Bryn Doyle

Human Rights Intern - Virtual/Remote

University of Southern California

I discovered Connect-123 through my university's study abroad office. I had just been sent home from my year abroad due to Covid-19 when I received the email about Connect-123. Going into my final semester of undergraduate school online was not what I had planned, and the semester looked bleak. So, when I heard about the opportunity to continue my abroad experience online and get great experience, I applied right away. Connect-123 not only took great care in finding me an internship in my area of interest, but they kept checking in on me throughout the internship. These check-ins really helped me adjust to having a school semester and internship online. They were available to answer my questions and support me throughout the process. Connect-123 also hosts seminars for participants, so we can learn how to make the most of our online internships. I definitely would not have been able to find this opportunity on my own, and I would recommend Connect-123 to anyone who wants to contribute meaningful work at an international level. I am grateful for the opportunity Connect-123 provided me and I don't think my final semester would have been the same without it.

I am so grateful to have discovered this opportunity through my university. Connect-123 was very deliberate in pairing me with an internship that I would enjoy and in a field that I was interested in. I was ultimately paired with a human rights lawyer in Barcelona and I have learned so much from her and from the work that I am doing. Being a virtual intern has strengthened and developed so many valuable skills for me, not only through the very well-organized internship but also through the virtual experience. Through all of the bumps in the road along the way, Connect-123 was there to provide me support. They helped me figure out the issues I was having, offered solutions, and gave me what I needed to proceed with confidence. The workshops and discussions also contributed greatly to my personal and professional development. Connect-123 doesn't just put you in an internship, they make sure that you're able to grow in your position and be able to use it in your future endeavors. I highly recommend pursuing an international, virtual internship through Connect-123!

Connect123 gives the most amazing opportunities that allow you to explore more about your career path. Despite the fact that we are in the midst of a pandemic, they still made sure that I got the best experience. Honestly i wasn't sure if i was pursuing the right career and when i applied for the Connect123 virtual internship, i wanted to do a test run to see if i was heading in the right direction. One of the things I really liked about Connect123 is that they tailor make and customise your internship experience to suit what you are looking for and what you want to get out of it, the experience is unique for everyone. I was placed in an Accounting firm that provided me with valuable knowledge and hands-one experience in the accounting field. I also liked the fact that once they place you in an organization, they always check up on you to make sure everything is going on well and they organize very insightful seminars that help you get through the internship smoothly. They walk with you all the way.Now I can confidently say that I am pursuing the right career. Thanks to Connect123!

I found out about Connect-123 through my university. Due to COVID-19 I felt very lost about what my next steps were in regard to gaining experience during my undergraduate years. At first, I was hesitant to apply, as I wasn’t sure if it was right for me. Contrary to my insecurities, Connect-123 presented the support and opportunities I needed to move past my doubts. I felt so comfortable speaking with the advisors who all seemed so genuinely interested in my well-being. The relationship fostered through the program both with my advisors and my internship co-workers made my experience comfortable, and something I looked forward to. I would 100% recommend Connect-123 if you are searching for an internship- because they really care.

When I first discovered I could no longer travel abroad to Cape Town due to COVID-19, I was incredibly disappointed. But the Connect-123 program handled the situation better than I could’ve hoped for, still providing me with a highly valuable and challenging internship! I was able to connect with a research division and have an amazing opportunity to apply myself and learn new skills while developing a research proposal -- I also gained valuable experience that will help guide me in my future academic and career pathways. While miles apart, I still felt highly connected and welcomed by the coordinators, other interns, and my supervisor. The program coordinators were always positive and available to help us during these uncertain times, and I am more than grateful for this virtual experience. Hopefully I will get the chance to travel to Cape Town in the future!

In May of 2020, my dreams of interning in a different country were shattered when COVID-19 hit. All study abroad programs were cancelled and many in-person internships in my hometown were postponed. When my school reached out about the Connect-123 virtual internship program, I jumped at the chance to work for an international company. Eight weeks later, I can confidently say that interning for a company in Dublin, Ireland was the best decision of my life. It can be intimidating to work for a company overseas all online but can also provide you skills many interns don’t have the opportunity to learn

CONNECT 1-2-3 Experience

I have enjoyed my internship experience with Connect 1-2-3 immensely. I was paired with an organization that was really a great fit. The virtual aspect of my internship was unexpected. I had made plans to spend two months in Cape Town, South Africa. The pandemic changed those plans rather abruptly. However, everyone at Connect 1-2-3 was very helpful, and worked with me to coordinate a virtual internship. I feel that I would not have been able to pivot from an in person traditional internship experience to a virtual one without the responsiveness of the Connect 1-2-3 team.

I have returned to graduate study after many years of experience working professionally and volunteering all over the world. I have more than fifteen years of work experience in Human Resources, Program and Volunteer Management. The internship is a requirement for completing a master’s degree at Penn State University School of International Affairs. The host organization I have been paired with has challenged me to use all of my talents and develop a few more. Every day during my assignment I am amazed at the breadth and scope of skills I use to complete tasks for the organization. It has been a great experience and I feel like I am a part of the host organization’s team. We meet almost daily and there are general staff meetings that I participate in from the United States.

It’s equally beneficial to be a part of Connect 1-2-3 intern group. The organization provided virtual tours of Cape Town and Barcelona that were memorable. I have visited both countries before and I learned something new. The opportunity to listen to the achievements and talents of other Connect 1-23 participants has been invaluable and motivating. This has been an experience I will not soon forget. I will always have something positive and very interesting to share about my days during this life altering pandemic and I am very grateful.

Sherrine