Pandemic Pivoting in Cape Town (Virtual Internship)

CONNECT 1-2-3 Experience

I have enjoyed my internship experience with Connect 1-2-3 immensely. I was paired with an organization that was really a great fit. The virtual aspect of my internship was unexpected. I had made plans to spend two months in Cape Town, South Africa. The pandemic changed those plans rather abruptly. However, everyone at Connect 1-2-3 was very helpful, and worked with me to coordinate a virtual internship. I feel that I would not have been able to pivot from an in person traditional internship experience to a virtual one without the responsiveness of the Connect 1-2-3 team.

I have returned to graduate study after many years of experience working professionally and volunteering all over the world. I have more than fifteen years of work experience in Human Resources, Program and Volunteer Management. The internship is a requirement for completing a master’s degree at Penn State University School of International Affairs. The host organization I have been paired with has challenged me to use all of my talents and develop a few more. Every day during my assignment I am amazed at the breadth and scope of skills I use to complete tasks for the organization. It has been a great experience and I feel like I am a part of the host organization’s team. We meet almost daily and there are general staff meetings that I participate in from the United States.

It’s equally beneficial to be a part of Connect 1-2-3 intern group. The organization provided virtual tours of Cape Town and Barcelona that were memorable. I have visited both countries before and I learned something new. The opportunity to listen to the achievements and talents of other Connect 1-23 participants has been invaluable and motivating. This has been an experience I will not soon forget. I will always have something positive and very interesting to share about my days during this life altering pandemic and I am very grateful.

Sherrine