Program Reviews

For two months this summer, I interned as a public policy and law researcher for a non-governmental organization that studies economic crimes - such as drug trafficking, money laundering, human trafficking and more. Before becoming involved with Connect-123, I very much wanted to gain work experience in this field. Thanks to Connect, I had the opportunity to do so.

My time in the office was very productive: I analyzed laws and governmental policies surrounding certain issues (I mostly worked on civil forfeiture and the illicit drug market) and I would write reports on them. My work felt valued and worthwhile.

Argentina was what I had hoped for and so much more, truly. Buenos Aires is a huge metropolis with something for everyone - concerts, cultural events, museums, and seemingly unlimited opportunities to pursue other niche interests. The local cuisine is very unique. It lends a lot from Italian (milanesa a la nepolitana, anyone?) but with a local twist characteristic of a country built by immigrants. My absolute favorite food was pizza from Güerrín - there's nothing like it in the States. So many other foods - empanadas, asado, choripan - are to die for too.

Focusing on Connect-123: They were very much invested in your success and your enjoyment of the program. The program coordinators were very friendly and often would go to social outings with us! This helped us get a footing in a foreign land and to learn the local customs. Connect also made sure that your housing and work was at expectations: my housing was perfect (I lived with an Argentinian family) and it was Connect who was able to make that contact happen.

There are also opportunities to travel during the program. I personally went to Mendoza, Argentina for a long weekend to see the Andes Mountains and vineyards. The views were breathtaking! There are plenty of other travel opportunities too - Iguazú Falls, Patagonia, Uruguay, and so much more. Connect-123 helped me get contacts for a productive weekend trip.

To conclude, I loved my experience in Argentina and with Connect. If you're looking for professional development and a good time, this could be the program for you!

When I started university, I knew that I wanted to spend one semester abroad. I completed an internship with Connect-123 in Buenos Aires from February-June 2014 and it was the best decision I could have ever made.

I interned at two NGO's. One dealt primarily with issues affecting women and children with HIV/AIDS. My responsibilities included looking for funding, compiling a master list with the funder's requirements, explaining the grants and sending them to the organization, as well as the translation/revision of their entire website, many grant proposals, budgets and official e-mails. At this NGO I learnt a lot about non-profit work in Argentina, the inner-working of the UN, marketing, grant writing, budget creation and translation.

The second organization was a feminist non-profit that dealt with women's rights in the context of domestic or any type of violence. I was more independent at this internship and initiated my own project which was a creation of a blog for the organization. I also assisted them with a bit of translation and writing up material/preparing for workshops that they were to hold later in the year.

In both of my internships I learnt greatly about women's rights in Argentina, the inner workings of NGOs and the impact both groups are making domestically and internationally. My level of Spanish also went from barely speaking to conversational fluent in a matter of months.

In my free time, I met up with friends, explored the city, went out, ate some great food and also visited other regions in Argentina and countries in South America. Buenos Aires is really the gateway to many destinations and there are several ways to travel affordably.

I loved everything about Argentina: the food, the people, the expressions, the places, the cities, the music, literature, culture, nature and my apartment!

Thank you to Paula and Katie from Connect-123 for warmly welcoming me to BA and helping me make the best out of my experience.

I would highly suggest this for anyone to get out of their comfort zone and pursue international opportunities like this one so as to learn, be taught, share, travel and experience.

My summer in Dublin was absolutely incredible! I volunteered at a community resource centre helping with the planning and facilitating of a summer project, which provides a fun and safe environment for at-risk youth during their summer holiday. Connect-123 understood what type of opportunity I was looking for and worked with me every step of the way! Dublin is a beautiful city and it's relatively small size allowed for me to become acquainted to it in a short amount of time. I recommend to anyone to take an opportunity like this because the learning experience is unforgettable!!!

I had the opportunity to participate in the perfect internship! Connect-123 offered me exactly what I was looking for and where very helpful during my process. At first I was afraid, but they made me feel like home. It's a great opportunity for personal and professional growth.

My 8 weeks in Dublin were truly memorable. I had a lot of fun and learnt a lot during my internship as an executive intern. Dublin is just full of friendly and helpful people and it was easy to make friends and feel at home.

The process of applying for the internship, arriving in Ireland and settling down in my accommodation was very smooth and working with Connect-123 made my life much easier. For someone who was travelling away from home for the 1st time, and that too more than 13 hours away, applying with Connect-123 was comfortable and safe. I also got to live with and meet other interns from the programme, so I didn't feel alone.

I learnt a lot during my internship.The great thing about Connect-123 is that they monitor your progress at your internship and discuss with you your goals before and mid-way your internship, so that you have a clear picture on what you want to gain at the end of the experience. They are also very willing to help us during our stay there. I am glad that I cam to Dublin for my internship. I am definitely going to a plan a trip back!

I can honestly say that living and working in Ireland for 2 months was the greatest, most rewarding experience of my life so far. I had a great place to stay at University College Dublin, a fantastic internship at Trinity, and was able to travel to new and exciting places every weekend. I could feel myself growing as a person every day--becoming more independent, developing my skills as a researcher, making new friends and long-lasting connections, and seeing sights that have been on my bucket list for a while (e.g. Giant's Causeway and Blarney Castle). By the end of the summer, I'd gotten to know Dublin so well I was giving Irish people directions! I'd highly recommend this experience to any college student--especially if, like me, it's your first time going abroad.

Everything about my Buenos Aires experience was wonderful. I was able to pick a meaningful internship that was not only relevant to my university degree but also allowed me to have a traveling gap year that didn't sacrifice my professional development. The program staff was always available to answer any questions I had, from the best method to get across town, to where to find certain food items, to their favorite weekend vacation spot. Buenos Aires itself is a wonderful city with an indescribably vibrant culture that you need to immerse yourself in to fully understand. I met some of the greatest people in the world and improved my Spanish to a near fluent level. I really cannot recommend Connect-123 and Buenos Aires higher, and I feel so fortunate to have been able to partake in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

A once-in-a-lifetime experience. Connect-123 staff were really helpful. Picked up Spanish. Traveled to so many places in Argentina. Breathtaking natural landscapes. Totally recommend it to anyone who wishes to have an adventure of a lifetime!

Accurately putting my time in Cape Town into words is impossible, because however I describe my experience won't do it justice.
Working at an addictions rehab center was amazing. I wasn't sure if clinical psychology was the right choice for me, so I wanted an experience where I could work with patients in a counseling setting. The four months I spent working at the rehab center not only assured me that counseling is something I want to pursue, but also steered me towards addictions counseling. At work, I often found myself in new and unfamiliar situations, but I was able to grow professionally and learn so much from these experiences.
Moreover, I was in the most beautiful city in the world, and I got the chance to really live there, rather than experience it in a short few weeks as a tourist on vacation would have.
This has been a life changing experience, and I would repeat it in a heartbeat. If you have the chance, go for it - it's an experience of a lifetime!

Barcelona is the place to be-between its people, tapas, countless outdoor plazas, beautiful scenery, beaches and nightlife-there is something for everyone. My decision to go live and work in Barcelona was last minute. I was offered two internships, but the one I chose pertained to my career path most and was in the heart of Barca. I cannot emphasize how helpful it was to be a part of the Connect123 program. I had transportation from the airport and the director, Lea Levy, was at my apartment less than an hour later to greet me, make sure I was settled and explore the neighborhood with me to get my bearings. I was able to make friends immediately through the program and eventually, as we made local friends, it felt more like a city we belonged to. I also continued daily activities I would normally do at home, like going on daily runs through the city and having coffee at the same local shop, (where I eventually became a ‘regular’). The think tank I worked for opened a lot of doors to build my professional career. I was able to complete a full report regarding economic relations between the EU and the US (the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership), in which a shorter version was published through the organization I worked for, as well as a Barcelona E-journal. In addition, I was able to network with people in the Barcelona European Parliament, a few NGO’s and think tanks and even conduct interviews with the Trade Spokesman and a think tank researcher in Brussels. I grew professionally and personally through my experience in Barcelona, I only wish it had lasted longer. You will not regret your decision to go to Barcelona, if anything you will want to stay longer and then look for job opportunities so you can go back.