Connect-123 Global Internship Programs Reviews

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.

Reflecting on my time in Cape Town and the amazing opportunities that Connect-123 provided, I can proudly say that coming here has been the best decision I have done during my time at Penn State. From the instant I set a foot in this amazing country, every single person has made me feel welcomed and loved! Regarding my internship, my placement was an absolute game-changer. Not only for my personal growth, but also because I was able to work alongside talented and passionate people that pushed me to become a better version of myself! Beyond the professional aspect, the trips and activities sponsored by Connect-123 have been nothing but exceptional. From having the time of our life at Food Jams with our program coordinator, Carla, to having a breathtaking safari through the Garden Route. Overall, this has been an unforgettable journey and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity. This has been a wild experience and Connect-123 and this place will always hold a specially place in my life!

I have just left Barcelona after two months, and I already want to be back! I had the best experience exploring a city so unlike where I grew up, and met introspective and wonderful people through my internship at a clinic for sick children, as well as through Connect 123. With like minded new friends, I discovered amazing restaurants throughout the city, visited nearby places up the coast, went to a number of amazing art museums, and even went to a FC Barca game which was the best! My friends were the best, and I am even going to travel with some over the course of my gap year! Over my time working, I was able to form bonds with children struggling with challenging medical issues, as well as their parents, and doing so brought me fulfilment and awe of how such great difficulties can shape a person. All of my colleagues and the families were such lovely humans, and most of all inspired me to not take anything for granted and work through challenges with an open and light mindset. An experience I never would have found on my own, working at the clinic brought me clarity on the things I could see myself doing in the future, and was lots of fun for improving my spanish skills. The Connect 123 activities were a blast, my personal favorite was a tapas night on one of the best tapas streets in Barcelona! I am headed to the University of Washington this September, and while I will be sad to return back to the states, I am doing so with new perspectives of the world, new abilities to make global friends, and a mile long bucket list of places I want to travel to next! Thank you Connect 123!

My experience with an internship through Connect 123 was incredibly exciting; I was ended up working in precisely the field I’m interested in and gained valuable experience that will help me pursue my career. I also really enjoyed the Connect 123 sponsored trips, especially to the cliffs of Moher. One of the best things about being abroad is the ability to travel further- I’ve been able to cheaply travel extensively around Ireland as well as in Germany and Italy. Another thing I appreciate is the automatic community I joined through Connect 123; it was really nice to arrive in a new country knowing that there were already some people I was connected with and who I could contact in case of emergency.

I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to travel to Cape Town, South Africa through Connect123 and gain valuable skills to shape me for my future in Child Life. This program was extremely well organized and gave a well rounded experience both in and out of the hospital. This practicum experience allowed me to work with so many different age groups and diagnoses, and even learn to navigate between language barriers. We got to learn hands-on in various units such as orthopedic, oncology, clinical settings, and inpatient pediatrics. The different hospitals we visited gave me a holistic view of different lifestyles, socioeconomic levels, and hospital dynamics.

Beyond the hospital I was able to immerse myself into all Cape Town has to offer through activities such as sandboarding, paragliding, hiking, safari rides, trying local cuisine, and so much more.

I can confidently say that traveling to South Africa for my practicum is the single best decision I have ever made, and the people I met and the experience I had in the hospitals will forever have an impact on me. I will carry the skills I learned with me for the rest of my life.