Reviews

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!

Emily Kim

My time in Buenos Aires was nothing but amazing. I always knew that I wanted to go to medical school, but was never sure which field of medicine I wanted to pursue. Connect-123 catered to my need by finding me an internship that allowed me to shadow doctors from all departments of the hospital. All of the doctors encouraged me to ask questions, pushed me to practice more Spanish, and always explained the diagnosis and treatments. I learned a lot about patient care and also formed relationships with the patients. Furthermore, I found a passion for orthopedic surgery during my internship and part of my gratitude goes towards Connect-123.

Not only do they provide support in regards to the internship, but they also tended to my overall well-being. Any questions I had about traveling, cultural events/outings, nightlife, etc, could be asked. My smooth transition to becoming a temporary resident of Buenos Aires was made possible by the Connect-123 representative here. I strongly believe that every person needs to visit Buenos Aires at least once in his/her lifetime!

I definitely will miss this beautiful city and all of the friends I made here.

Jenifer Obrigewitch

I chose to intern in Buenos Aires knowing not much more than that I wanted to improve my Spanish skills while gaining medical experience. I didn’t realize until I got to Argentina that I was in for so much more than that! The city is full of beautiful parks, art, architecture, and food. The friendly porteños are always excited to share their culture and tell you about the most up-and-coming places to visit.

At the hospital, the entire staff was incredible and I have learned a lot. Listening to and speaking with both doctors and patients has improved my Spanish, or Castellano as it is referred to locally, an incredible amount. Rotating amongst the different departments has developed my medical knowledge in a large amount of areas.

Working in a public hospital, I have been exposed to people that come from many different backgrounds and it has really opened my eyes to the wide variety of living conditions throughout not only one country, but the world. On the other hand, in my time abroad I have also experienced the similarities between people, regardless of culture. 

Katie Boehm

The experience I had in Cape Town was an amazing one, both from an internship point of view as well as living in this exciting city. I did the 4 week Clinical Internship at Victoria Hospital. The hospital patient base tends to be people from people on the lower end of the socioeconomic scale so you get to see a wide variety of cases that you would not necessarily be exposed to back in your home country. I got to shadow ward rounds in internal medicine, paediatrics, tuberculosis wards, view procedures and surgeries as well as outpatient clinics. In addition to these experiences, you are able to give back to the hospital through projects and in my case I worked on an electronic medical record system as well as clinical trial screenings. The experience definitely cemented my desire to go into medicine. Other than the internship, Cape Town is a great city to be in. There is beautiful scenery and activities all around. I hiked to my heart's content, went cage diving with great white sharks, went on safari, ate my way through the amazing food options, and did a Garden Route road trip with friends I made through Connect. If you have any problems deciding what to do, the staff plan great socials and love to have you visit, answering any questions you may have. Overall you won't regret the time you spend here in Cape Town.

Brianna Mastromarino

I first visited Dublin while traveling Europe during study abroad. After spending only a few days in the city, I knew I wanted to return for an extended stay. I was incredibly fortunate to find that Connect-123 would not only provide a means for my return to Dublin, but would also allow me to work at an internship pertinent to my field of study. I spent this past summer working in a cancer research institute at a highly respectable university. Even though I didn’t have much experience in lab work, the people I worked with were incredibly informative and happy to help. Since returning from Ireland, I have successfully applied to medical school, and at all of my interviews for admission I was asked about my research in Dublin. The time spent outside of my internship was also incredibly valuable. I met amazing people, both Irish and American, and have already returned to Dublin to visit friends. I will never forget the excursions around Ireland, offering some of the most beautiful sites I have ever seen. The Irish people are very friendly and it is easy to feel at home in this charming and lively city. I am very grateful to Connect-123 for providing the opportunity to live and intern in Dublin.

Chelsea Casey

Don't speak Spanish? Is it holding you back from coming to South America? Do you feel like you will not be able to have the same experience with little to no Spanish? Have no fear, I am proof that you will indeed reach the highest level of happiness and satisfaction interning in this beautiful country. Let me first say that when I was thinking about interning abroad I was fearful that my Spanish skills were not advanced enough to survive in a medical setting. Although the first couple days I was still fearful, Connect 123 helped me in ways I cannot thank them enough for. They set me up with a healthcare provider that spoke English who translated for me most the time. I will say, being in this position is not easy but extremely rewarding. Connect set me up with an awesome Spanish learning center that helped me improved my interpersonal skills tremendously! In no time I was able to speak with patients and providers! Aside from the language barrier obstacle, I have to point out that out of all the internships I've done, this internship set me up with a hospital that will forever have a special place in my heart. The amount of love and support the Hospital provided me was something I did not know was possible! They were extremely helpful, teachable, and patient. I met so many wonderful doctors, specialists, and residents who let me assist in procedures, shadow surgeries, consultations, the list goes on! What I brought back to the states was not only new skills and medical knowledge, but excitement and a new found love in healthcare. Connect 123 was so organized, professional, and willing to help whenever I needed them. I will forever be grateful for Connect 123 and the public Hospital. I would do it all over again!

Cindy Tran

Connect-123 helped me find an opportunity to work in a public hospital working with children. I have never travelled by myself before let alone live in a foreign city for two months! However, the people at Connect-123 were so caring, kind and helpful. They would make sure everything is all set before your arrival, helping you feel comfortable when you arrive and they would also meet up with you during your stay to make sure everything is going ok. They also plan events so you can easily meet other interns/volunteers. The opportunity to work as an intern at the public hospital I worked at was extremely valuable. Though I did know some basic Spanish before my arrival, working at the hospital really forced me to speak/understand Spanish because no one really spoke English. Being able to communicate with patients in Spanish, specifically in a health care setting is so beneficial - I am thankful for this experience. Buenos Aires itself, I miss this city and the people everyday. It really is the Paris of South America. Not only is it a beautiful city with a lot of culture and trust me, a crazy nightlife, you will one way or another become friends with a local and or other people travelling/working/studying abroad from all over the world. It is really nice to have international connections, making friends and memories that will last a lifetime. I would also recommend travelling around Argentina during the weekends! It's a win/win. You gain international work experience and travel when you don't work. My summer in Buenos Aires is the best summer of my life and really changed my life.  

Christina Koehler

Draining spider bites and tango dancing—not two things that I would usually associate together. That is, not until I completed an internship through Connect-123 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I interned in a hospital for two months, and it was hands down one of the most worthwhile, exciting, and informative times of my life. My internship was not only suited to my academic interests in nursing and Spanish, but also to my personality as I was able to form relationships with both patients and doctors. I shocked myself with the realization that I want to pursue trauma nursing, a discovery that came through the hands-on work that the doctors allowed me to do. Besides the placement for my internship, Connect-123 was also helpful in helping me connect with peers. Buenos Aires is a huge city, and it can be intimidating to go in alone. Connect-123 set up both my housing and different cultural events, like tango, that allowed me to meet fellow interns that became close friends. I could write all day about the incredible experiences I had in Argentina. Many thanks to Connect-123 for providing a home away from home.  

Tanya Nanthakumar

Deciding to travel to Cape Town was a big step for me. I’ve travelled before, but there was always someone on the other end to receive me and show me around. Connect123 and the lovely ladies in Cape Town made sure that my stay was safe, fun and memorable. My 4-week internship at a secondary hospital was completely eye opening. Learning how the health care system in Cape Town worked and being around such knowledgeable doctors and nurses was a privilege. What I learned was not just medical facts and assessments, but real life lessons that I will carry with me for many years. I didn’t feel like an outsider, but a part of the team. Cape Town as a tourist was riveting. Though it was July and slightly cold, I quickly adjusted and found myself enraptured by my surroundings. Perspectives, being right in city center, provided me with a gorgeous view of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head and Signal Hill. My roommates were amazing and we would attend any of the events Connect123 held, such as the Langa Township Tour and Social night. These events allowed us to meet the other interns and form lasting friendships. All in all, my experience with Connect123 was amazing. The support was constant and amazing. If you asked me if I would ever go back to Cape Town in the future, my answer would be an immediate, irrevocable “yes”.

Katie Sumpter

My experience in Cape Town is something I would never trade. I had a better time there than I could have imagined. I was able to work side by side with doctors who were very willing to teach me anything and everything. There was a lot of medical students as well, which just showed how great a teaching environment the hospital had. There was some great hands on experience as well as plenty of time to observe. Even if nothing too exciting was going on in the hospital, someone was always willing to help us find something new and interesting to see. I liked learning about the differences between government hospitals and private hospitals and comparing them to ones back home. Going to a different continent on my own was a new adventure for me. I was  a bit nervous. But Connect-123 provides a great way to meet people, and I made friends in no time; because after all, most everyone is in the same boat. We all were excited to explore a new place and squeeze as much fun as we could in the short time we had. I was able to travel around on the weekends and see and do things I don't get to see at home in Iowa. I bungee-jumped of the highest bungee in the world; I visited the southern most tip of Africa where two oceans meet; I saw penguins; climbed mountains and watch the sunset AND sunrise. The scenery in South Africa is absolutely stunning. There were definitely challenges along the way and I really learned to get out of my comfort zone and see what kind of person I can be when thrown into a whole new way of life. I can't wait until I have another chance to get to travel abroad!

Laurie Green

I came to Cape Town in order to accompany my husband on a medical residency elective, and chose Connect-123 in large part because - being a large organization - they seemed well-resourced, and very experienced in placing visiting students. I wasn't sure whether my one-month opportunity would be as fruitful as my husband's, but was pleasantly surprised at how much I was taught. During my placement, he and I were able to better dialogue about hospital-based stroke care (my interest) as well as general differences in health care education between South Africa and our home country. We learned much, and were humbled by the broad set of skills/knowledge many of the clinicians in Cape Town had/have. In the end, it was one step in the direction of potentially serving a health care system outside our own in the longer-term, and seeing where our home country's system fits into the global health care community. I would encourage future volunteers to really dive in to the health care placements with a posture of humility, an eagerness to learn, and an excitement for what is - truly - a good experience. Come with a good attitude, and you'll really be rewarded. Thanks, Connect, and thanks to my host hospital.

Brooke Axness

Spending my summer in Cape Town was one of the greatest decisions I have ever made. I remember looking into programs for months, trying to decide where to go and what program to go through. With so many options out there it was pure luck that I came across Connect-123’s internships in Cape Town. As a Biology major, I was looking for something healthcare-related to gain experience in. My internship was with a Hospital doing research and doing some shadowing. It was a great fit! I was very happy with the opportunity I was given, and can honestly say I learned SO much! I felt as if I walked away with so much new knowledge that will definitely give me an advantage later. As for my free time, I was not even bored for one second during the entire two months I was in Cape Town. There is so much to do and see that you always have options. One of my favorite things I did was the Garden Route with my friends. We saw so much in one weekend that it was almost exhausting!! We also were huge fans of the Old Biscuit Mill, which we regularly attended every Saturday. Food was phenomenal- I no doubt gained weight while there! They have everything and its ALL GOOD. I highly recommend considering Cape Town if you are looking to do an international internship, you will not regret it I can promise you that! Best summer of my life hands down.

Kate Flanagan

When I signed up for Connect-123's Dublin internship program I had never traveled abroad before, much less lived and worked abroad for 8 weeks. I had always wanted to visit Ireland and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to do so while getting some work experience at the same time. But I was worried--about navigating a foreign country, about not knowing any of the people traveling with me, and about whether my internship would be a good fit. Facing those fears led to some of the most rewarding experiences of my life. As a neuroscience student interested in a research career, I was seeking placement in a lab where I could learn some new lab procedures and practice my scientific writing skills. Connect-123 found me a great internship at a neuroimmunology research lab. My coworkers were friendly, my work was interesting, there was always something to do, and I gained an understanding of the subject matter that supplemented and strengthened what I'd learned in my classes. Outside the lab, I found myself exploring Dublin and the rest of the country both on my own and with the new friends I made in the Connect-123 program. I've come back feeling more confident in myself, more useful in the lab, and more cognizant of the world outside the US.

Ashley Roig

Before my arrival to Buenos Aires, I was extremely nervous (anyone would be!). I spoke little Spanish and knew no one in Argentina. Upon meeting my Connect-123 advisor, all those nervous feelings melted away! She made me feel completely comfortable and told me to embrace the city. I am a fourth year nursing major in Boston so I wanted a volunteer experience that would place me back into healthcare, and she found me the perfect internships. I worked in two different hospitals, each providing a different view on healthcare. The first was a public hospital with few resources, but the nurses welcomed me and taught me everything they knew. The second hospital was also public, but resembled something from the United States! Here, it was the doctors who took me under their wing to observe surgeries, assist gynecologists, and rotate throughout the hospital. Overall, I believe my experience in Buenos Aires really opened my eyes to both the beauty of healthcare, and that of Buenos Aires’ amazing porteño culture. Not only were my healthcare skills sharpened, but I returned to the States with my Spanish much improved and waiting for my chance to go back!

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!

Kirstine Kreps

I went to Barcelona in November 2013 full of hopes and expectations. I hoped to improve my Spanish, meet new people, and get some volunteering experience. I was very nervous when I arrived there, it was the first time I was travelling on my own, and I didn’t know anybody in the city in the northern Spain. It turned out that there was no reason to be nervous, although that is probably hard to avoid. I moved into a flat with students, and they introduced me to a lot of people from different countries that I am still in contact with. With these people, I have had the most amazing experiences in Barcelona, exploring the beautiful city and making trips together. I began taking Spanish classes to improve the Spanish that I had learned in high school. These were very helpful, but I found out that it was also important speaking Spanish outside the school, to try to get a certain level of fluency. Furthermore, I got experience as a volunteer. The first three months I worked in a children’s hospital. There, I would entertain the children while their parents weren’t there. It was relevant for me because I am going to study medicine. After that, I volunteered at a place that offers opportunities to children with few resources and their families. I learned a lot from that; I saw a lot of children in different situations, and I could see how good it was for them to be helped by the organization. I had planned to stay in Barcelona for three months. I ended up being there for six months. It was the time of my life.

Roberto Espana

Where do I even begin? Connect-123 truly gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. I was down in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for three months working in the mental health unit of a local hospital. To be honest, it was not love at first sight – I really had to let the hospital, the patients, and the culture, all grow on me. My time in Buenos Aires gave me a clearer perspective of the direction I wanted to take my life in. I gained an incredible amount of experience and knowledge in a relatively short amount of time, something I do not think I could have done back home. Working in the hospital provided me with invaluable clinical experience that will absolutely help me in the future as I continue to build my career. The doctors I met and the bonds I created were remarkable, and I honestly cannot wait to apply what I learned in BA back in the states. Living in Buenos Aires really changed me as a person. I met so many people, created such strong friendships, and go to know myself on a deeper level. Sometimes when you are stuck in the mundane routine of your life you lose exactly that – life. But when you are in a different country trying out new things and building professional experience you are overcome with energy and a renewed sense of purpose. You stop to admire the parks within the city, you take a thirty minute bus ride to the café that caught your eye, you read and write things you did not know you were capable of. I even got to travel to Iguazu Falls and Patagonia during my time there! Although it was only three months, this experience was life-changing and definitely something I would do again in a heartbeat. If you have the opportunity to participate in this program, do it. Whatever is holding you back and making you question it, throw it away and do it. You will be happy you did.

Juliana Torrens

After I graduated from college I decided to take a year to acquire more experience on the medical field before applying to medical school. Doing an internship with Connect-123 was an amazing opportunity for my personal and professional growth. I had the opportunity to work in a public hospital with a group of Oncologists in Buenos Aires, Argentina. During my time there, I was under the wing of a great group of doctors that taught me everything I needed to know in order to succeed in the medical field. With this experience I was able to learn more about the oncology field, work ethics and the doctor-patient relationship. Some days when I wasn’t at the hospital, I worked on a clinical research for a new drug for metastatic breast cancer patients. I’m so thankful to everyone that made this one of the best experiences of my life. First of all, the Connect-123 team in Buenos Aires is amazing! Paula and Katie were always very helpful and supportive in every way. I also made tons of new friends from all over the world, many of which I’m still in touch with. If you are looking for the experience of your life, don’t hesitate to contact Connect-123!

Bridget Haley

Living abroad in Dublin was an incredible, life-changing experience. I spent three months there, but it was so hard to leave at the end, that I wish I could have stayed longer. The whole experience was very smooth right from the beginning. Connect-123 found me the perfect internship, performing research on the childhood cancer neuroblastoma at the University College Dublin. I didn’t have a whole lot of research experience before arriving, but everyone there was so friendly and willing to teach me, that I learned so much more than I could have imagined and feel more prepared for a future career in medicine. In addition to exploring Dublin, I was able to travel around Ireland and other European countries. The scenery was so spectacular that I literally had to pinch myself to know it was real. Coming from Chicago, Dublin was a smaller city, but its charm and friendly people made me feel so at home. It has a rich history, great nightlife, and there was always something new to do and see. The Connect-123 events helped me get acclimated to the city as well as meet some great, life-long friends that I still keep in touch with. This was absolutely the experience of a lifetime, and I can’t wait to go back. I would recommend this internship and the opportunity to travel to Dublin to anyone and everyone!

Nichole Drolet

The summer I spent in Dublin was literally the best summer of my life! Not only was it an amazing life experience to live in another country for 10 weeks, but the experience I got in my nursing internship at the pediatric hospital was beyond words. The internship wasn't at all what I thought or hoped, but it turned out to be a fantastic foundational learning experience. My goal going into this internship was to work on my clinical skills, instead I got a completely different experience. I was able to see more in my 10 weeks than I did in my 2.5 years in nursing school. The staff really worked with us to get us any experience we wanted, or thought we could be interested in. I was able to sit in on a full day of cardiac surgery, spend a day on a burn unit, spend several weeks on a cardiac PICU, among many other things. If ever I had a question, I was never hesitant to ask it without feeling dumb. I got to work on my foundations of practice, and the nurses I worked with tried to get me to understand why we were doing what we were doing. Why are we giving this patient these meds, why are we doing this treatment, how will this affect the rest of the body systems, what lab values should we be looking at, etc. This was the best experience I could have hoped for. The friends I made, are ones I will keep for life. I really believe that this is something that everyone should try to do. There aren't a lot of opportunities for nursing internships today, but this gives you a taste of what you will be doing in a few short years (or months in my case).