Connect-123 Global Internship Programs Reviews

During my four-week live-on-site practicum in Cape Town, South Africa, I experienced significant personal and professional growth. The practicum challenged me to be flexible and constantly be thinking.

I observed a certified child life specialist (CCLS) educating children and families about medical procedures, providing trauma-informed care, and offering preparation and support for procedures. The CCLS guided post-procedural play in both outpatient and multiple inpatient settings in a developmentally appropriate and trauma-informed manner. When appropriate, I supported children and families through caregiver respite, normalization play, and post-procedural play.

I learned and practiced communicating with children and families from diverse backgrounds, which led me to examine my biases, identify areas for growth, and establish personal and professional boundaries. I learned to grow from feedback, be flexible, and approach new situations with respect and confidence.

Our group of 18 started out as strangers, but we left with lifelong friends with many shared experiences.

I had a great time last summer! I got to shadow doctors and learn about cancer care and data. I also met amazing people who roomed with me and who I am visiting during my breaks! I would definitely recommend this to any students looking to get some experience in while not studying abroad for a full semester. I am truly missing it so much and will never forget the experiences and people I met while over there. Everyone in the administration was very helpful and readily available to answer any questions.

Connect 123 really helped me to have the best experience possible for my international internship. I had a minor health issue while abroad a couple times and connect was so amazing about making sure I was comfortable in my place of living as well as being amazing with the actual hospital selection and just being present if I needed them. The entire team at connect was awesome and willing to help with absolutely anything I might've needed. I made amazing friends who I still talk to and were always planning trips to see each other more! I had a truly amazing experience and that Is all because of this company.

Cape Town! Cape Town! What can I say, such a beautiful and wonderful experience overall. So many fun adventures with friends and outings on my own. I was hugged by the tastes and music of South African delicacies and culture, overall, an incredible opportunity. At my internship, I worked in the psychosocial department as a counselor, and I have gained so much experience and wise advice from colleagues and supervisors. I created a family in such little time. Thank you Connect-123 and thank you Carla for being so reliable, kind, and respectful, always being there when I had questions and giving me support when I got sick, needed cellular data, to learn about cool places to visit, and the list never ends. Much love from me Fernie :)

Finding an internship as an international student is very tough. Especially when you don’t really have experience related to your field, but Connect-123 made it possible for me to learn and gain experience. It was overall very enjoyable and I am glad to have undergone such. Now I have gained some understanding about working in a company to some extent and not to mention, there are also many soft skills which I feel like have improved ever since. I am very grateful for Connect-123 for conmecting me with the host organization and for the wonderful opportunity!

I have had an amazing time during the virtual internship and have learned a lot of new technical and soft skills. I thought doing an internship virtually would be difficult because of the lack of in-person contact, but the process was smooth, and I got into the rhythm of things very quickly. I ended up really enjoying the remote aspect of the internship because I was able to manage my own schedule. I was also lucky to have a supervisor that supported my experience and quickly answered any questions I had. He gave helpful feedback and encouraged me to complete tasks at my own pace, preferring thoroughness over rushed work.

Connect-123 exceeded every expectation in helping me secure a transformative remote internship with a Constitutional Law, Governance, and Human Rights-related non-profit organization in Cape Town, South Africa. Thanks to the incredible support of professionals like Carla and Xena, I landed my dream role as a Policy, Research, and Advocacy Intern. This experience deepened my passion for international law and public service. The internship not only sharpened my copyediting and research skills, but also clarified my career path in global policy and human rights. Connect-123’s personalized guidance and commitment to meaningful placements truly set them apart. I’m deeply grateful for their role in launching my professional journey.

My internship in Cape Town was an experience of a lifetime. I met so many great friends in the program, and my internship taught me so much beyond the surface. Being a well-traveled person, I can confidently say that Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve been to. Connect 123 organized so many great events for us throughout my stay, ensuring that we truly experience the country. We did things such as go on a safari, see the Cape of Good Hope, some great restaurants, a wine tasting, and the District Six museums. And there’s so much beyond just the activities with the group to do. If you have the opportunity, this program is amazing to participate in.

I had a great time in Buenos Aires immersing myself in a culture and people filled with such a rich history of food, music, and language. Although the argentine accent was quite challenging to understand at first, I appreciated my coworkers patience in conversing with me and eventually was able to understand exactly what was said. This experience broadened my understanding of what it means to speak spanish and how cultural and historical influences seep into daily conversation and pronunciation. I was able to improve my language skills greatly in both a professional work setting and casual conversation. Thank you Connect for this experience of a lifetime!

It is an experience that will stay with me for so long and taught me so many valuable things pertaining to child life. Including clinical experience, cultural humility, how to apply developmental theory, and hoe to prioritize in the medical setting. It was amazing to make friends with the same passions for child life as me. Exploring the country was so much fun, from hiking, ti beach walks, to safari they were all beautiful. the mentorship I received and still receive after the trip from my preceptor is incredibly uplifting and crucial to my journey.