My six months as an intern with Connect-123 was an incredible learning experience. I met so many wonderful people at my internship, in Buenos Aires and around Argentina. I have returned to the US with skills I can carry with me for the rest of my life, as well as long-lasting friendships and amazing memories. My time at my internship as well as in Buenos Aires was eye-opening, fun, and challenged me to grow as a person and I think everyone should do something similar at some point. I would absolutely recommend Connect 123 and of course, Buenos Aires. I would do this internship not only for the work experience but for the life experience. Being able to travel around Argentina and the surrounding countries exposed me to different ways of living and helped me grow as a person. I can’t wait to go back!

Just over three years ago, an internship through Connect-123 launched my professional career. Specifically, I spent the summer of 2016 interning for a logistics company in Buenos Aires, Argentina. During my internship, not only did I gain valuable working experience, I increased my language capabilities as well. As a Spanish major in college, I wanted to have an experience where I could practice my conversational and workplace Spanish and this internship was a perfect opportunity to do that. In addition to the internship, my time in Buenos Aires allowed me to learn about Argentine culture and live like a local Porteño. Activities organized by the local Connect-123 advisor gives you the chance to have plenty to do and meet other interns. Furthermore, the housing accommodation allowed me to make friends with people from around the world.
My experience with Connect-123 was so positive, that when I had the opportunity to visit Buenos Aires last year, I made sure I saw my former workplace, supervisor, and program advisor. Recently, I accepted a full-time position with a company in the logistics industry and I give credit to the Connect-123 program for giving me the needed experience to be in the position I am in now.

My sustainable development internship with Connect-123 in Buenos Aires over the summer was one of the most interesting and insightful things I've done. Not only did I learn about working in a foreign country and a new language, I learned how to adapt to unexpected situations at work, as well as voice my concerns with my supervisor. I met some of the most amazing people, made lifelong friends, and traveled to fantastic places such as Iguazú and Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay. The two most important takeaways for me were learning Spanish and figuring out how to push myself and get out of my comfort zone. It was hands down one the best things I've done!

My first few weeks were rough: not from a "culture shock" perspective, but from the standpoint of fear of messing up my Spanish by talking to people. I also had hesitations about connecting with people at my internship: would they interact with me? Or just let me be there? Thankfully, after about a month, both of those concerns started to fade: I became much better about accepting that I may some silly things in Spanish, and that was okay. At my internship, the dental staff came to really accept me into their group. We didn't only talk about dentistry, but a few of us met up outside of the hospital for food, and little adventures through the Chinese District in Buenos Aires. I'm dedicated to going back to visit this great group, and my internship made these great moments of learning and growth possible!

My time in Buenos Aires was incredible. Both personally as well as professionally I grew so much in the last four months. The internship, cultural learnings and exchanges, and the language immersion were all such a big part of the experience. I encountered some issues at my first host organization, but through lots of meetings and communication with Connect-123 they were able to help me find a more suitable organization to intern with. It ended up being the government of Buenos Aires, in the department of sustainability and social responsibility. The work I was able to do was both impactful and hugely beneficial to the government itself. The office welcomed me warmly into the environment, and I was even given a mate by one of my coworkers! If you are a student recently graduated from high school or from college, or a student in the middle of their college career like me, I would highly recommend using Connect-123 to to coordinate your experience abroad. The experience is invaluable and will be unlike anything you might receive from a classroom.

There were three great gains I experience from this trip with Connect-123 that I would not have had if I had not traveled to Argentina. I discovered my future profession, Dentistry, by being able to shadow a very friendly dental staff. Additionally, I still keep in touch with people from my internship simply because we got a long so well. And finally I want to mention how greatly my Spanish developed: the people I came in contact with were understanding as I tried to discuss complex topics in Spanish.

Connect 123 offers a great fit for someone looking for an experience that goes beyond the traditional study abroad program. Regardless your level of experience with traveling, living or working abroad, Connect can help you find your place, get acquainted with the local environment and culture and settle into an exciting new chapter in your life.

I had been to Buenos Aires once before, and was looking for an experience that allowed me to use my previous knowledge of the place to live comfortably and authentically among the local population. Connect was crucial in helping me find a placement, filling me in with vital information I didn't know from previous experience (information about things like hospitals and the city layout) and offering weekly events where I could meet up with fellow travelers in a social setting. But they were also excellent about giving me the space I needed to find my own way. It really was the best of all possibilities with Connect, and I couldn't recommend them highly enough for someone looking for a unique experience that will set you apart.

Connect made my internship and trip abroad possible! I loved my time in Buenos Aires, and Connect provided support throughout my time there. Paula helped me explore the city and with any questions I had. I had a wonderful apartment, internship and made amazing friends through Connect. I traveled with Connect on my gap year and it was an incredible program. I would highly recommend Connect123 and Buenos Aires!