Connect-123 Shanghai Internships

As part of the 2018 class from Earlham College, I interned in the Geriatric Ward of a Mental Health Center. I wrote a systematic review of four types of dementia: Frontotemporal lobe dementia, Vascular Dementia, Alzheimer's, and dementia with Lewy Bodies. In conjunction with research, I had hands-on experience with patients, observed how my supervisors and other doctors operated in the geriatric ward and edited some of my coworkers' work and presentations. In addition to my internship, living in Shanghai was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I lived in an amazing apartment that was in the heart of Shanghai and had access to so much within very little walking distance. I was also able to experience Chinese culture firsthand, which was something I've wanted to do for years! I was able to travel a fair bit with my schedule. I visited Nanjing and a few other notable places in China. I had an incredible time and would highly recommend this program!

Being an intern in one of the most famous international hospitals in Shanghai, China has exposed me to various learning opportunities. As a first-year college student who is pursuing medicine as a career, I had a lot to learn about the field and explore a variety of departments within the field. Learning about how medicine is practiced in different cultures other than the United States is something that I truly appreciate because I believe that it gives me an insight on different types of patient care. Working with physicians and other staff members at the hospital has helped me grow as an individual and gave me a clear vision of what practicing medicine is like. It is mainly because of this experience that I am now able to finally say that medicine is definitely the career path I want to take.

Connect-123 has helped me throughout the entire internship from finding housing for the summer to making sure that I got involved in the new things that were happening in the beautiful city of Shanghai. I also made so many great connections with incredible people from all over the world. Thank you, Connect-123!

I did an 8-week summer internship in a Plant Physiology and Ecology research lab, where I assisted with an investigator’s project on the Plasma membrane Intrinsic Protein of cassava. In the internship, I gained hands-on experience of many lab skills and got the opportunity to work closely with researchers. It was exciting to apply the knowledge I learned in class in the lab and do the experiments by myself. Talking to the PhD students in the lab allowed me to know how it feels to work in academia and helped me to rethink about my career plan and make future decisions. People in the lab were incredibly patient and willing to give me detailed explanations on whatever I did not understand. Overall, Connect-123 has provided me with a great experience in Shanghai and I recommend everyone to apply for internships through Connect-123!

This summer, I and a few other classmates from my college went to Shanghai for various internships. It was a great group, and we became closer to one another as we experienced Shanghai together. For my internship, I worked with a Public Relations and Communications start-up, GenNow, located at a WeWork facility. Being in a WeWork space was one of my favorite parts of the internship because it’s an environment where so many different start-ups are working on tons of interesting projects all in the same building. I helped write press releases, attend conferences, and edit articles.
Shanghai is something special. It’s so busy and beautiful. I met many local and international friends, and I realized how easy it is to do so. Chinese food is my favorite and in Shanghai, I was not disappointed by meals!
Consider this program even if you don’t speak any Chinese. In Shanghai, I got by from only knowing English because many people were bilingual and some public spaces had English translated signs. But still try to learn some basic Mandarin, as even a little bit can go a long way.
Overall, I left knowing a lot more about PR, international start-ups, Chinese culture, and independent travel than I did before. This experience even convinced me to consider earning a Master’s degree abroad. Many thanks to Connect-123 for the support along the way. I especially enjoyed our many group dinners and excursion to explore Nanjing!

I honestly cannot fault Connect123 at all. Everything I ever asked for was always catered for and I never had any worries. While planning my internship I was so busy with studying in my third year at University but Lea had everything under control I could trust her 100% to solve any problems or answer any questions I had. She was so efficient and my emails were often answered within minutes. The experience turned out to be so much more than what I ever imagined. I was housed with very fun housemates and we are even now still in contact. I would highly recommend for anybody who is considering joining connect123 to do it, its an experience you will not forget!

Connect-123 facilitated a custom internship in Shanghai for me. I worked at a start-up corporate wellness company that aims to bring sports and wellness to corporates. My role as an intern is mostly event management, with a little bit of marketing. I have learned so much about organizing events, corporate wellness, and the growing demand for technology in the fitness and wellness sector. I also worked out of a fantastic coworking space that has allowed me to work alongside many different international businesses. My internship in Shanghai has been an inspiring and refreshing experience. I am sure it will continue to shape my future and help me grow.

As I stepped out of the van sent to pick me up from the Pu Dong airport and onto the streets of Shanghai for the first time, I was overwhelmed. It was so different from America in nearly every aspect! The people, the size, the noise, the commotion. Frankly, I wondered how I would ever survive here, in this vastly foreign city.

But with the safety-net of a tight-knit group of connect-123 interns behind me, along with the support of my gregarious host organization I've come to love this city and feel a deep sense of nostalgia now that I'm leaving.

From the difficult, yet rewarding work I did teaching English language to migrant Chinese children during the week, to the interesting and fun atmosphere created by connect-123 during their weekend events, I couldn't have asked for a more balanced experience.

Although at first I was nervous, I really am thankful for connect-123 for giving me this opportunity. I not only feel that I've really grown as a person, but that I have accomplished something of substance here in this city, as well

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!)