Connect-123 Barcelona Internships

I had such a great time meeting everyone and getting to know my program coordinators. They were incredibly helpful and supportive as I navigated this exciting step in my career. This experience helped me grow, learn, and feel more confident about my future. I made memories and connections that I will never forget. I would encourage anyone considering a similar opportunity to take that step, challenge themselves, and go for it. It is an experience that can really make a lasting impact. for years.

I have had an amazing experience interning abroad in Barcelona. It was wonderful to see how passionate those at the non-profit I worked in were in regards to giving kids at the Casal a summer full of fun memories and connections. I got to learn so much from the kids I worked with and got to learn more about myself. Additionally, everyone from my host site to those in connect-123 were always really supportive throughout my time here, so not once did I feel afraid of being in another country so far from home for the first time!!

Coming to Barcelona with Connect 123 was one of the best decisions I've made. They were incredibly helpful in helping me find an internship I felt comfortable and confident in, and they were always communicative and supportive throughout the process. The housing they provided was amazing, clean, and in a great location with easy access to everything I needed. Barcelona is now one of my favorite cities! I had such an unforgettable experience, met incredible people from around the world, gained valuable professional skills, and created memories that I'll always look back on with gratitude.

This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to spend two months in Barcelona interning at a foundation whose mission is to create transformative impact across the city of Barcelona not only for people in situations of vulnerability, but also for the volunteers who serve them.

Working closely on grant management and volunteer coordination, I gained hands-on experience with the operational backbone of nonprofit work.
As someone interested in public policy, this internship gave me a ground-level view of how policy and civic mobilization intersect in practice. I want to thank Sophie and Brenda, whose support made this experience what it was; guiding us, supporting us every day, and matching us to internships that fit us so well.

This internship taught me so much about the challenges vulnerable communities face and the power of organized volunteerism to meet them. Working in grant management and volunteer coordination showed me how thoughtful funding decisions and resourceful organizing can translate directly into impact on people's lives. It opened my eyes to different ways of life and to a city deeply committed to mobilizing its citizens for good. Barcelona will always be a second home for me, and I'm so thankful to have taken part in this experience and gotten to know so many wonderful people along the way.

I had an amazing experience both visiting and working in Barcelona. I especially appreciated the events throughout the program, as well as our coordinator, who helped us with events and suggested activities to do as well. Being able to make some friends from the States, as well as meeting good friends while working, was a great experience. I took advantage of my weekends to travel as much as possible and learned so much; I couldn't be more appreciative of this opportunity. Thanks, Connect, for a great time!

My internship in Barcelona and experience with Connect-123 has been amazing! They helped place me into a biomedical research lab studying liver transplantation outcomes and I had amazing coworkers and a lovely time working there. I have gained many valuable skills here-from co-authoring a review paper to learning various types of histological and immunological analyses, which will assist me in future research I pursue. Connect-123 has been supportive and helpful every step of the way in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. These past few months have taught me important professional and personal skills, especially regarding cultural humility and adjusting to life in a new country. Overall, my experience in the research lab has strengthened my desire to pursue a career in medical and clinical research while also expanding both my academic and personal horizons. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and would highly recommend it to anyone seeking meaningful research and cultural experiences abroad.

With the help of Connect-123, I spent my summer interning in Barcelona with an organization whose mission is to turn peace into a tangible, shared economic benefit for people living in conflict-affected regions. I worked closely with the incubation team, and by the midpoint of my internship, they trusted me to build out my own project. Over the following weeks, I developed a detailed budget, outlined a peacebuilding business model, and prepared concept notes to present to donors. I also conducted research on market entry strategies for shea butter in Europe and assessed alignment with funders like Cartier Philanthropy. However, none of this would have been possible without the support I received from Connect-123. They handled so much of the heavy lifting from finding me an internship whose mission aligned with my core interests and convictions, to managing my housing and logistics. They were especially helpful during a heatwave that knocked out our AC unit, quickly finding a safe alternative apartment that very same day. This wasn’t some résumé-polishing summer abroad. It was long hours, rewrites, humid bus commutes, and moments of real, hard‑earned clarity. It was a summer of learning what it means to try something difficult in a place that stirs your imagination. Thanks to Connect-123, I got to experience the ineffable magic that floats through the summer air in Barcelona. Cheers!

My time in Barcelona was spectacular! Not only was my internship perfect for my skill set and career goals, but my free time was well spent with my the other people on the program. I have made friends for life on this trip and Connect-123 has helped me foster these relationships throughout my time here. I just know I will stay in touch with everyone I met during my time in Barcelona. I have also learned and gained extremely valuable experience during my internship, which will help me in my future endeavors.