Reviews

Zachary Winters

This past summer I had the wonderful opportunity to take part in biomedical research as an internship in Dublin, Ireland. I had previously been to Dublin before in the past and loved my time there, but was truly blessed to be able to fully immerse myself in Irish culture for a whole summer. Whether visiting the Cliffs of Moher, exploring the various local pubs, or lazily relaxing with my fellow interns, the memories gained on this trip will last a lifetime. All of the skills and experience gained throughout my internship this past summer were too numerous to count. Even more importantly, however, were the connections I made with not only people at my internship, but with fellow Connect-123 interns. The relationships gained and the experience as a whole will be something I never forget, and I am very thankful I was able to take part in such an amazing opportunity.

Sharon Wohl

I spent the fall semester of my senior year interning in Dublin, Ireland. I volunteered at a youth centre and got to interact with children ages 6-18 in a variety of ways including leadership, sports, art, and music. I was given a lot of responsibility within the centre and even took charge of the art projects we lead for the after school program. My experiences working with the youth of Dublin will greatly benefit my career within the helping professional field. In addition to my internship, I also travelled all around Ireland. From the lively city of Dublin, to what seems like 'the end of the world' in the west at the Cliffs of Moher, to the historical city of Belfast in the north, the picturesque coastline of the south and all the rolling green hills in between. Whether I was listening to live music in a pub, eating stew and brown bread or planning for the next adventure, I had a smile on my face throughout it all and I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Ireland. Interning through Connect-123 is an excellent way to gain knowledge, learn about other cultures, travel, and access skills to be used towards future jobs.

Lisa Bellmann

My dream of living and working abroad came true when I stayed in Dublin for three months. Connect-123 was a huge help during the whole time. The application process was very easy and fast and everyone involved was really friendly. They helped finding a great internship for me – I worked in an aquarium in a customer-facing role. This really helped improving my English and was a very interesting way of gaining new skills in the field of education. I was involved in the work with children and special-needs groups and learned a lot about marine life and conservation. Apart from this I loved discovering Dublin and the rest of Ireland. Connect-123 also organized social events which took place almost every week (like hiking, going on daytrips or just meeting in a restaurant or for a few pints!) and helped with housing, transportation and any question about the city itself. All in all, I can say that Connect did an amazing job and helped me make the most out of my time in Ireland. I will never forget my time on this beautiful island and the friends I met here.

Sara Fahlmark

During my time in Dublin, I interned at an organization working with at-risk inner city Dublin kids. I worked on a program that focuses on keeping kids/youth from entering the justice system, or to keep them from reoffending. I was able to learn so many skills, and put my knowledge of things I’ve learned in college into practice. Connect-123 was extremely helpful in placing me in my internship and connecting me with support all around Dublin and within my intern host organization. Although I already knew people in Dublin, Connect-123 did an excellent job at bringing the interns together and organizing trips. The accommodation was amazing and a great location. I would highly recommend other college students to intern with Connect-123.

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.

Brian Hanks

I’ll start of by simply saying… what an experience! I started this crazy journey about 3 months before we actually took off to Dublin, and to be fair, I was a bit leery at first. I knew I would get an internship, but I was unsure how ‘customized’ Connect-123 was going to be able to get. There’s a few programs out there that offer internship abroad programs, but I was a bit nervous that I had chosen the right one for me. However, all nerves went out the door the minute I began speaking with Lea and her team. They took the time to listen to exactly what I was requesting and continued to probe further to insure their plans matched up with my goals. The internship I accepted was one of the most rewarding job experiences I have had to date. Mainly because it wasn’t just some fetch coffee and run copies internship, but instead, one where I could actually gain real world experience and even put forth plenty of ideas on my own. My coworkers were extremely helpful, and my boss was someone I could go to any time for questions and was someone who I consistently learned from. It was very apparent that the Connect-123 staff didn’t just match me with the first company they spoke to, but instead matched me with a company that they felt I would excel at….and they were right! The other major part that made this such a rewarding summer was the family feel that you get from the people you meet in the Connect-123 program. Each individual is from a different part of the country or world, and as the summer progresses you have the ability to get closer and closer to people you would have never had the opportunity to meet before. This bond started from the first week we arrived in Dublin when we all attended a C-123 event and carried on throughout the entire summer. It was so great being able to come back after a long day of work to an apartment complex where all of your new friends are staying and each of them have had a similar day to yours. The apartments we stayed at started off as nice campus dorms, but grew into a real community of individuals I can now call my friends. The last thing I would like to add or share with anybody considering C-123 is to just remember you get out of this experience just as much as you put in. Start off by communicating with the team as much as possible. This only helps them match you with the best company for you possible and will make you happier in the end. Once you get to your worksite, apply yourself and always be eager to take on new tasks or try new things. And lastly, attend as many Connect-123 events as you can. They already know the city you are in extremely well and the events are well planned, fun, and sometimes even more affordable than if you went without C-123. Wrapping up here, I would definitely recommend Connect-123 to anybody considering interning abroad and I couldn’t be happier with the service and experience I got from all those involved.

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!

Brittney Frehner

As I reflect back on the past 6 months, to all the experiences I’ve had, places I’ve seen, and humans I have come to love, my heart has become immensely... fat. It’s hard to explain how much love I feel for the world and for the people I have met, but I can tell you that my heart has grown at least 17 sizes. If we were to see it in an x-ray, it absolutely would not fit! Not only have I come to know and love myself better, but I have come to know and love ALL humans better. My time here has given me new lifelong friendships, everlasting memories, and irreplaceable experiences. I am immensely saddened to be leaving this extraordinary place that I consider my second home and family. It truly is a strange feeling. Leaving everything to come to Ireland was different as I knew that it would all be there when I returned, but leaving here-- I don’t know when or if I will have the opportunity to return. I don’t know when or if I will ever see the many humans I have come to love. But, I am ever so grateful for the influence they have all had in my life. I leave them feeling as if I have known them for ages. And what a wonderful feeling that is. I will miss my time in Ireland immensely, but it will be good to go home. To go back and share what I have learned and what I have seen to those who may not ever have the chance to do what I have done. To go back to share and spread the happiness I’ve gained and to make the world just a little bit happier and just a little bit brighter, and hopefully a little bit better. (It’s a shame I can’t bring back all the milk and cows with me!! I’m positive they are the solution to world peace.) If you have the chance and the opportunity to take a leap of faith and live in a different land- DO IT. And if you have the chance to do so for more than 3 months, oh my goodness, please please please DO IT. The time goes by way too fast and when you hit three months, you’re just barely getting to know the place. Unless you don’t want to be heartbroken when it’s time to leave, I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Morgan Greenberg

Making the big decision to come to Dublin for the summer was very scary. I didn't know if I would enjoy my internship, meet any friends, or even like the city! Gladly, right after arriving all of my worries were put to rest. Through my time in Dublin, I grew professionally through my internship and was able to feel a sense of independence I never had before. From the start, Connect-123 was there to promptly answer any questions or concerns I had every step of the way. They set me up with an internship that was fit exactly for me. I was fortunate to work for a small PR firm in Dublin that markets to women. The internship allowed me to learn so much about the PR world and decide it is what I want to pursue after graduation. Through Connect-123, I made lifelong friends. We bonded through weekend adventures and a love for all of the opportunities Dublin had for us. I would not change one thing about my experience and I am so thankful to Connect-123 for this amazing opportunity.

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.

Jake Kohler

There’s a fine line many undergraduates like to walk along: traveling and working on something relevant to their major. Most end up doing one or the other. Connect-123 not only makes both possible, but also makes the experience seamless. Yes, you have to fill out a number of papers, but I can’t imagine anybody looking back and thinking, “man, Dublin would’ve been so much cooler if we didn’t have to fill out those applications.” Pick from any of Connect-123’s cities, tell them what you’re interested in, and sit back and relax. My coordinators kept me well-informed about what they needed from me, when a new offer came in, how to use the bus system, where to get groceries, etc. There was barely a moment of confusion during my internship experience. My internship consisted of working in an Astrophysics Research Group at a leading Irish university with six Ph.D. students. I studied the effects of solar storms on earth’s magnetic field. As it turns out, my coworkers were some of the best people I met during my experience. Often, we would stay afterhours to play games, or on lazy Friday, during hours. You might find the European work ethic appealing. That isn’t to say that work was easy. At times, I found myself unable to find the flaw in my coding algorithm. Fortunately, everyone was there to help. I got a real impression of what physics graduate school would be like, my main educational goal for my time in Dublin. When you arrive in a new country, you instantly notice some differences: people driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road, cashiers expecting a different currency, and in some cases (but not mine) citizens speaking an unknown language. However, the best differences, in my opinion, are the ones you learn after a night out drinking with your coworkers or the first time you hear the Irish bagpipes in the oldest pub in North Dublin with your newly befriended roommates. How many of these subtle contrasts you pick up on is in direct proportion to how long your internship is. As an avid traveler, I understand the desire to go to every historic city in Europe and every mountaintop around the globe, but there is something extra you gain when you live in a foreign city for an extended period of time: an in depth, genuine feel of the culture. You may find yourself coming back to your home country (or not!) with a few new slang terms, and a broader acceptance of peoples’ points of view.

Charlotte Ramos

Dublin will always have very special place in my heart for various reasons. Living and interning in Dublin for 3 months flew by because I experienced so much in this short time. When I first arrived in Dublin, it certainly was a culture-shock, but more so an environment and weather-shock! Going from sunny Los Angeles to windy and cloudy Dublin certainly was a drastic change for me, but I absolutely loved it! Connect-123 made my dream of living and interning abroad come true, and they made it a very simple process. The team made me feel confident that they would find me a placement that I would enjoy, and that they truly cared for my experience interning in a foreign country. Choosing Ireland was the perfect place for me to intern abroad, and that is all thanks to Connect-123, and the internship placement they found me. My internship was amazing, and is what I will miss most about Dublin. I worked as an Operations Manager for a local business improvement district. I gained a lot of skills that I did not expect to, and feel well-rounded in the public policy sector from the city council’s perspective to the businesses that keep the city’s economy flowing. My job was such a great fit, and made me feel very welcome. By my second day of work my boss took me aside to talk a bit with me and see what exactly I wanted to get out of my internship, and what my interests were. The organization really felt more like a family, and I shared so many good times with them, they took me into the team and made me feel like I had been working there for years. It was so cool to be “behind the scenes” for major events that took place in Dublin during my stay, such as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and the 1916 Easter Rising Commemoration. So, round of applause to Connect -23 because without them I would not have met so many amazing people that I will miss so much! I also recently found out that I have been accepted to three graduate degree programs I applied to, and each university was sure to let me know that they were highly impressed with my international internship, and it is a big part of why they accepted me!

Amanda Maxon

The internship with Connect-123 was a wonderful and life rewarding program. I emailed them with an initial inquiry and within a week I had all of my paperwork filled out. I am so glad I decided to participate in this program for Spring 2016 in Dublin. I was looking for an internship that dealt with agriculture which is pretty had to find when you do not have a lot of experience besides school work. But Connect-123 found me an internship with a major university in Dublin in which I was able to intern as a research assistant in the Food and Agriculture department. It was difficult at first trying to find housing and figuring out how to get around in Dublin. But with the help of Connect-123 I was able to figure out where I needed to go. The internship allowed me to gain more experience outside of work, such as participating in an otter survey in which I was interviewed for a radio program, bird ringing, and other events such as seminars and school field trips. I am so glad I took this opportunity to learn and see the world!

Deborah Carlin

Choosing to go abroad was one of the best decisions I ever made, and Dublin was the perfect place to do it. I was very nervous about being so far from home, but adjusting to life in Dublin wasn’t difficult at all! Everyday I would discover new things about the city and about Irish culture that made me realize how special of a place Dublin is, and how lucky I was to be there. The internship I had was a great fit, and provided me with so many opportunities – I now have more environmental fieldwork experience, and I am able to say that I have worked with an international organization and with people of other cultures. I even gained skills I didn’t expect to, such as public speaking and administration. Connect-123 was very responsive to everything I asked for, and they made sure that I was comfortable in my internship and housing location. Although I was only in Dublin for 10 weeks, I can’t imagine not having this experience. I have made friends and memories that will last a lifetime!

Amy Barlow

Wow! I cannot believe how fast the 2 months went. I didn’t know what to expect when I left America to fly to Ireland. I had heard great things about the people and how friendly they are. I did have some concerns traveling to Ireland but those fears vanished when I got to Dublin. I started out in a group house close to the city center but soon realized that I should be closer to my job. So I moved into a house about 20 minutes away from my internship. It was perfect. At my internship, I soon realized the magnitude of the job and all of the work that had to be done. Luckily, my co-worker and my boss were very understanding and patient in helping me navigate my way through the job. I can’t thank Connect 123 enough for this adventure that I embarked on. All of the staff of Connect 123 really made it an easy transition from America to Ireland. Our Connect 123 contact also had outings for all of the students in the program to meet and get to know each other. My favorite outing would have to be the Bunsen Burgers night (even though I was late). The burgers were delicious and I met girls from all around the world. I am sad now to leave this wonderful city of Dublin, but have a yearning to come back to Dublin and continue where I left off. I have had many adventures in this city from getting lost trying to get to O’Connell Bridge to trying to figure out the bus system. Even though, I was not here for very long all of my ventures will be with me when I return to Washington, DC, to start my next adventure….a job. I will never forget Ireland and will be back to visit soon!

Maris Quagliata

Connect-123 has really done something out of the ordinary. Not only was I able to get a well rounded internship and was helped with finding housing and the best route to work, I was also able to make some amazing memories. This group set me up with an internship at a professional photography studio, which I learned helpful skills in running a business as well as how to take pictures and how to have pictures taken of you. Outside of the internship, Connect does a wonderful job of bringing together the other interns. We all go out on tours, trips, or even just to grab a pint. We always have fun, I've made some wonderful friends here. Dublin is a beautiful city and I'm very lucky to have had the experiences I have here because of Connect-123.

Alisha Webber

Interning abroad in Dublin taught me more than I ever thought or hoped going into the experience. Not only did I learn so many new things about my field in social work at my internship, but I learned a lot about myself and many other cultures. I got the opportunity to meet and live with people from different countries and made lifelong friends in the process. I come from a small town and learning about how other people live around the world was so fascinating to me. I thought going into this I would only learn more about social work from a different aspect but I never thought I would learn so much about myself and I never imagined making as many amazing people along the way. It was truly a life changing experience and I will always be thankful for Connect-123 for helping me make this step forward in my life and future career! Thanks Connect-123!

Dylan Rhinehart

Working in Dublin was truly a wonderful experience. The staff of Connect-123 really go out of their way to set you up with an internship that meets your desires and are very helpful. From day one upon your arrival, they make sure that you are comfortable and are immersed in your new home. Dublin is truly a fun and vibrant city. The locals are friendly and welcoming and know how to enjoy themselves. The placement the team found me was also amazing. My experience working in a well known recruitment agency throughout Ireland was greatly beneficial to my professional growth and my employment opportunities in the future. My supervisors were of great help and were patient with my development throughout my time with the company. It is an experience that I am truly thankful for and will never forget. I would recommend to anyone else, especially students, to give Connect-123 a chance, they will not regret it.

Erin Ellis

How can I even begin to describe my time spent in Dublin? I learned so much from my internship in Ireland in just 3 short months. I was lucky enough to work for a sports organization in Ireland, and there I had the pleasure of meeting the most wonderful people, who taught me an amazing amount about the industry that I will take with me forever. Connect-123 really made this a seamless process, and was there for me every step of the way. I had reservations at first, since it was a big step, and my first time out of the United States. However, Connect-123 made me feel very welcome and right at home. Ireland is a place I will never forget, everyone told me that the people in Ireland would be the friendliest people I would ever meet, and I assumed that was an exaggeration. I am happy to say though, I was wrong. Everyone you meet here truly wants to help you have the best experience. I will definitely leave part of my heart in Ireland, but I will take the lessons I have learned professionally, as well as socially, with me for the rest of my days. I can honestly say I had the greatest adventure of my life, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

Hanna Hard

What to say about my experience in Dublin? Honestly, I was scared to write this testimonial because it isn't possible to convey in words how magical my summer was. Upon my arrival in Dublin, I was nervous: what would my roommates be like? Would my job be hard? Too easy? How is the food? Would I get homesick? -- All of the questions you'd imagine having in a new country, I had. My worries quickly vanished. The people I met while living in the Connect-123 accommodation are now some of my dearest friends. We explored together, ate together, drank together, and laughed together every single day.

Being in a foreign city can be intimidating, but when you're surrounded by people going through the same experience, strong bonds form and nothing is scary anymore. My internship connected me with people from around the world, and everyone was very welcoming! I walked through one of the world's most beautiful universities every day, and I worked on science that I was truly interested in. It gave me valuable work experience that now feeds my success back at school. The community I joined when I embarked on my Connect-123 journey is a community of adventure. When adventurous people come together, lasting friendships are sure to be made. That is exactly what happened for me. Dublin will always hold a special, golden place in my heart.”