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.
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.
Internships in Dublin
Kai Cortright
I’ve really enjoyed my time in Dublin with Connect-123. I had the idea a year ago to try and combine an experience abroad with an internship, and I couldn’t be more glad that I did. Connect-123 really helped me along the way, since I had no idea where to start looking for internships in Dublin. They were really quick and efficient in their communication, and they were able to find me a position as a research assistant. My 3 months here were amazing, and I learned so much in my field of study and gained a lot of valuable experience. When you have an internship abroad you really get to meet a lot of locals in the workplace, which is a great way to become exposed to a country’s culture. If you’re thinking of doing an internship abroad, definitely contact Connect-123 with any inquiries. One thing I really liked about Connect-123 was they try to give the interns a chance to socialize among themselves by organizing events every week, but you also have the liberty to venture on your own; there’s no pressure one way or another. These past 3 months have absolutely flown by...I’m already planning another trip to come back!
Internships in Dublin
Gwendolyn Ash
I found Connect-123 through a Google search after my mother suggested (probably not too seriously) that I find a publishing internship in Ireland. I'd been wanting to visit the Emerald Isle for years and was struggling to find internship opportunities here in the states after my junior year of college. After talking it over with my parents and some extensive research, I began the process of working with C123 to find me an internship. I originally worked with Melanie and then Liat who both helped me find an internship at a textbook publisher in Dublin, and the experience could not have been more wonderful. I spent three months there (May to August of 2013). I felt like my work at my internship was meaningful and everyone on the staff was friendly and willing to teach me. Office life was lively and fun. The staff loved any excuse to bring in cake, and I even got to witness a daring pigeon rescue that involved the head of editorial chasing a pigeon around on the roof. Thanks to everyone there, I managed to get a second internship on my college campus when I got back home. C123 also helped make my experience in Ireland amazing. The people of Connect 123 are not only concerned about their interns' well-being, but they also work hard to make sure we all get to connect with each other. C123 organized many trips in Dublin and around Ireland, such as a weekend to Co. Clare to see the Cliffs of Moher and the seaside town of Lahinch and a Literary Pub Crawl. Thanks to C123's care and sense of adventure, I can now boast that I once went on a 12 km hike through the mountains after a night of pub-hopping. I made good friends both in Dublin and in the program, many of whom I still keep in touch with months later. Working with Connect 123 so that I could achieve my dream of visiting Ireland and gaining invaluable experience in my desired field was truly one of the greatest experiences of my life, and I still miss walking the lively streets of Dublin.
Internships in Dublin
Ali Ball
My time in Dublin was a life-changing experience. For a long time, it has been my dream to travel to Ireland and when I stumbled upon Connect-123, while doing Internet searches for internship abroad opportunities, I knew that dream would finally become a reality. As soon as I submitted my application, Connect-123 started making my dream come true. The coordinators helped me every step of the way, throughout the process. When looking for internships, I wanted to find something that allowed me to work with children who had autism, but when talking to Connect-123, I was not sure if that would be possible. Connect had never placed an intern in an autism center before, but they would do what they could to find a perfect place for me. After some time, Connect-123 found the perfect internship for me at a preschool for children who have autism. With that news, I was thrilled to start my adventure and life-changing experience in Dublin, Ireland. While in Ireland, I was able to not only explore Dublin, but also much of Ireland. I spent every weekend traveling to different parts of Ireland-Giants Causeway, Belfast, Cork, Galway, the Cliffs of Moher, and so many other beautiful wonders of Ireland. Through different events Connect coordinated (drinks at local pubs, 4th of July BBQ, etc.), I was able to meet other Connect interns and from that, I found people to travel around Ireland with and explore Dublin with. While in Dublin, I became a more independent person and was introduced to the Irish culture. My zest for travel was met through interning in Dublin. For the month I was in Dublin, I loved every minute of it. I am so thankful for the assistance I received from Connect-123 and for the wonderful internship they found for me. After my time in Dublin, I have made up my mind to work with children who have autism, as my future career. I enjoyed everything about the preschool and the children. I met wonderful people at my host organization and discovered more about myself. Because of Connect-123, I was able to have an amazing experience!
Internships in Dublin
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!
Internships in Dublin
Ben Ashby
My experience in Dublin is one I will not forget. I met many interesting people, got to see plenty of beautiful sights, and had a chance to participate in one of the most lively and spirited cultures that I know of. I was in Dublin to gain hands on experience machining with a manufacturing company. It was a small company, so I was immediately given the chance to participate in projects and use the machines on the shop floor. I learned about the nuances of running a small but quite busy business, and the skill required to produce high quality parts. They had me start on simple projects, and work my way up to more complicated pieces. Connect-123's support from beginning to end was incredibly helpful. Finding an engineering internship abroad can be difficult, but they were able to provide me with several choices soon after I applied. They guided me through the processes, and answered all questions I had about immigration and travel. Upon arrival, Connect made sure I was taken care of and on my way to my residence in Dublin. I definitely would not have had as memorable a time if Connect-123 had not been there to help me. The lessons I learned and the friends I made will last a lifetime. Hopefully they will for you too.
Internships in Dublin
Kateryna Tepylo
I had no idea what I wanted to do with my summer. I knew I wanted to travel and I knew I wanted some exposure to nonprofits in other countries. Connect-123 was the perfect vehicle to help find the perfect place. After I had decided to travel to Dublin, Connect-123 found me a perfect place to intern for the 6 weeks I spent in Ireland. At a very small NGO I was able to discover more about non profits around the world while also improving my advertising and promotions skills. I was able to do so much because of the size of the organization which helped me better understand what I want to do with my life. I was even invited as a guest on an Irish environmental radio show to talk about my journey to Ireland and to give a Canadian point of view on Irish and world environmental issues. It was such a cool experience! The internship allowed to grow both my professional and personal skills while having the chance to explore the unbelievably beautiful country of Ireland. My summer in Dublin changed my life for the better and I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to do what I did. Through Connect-123 I was able to meet a ton of amazing people who helped make my summer even more grand. My summer helped me become more confident, more independent and opened my eyes to more of the world. I can't say enough what an amazing experience it was!
Internships in Dublin
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).
Internships in Dublin
Georgina Hore
Ireland was part of my bucket list: a place I had dreamed of visiting. I got the opportunity to not only experience the rich culture, but do so while completing a fantastic internship with a local newspaper through Connect-123. The friendly people and amazing scenery added to this experience; one that I will never forget and one that I will cherish for years to come. It was incredible to get the opportunity to write for a local newspaper and get my articles published. My work environment was truly great and I loved going to work each day. I learnt a lot and was treated like a real journalist, as I was given my own stories and interviews; all of which will be a beneficial addition to my portfolio. This wouldn’t have been possible without the great team at Connect-123. They were able to place me in the internship and help with accommodation. They were always there if I needed anything and they also organised a great summer program involving all interns which enabled us all to get to know people from all over the world and create new friends. I would have no hesitation in recommending Connect-123’s Dublin internships to anyone. You are able to gain important hands on experience in your chosen career while also having the flexibility to experience the lifestyle and culture of another country.
Internships in Dublin
Martina Peter
During six amazing months I was an intern in an Irish NGO based in Dublin. My work consisted of helping migrants with their application for citizenship. I had not expected connect-123 to find such a great match for myself – but they did it. Even though I did not have a clear idea of what exactly I wanted to do (it just had to be in the social sector and connected to migration), they managed to find the perfect internship. I loved living in Dublin and especially immersing myself in a new culture and enjoying the first time experience of everything that comes with it. Dublin has just the right size for a city: It’s small enough to get almost anywhere by foot (it might take you a while, you might get lost, but with numerous help from anonymous strangers, you’ll eventually get there), but it’s still a capital with a huge diversity of cultures, all of them offering something worthwhile to explore amidst the numerous sights of the city itself. Connect-123 provided the perfect structure for an internship abroad. It was a great help with building a network of people, that became friends, and getting around Ireland with the various monthly trips and events.
Internships in Dublin
Taylor Wichrowski
Upon arriving in Dublin I immediately fell in love with the city and knew my summer would be one I wouldn't forget. Connect 123 got me settled in my apartment and prepared me well for my summer and internship with a casual orientation filled with helpful resources about getting around the city as well as the rest of the country. I was very happy with the internship they found for me. I worked as a graphic design intern at a design and video production company and loved every minute! The internship alone was more than I could have asked for. My boss had me jump right into projects like logo design, weekly infographics, and animation. All things that I can happily add to my resume and portfolio. The company I worked at also had Guinness as one of their big clients, and on my second week I was lucky enough to help out at a video shoot at the Guinness Storehouse! Finding a job or internship anywhere is a difficult task and I was very happy with how well Connect worked with me to ensure I got one that I would be happy with. I would advise anyone interested to start applying as early as possible, as this will allow Connect to have more time to find you something you'll love. My program coordinator found various job offers for me over a two to three month span which allowed me to really be a part of the process. Connect also set up activities or nights out which were especially helpful in the beginning of the trip. It was a great opportunity to get a feel for the culture and meet the people I became such good friends with by the end of the summer. This summer was by far the best summer of my life, and I am very thankful that I chose Connect 123 as my abroad program. I'd absolutely recommend it! I'd also recommend Dublin because it's a great city in a gorgeous country, filled with some of the nicest and funniest people you'll ever meet!
Internships in Dublin
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.
Internships in Dublin
Anja Filter
At the end of my final year of school I consciously made the decision not to take a gap year and instead jumped right into at least three more years of tests, assignments and exams. After seeing how much all of my school friends were enjoying their time abroad, I began to regret my decision. Although many of them were using their time to figure out what they wanted to do with their lives, I didn’t have the same excuse to take off for a year and leave my life behind – and I didn’t want to either. But I did want to spend some time abroad and see more of the world. Instead of simply spending all of my savings on a holiday, I decided to do an internship and, thanks to Google, this is where Connect-123 came in.
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!!
Internships in Dublin
Matthew Burns
During the summer, I had the privilege of doing an environmental/sustainability internship for 2 months in Dublin. Now, I know when people think of environment and sustainability they do not usually think of Dublin as the first place they would look, but there is actually a very large web of environmental agencies, and the environment is a key political issue in Ireland right now. The internship was mostly dealing with integrated coastal zone management, meaning that I did everything and anything to do with the coast. Sometimes I was in the lab helping a PhD student with their bivalve research, other times I was out in the field surveying sea grass, but my main work was going to high-end government meetings and doing all kinds of research for different political meetings. I was actively involved in politics; I even appeared in newspapers and on the radio! This internship completely met my expectations and allowed me to explore many different aspects of the environment. Although I have to say, the best part of this job was that it allowed for me to travel all around Ireland, some days I would be down in County Wexford for an event, the next day I would be in County Donegal doing surveys and meeting with local people. This allowed me to see sights that normal people working just in Dublin would not be able to see, and meet some amazing local people. I have to say a big thank you to Connect-123 for setting me up with this internship. They were so helpful in getting me a placement, and finding housing for me. They also take you around on your first day (which was a big help), showing what buses you need to take, some of the sights you can go and see, and going with you to meet your boss for the first time. The tours were always fun that were set up by Connect-123 too! By far my favorite tours were the Cliff of Moher and the Aran Islands, Giants Causeway, and Glendalough. Dublin is a great small city, the people are amazing, and Connect-123 makes it all possible. I have made friendships with people from all over the world, from Ireland (of course) to Italy, to South Africa and even met people from my home in Canada! If you're looking for a good internship in the environment/sustainability sector, then I would recommend looking through Connect-123 in Dublin.
Internships in Dublin
Vish Chandarana
Having only heard about Connect-123 last minute, I decided to enquire about summer internships abroad. Connect-123 were extremely helpful and managed to arrange a two month summer internship in just a matter of weeks. I was thrown in at the deep end on my first day, establishing connections with domestic and international clients. Working amongst a team from a variety of locations around the globe, including India, Ireland, U.S, U.K, Nigeria, Mexico and Spain, I was able to gain experience with interns from different cultures and personalities. Not only in the work place, but my house also contained a diverse group of interns who I thoroughly enjoyed living with. Our aim was to assist companies with more reliable and useful connections which in turn increased level of business domestically, as well as internationally; adding value to trading activities. One method of doing this was through the centre's online trade network. I was also working outside the office, attending a variety of business networking events, presentations and meetings in Dublin. Connect-123 will also give you the opportunity to visit well known landmarks in Dublin, ranging from the Guinness Storehouse to the cliff tops just outside of the city. My experience was more than just an internship, as I gained invaluable knowledge about international trade, as well as vital life skills including networking and establishing strong business partnerships. I strongly recommend an internship with Connect-123 to anyone looking to enhance their resume and stand out from other candidates.
Internships in Dublin
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!
Internships in Dublin
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!
Internships in Dublin
Chloe Kwon
I made a last minute decision on whether to take a microfinance internship in India or work as a business intern in Dublin, Ireland and I think my decision to spend my summer in Dublin was a great choice. I met so many people and was amazed by the unexpected diversity that Dublin offered; just alone in my house, there were Italians, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Americans and wherever you go, you met people who are friendly and excited to get to know you. I think it depends on one's mindset as to make this opportunity the best time of your life but combining the internship experience with opportunities of touring around the Irish sceneries such as Belfast, Giant's Causeway, and Cliffs of Moher, and meeting lasting friends (I ended up traveling around Europe with a girl from Connect-123 program after my internship was over) definitely act as the catalyst for me to find other experiences like this. I had a blast this summer and I would recommend Connect-123 to anyone who's interested in finding a balanced summer of work and fun that you will remember for a long time.
Internships in Dublin
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.
Internships in Dublin
