at a public hospital which opened my eyes to a different type of medicine, more creative than what I was used to. I learned so much about the culture surrounding health and medicine from the doctors I worked with and it added to my want to pursue medicine. I was able to participate in gynecology, orthopedics, emergency, trauma, surgery, dermatology and oncology. I had the chance to bandage, remove bandages, cut off casts, help assist the patient after surgery, help put in catheters and interact with the patients in every other section. The surgeries I had the chance to observe were the removal of several tumors: colon and cervical, the implantation of a pacemaker, the amputation of toes and removal of parts of the colon. All the doctors were patient with me, always helping me to understand, practice my Spanish and engage with what was happening. My living situation was perfect, I couldn’t have asked for better and I became very close with many of my roommates. My house was unique in the way that I had people living with me from all over the world as well as people who were native to Argentina. There were people from Spain, Holland, France, Amsterdam, Scotland and the United States which was a very cool experience from the mix of cultures and backgrounds. I was taught how to play chess, had many delicious asados, had people constantly helping my Spanish, drank mate often and made many friends that I still talk with. My living situation was also incredible because of the location which made it easy to access the train, subway and bus system to get basically anywhere in Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires is also an incredible city and I was so lucky to have the time I did to barely graze what the city holds. Several of my highlights were my day trips to Tigre, visiting the Malba, eating empanadas and going to an amazing bar called Florería Atlántico. Connect-123 definitely helps out by providing activities to help you experience the best of the city. One experience that Connect-123 helped me participate in was Fuerza Bruta which I loved! In Buenos Aires, obviously the primary language is Spanish and if you want to become more fluent and more comfortable then it is an excellent place to do so! My Spanish improved so much and almost everyone in the city understands that you are learning and are appreciative that you are trying. (So if you are worried about the language barriers don’t be! Yes, it is hard and sometimes you will be frustrated but it gets easier). All in all I couldn’t have asked for a better experience: throughout all parts - my internship, my living situation, how Connect-123 assisted me throughout it all and the culture and city of Buenos Aires.

Alexandria Plant

Being part of Connect-123’s internship program was one of my best decisions I have ever made. I had always wanted to travel to Europe, so to be able to do so while pursuing my career path was an incredible opportunity for me. Soon enough, I found myself in Dublin taking in the Irish culture and taking full advantage of my journey. In Dublin, I got a fantastic internship at an organization that helps to design therapeutic and personalized approaches to cancer. I got to be a part of truly integral and prestigious research. I worked in a top-notch facility, both in a wet lab and in an office performing analyses on breast cancer cells. It was one of the greatest learning experiences of my life so far. My supervisors were incredibly patient and kind when it came to my experiences working with them and learning from them. Besides my internship, I was fortunate enough to have the weekends to take full advantage of all that Ireland had to offer. I was blessed to be able to travel around the country, seeing castles, cliffs, and countryside, while taking in the history of this magnificent place. I got to be fully immersed in the culture, which is something that was so important to me, especially being of Irish descent myself. This only added to my incredible time spent here. I am grateful for my summer internship with Connect-123, and it has been a wonderful life-changing experience that I will be forever grateful for.

Maureen Carney

My time in Cape Town, South Africa was absolutely indescribable. From the incredible people we met, to the breathtaking view of the mountain we woke up to every morning, Cape Town showed us its many treasures we were so fortunate to experience. The Connect-123 program allowed us to further these experiences through the support and guidance they dedicated to us throughout our time there. We were able to maintain a balance of excursions throughout the city and volunteering/service learning within health care settings and schools. Each and every day brought new learning curves and challenges, but also gave me valuable learning experiences that I will hold with me forever. I grew so much, personally and professionally, and I was able to expand my horizons beyond what I had already learned in the field of child life. I will never forget the children, families, and the people I met in Cape Town. I am honored to have been able to participate in this trip, and I am confident that I will be returning to Cape Town again one day!

Nicole Chandler

The summer of 2016 has been far from ordinary for me while in Dublin. I have been so fortunate to live in Dublin, have an amazing internship, explore Europe, and be exposed to new cultures. I have loved every second of it. I chose Dublin because it looked like a new and exciting country with beautiful views and hospital people and I didn’t have to learn a new language. I was offered an internship in a Dublin hospital's brain injury unit. The unit had thirteen residents that I quickly got to know. I was able to shadow Occupational Therapists and could also experience different units within the hospital. Every person I met was so kind and very helpful. I learned so much during my weeks in the hospital. Also being absorbed by the Irish culture was fantastic. I traveled all around Ireland as well as other countries. It was great to see new cultures, eat new food, and meet new people. I also met some amazing people living in the dorms with other interns. We could all share this great experience together. I would not trade this summer for anything and I owe it all to Connect-123. Thank you so much!

Fiona Chatterjee

Choosing to intern in Dublin through Connect-123 was one of the best decisions I have made. I always knew I wanted to study and/or intern abroad, and luckily for me, Connect-123 made it incredibly easy to find an internship in my field of choice. As a first-year college student with no true medical experience, I thought finding an internship in the health field would be extremely difficult, but thanks to Connect, I was able to intern in the Play Therapy Department at a local children's hospital. The internship itself was amazing; I had the opportunity to increase my confidence in my communication skills and to learn more about the different methods in which to interact with children and stimulate their emotional growth. In addition, simply living in Dublin was a wonderful experience. Exploring the city itself and its multitude of museums, churches, cafes, pubs, and historic buildings was immensely enjoyable; however, day trips to Galway, the Cliffs of Moher, and other areas of Ireland were also phenomenal. Lastly, the people I met during my stay in Ireland are some of the most amazing people I have ever met—the friends you make through Connect-123 become your friends for life. I cannot imagine a better experience for my first internship abroad and I would recommend Connect-123 to anyone interested in interning or volunteering abroad.

Grace Nie

My internship at Shanghai was undoubtedly one of the most rewarding experiences I've had in my life. Firstly, a big thank you to Connect-123 for speedily setting everything up and allowing me to not have to worry about anything. At my request, Connect-123 arranged this internship for me within the short duration of 2 weeks. My internship was at an international private hospital in Shanghai. At first, I assumed this internship would just be a long shadowing experience with just shadowing day after day. However, at the hospital, they arranged for me jobs according to my skill and allowed me to learn a lot more than I would have in any other hospital. Everyone was so welcoming and open, and the doctors were all very patient with me (they would explain every case and have a discussion with me after every visit). I also was able to shadow some surgeries while I was there, which were also great to watch. But most of all, I think what is great about the hospital is as long as you're eager to learn and show them your passion to learn more, they definitely will accommodate your desires. (Lunch was also super cheap, filling, and delicious.) Outside of work, the Connect-123 team was also very helpful and would set up weekly trips and dinners. I got to know some of the other interns, and you would be surprised at the variety of people and internships you'll see there. Shanghai is a very vibrant and exhilarating city with lots to explore (and eat), so you definitely won't be bored as long as you're willing to get out there. Thanks again for this invaluable opportunity, Connect-123!

Christine De’Antonis

I couldn’t have asked for a better experience during my four months in Cape Town. I gained professional experience through my internship at the Groote Schuur Hospital as well as increased cultural awareness through my everyday social encounters. I had a lot of fun both during my job, interacting with patients and coworkers, and outside of work exploring the city and South Africa as a whole. I gained a well-rounded experience through Connect-123 achieving job exposure as well as enjoyment. My internship in the Cardiothoracic Surgery Department at Groote Schuur definitely provided me with medical exposure that I would have had difficulty finding in the United States. My primary responsibility was to work on a clinical trial research project that compared two different types of mechanical valves used in valve replacement surgeries. On top of this I was able to interact with patients, attend ward rounds, observe both cardiac and thoracic surgeries and assist with some responsibilities within the ward. My coworkers were all extremely friendly which made going to work enjoyable, and all of the consultants, registrars, and medical students were more than willing to teach us each day, which allowed me to learn so much about cardiothoracics and medical practice as a whole. Upon entering this internship, I hadn’t quite had my mind made up about whether or not I wanted to pursue a career in medicine, but after this experience I now know that this is what I want to do in life. On top of this, my time spent outside of my internship was wonderful. I made so many new friends from all over the world and I felt that I was able to fully immerse myself in the culture of Cape Town. Connect-123 set up numerous social events that made meeting other interns very easy, and they made sure that no one ever felt lonely in the foreign city. Over the four months I was able to do everything from bungee jumping in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, to hiking numerous mountains surrounding Cape Town, to wine tasting in the vineyards, and so much more. I had the experience of a lifetime through this program and I am so grateful to have received this opportunity.

Jessica Christopherson

I spent four incredible months in Buenos Aires as an intern with Connect-123. During this time I had the opportunity to study Spanish, intern at a public hospital in Buenos Aires, and of course, travel to different regions of Argentina. What stood out the most for me were the people I met and the experiences I had while working as an intern at the hospital. I have worked as a nurse in the US for the past 10 years and I can honestly say that I gained more insight and knowledge in these past months than I could have ever hoped for. The doctors, residents and hospital staff not only went out of their way to educate and answer any questions I had (which were a lot), but they did it with the most positive attitude and a smile on their face, despite my less than perfect Spanish. This experience has been eye-opening and enlightening, to say the least! I will be forever grateful to have had this experience, and for Connect-123 for being so professional and assisting with everything I needed to ensure that I had the best experience possible. Thanks again to the local program coordinator and the rest of the staff at Connect-123!

Natalie Eidson

After I graduated, I wanted to volunteer in a hospital in Spain. I researched several organizations until I came across Connect-123. I am very glad I went with Connect-123 and would recommend them to anyone. They were able to provide me with exactly what I was looking for and were with me every step of the way. After arriving alone in Barcelona, it was very comforting to know that I had people here who cared about my safety, people I could reach out to. From the beginning to the end of my stay in Barcelona, I could not have asked for a better experience. The pediatric hospital I worked at for two months was just what I was hoping it would be. Every day I was there had an impact on me and I was able to meet some amazing people along the way. Not only that, but I also gained valuable cultural experience and was able to improve my Spanish a lot. The group events hosted by the program coordinators were fun to attend and a great way to make friends. I’ve made many lasting memories and owe it to the trip that was made possible by Connect-123.

Tasha Heller

By the time my two months is Argentina came to an end I did not want to leave, and ever since I left Buenos Aires I’ve been aching to return. Connect-123 helped provide me with one of the most incredible, life-changing opportunities that I could have ever imagined. At the beginning I was a bit overwhelmed. Buenos Aires is a large, bustling city that is full of passion and tons of life. During my stay, my coordinator arranged my housing to be with local Argentine students, per my request, and they were extremely welcoming. I loved rooming with people outside of the Connect program because not only was I able to hang out with people from Connect-123 via the weekly programs, socials, and events but I also got the unique taste of the native lifestyle. I went to Argentina wanting to immerse myself within the culture of the people, and I certainly did. Argentina is so diverse and I wish I could have stayed longer than two months. During that time I explored all the cafés nestled within the city, learned how to Tango, visited one of the Wonders of the World, ate an unlimited number of empanadas, and spent afternoons with friends and mate. Of course, I went to Argentina for an internship experience. My internship was one of the greatest parts of my stay. It exposed me to a new level within the career that I hope to pursue and certainly deepened my passion to reach my future goals. I am extremely thankful for the Connect-123 family and this experience that it provided me. I cannot wait to return to Buenos Aires and to meet up with all the amazing people I’ve met!

Kin yi (Celine) Tsui

Before going to Buenos Aires, I had two main goals: to do well at my placement and improve my Spanish. After 3.5 months in Buenos Aires, I was able to accomplish those two goals and a whole lot more. My placement in a rehabilitation clinic allowed me to work along with occupational therapists and physical therapists. While being fairly proficient in Spanish, Argentina's Castellano surely challenged me throughout my time there. Nevertheless, I quickly learned the many slang words that the porteños (locals) use and build many new relationships inside and outside of my internship. I still keep in contact via email with one of the lovely patient I met there! Buenos Aires is truly a beautiful city filled with wonderful food, parks, artisan and food markets, museums, endless cafes to linger around, and let me mention, more FOOD! Be careful of how much empanadas, dulce de leche or medialunas you eat because I surely gained a few pounds leaving BA. You'll meet people from all over the world, but do your best to meet the locals! One of my favorite experience there was joining a dance studio and being able to perform at one of the theaters with the locals. They surely made a difference during my time there. Connect-123 provides you with all the information and help for your internship and your life abroad. You have everything you need at hand and it's surely up to you to make your time abroad unforgettable!

Kristen Nuttall

My internship experience in Cape Town was the best five months of my life. As a nursing student, I worked in a pediatric orthopedic hospital and learned more than I thought possible. I was able to work with the children and learn nursing skills in the wards. Additionally, I went on ward rounds with doctors, participated in a club foot clinic, and worked in surgery two days a week. The doctors and nurses I worked with were incredibly kind and went out of their way to teach me so many things. Not a day at work went by without me learning or doing something new. Outside of work, I had the most wonderful time exploring Cape Town. It is a beautiful city with an endless amount of things to do. I hiked mountains, went to an infinite amount of food and shopping markets, visited incredible beaches, went to wine farms, surfed…the list could go on forever. I also had the opportunity to fly up to Zambia and see Victoria Falls. Best of all, I made amazing friends who I know will be my friends for life. The staff at Connect-123 was very helpful anytime that I needed them! I felt like I could always pop up to their office if I needed questions or advice. The activities that they did for us also helped me meet other interns and explore the city. I would not trade this experience in Cape Town for anything. I am grateful beyond words for the most amazing five months that I have ever had.

Roshni Bhat

This past summer, I had the wonderful opportunity to intern abroad in Barcelona at a pediatric hospital. Working at the hospital and living in Barcelona for two months has taught me so much about myself, my future goals, and life in general. I learned to live on my own in a breathtakingly beautiful, lively country while gaining first-hand clinical experience. While at the hospital, I would keep the patients occupied while they awaited their chemotherapy treatments, and during these times I was able to interact with the children and their families. Through our conversations, I learned so much about the European healthcare system, life in Barcelona, and beyond that, I learned what coping with cancer is like for these families.

During the internship, I improved my Spanish greatly. Due to the nature of the internship, my day-to-day schedule was entirely based around communicating and socializing with others, so Spanish was key. This experience has reinvigorated my drive and passion to become a pediatric doctor. Outside of the internship, I was able to travel on the weekends with friends from the program. I travelled to Milan, Genoa, Marrakech, Cinque Terre, Sevilla, Madrid, and Toledo. The experiences, the sights, the food, and the great company made for the best summer of my life. I will definitely be returning to Barcelona in the future!

Dan Cao

Connect-123 gave me the opportunity to work in a Mandarin-speaking environment which was one of the most valuable experiences I have ever had in my life. Not only that, Connect-123 helped me to grow accustomed to the culture Shanghai as well as bring me closer together with other Connect-123 participants. Although I wished to spend more time in Shanghai, my 2 month-experience was well worth it. It was all thanks to the team, especially the coordinator, who helped us through the process so that we can focus on the thrills and joys of the whole experience.