Program Reviews

My time in Dublin, Ireland, living on the UCD Campus while interning at an NGO has been an incredible experience. The internship in policy writing allowed me to deeply engage with my passion for sociology and mental health advocacy. Exploring Ireland and neighboring countries enriched my understanding of diverse cultures and provided unforgettable memories. Connecting with new friends and coworkers has been invaluable, fostering a sense of community and belonging. This experience has taught me so much about myself and the workplace, while expanding my knowledge in psychology, sociology, and business organization. I am immensely grateful for this opportunity.

I am beyond grateful for Connect123 and my internship experience in Barcelona. It is the most amazing city with so much to see and do. My internship experience allowed me to grow both professionally and personally which I have no doubt will hugely benefit me in the future. The housing accommodations and support from the program was behind expectations. I always felt able to reach out if I needed anything or had any questions. I will cherish the experiences I have had over the past 2 months forever!

Thanks to Connect 1-2-3 and Michigan State University, I have had a fantastic experience living in Dublin. While living in Ireland, I had the pleasure of working as a research and policy intern with an incredible NGO. I felt immersed culturally, deepening my understanding of policy, international relations, community organizing, and development. Planned weekend trips and my own journeys allowed me to see the beauty that the world (and Ireland) offers me in my post-grad journeys. I am thankful for the time spent catering to my interests in selecting my internship, the people I've met and grown close to, and the experience of a lifetime. Sláinte!

Lea and Steven at Connect-123 did a great job not only placing me in an internship for this summer but also keeping up with me to ensure things were running smoothly. They were always available if I had any questions and were a huge support system while I was in Dublin. Now that I have completed my internship, I can say that I have gained valuable skills and experience that have allowed me to propel myself forward in my future career path. I am excited to use these new competencies to excel in the workplace.

Choosing to complete my Child Life Practicum in Cape Town was by far the best decision I could have made. The practicum is a play-based learning experience and gave me real hands-on opportunities to work with children in the hospital environment. Working through a group practicum was amazing as well because I was able to observe others in the field and we could learn from each other. Not only was I able to learn about the field of Child Life but I was also able to see Cape Town and experience things that are not only beautiful but a learning opportunity as well. This was truly a life-changing experience, and I would recommend it to anyone!

Having graduated from college during the pandemic I was not sure how to go about the next steps of
my career. I came across Connect-123 while searching for internships online. The application process
is very straight forward, you simply fill out your desired field of study and your desired location. I
then had a phone call with Carla who filled me in on the internship process and how it works. She
asked me about my preferences and objectives for the internship and within only a few weeks she
was able to match me with an organisation.
Although my internship was remote, I was in frequent communication with the organisation, so I
never felt disconnected. Connect-123 also provided tips on how to stay connected and get the most
out of the internship. Carla also checked in on me during the internship and reassured me that
should I require any assiatance she would be there to help.
The internship itself was very rewarding I got to experience working in my chosen field of interest. I
was assigned tasks and got to conduct research for the company. I practised soft skills of long distance communication, time management and meeting deadlines. I learned technical skills such as
using google docs, creating designs and writing copy for the company. The people I worked with
were so welcoming and provided feedback along the way and were appreciative of my contributions.
Overall Connect-123 is a wonderful resource in not only in securing an internship but also providing
support along the way. Taking the next steps in your professional journey can be daunting but simply
knowing Connect-123 is there to support you makes it much easier.
I would highly recommend anyone considering an internship to apply through Connect-123.

I loved Dublin because of how personable the people were and how much there was to do. Travel was easy and there was so much to explore in your free time out of work. The job itself taught me so much and it was a great experience that showed me what I might want to do later in life for work! Another piece I enjoyed was how easy it was to travel to other countries and the flexibility I was provided in order to explore Europe and see the various different cultures. Overall I loved my experience and I would highly recommend this internship for others!

This experience with Connect-123 was amazing and was everything that I hoped for. I was nervous about the internship placement at first however, my final internship placement was amazing and I loved the organization and their work. The tourist events that Connect-123 planned were also incredible; the variety of restaurants, the safari tour, and extra excursions we could sign up for. I enjoyed everything and I will add that I loved having my own space, as I got an Airbnb. However, Connect-123 and Carla really made this dream come through and made it easier than I could imagine!!

My two-month journey in Buenos Aires was nothing short of incredible! Immersing myself in the vibrant culture, my Spanish skills improved significantly as I engaged with the friendly locals and embraced their warmth. The friendships I made were invaluable, and together, we explored the city's iconic landmarks, discovered hidden gems, and indulged in delicious cuisine. Moreover, gaining work experience added a unique dimension to my trip, giving me insights into the local business landscape. I wholeheartedly recommend Buenos Aires to everyone – its energy, culture, and friendly atmosphere make it an absolute must-visit destination that will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Thanks to Connect-123 I was able to have an amazing summer in Barcelona. They helped me find a job in the environmental sustainability field to work during my two months in Barcelona. Working at this organization helped me learn about the Catalonia region and the importance of it. As well as learning about the natural spaces and the Catalan work culture and lifestyle. In this job, I was able to host activities in Spanish which helped me improve my Spanish. C123 made sure to contact us about the job in the beginning and during our time working there which made me feel confident since I knew I had a group of people supporting me.

Also, I was able to meet people from all over the US and the world through their events. C123 made sure to encourage everyone to attend these events since this is such an important part of making friendships with the people in the same program as you. Overall, I had a great time in Barcelona and made so many memories with the most amazing people.