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!
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Chris Troeger
A few weeks after I returned from Cape Town, where I was an intern at an HIV/AIDS prevention organization where I taught high school students about HIV, one of my friends, who was radiant with jealousy, asked me if I had any advice for someone who wanted to go to Cape Town. Without hesitation, my advice, in a single word, was, “Go!” Cape Town is a unique city, alive with culture, night clubs, music (listen to Goldfish, they are going to be huge), beaches, mountains, wine country, and countless things to see and do. Connect-123 does a fantastic job of matching interns with relevant and exciting internships and also organizes events and trips to meet other interns and explore Cape Town and South Africa. I highly recommend Connect-123 for their level of commitment to make each participant’s experience as complete and near to perfect as possible, especially on the individual level. The Connect-123 staff is great; friendly and energetic, which is a theme for my experience in Cape Town. Even more than my life changing experiences, I think I will vividly remember the people that I encountered. The Connect-123 staff, my friends and fellow interns in Connect, my coworker from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, my high school aged students, even that guy with the thick Afrikaans accent who challenged me to jump off the world’s highest bungee bridge; it is the people that made my trip what it was, and I have no doubt that the people that you meet will make your time in Cape Town life-changing. So if you are like my friend, looking for advice, my answer to you is the same, “Go!”
Internships in Cape Town
Julie Ellsworth
Connect-123 is an amazing organization that made my time in Cape Town unforgettable. Steven and Lea were so prompt with my initial application and answering any questions I had, no matter how minor. They helped me find the perfect placement at a local hospital volunteering with children as well as participating in various research projects. Not only was the volunteering aspect of the program well organized and worthwhile, Connect-123 also plans exciting outings that allow you to travel around the breathtaking country. From trips to Cape Point to braais on the rooftop of their apartment building (which has an amazing view of Table Mountain, I might add), Connect gives you the opportunity to make many new friendships that will last a lifetime. It was such an eye-opening experience to see the extreme of poverty in the hospitals one day and then the next, drive the coast and take in the beautiful scenery. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to travel to Cape Town and it would not have been the same without the extraordinary staff at Connect.
Internships in Cape Town
Dora de Kenessey
Connect-123 was the absolutely ideal organization to go through for the summer! They set me up with a fantastic internship at a hospital, which was exactly what I was looking for, and provided a beautiful apartment as well. From there, we were all given complete independence, though you always knew that Steven, Lea and Melanie were right there in case you ever needed anything. They also organized great expeditions and were always extremely helpful and accommodating. I just had the time of my life this summer, and couldn’t have had the same experience without Connect!
Internships in Cape Town
Claire Kinnison
My internship at the hospital was extremely rewarding. The doctors with whom I worked were wonderful and very willing to teach and explain abstract ideas. During surgeries, the doctors made sure I understood their procedures and they explained the most effective techniques. My research was also quite rewarding. I interviewed patients’ families and interacted with the children at the hospital. This allowed me to see firsthand the extreme bravery with which these children and their families conduct their lives. I would not give up my experiences at the hospital for anything! They taught me about myself as well as about the sometimes emotionally draining ways of the world which have in turn made me a stronger person. I highly recommend this hands-on program.
Internships in Cape Town
Jared Brown
I had always wanted to visit South Africa and found that Connect-123 was the most impressive group out there. My expectations were far exceeded throughout my interaction with Steven and the gang. Not only did Steven call me almost immediately after my application, but he quickly replied to all questions I had in my preparations for my trip. From picking me up from the airport, to ensuring that my work at the hospital went smoothly, to arranging excellent and affordable accommodations; I was continually impressed by Connect-123. I wouldn’t travel to Cape Town any other way.
Internships in Cape Town
Kelly Neel
I honestly don’t know where to begin. If I tried to say all the amazing things I gained throughout my experience with Connect-123, I’d end up with a novel the size of the latest Harry Potter. One thing I had asked Steven was “How did I stumble across this program while surfing the internet, and have it COMPLETELY change my life?” Not only did I gain experience from working in the hospital, but I gained an overwhelming appreciation for the people and world around me. There are just no words to explain how much I have grown as a person by simply being immersed in the culture that surrounded me. To find beauty in a place with such devastating poverty is beauty in and of itself, if that makes any sense at all. I highly recommend Connect-123. They make the best team and are super supportive of every participant in the program! Steven and Lea were there for us at the drop of a hat, as professionals and as friends and I wouldn’t trade my experience for the world!
Internships in Cape Town
Elizabeth Boyer
I had the time of my life in Cape Town. My internship was exactly what I was looking for, and helped me make some major decisions concerning the career that I would like to pursue. I was able to meet South African students and get to know more about their culture. Everyone was so welcoming and interested in helping me learn more about them. Lea and Steven are amazing. Their pure passion for their work and their city makes this program a once in a lifetime experience. They showed us all the hot spots around Cape Town and were always willing to help out. Our apartment had an amazing view, and living in the same building as other participants allowed me to get to know other students from all around the world. Between the internship, the city, and people, I could not ask for a better experience than what Connect-123 has shown me!
Internships in Cape Town
Kelsey Puuri
My internship has been great! I have a nice variety of things to do at the hospital. I’ve been able to care for children, observe surgeries, and shadow some very interesting hospital personnel. I’d say the internship has more than met my expectations! The housing is also great, in a good location in the center of the city, with lots of things in the surrounding area to always keep us busy. It’s also great that Connect-123 makes recommendations of places to go that you might not think of going to.
Internships in Cape Town
Jon Duplisea
My internship with Connect-123 was a phenomenal experience, one that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Every morning I woke up excited to see the children at the hospital. The staff were extremely helpful and took me in as one of their own. While interning in South Africa I had the opportunity to observe many surgical procedures and conduct research within the Department of Surgery. The events organized by Steven and Lea were always a blast. Cape Town is beautiful! If the opportunity arises to do an internship with Connect-123, DO IT!!!
Internships in Cape Town
Emily Hughes
From the indescribable poverty of the townships to the gorgeous, breathtaking landscapes of the wine lands and coast, the amazing thing about Cape Town is that it is such a land of extremes. Fortunately I was able to see both extremes as Connect-123 was great at organizing trips to venture beyond the city and my internship granted me access to the clinics in the townships. My internship in the clinic, a mixture of both helping and observing, also allowed me to learn a great deal about HIV and antiretroviral treatment. Besides arranging my fantastic internship and organizing memorable social events, Connect-123 are great in that they truly care about making each student’s experience in Cape Town the best that it can be and thus offer very personalized attention. This has been an amazing experience that I will always value; I only wish I had stayed longer!
Internships in Cape Town
Brett Abrams
The hospital was a great place, and I got a good general feel for the way it operates. Connect-123’s social events have also been great. It was extremely nice to have social events that allowed me to get to know the group better and become a part of team Connect! I wish I could extend my internship for another 8 weeks!
Internships in Cape Town
Sarah Wilson
My internship was perfect. Connect-123 understood what I wanted and made it happen! They were also very hands-on, took care of all the details, and gave me everything I needed to make the most of my time in Cape Town. I met such wonderful people and learned so much at my internship that my only regret is not staying longer.
Internships in Cape Town
