Reviews
Real stories from real participants, parents and university partners who share their experiences as well as their advice. Learn more about the benefits Connect-123 interns and volunteers receive on our programs around the world!
Scroll down to view all – or filter by destination, opportunity or both.
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!
Internships in Cape Town
Marie Koehler
Coming to South Africa on my own was a huge risk for me, but knowing that Connect-123 was there and easily reachable allowed me to know that if anything were to happen I had somewhere to go, while still being independent. Connect-123 set me up with a small environmental, urban-greening organization only a 5 minute walk from my apartment in Cape Town where I acted as a Public Relations and Communications/Marketing Assistant. I was able to be creative and contribute valuable input to the team, in a relaxed, yet efficient work atmosphere surrounded by kind people who are truly enthusiastic and passionate about what they do. I was given the opportunity to attend one of their major projects, called “Trees for Zambia,” a reforestation festival held in Livingstone, Zambia, which only provided more insight to a life I wasn’t aware of before. To describe my experience in Cape Town outside of work to anybody over the internet would in no way do it justice. It was absolutely incredible. My advice is to take absolute advantage of any and every opportunity that you’re presented with. A friendly tip: create an itinerary! A few friends and I created a calendar of when we wanted to do what; whether it be visit the penguins at Boulders Beach, skydive, bungee jump, visit Robben Island, hike Table Mountain, and much, much more! In only 10 weeks I learned more about my field of interest, myself, and what I am capable of than I ever imagined. I encourage anybody interested to take advantage of this truly awesome experience. Set any fears or doubts aside and take a risk. I did, and it was the best decision I could have made!
Internships in Cape Town
Kim Roach
Signing up with Connect-123 for an internship in Cape Town was one of the best decisions I have ever made. They set you up with an internship in the country you desire and provided housing. Their office, in Cape Town, is in the building that we live in (Perspectives) which is in the middle of town. The on site supervisors will assist you if you need any help and they always have a positive attitude! It's also a great way to meet other interns from all over the world studying different subjects. Not to mention, South Africa is such a beautiful country with a vibrant tourism industry. Coming here, I had no idea what I truly signed up for. I was aware that I was going be interning at a hostel for my tourism management degree, but I wasn’t sure what my duties would be. They had me working reception at first, which was a bit difficult because I had never worked in this type of environment before, and I was new to the country. The first two weeks, I was strictly working bar shifts and reception, learning the system, and the general ways the hostel runs. It was hard at first to work reception because many guests would ask me about the city and I could barely point out our location on the map. Towards the end of my first month and all of my second and third month working there, I became much more involved in the company. I would attend multiple meetings, went on some more tours (shark diving, township, Garden Route), closed down and opened the hostel, sold tours, taught other interns, helped with the community projects, organized the shop, communicated with guests, and I was given my own codes for the system and phones. I learned so much about working in the tourism field and I absolutely fell in love with it. It was so fun to plan tours for guests and communicate with the multiple tourism companies. I feel as if every goal of mine was met through my internship, and I learned new skills that I never thought I’d be good at. I truly enjoyed coming into work, communicating with guests, the company of my coworkers, selling tours, and travelling South Africa. I achieved networking strategies and gained a better understanding of how hostels are run. I would say my biggest highlights of working here was selling and attending tours, and my biggest disappointment is that I can’t stay longer due to my visa. I suggest that you use Connect-123 to get to Cape Town, find an internship, meet other interns in different fields! The program supervisors are always there to help you with anything you need, even if it's just some advice.
Internships in Cape Town
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.
Internships in Cape Town
Lauren Frank
My experience with Connect-123 has been absolutely amazing! I was terrified coming to Cape Town by myself, but Connect made it super easy to get acclimated to life in South Africa. Putting on awesome events that got us out and about in the city! My expectations were far surpassed. I am not kidding when I say that Cape Town is my favorite city in the entire world. I’ve traveled quite a bit in other countries around the world and other cities pale in comparison to Cape Town. The city sits nestled in the mountains and looks out to endless oceans. There is an endless list of fun activities to participate in while here, such as jumping off the world’s highest commercial bungee jump, shark cage diving, hiking and surfing. It’s the perfect place for anyone seeking adventure. South Africa has an extremely interesting history, which you cannot escape while visiting. Also the food is incredible! The city is filled with a vast variety of markets and restaurants that are to die for!! In terms of my work experience in Cape Town, Connect-123 set me up with the most amazing internship! I loved going to work every single day and I felt I gained incredible hands-on experience. My internship was in the exact industry I want to pursue a career in, so it was seriously spot-on! Also, my co-workers in Cape Town basically became my family there. They were definitely invested in making sure I was situated and enjoying my time in Cape Town and at work. At the end of my internship, I was offered the opportunity to continue writing for their global website once I headed back home. My internship in Cape Town will without a doubt help me professionally in the future.
Internships in Cape Town
Falihah Anisah
Spending my first overseas internship in Cape Town for three months was amazing, and honestly I couldn't have chosen a better place. Cape Town, or South Africa generally, is rich with culture and diversity and had so much to offer to the interns. It was undoubtedly the best environment to grow personally and professionally. The process prior to this was straightforward and simple, and Connect-123 facilitated everything very well, being there for me whenever I needed any form of assistance. Work-wise, it has certainly been fulfilling. Being keen on migrant rights back in Singapore and currently studying on War and Security, Connect-123 hooked me up with an NGO refugee centre who was an implementing partner of UNHCR. This was a phenomenal experience - one that I wouldn't get elsewhere - because it provided a raw insight into the lives led by refugees from all over Africa, who are often shunned and discriminated against, and allowed me an opportunity to interact and serve the needs of asylum seekers and refugees directly, whether it was determination of their refugee status or short-term assistance. It was incredible to see my efforts translate into direct impacts on their lives, and I was blessed to work with truly knowledgable and wise co-workers with the years of experience under their belt with regards to refugees, and who taught me so much about the situation with immigration policies in South Africa. Such a job scope can be heavy and challenging at times, but this experience helped me grow as a person, putting things in perspective for me. I was fortunate enough to also be part of a fashion show held on World Refugees' Day, empowering both South African and refugee designers. Outside the office, the people I've met, both locals and Connectors, have made my stay even more unforgettable, and it's easy to underestimate the kind of friendships you forge over such a short period of time. Cape Town is truly a beautiful and dynamic city with so many things to do, from hiking at the various mountains to the nightlife at Long Street, and it never really stopped being beautiful. Having stayed in Cape Town for about 3 months gave me plenty of time to explore the city and even outside it as well through road trips with friends. If you ever do get lazy to plan your weekend, Connect's always there to plan group outings as well. It was difficult to leave and I'm pretty sure I left a part of me there, so I'll definitely be coming back!
Internships in Cape Town
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.
Internships in Cape Town
Erica Moser
Doing a five-month internship in Cape Town was one of the best decisions of my life. Admittedly, when I first decided to go abroad, Cape Town wasn’t on my radar; I was considering London or Australia. But I knew a Connect-123 participant in Cape Town at the time, and between a brief email conversation and looking through her photos on Facebook, I was sold. Both of the people from Connect who helped me were incredibly helpful, clear and fast at responding to emails. Though I am studying journalism, I wanted to try something different and ended up at a word-of-mouth marketing agency. It was a great fit. I created content plans for our clients’ Facebook pages, made survey calls, input statistics for feedback reports, helped brainstorm ideas for campaigns, learned about social media analytics tools, and found influencers ranging from fashionistas to foodies. I learned a lot and they kept me busy, making me feel a part of the team. Overall, Connect made things very easy. Since I was already stressed about my visa application, flight plans and more, it was so reassuring to be able to move into an apartment that already had furniture, bed lines and towels, and kitchenware provided. I also took advantage of several of the excursions and activities they planned, such as Boulders Beach (penguins!), Cape Point, and Cape of Good Hope; wine tasting in Constantia; and Seal Island. Outside of Connect, some of my other activities included hiking Lion’s Head and numerous trails on Table Mountain, skydiving, paragliding, sand boarding, visiting Robben Island, doing a safari at a game lodge, learning yoga, volunteering with children from the townships, volunteering at the Oranjezicht City Farm Saturday market, eating copious amounts of meat at braais, and doing a road trip along the Garden Route. So if you’re reading this and considering going to Cape Town, absolutely do it, and have some biltong and a Savanna Dry for me!
Internships in Cape Town
Andrew Schleeter
My experience in Cape Town was, bar none, the greatest and most influential experience of my life. I spent just two short months, and made lifelong connections with people from all over the world. That is what’s so unique about Connect - 123; you meet extraordinary people, from all over the globe, and we all learn from one another and grow from our experiences. I came to Cape town after just a few months of University because decided I need a dramatic change to fulfill my life goals. During my two months in Cape Town, I grew more as a person than I have in the past two years. I spent everyday in Crossroads, a township 20 minutes outside of the city. My time there defied all odds of the townships as I was welcomed and made friends with everyone in the community. I spent my two months coaching basketball to boys and girls from eight local schools. It was absolutely incredible. There are many stereotypes associated with the townships, but I was able to experience first hand the love and gratitude that surrounds the community. By the time my two months was up, I felt as if I had another family. You become so close with all of the people you work with, as well as everyone in Connect - 123. The impact the experience will have on my life going forward is huge, and an experience I feel has really put my life into perspective. Connect made it all possible, working with me and for me from the day I expressed interest.
Internships in Cape Town
Renee Barouxis
After learning about South African history in college, I was eager to learn more about the country's politics through an internship in the country. With Connect-123's assistance, I landed an internship with so many opportunities: sitting in the Parliament's gallery above President Zuma as he defended his 2013 State of the Nation Address to Members of Parliament, hearing the Minister of Health explain ways to lower child mortality rates, or passing a United States Senator in the hallway! I attended meetings for the Portfolio Committees on Water and Environmental Affairs, Home Affairs, Women, Children, and People with Disabilities, Public Service and Administration, and more! The internship was challenging and rewarding-- the perfect combination! During my free time, I spent my time hiking, going to wine-tastings, or relaxing at the beach, with other Connectors and locals I befriended. There was so much to explore in beautiful Cape Town.
Internships in Cape Town
Tatenda Mhundwa
I love to travel and when the time came for me to pick a country for my internship, I thought ‘go big or go home’. I started to research internships abroad and Connect-123 came up. I completely loved the idea of going all the way to Cape Town South Africa, even though initially I was skeptical because I didn’t know anyone there. Connect-123 was able to place me with an amazing fashion designer located in the city center. Everyone in the company was so welcoming and super friendly. I got to work side by side with the designer herself which helped advance the skills I already had. With the internship I was able to see exactly what goes into the production of a collection and the fact that the designer was invited to show at Mercedes Benz Cape Town Fashion Week made it all the more incredible. I helped with all aspects of production including research on trends and story boards. Along with having a great place to intern, Connect-123 also had weekly events and set up sight-seeing tours of the beautiful Cape Town for all connectors. Overall, I will say I truly enjoyed my stay, enjoyed learning about the culture and differences and would go back in a heartbeat. Thanks Connect-123!
Internships in Cape Town
Shelby Moran
I couldn't have asked for a more rewarding experience in Cape Town - and a lot of it is thanks to Connect-123 and my host organization. Between the two, I feel like I learned to know the city and understand it's unique perspective, both culturally and professionally. Connect-123 did a great job at encouraging program participants to get out of their apartments and experience they city - whether that be through hiking Table Mountain, touring a township, or visiting Cape Point. The regularly scheduled activities and outings helped participants see the city and its people. Overall, I found my internship to be the most rewarding, especially because I was the only non-Capetonian in my office. This coupled with the welcoming staff allowed me to engage in unique discussions with my co-workers about South African culture, music, and politics and compare and contrast them to the United States. The friends (many of them from work) and professional connections that I made in Cape Town will be apart of me for years to come as much as the beautiful, dynamic city will be.
Internships in Cape Town
Saahithi Karituri
In my two months in Cape Town, I have first and foremost fallen madly in love with the city and the atmosphere. My internship is so much more than I could ever ask for. Be it office work or coaching, I always learned something. I attribute a lot of my happiness to the amazing group of people that I have been fortunate enough to work with. Not once did I ever feel like an outsider. I always felt very much at home. My internship has afforded me the opportunity to see how a business/foundation is run. Not only that but I also got to see and experience the results of their labor through visit to games, coaching opportunities, and more. Everyone works so hard, no matter the nature of the work. It’s been inspiring to be in an environment where people are working so hard to make a difference. This internship experience has been like a dream to me and I don’t think I will ever be able to express in words how truly grateful I am. Connect-123 made all of this possible. I have made good friends through the program who I will be keeping in touch with for a long time. Be it planned outings on the weekends or impromptu trips here and there, it was always an adventure and a good time. I will definitely be back to Cape Town soon!
Internships in Cape Town
Will McAneny
I've been lucky enough to travel a great deal in my life, but can honestly say that Cape Town was the first destination abroad where I've ever felt like I never had to leave. It's an absolutely magical city, with fantastic weather, beautiful and friendly people, a wealth of things to do and one of the most fantastic settings that I've ever seen. I was there for six months, and rarely a day went by without going out into the city and exploring a new neighborhood or finding a cool bar or restaurant! Additionally, choosing to do an internship in Cape Town through Connect-123 rather than independently vastly opened up my experience of South Africa. First of all, the apartment complex that I lived in, Perspectives, was located smack in the middle of the city center, walking distance from the majority of the city's restaurants, bars, and tourist attractions. Any place I couldn't reach easily by walking was at most a 3-6 dollar cab ride away! Additionally, the group outings that Connect organized both made it extremely easy to make friends from practically the moment I set foot in the city and made visiting the various attractions outside of the city - Garden Route, Cape Point, wine tastings, etc - much easier to plan. Finally - and perhaps most importantly - the internship that Connect set me up with was absolutely FANTASTIC! I worked at a social enterprise whose mission was to plant trees in undergreened areas of southern Africa and to incite a more inclusive and popular environmental movement in the region. The organization regularly planted trees in Cape Town schools and organized activations to raise green awareness, such as free yoga on the Sea Point Promenade, giving away seedlings, and riding bikes to promote alternative transportation in a very car-dependent city. My role at the organization was as a social media and communications intern - I ran the Facebook, helped with events management, marketed to various media sources around the city, and performed a variety of other tasks that never failed to keep me busy. Additionally, I accompanied the organization to Livingstone, Zambia - home of Victoria Falls! - to plant 5000 trees in the country more plagued by deforestation than any other in southern Africa. Finally, one of my bosses was one of the most famous musicians in South Africa - so I regularly got to attend concerts for free and help out with selling merchandise and the like. Overall, I had an absolutely magical time with Connect-123 in South Africa, and can't wait to return!
Internships in Cape Town
Ruth Schorr
My time in Cape Town with Connect-123 was more than I could have ever asked for. With an easy transition into Cape Town life, I found everyday to be a new adventure and it was wonderful having many other interns around to share that experience with. Whether it was hiking, shopping, going on evening outings there was never a shortage of things to do or people to do them with. Connect made it so easy and accessible for me to get comfortable by walking me to work my first day, setting up evening activities, and being very available for any questions I had along the way. Overall my Cape Town and Connect-123 experiences were unforgettable and taught me so much. From making friends to learning exactly what I want to do from my perfectly matched internship everything was amazing about my time in Cape Town. I can't wait to return to Cape Town soon.
Internships in Cape Town
Meghan MacDonald
The experience of living and working in Cape Town has been life-changing. It has opened my eyes to a part of the world that has such an amazing culture and history and offers a great experience as a student. Cape Town is a very young and thriving city, but there is also an extreme element of poverty, which has been both humbling and eye-opening. Working as an intern at a social enterprise has given me an appreciation of how good it feels to be giving back to society with the tools and knowledge I have gained from my education. Not only did Connect-123 give me the opportunity to work with an amazing company, I was also able to meet so many truly incredible people over my three months in Cape Town. People who taught me lessons in so many ways, and people I know I will stay in contact for many years to come. In both an academic and personal sense I realize now more than ever how important it is to see the world, and that a huge part of my education has and will continue to build upon gaining new experiences in different places and getting out of my comfort zone. I think I have always had the travel bug, but it is even more amplified after having such an incredible experience of going from a tourist visiting South Africa, to making a life in the city of Cape Town.
Internships in Cape Town
Sangeeta Sharmin
If you’re reading this and considering doing an internship with Connect123 in Cape Town…definitely do it! I had an amazing and unforgettable experience in Cape Town, both from a personal and professional perspective. My internship exceeded all of my expectations and I strongly recommend others to take the chance. I worked at a human rights law firm that specialized in refugee law, constitutional issues, gender violence and land law to name a few areas. Tasks I helped with included client intake and interviews, research, drafting legal documents, negotiations with Government departments and the police, as well as attending court hearings. The team I worked with was supportive, fun and absolutely inspiring. I was given real work and responsibility from literally Day 1! Overall, the work experience I obtained was more than I had hoped for and completely relevant to my future aspirations. The team at Connect123 were amazing! Their help before and during my time in Cape Town allowed me to make the most of my internship opportunity. They offered a placement that suited my needs, organized logistics prior to my arrival, prepared great social events, provided support as well as an instant network of friends and activities to take part in. Cape Town is a beautiful city and I encourage everyone to visit. There are so many incredible things to do – hiking, beaches, safari and shark-cage diving just to name a few! I met some amazing, fun and incredible people and together we fully immersed ourselves in the beautiful culture and lifestyle of South Africa by trying something new almost everyday. You will not be bored while in Cape Town! I strongly recommend the Connect-123 program to anyone who would like to experience more than just an internship. I had an unforgettable international internship experience that opened doors for my professional future and also allowed me to personally grow as a person. As they say: “I came here to change Cape Town, but Cape Town changed me”.
Internships in Cape Town
Jesse DePauw
There is truly no way to do justice to the eye-opening nature of my trip to Cape Town. I knew that it would be a great experience, but I had no idea how much the city would infect me with its allure and make me regret that impending flight home! Everyone at Connect-123 was more than accommodating. They were there every step of the way, which proved vital to my experience, since my placement was a difficult one to secure. They used every resource they had in fighting to get me into the placement I desired; I cannot thank them enough for their efforts. I worked at a law firm for the three months I spent in South Africa. Working here was truly a dream come true. As I had already been accepted to law school before starting my internship, I knew that the training I would receive in Cape Town would only contribute to my knowledge of the legal sector. It may seem that legal training in South Africa would not apply to the U.S., but that is just not the case. Everything I did during my internship, whether it was drafting orders and opinions, serving summons and filing applications with the court, or just reviewing case law to prepare for meeting with clients, all of the things I was asked to do tested my ability to work efficiently and contributed to my knowledge of legal processes. The atmosphere was amazing. Everyone was so helpful and willing to explain what they needed; I never felt that I was alone in anything I was doing. It truly was everything I could have hoped for and more. My time in South Africa allowed me to explore the vast cultural differences and immerse myself in a world I so eagerly desired to know. I was able to travel all over the country, experiencing the best South Africa had to offer, such as bungee jumping off a 216m bridge, attending 3-day music festivals, and feeding / playing with elephants up close in person! The team at Connect-123 (Celine, Charné Jackie, Jess, Miche, all you guys!) was so active in organizing activities, showing us the city, and making sure we were involved and happy with our placements. I never expected to be so guided every step of the way! There is no way that I will be able to stay away from Cape Town; I’ve already started planning my return trip! I hope everyone who reads this will consider how wonderful this city has been to me and how much it and Connect-123 can make your Study Abroad experience as epic as mine has been!
Internships in Cape Town
Elizabeth Marchand
I heard about Connect-123 while looking for an internship abroad in the field of education. The two months I spent doing an internship at a school in Cape Town were without a doubt two of the best months I’ve ever spent. While in Cape Town I worked at a school for children with a wide range of physical and mental disabilities, both in the classroom as well as through sports. This internship opened me up to a whole realm of possibilities I’d never thought about in the world or teaching. My biggest achievement through my internship was learning to be comfortable dealing with kids with mild to severe behavioral, mental, and physical problems. The assortment of kids I encountered was huge, but once I got to know them all I immediately fell in love with them, and they continually surprised and challenged me in the best ways. Outside of the internship experience, Connect-123 also gave me many friendships and memories to last a lifetime. There were so many things to do and see around Cape Town, which is an extremely diverse city. The Connect-123 team set up a multitude of events in the 2 short months of my stay, including mixers every other week to meet any new arrivals. These events were a great part of everyone’s stay in Cape Town, and provided great opportunities for meeting other interns and volunteers. While in South Africa I was also able to take some time off of my internship to travel, most notably to Victoria Falls on the border of Zimbabwe/Zambia. Other excursions included going to the Cape of Good Hope, Shark Cage Diving, and the Garden Route. All in all this experience has provided me with so many unforgettable memories and friends, all the while making me feel comfortable and confident about my stay in South Africa. Connect-123 is a great organization and I’d proudly recommend it to anyone looking for an internship abroad!
Internships in Cape Town
Allyson Flak
My experience is Cape Town has been an incredible one. Connect-123 is not only concerned with finding you an internship, but working with you the whole way through to make sure you are comfortable and meeting all of your goals. Connect-123 not only provides support and an introduction to the working world, but also helps with adjustment to a new culture and big city life. My host organisation not only taught me a lot about my field, but also about the local cultures and values. I was blessed to be working with such a welcoming and accommodating group. Cape Town is an amazing city for people to study abroad or complete an internship in. Exploring the city is an education in itself. Witnessing the diverse blend of cultures and learning about the complex history is nothing short of a worthwhile experience. Everyone will have something that they can take away from their time in Cape Town.
Internships in Cape Town
