Connect-123 Internship & Volunteer Programs

I had a great experience in Cape Town. Connect-123 helped me find housing, food and a car to transport me to my volunteer program. They were my go-to for anything I needed and they planned fun outings that allowed us to explore the area and meet other people in the program. One of my favorite events was taking a bus to Franschhoek to celebrate the Bastille day festival and attending a local wine tasting. I also enjoyed the hiking and sightseeing in the local area. There are numerous museums and fun restaurants in and around Cape Town, and hiking trails can be reached within a 15 minute taxi ride. I volunteered with an after school marching band program that seeks to help children in the townships. Melanie helped establish a connection with the organization, although Connect-123 had not worked with them previously. She escorted me to my first rehearsal and facilitated my initial communication with the program director. Connect-123 took care of my needs in a generous and professional fashion and made my Cape Town experience one I will never forget!

Being a part of Connect-123 internship program was absolutely incredible. Traveling to South Africa to work at Red Cross War Memorial Hospital was an amazing experience, and Connect-123 was a big part of that. Connect-123 settled my apprehensions of being in a different part of the world more than I could have imagined. Everything right down to weekend events, social outings, and work related events were planned out so well that there was no need to worry about anything. Everything was so organized and it allowed me to have the optimal experience in Cape Town. In addition, working through the Child life project at RCCH was amazing. Traveling to South Africa to assess the needs of child life within hospitals definitely shaped my career goals, as well as personal goals. At the beginning of the experience, I expected to be the teacher, implementing methods and techniques of a Child Life specialist, but instead, I also came away from the experience with more knowledge of interacting with people in general than I could have ever imagined. Working at the hospital and interacting with such a diverse population forced me to stretch my limits and go beyond my comfort level to the extreme. Being in a place where I wasn't always familiar definitely was not easy at times, but personally and professionally, I would not be where I am today if I had not been a part of the Connect-123 Child Life team. It has definitely given me that extra step towards being better at practicing the profession of Child Life. I would HIGHLY recommend Connect-123 internship programs to anyone considering it.

Before coming to South Africa I had all these ideas and pictures in mind, but little did I know how much of an amazing and beautiful place Cape Town truly is. I remember the first day waking up and looking out my window to see mountains on one side, and the ocean from the rooftop. It was by far the most beautiful place I have traveled to in my life. Throughout my stay, Mugged became a usual and the sites of Cape Town became my adventure along with child life as my job. I felt more than welcomed during my stay by all the individuals involved in connect123, and by the end of the month, it actually started to feel like a home. I began to know my way around as well as feeling more comfortable, but my time in Cape Town fell way to short. Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital was the place where we piloted Child Life on various units, including mine on the surgery ward. It was difficult to adapt at first to such a diverse setting as well as a diverse population in which I had no previous experience with before. However, the experience there has taught me so much more about myself, Child Life and how to value even the smallest things. I feel confident that we made an impact on all the staff, families, and children's lives just in that one month, and am hopeful that one day the child life program there will be able to expand even more. As for my experience in general, it was just something that is unexplainable until you go there. I learned a lot within my hospital experiences, as well as got to enjoy just being in Cape Town. I think the highlights of my trip, were going on the safari, bungee jumping, and the feeling I got when I reached the top of Table Mountain. It's absolutely beautiful there, and I hope one day I will be able to return for a more extended amount of time.

I had the incredible opportunity to work with Connect -123 on a student trip to Cape Town, South Africa, in November and December of 2009. With their hands-on help and guidance, I brought 11 Ohio University students studying to be child life specialists for a 4-week child life practicum at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital (RCCH) in Cape Town. I had never done a trip like this and felt overwhelmed with questions and thoughts on how to pull it all together. I had the interested students, but needed to have resources in order to navigate the complexities of a trip like this. The entire experience turned into something much more than I ever imagined. Connect-123 staff was very accessible and helpful during our planning stages, so by the time we left for Cape Town, I felt very prepared. The students and I met via conference call with Connect-123 staff members Gabby Kelly and Caroline Hargrave; we had the chance to have our many questions answered, hear about the history of the child life program at RCCH, and discuss excursions we could plan as a group. Once we arrived, we were well taken care of. Our students were safe (which helped calm the nerves of my students' parents), educated and entertained during our 4-week trip. Connect-123 planned three very beneficial service-learning opportunities, including working with HIV positive teens, providing activities for a rehabilitation hospital, and providing child life services to a township medical clinic. In addition, the experiences they gave us, including a very memorable overnight safari, were unbelievable. I highly recommend Connect-123 to any faculty and/or staff interested in planning an international experience for their students. It truly was a life changing experience for the students and for me. This trip was just the beginning of our continued relationship with Connect-123!

When people ask me now, 'How was South Africa?' I try and switch it up (at least for my own amusement) each time. There are so many words to describe my experience. 'Incredible', 'amazing', 'absolutely wonderful', 'life changing', 'truly a learning experience', 'interesting' and the list goes on. But one reaction that is consistent in every conversation and recollection of my experience is a ridiculous grin on my face. Besides being all of the things I described, at the Red Cross Children's Hospital I found happiness in working with amazing people both foreign and native; in applying my skills where they were essential and beneficial; in learning about cultures I knew very little about; in being welcomed to, immersed in, and a part of those cultures, in working with the most adorable and remarkable children, and most importantly, in being a child life specialist. I volunteered with Connect-123 to bring something to Cape Town; to give my skills and my resources to those who would benefit from them. In return, Cape Town gave me so much more than pictures, t-shirts and wooden souvenirs. It's more than I could ever put into words and something that will remain a part of me forever. After serving with Connect-123, I am not only proud of what I have accomplished, but I am proud of who I have become. If you're reading this and trying to decide if volunteering is right for you, it would be unfair for me to say yes or no. What I can say is that, for me, the hesitation came only in what I would be sacrificing. I had to give up all that was familiar to me to go to a foreign country. I traveled to Cape Town knowing that it was the path for me; that everything would fall into place. Now I know that what I gave up was insignificant compared to what Cape Town and The Red Cross Children's Hospital gave me in return. It is not tangible, but within me. I share it in my interactions in both social and professional arenas. It comes through in my smile.

I was born in Durango, Mexico and I am a Child Life Specialist with a BA in Child Development and a specialization in Hospitalized Child from California State University, Los Angeles. Making the world a better place; this is something that we may all want to accomplish. As a Child Life student in Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital I had the opportunity to work in the ICU/Burn Rehabilitation unit. Working with children and helping them develop cognitively, physically, and emotionally while in the hospital is what I enjoy doing the most. Having the support of the medical team and the Connect-123 staff made me feel comfortable both in the hospital and in the city. Being in Cape Town also gave me the opportunity to explore the city and its surroundings. I met wonderful people that were part of the program as well as outside the program, and developed great friendships. While I was in Cape Town I learned a couple of words in Afrikaans and Xhosa. Over all I had an amazing experience and it made me grow both professionally and personally. By volunteering I may not be able to change the world, but I am able to enhance the life of a child.

I had an absolutely great experience during my three months in Cape Town and with Connect-123. I worked for a local microlending institution, supporting their operations. My work revolved around improving and establishing their loan application and collections processes. The work experience was great: I learned a lot about an MFI's workings as I delved into the operations specifics; I was given a lot of responsibility and ownership with my projects; and I was exposed to a fun and vibrant work culture. I'm grateful that Connect was able to provide me with such a great volunteering experience. What initially drew me to Cape Town were the pictures of Table Mountain and its stunning scenery. At the risk of sounding cliche, the city was even better than I imagined. Cape Town offered plenty of extra-curricular activities to complement my volunteer work: hiking up and rapelling (abseiling) down Table Mountain, volleyball and surfing at the beach, wine tours and festivals in the surrounding wine farms, shark cage diving, botanical gardens, nearby safari tours, and the Garden Route (which includes bungee jumping, sky diving, and ostrich racing). Cape Town was affordable, the locals very hospitable and friendly, and, contary to popular belief, the city was not unsafe. As with any big city, you just need to be vigilant. Connect-123 did a great job making sure we were getting the most of our stay: they had bi-weekly networking events, they set up hiking and wine tours, and notified us of any local events. I made many lifelong friendships during my stay in Cape Town and it's an experience I'll never forgot; I have Connect-123 to thank for this. I hope I'm able to return one day for vacation, or if possible, a long-term work assignment!

Interning in Cape Town through Connect-123 opened my eyes to what a career in microfinance would look like. Before the internship, what I knew of microfinance came from articles and cursory research. But after being given real responsibilities that took me from the computer screen to local townships, I found passion in the work I was doing. The experience I gained from working in a new country and new field with new people taught me invaluable lessons as well. Beyond the work, Cape Town is an incredibly dynamic city that is perfect for adrenaline junkies and the culturally-inquisitive alike. From petting cheetahs to bungee jumping to shark cage diving, Cape Town has something to offer for everyone.

Connect-123 made my experience in Cape Town phenomenal! I cannot thank Gabby and the rest of the Connect staff enough for providing me with such an amazing opportunity. Connect-123 was there every step of the way from arranging a ride from the airport to accompanying me on the first day of my internship. Connect-123 staff and interns become the family you left at home and the best friends you acquire for a lifetime! I interned at a small marketing/pr firm founded in 2007. As successful as it already was, there was still plenty of room to grow and improve which provided me with a tremendous work opportunity during my internship. As the social media wave has become such a dominant factor in the business world here in the US, and not so prevalent in South Africa, I was able to structure and introduce a social media campaign for one of our luxury clients. I provided a platform for the other interns to follow and it has been a success! The MD was so impressed she asked me to create one for her firm. I was also given the responsibility of managing the guest list for a penthouse luxury event that included famous celebrities from South Africa, the US and others abroad! Not to mention the perks of the internship, which included tickets to Cape Town Fashion Week! Connect-123 does a wonderful job matching you up to prospective internships that comply with your interests. As an advertising graduate interested in marketing and public relations my internship was a perfect match! With work comes play. Connect-123 did a fantastic job keeping us interns busy. The monthly schedule sent electronically provided us options to participate on group trips and ideas to create our own trips around South Africa. My favorite excursions were Wacky Wine and the Garden Route. If you're an adrenalin junkie, well this trip is certainly for you. Shark cage diving with great whites, bungee jumping from the world's longest jump, playing with elephants, riding an ostrich, hiking Table Mountain and Lion's Head, even skydiving! If you need any advice or help planning trips Connect is there to help. Connect also provides volunteering opportunities through host organizations. I was able to volunteer with an organization called Sisanda Fundaytion. As a volunteer we had the chance of visiting orphanages in various townships and taking children out for a day of fun. In most cases this is the first, and maybe only, time the children leave the township and enjoy simple pleasures such as going to the movies or riding a ride at an amusement park. Needless to say, it was an experience I will never forget. I chose to intern in Cape Town as a personal and professional growth experience and what I received was so much more. I met South Africans and other international travelers that I still maintain close contact with. I'm passionate about my experience, as it has positively impacted my life in many ways. This will prove to be a valuable contribution to my future endeavors. I recommend the Connect-123 internship experience vigorously!

My short time in Cape Town has made an everlasting impact on my life. Flying for 26 hours and landing in the Mother City was the most amazing feeling of accomplishment and belonging I have ever felt. Not only was the landscape amazing, but the people are what made my trip great. South Africa has the nicest, most humbled people I have met.Being able to see them come together during the World Cup was a momentous occasion and hopefully that will last. All the people I met welcomed me with open arms and that meant a lot. I was able to meet people who were like me at the Centre of Science and Technology (COSAT) in Khayelitsha. Seeing them come from adverse living conditions and being the smartest, brightest people I have met is a true testament to the human spirit. The way of life in Cape Town really made me realize that it's okay to sit back, relax, enjoy life; yet work hard and get things done all the while. That is some thing I think Americans have forgotten. Also, going to Cape Town showed me that people share more similarities than differences; something that the media doesn't equally portray. Also, I was able to apply my skills and interests in the internship I had with fashion designer Thulare Monareng. For example, I was able to organize events and photo shoots, create press kits and a strategic communications plan for her, as well as help her with scouting her new retail location on Long Street. In return, she showed me so much about the industry; introduced me to others in the industry; and really listened to and considered the suggestions I recommended for her work. I was able to come home with a sense of contribution, as well as experience no book could ever teach me. Equally important, because of that experience I am using it as the basis for my thesis. Two-and-a-half months went by so fast. All I know is that won't be my last time in Cape Town. Thanks to Erna Smith, USC Annenberg and Connect 123 for making my first trip abroad unforgettable.

My experience in Cape Town would not have been as extraordinary as it was, without the expertise of Connect-123. They are the most well connected people in Cape Town and took a caring and holistic approach to ensure that my internship, accommodation and social experiences were nothing short of amazing.

Connect-123 was absolutely fantastic in arranging the internship, accommodation, social activities and much more. My internship has given me the professional edge I needed for a career in journalism and has benefited me profoundly. I came to South Africa hoping for a great time and my expectations were more than fulfilled. I can't recommend the country, the people and Connect-123 highly enough! I experienced more than I ever thought I could: sky diving, shark cage diving, going on a safari and writing for an internationally recognised magazine. The only bad thing about my experience was having to leave and come back home!

Knowing that post graduation I would be in somewhat of a position of limbo before my career as an educator began, I decided to follow my dream of visiting the African continent. After a year of research, I finally found a program that seemed to fit my personality and needs in volunteering abroad; Connect-123. I was impressed with the communication throughout the process and the eagerness in having me become a part of their program. Melanie did a fantastic job placing me at a literacy based organization, teaching English to disadvantaged youth. Once I arrived, I realized I had extra time in my day and I wanted to do more - Melanie then put me in contact with a home for orphaned children which allowed me to spend time with six of the most remarkable children in the world! One cannot plan or anticipate everything that could happen in life - let alone some 7,000 miles away from home; however, the staff at Connect-123 in South Africa; Melanie, Kelly, Eimear, Mary, and Gabby all assisted in making Cape Town, South Africa a home away from home. Through various networking events and additional volunteering experiences, I became lifelong friends with individuals from around the globe - including some of the most inspirational and amazing people in South Africa! I quickly learned that a child's smile speaks volumes to the perseverance, hope, love, and beauty of South Africa!

I know that when I get back to the States I will be asked 'How was South Africa? I've been wondering what I could possibly say to that, and I think I've found an answer that is unfortunately as broad as the question itself. It was everything. Think of an adjective and it was Cape Town - stunning, exhilarating, challenging, painful, hilarious, breathtaking, terrifying, comforting, emotional, etc, etc, etc. I've built a life here, and life is full of everything. Looking back, I would not trade my experience in Connect for anything. It was a beautiful opportunity to befriend and live with people from all over the world while still becoming part of the local South African community. I worked at a literacy organization for at-risk children. The organization operates in five schools around Cape Town. I became a link at one of the schools, which means that I ran the daily operations of the Literacy Centre at that school. I coordinated over 50 incredible volunteers and 76 adorable children and had the time of my life. The children are tutored twice a week and usually have more one-on-one time with their literacy mentor than with any other adult in their educational life. It was amazing to see the changes in the children over my six months and to be given such great responsibility in the organization. Sometimes significant responsibility can mean a stressful working environment, but I always felt supported and loved as part of the team. Connect led me to what truly was my perfect internship situation, and I know that my experience will follow me throughout my life. If you're questioning coming to this incredible place, don't. There is a depth here that sinks into you, and I've met so many people that come here and end up staying. Whether or not you decide Cape Town is the place you wish you could spend your life, however, I promise you'll have a blast, grow in ways you never imagined and go home with amazing stories to tell.