What is your favorite travel memory?
I think my favorite travel memory is from when I studied and interned abroad in London. While I was there, I met my now husband, and getting to fall in love while also falling in love with exploring London was such a magical, once-in-a-lifetime experience. That time abroad didn’t just shape my personal life, it also set the course for my career. Interning internationally opened my eyes to how transformative these experiences can be, and it ultimately led me to the work I do now, helping students secure their own first big career break through internships abroad. It also lead to me moving abroad again after graduation and I've been lucky enough to call Melbourne home for nearly 9 years now.
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
I’ve had the chance to learn about destinations I’d never previously worked with, like Cape Town and Buenos Aires. The more I learn about the culture, the communities, and the incredible projects happening there, the more excited I am to someday explore them myself. It’s been really inspiring to see how impactful these locations are for our students, and getting to understand them more deeply has been one of the most meaningful parts of my work with Connect-123 so far.
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
One of my favorite alum stories is about a student who completed her internship in Cape Town and later moved to Dublin for grad school. She found a random roommate online, and by total coincidence that roommate turned out to be another Connect-123 alum who had interned in Cape Town the year before her. They instantly became close friends. I love how that story makes the world feel a little smaller and highlights just how far-reaching the Connect-123 community really is.
If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?
If I had to choose, I think I’d go with Cape Town, mostly because the chance to do a safari and see the Big Five is just unbeatable. I’ve always loved exploring new places, and South Africa is still high on my list. Our alum photos from Cape Town are always so breathtaking that I’d love to finally experience it in person.
That said, Buenos Aires is a very close second. Between the food, the culture, and the energy of the city, it’s definitely another destination I’m dying to experience. And of course, I have to give a shout-out to Sydney. Since moving to Australia myself, I truly can’t say enough about how incredible this country is. The lifestyle, the scenery, the culture, it’s such an amazing place to live and explore, and our students absolutely love it.
That said, Buenos Aires is a very close second. Between the food, the culture, and the energy of the city, it’s definitely another destination I’m dying to experience. And of course, I have to give a shout-out to Sydney. Since moving to Australia myself, I truly can’t say enough about how incredible this country is. The lifestyle, the scenery, the culture, it’s such an amazing place to live and explore, and our students absolutely love it.
What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
What makes Connect-123 unique is that we guarantee placement, and we’ve been delivering on that promise for nearly 20 years across thousands of students and countless career fields. The sheer volume, diversity, and quality of placements we’ve facilitated is at a whole other level. I’ve worked for several other providers throughout my career, and I’m consistently blown away by how our team at Connect-123 is able to deliver high quality, customized placements.
I’m especially proud of our team when I see the behind-the-scenes effort that goes into every single match. They don’t take shortcuts, and they don’t rely on generic placements. They build meaningful relationships, tailor opportunities to each student, and go above and beyond to ensure the experience is truly transformative. It’s that combination of hustle, heart, and expertise that makes Connect-123 stand out.
I’m especially proud of our team when I see the behind-the-scenes effort that goes into every single match. They don’t take shortcuts, and they don’t rely on generic placements. They build meaningful relationships, tailor opportunities to each student, and go above and beyond to ensure the experience is truly transformative. It’s that combination of hustle, heart, and expertise that makes Connect-123 stand out.
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
I think the biggest factor in being a successful company is genuinely being excited alongside the student and staying focused on finding the best possible experience for each individual. When you approach each interaction with authenticity, really listening, really caring, and genuinely wanting the best for them, it builds trust in a way that can’t be faked. Transparency is just as important; being open about expectations, processes, and possibilities helps students feel supported and informed every step of the way. Treating every student as a unique person with their own goals and dreams, and bringing genuine enthusiasm and honesty to helping them get there, creates meaningful outcomes and lays the foundation for long-term success.