Reviews

Michelle Lizcano

Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to work as an intern for a non-governmental organization with the primary goal of improving the quality of life of people affected with HIV/AIDS. Because my future professional goals are set within the medical field, this internship was the perfect fit to help me gain more of an understanding of the field I am so interested in. It helped me understand the differences between the health care system within the United States as well as Spain. It also helped me gain a better understanding of Spain's HIV community and commonalities when working with the group affected by the disease. Interning abroad has always been one of my dreams in life, and when I heard of this program I immediately decided to investigate to find out more information. Working with Connect-123 was a great experience and I would recommend them in a heartbeat! They were always there to help and always found ways to make our living in a new country as easy as possible. I enjoyed the weekly events planned by Connect-123, which made it easier to become immersed in this new culture. Connect-123 is definitely the way to go!

Jessica DeFinis

Ever since I started learning Spanish I wanted to travel and work in a Spanish speaking country. Connect-123 allowed me to realize one of my life long dreams. I spent two months working as a nurse in a public hospital in Buenos Aires. The welcoming and inclusive atmosphere was beyond anything I expected. My co-workers and nurse manager immediately welcomed me to the floor and gave me as much responsibility as any other practicing nurse. The experience I gained was unparalleled to anything I could have found in the states. One of my co-workers became one of my closest friends in Buenos Aires. In addition to an amazing professional growth experience, the Connect-123 program was a great resource for meeting other Americans while I was so far from home. During my first few days in the city Connect organized at event near my apartment so I could meet the people who were about to become very close friends. My time in Buenos Aires was life changing and I would absolutely do it again.

Margaret Wang

My time in Shanghai has been nothing short of marvelous! Everything has been beyond expectations. I've learned so much from the internship at the hospital, and the people there have been very good to me - always so patient, welcoming, and educating. I had feared that the doctors and nurses would find me a burden and be cold and distant at best, but they completely and constantly proved me wrong; in fact, many times they would come to me for questions and suggestions for improving their English, and would invite me to eat with them and go out. In addition to the amazing internship, though, Connect-123 has gone above and beyond for making my time here not only comfortable, but also thoroughly productive and enjoyable. In addition they found me opportunities to volunteer and tutor, allowing me to accomplish things that I love to do and that I had not believed I could also do here. Day trips and nightly social outings were also a part of the whole Shanghai deal, allowing everyone to see not only the working and daily aspect of the city, but also many of its tourist areas, glorious views, and nightlife. The program has been stunningly flexible, incredibly thorough, and to every extent helped make my stay here more memorable. With everything Connect-123 has done, I have sincerely been able to connect with the city of Shanghai and its people in a way that I never realized I could. (Excuse the pun!)  

Payal Antala

I was able to spend the past 3 months in Buenos Aires doing an internship for school credit. I came to Argentina to practice Spanish and do a physical therapy internship, but I left with an experience of a lifetime. I worked at a day care/clinic that worked with kids that had different neurological disorders. The people I had the pleasure of working with were incredibly helpful and patient and the kids were a joy to work with. The internship included a variety of tasks, it was not totally physical therapy oriented, but I was able to learn a great deal and a broader understanding of this field of PT. My daily tasks included prepping the kids for the day, assisting in the daily activity, feeding the kids, brushing their teeth, prepping them for a nap, and any general assistance I could provide. Connect was great at setting me up with this internship and helped me with any issues I encountered during my time there. Connect was also how I met most of my friends in Buenos Aires, many of which I know I will remain in touch with. Thanks to Buenos Aires and Conenct, I had a great work opportunity and a cultural experience I will never forget.

Megan Mooney

Connect 123 is a fantastic opportunity to explore another country while also enabling you to make professional connections around the world. The experience that I have had with this company was unmatched. To any student wanting to go abroad and also gain career experience, I would highly recommend this company. My time in Dublin surpassed my expectations and given the opportunity I would do it all again.

Irving Salazar

Tamara Thevarajah

Just two weeks before my departure, I accepted an internship position at a major hospital in Dublin, Ireland and as scary as the thought was, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. After some phone conversations and long emails back and forth, Connect-123’s Melanie McDowell understood exactly what I was looking for and found me the position of my dreams! The hospital is the leading center for Gynae-Oncology in Ireland. During my time there, I started the bench work for a research project in which thromboelastography is used for the detection of hypercoagulability in patients after major gynaecological surgery, specifically the malignant cases. When I wasn’t conducting research, I was attending Multi-Disciplinary Meetings (team meetings to discuss all aspects of treatment options including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, histology, radiology), attending journal club presentations about various topics in medicine (including the new field of chronic pain management under the anesthesiology field), observing in the clinic, and observing in surgery. It is so interesting to observe how health care is conducted in a country that practices universal healthcare (and also offers private insurance for those who choose it and can afford it). The experience I gained by being immersed in Ireland’s healthcare field is priceless. This internship was much more than a resume booster. I became more assertive in a professional setting; healthcare is so fast-paced and you have to put yourself out there and form strong relationships with the doctors and they are very willing to give back and help you with anything and answer all your questions. I also learned more about what it will be like to be a doctor—and I LOVED it. Providing care and empathy for patient after patient in the clinic and going into surgery and watching tumors being removed and pelvic floors being repaired—I cannot wait until I’m the one with the stethoscope around my neck and the scalpel in my hand! Ireland is amazing and beautiful. The people are so nice and so very diverse! My house included students/interns from Italy, France, and Spain, and I made some awesome friends! I also traveled all around Ireland and to London (days before the Olympics!!) with friends I met through this program! Connect-123 is excellent, from the internship match up to social events and fields trips! I had the time of my life, and I’m sure any other excited intern will too!!

Laura Beth Lathrop

I would have never imagined that an internship could have provided me with the experience and exposure to the medical field that my Dublin internship did. During my time spent working in the hospital, I was involved in two main projects; processing of blood and tissue samples for the ovarian cancer bioresource centre and assessing the use of thrombo-elastography (TEG) for the detection of hypercoagulability in patients post gynaecological surgery. Aside from research, I was lucky enough to stand in on major gynaecological surgeries as well as caesarean section births (all of which brought me to tears of joy). The experience of living in a foreign country was one that I would recommend to anyone who is considering it. Dublin is a history rich, lively hub of European culture. This melting pot makes for a worldly experience when meeting new people and sharing cultural traditions. What stood out to me the most though while living in Dublin were the kind and fun-loving Irish. Helpful is an understatement to describe the Irish folk. They are welcoming and always open for a good laugh. When considering whether an internship might be something you are interested in, I highly recommend seeking it through Connect-123 and when considering where I recommend Dublin but the field of study is up to you!

Wayne Wu

In my time in Shanghai, I have met many people, learned many things and most importantly, had lots of fun. Shanghai has been very different and interesting for me, and has definitely changed my perspective of how I view the world. Working at my company has helped me learn many things that may be important for me in the future. Connect-123 has been very good to us as well and Jimmy has organized many fun and interesting events for us.

Cassandra Wood

My summer internship in Dublin, Ireland was unforgettable! The hands on experience I encountered was more than anything I could have hoped for in an undergraduate dietetic internship. While serving as a Student Dietitian Intern at a rehabilitation hospital, I worked alongside the Clinical Nutrition Manager as well as many other friendly and fun health care professionals.  I was thrilled to be able to apply so much of what I learned in the classroom to a practical clinical setting. This was an amazing learning experience that I will remember for the rest of my life!

Kayleen Meyer

I had the opportunity to work with Occupational Therapists in a hospital setting, building up a variety of skills. This internship taught me how to work in a fast-pace environment where everyone gets to know each other very quickly. I learned a lot about how OT is done for patient's with hip and knee surgeries and how to apply it to each patient. An important skill I learned was how to work directly with patients. It is easy to make people feel comfortable but being able to apply it to OT is always a work in progress. Everyday I learned something new and I will carry all of these skills with me for the future. Throughout this internship, I found that it was very rewarding to help people everyday. It truly is a joy to work in OT because it looks at a person in a holistic way by taking in all aspects of that person and their life. My internship was so rewarding and I would suggest it for anyone looking to practice OT. I was very lucky because at home it would have been very hard for me to find a truly full experience that this internship offered me. My coworkers were so helpful and very nice people. They would go out of their ways to help me and by the end we were kind of like a big family. Everyday I learned so much about OT and I actually got to have my own case load of patients that I got to do therapy with. My supervisor was absolutely amazing because she was the one that helped me have the confidence to try all those knew things.

Zach Bennett

Connect-123 made my two-month experience in Dublin very easy. They found me an internship that fit both my schedule and needs. The internship at a public health research centre is already helping me in my career. Connect-123 also found me affordable housing very close to my work and checked in often to see how things were going from both a tourist and intern perspective. I have heard that traveling abroad can be difficult because of the need to organize everything in advance. Connect-123 took care of all that and made my trip a wonderful one.

Brittany Foerg

The two months I spent in Dublin completing a research internship were nothing short of exciting, eventful, and inspiring. I gained an extraordinary amount of knowledge and experience relevant to my future career as an optometrist, and I absolutely loved all that there was to do and see in and around Dublin. I really enjoyed getting to know the people while I was there, and many of the relationships I made will continue. Connect-123 did a fantastic job of finding me an internship that was perfectly tailored to my interests - despite their uniqueness. Connect-123 was always providing helpful insight and guidance before, during, and even after my internship. I would recommend Connect-123 to anyone who wants to gain career experience in another country and would benefit from the fantastic structure and support they provide.  

Jillian Yeo

I recently went through Connect-123 to secure an internship opportunity with a well known university in Dublin. It was an excellent opportunity to gain further insight into the pharmaceutical research sector. Not only was Connect-123 great at finding an internship suited to my needs, they were continuously checking on my progress and how I was adapting to the new surroundings. Personally, I felt that it was thoughtful. An overseas internship has provided me with a completely different learning experience.  Not only do you learn the skills of the trade, you also get to learn about the working culture, traditions and lifestyle of locals.  New friendships that were formed during this period are also greatly treasured. I would recommend anyone to give Connect-123 a go should you want to step out of your comfort zone, or to give yourself a rewarding summer!

Tariq Rashid

I interned in Beijing for 2 months during the summer. Traveling to China, which was completely different from anything I have ever known, was quite the quantum leap for me! I was nervous at first with my undertaking...I wasn't sure whether or not I had made the right decision. Once I met my program coordinator and got acclimated to the city, though, those feelings subsided and I learned more than I ever could have possibly hoped for with my internship. Beijing is an ancient city with a rich history, and it was loads of fun exploring such a wonderful place! I had the chance to try many new and exotic flavors, take in many historical sites, meet many new people, and gain a greater appreciation for humanity. Connect-123 does not offer programs in Beijing, but since I wanted to be based there with other friends of mine, they were able to secure a placement for me in another city in China. My internship was more than I could have ever hoped for. I had two roles: first I worked with a foundation which had the goal of serving children in orphanages across China. This was a very rewarding role in that it brought me an appreciation for the role that the entire health care team has for taking care of a patient. I hope to come back to China soon and continue supporting this foundation by volunteering in orphanages they help. My second role was with the Department of Family Medicine at an international standard hospital where I helped them set up a diabetes registry for better tracking their patients. The health care experience was absolutely wonderful: it was one of the best experiences of my life, both personally and professionally. Thank you, Connect-123, for connecting me with this absolutely life-changing experience. It has helped me gain a greater appreciation for everything I hope to be someday.

Eric Wang

I interned with Connect-123 in Shanghai for two months this fall/winter. Traveling to such a foreign and exotic place (I’m from Kansas), I was both apprehensive and nervous. However, those feelings of uneasiness were quickly expunged as soon as I stepped off the plane and met my program coordinator. Shanghai is a unique city, and has so much culture to offer. Through the help of the staff at Connect-123, and my fellow interns, I was able to effectively explore and learn the many different things that this city has to offer. Whether I wanted to travel around China, try new foods, learn Chinese or find internship opportunities the staff at Connect-123 were willing to do everything in their power to make sure that I accomplished these goals. It was one of the best experiences of my life, and I definitely plan on going back! Also, for the internship itself, I worked part time for a foundation that supports children's health, and worked part time as an administrative assistant at a local hospital. It was exactly the type of job I was hoping for. I was SO impressed with how Connect-123 was able to find such a unique opportunity for me. They are truly experts in finding/ designing the perfect internship for people, especially in the medical field, as was the case for me.

Antonina Hassouni

I was part of the Connect-123 program in Cape Town for two months where I was an intern at a children’s hospital. The experience I had - I unfortunately cannot describe in words since that would not suffice. Firstly, the organization of the program was flawless – I felt at ease all the time because I knew that any little problem I may have, one of the Connect-123 representatives would fix it as soon as possible. I also felt at home instantly due to the welcoming nature of everyone on the program – the interns, volunteers and the whole team! The activities they had were great for meeting people such as the many drinks nights or trips around Cape Town. That also made it a safe way to travel around. Secondly; the hospital I worked in was technologically advanced with all the staff there very welcoming and friendly – from the cafeteria staff to the surgeons. It was great being around them every day and I have made long-term friends whom I intend to visit more often. That being said, I would love to eventually return to Cape Town and work there for some time again....the scenery is breathtaking and I felt like I was living in a scenic postcard for most of the time. I must say that I definitely loved my whole experience not only with my internship but in the country, and all of that is truly because of the amazing job that Connect-123 did ; their ongoing support and care, their organization and their concern for each and every intern / volunteer in their program! Thanks Connect-123 for everything and for making me feel at home...away from home!

Sara Khodair

I spent a little over a month in Buenos Aires. By far that has been one of the best experiences yet. The city is absolutely beautiful. The people were amazing. There was always something to do. I thought the volunteer program was lots of fun. I'm very grateful for Connect-123. Best summer ever.

Greg Goldstein

I can honestly say that I could not possibly have hoped for a better internship experience than the one I got in Cape Town with Connect-123. Volunteering, especially internationally, is always a scary experience. You never know exactly what to expect but Connect-123 was there for me every step of the way. Even before I left the States they were there to help me with everything: from my initial internship offer, to the best way to get to Cape Town, to where to stay there was always someone I could ask questions of and who would help me find out the answers. However, it was my internship that made my experience so incredible. My work at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital remains one of my most significant experience and the deciding factor in my decision to peruse a career in pediatrics. The surgeries and procedures I observed there were truly eye opening and the research I was involved in made me a very real part of them. I was only a college junior and I was not only relaying important information about patients to anesthesiologists but I was also helping surgeons understand how they could communicate more effectively with their patients. My work not only took me into the operating room on a daily basis but it also facilitated regular interaction with nurses, other volunteers, heads of departments and specialists. The bonds I formed with these professionals and the things that I learned from them remain with me even to this day, over a year after I left the hospital. No matter what brings you to Cape Town, once you arrive it’s impossible not to fall in love with the city. Cape Town is not only breathtakingly beautiful but it is full of countless cultural, athletic and just plain fun opportunities and Connect-123 really helps its interns take advantage of those. My time in this incredible city was filled with day trips to the Cape of Good Hope, hikes of the iconic Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, cruises on the harbor, sunset cocktails, or “sun-downers”, on Signal Hill with other interns and Connect staffers, shark diving, beautiful beaches, a wine festival, rooftop “braais” (think delicious BBQ) and even a pot-luck Thanksgiving dinner. As I approach medical school and continue on the long journey toward becoming a doctor, I find myself thinking back on the time I spent in Cape Town and I feel incredibly thankful for my experiences at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital, experiences I would have never had without Connect-123.

Amy Caporello

Working at a Salvation Army hospital in Cape Town was an amazing experience! From the minute I walked onto the floors of the hospital, I felt welcomed and trusted. As a nursing student I was able to work alongside staff and be a part of the team caring for a variety of patients in rehabilitation. I learned about the differences in international healthcare and also spent a lot of time talking to and comforting the patients, along with getting to know the staff that I worked with there. The hospital is Nurse-led and focuses on creating a plan of care for each individual patient, regarding realistic goals and abilities in order for them to be strong enough to go home. I helped the Nurses and staff with dressing changes, morning care, feeding, occupational therapy, physical therapy and transport. I knew after a couple days that this was not your average internship; this was a chance to care for others and to learn from them as much as they learned from me. Not only did I enjoy experiencing the medical aspect of the hospital, and the different cultures in the area, but I also made a lot of friends there, and fell in love with the kindness and generosity demonstrated by the people I worked with. It is here that I learned the meaning of Nursing, and the compassion and intelligence needed to truly care for someone. In addition to such a wonderful internship, the city of CapeTown is thriving with culture! There is so much to do and see, and Connect-123 made it easy by organizing events and gatherings to not only meet other interns and students, but to get involved and out of your shell. I met many friends, and used my free time to explore, have fun, travel the area and learn about an amazing country. I will be graduating this spring from Nursing School, and am so glad that I took the opportunity to do something so different and exciting! I hope to one day work internationally again, and if I had it my way, I’d go back to Cape Town in a heart beat.