Pharmaceuticals Internships in South Africa

I had such a wonderful experience working at a Whiskey Distillery in Dublin. The staff were all so genuinely nice and made me feel right at home. Rotating through the cafe, reception, and the back bar allowed me to understand all the different phases of a working distillery, and meeting the bosses was a great addition to the program. Dublin attracts so much tourism, I really enjoyed meeting so many different people from all over the world at my work. It felt like a true mix of diversity, which allowed me to learn so many unique things from everyone I encountered. I was also incredibly glad to use my Mandarin skills to help out. On my days off, I had the best time exploring Dublin, traveling around Ireland, and adventuring into other European countries. It was a beautiful journey both professionally and personally!

interned at the a private hospital in the operating room, where I observed the anesthesiologists and surgeons. This experience helped me gain a lot of insight in the healthcare system is like in a different country. I spent two months in Buenos Aires and it was wonderful with weekly events on the weekends coordinated by Brenda and Maru. Thanks to Connect-123 I was able to strengthen education and gain real life experience that will help me with my future profession.

Connect-123 did an amazing job connecting me with an internship company that was similar to my interests. During my remote internship that was based out of Cape Town, I felt valued and that I played an important role in helping and shaping my clients and my company's future. My supervisor and his personal assistant were super kind, understanding, positive, and respectful towards me, and I felt very appreciated by them. Connect-123 did an amazing job of offering career-readiness tips and advice, including having three Zoom call sessions about developing different career-development skills that were very interactive and engaging. Carla, my program and internship coordinator, did an outstanding job communicating and helping me find an internship company that combined my values, interests, and career goals, as it was a very smooth process and transition. During my two-month internship, she would check in with me often, offer me advice, and be very supportive and encouraging to me. I highly recommend Connect-123 to anyone who is looking for an organization that will help set them up for career success.

I have had an amazing experience interning abroad in Barcelona. It was wonderful to see how passionate those at the non-profit I worked in were in regards to giving kids at the Casal a summer full of fun memories and connections. I got to learn so much from the kids I worked with and got to learn more about myself. Additionally, everyone from my host site to those in connect-123 were always really supportive throughout my time here, so not once did I feel afraid of being in another country so far from home for the first time!!

My internship at the University of Cape Town in South Africa was an eye opener to both research and a new culture. At my internship I gained new skills including RNA Isolation, PBMC Isolation, ELISA, MDM Generation, Graphpad Prism and much more. I was also able to shadow an endocrinologist at the Groote Schuur hospital which introduced me to healthcare outside of the U.S. Shadowing in a public hospital opened my eyes to what being a doctor really is. It was chaotic, stressful, busy, but it also showed me that people of the same community suffer from common conditions that are uncommon in the U.S. Outside of the lab and clinic, and I was also able to attend and assist at a research foundation conference here in Cape Town. Though this conference was focused on sustainability, I was honored to attend and learn more about how research expands around the world, bringing together different continents and countries for one purpose. Overall, this internship experience allowed me to gain a better understanding of what research is, but also what healthcare is like in a different country. If anyone is thinking about coming to Cape Town, I recommend seeing the “not so pretty” side and learning about the history behind the mother city. It really opens your eyes to something you might not have known before.

This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to spend two months in Barcelona interning at a foundation whose mission is to create transformative impact across the city of Barcelona not only for people in situations of vulnerability, but also for the volunteers who serve them. Working closely on grant management and volunteer coordination, I gained hands-on experience with the operational backbone of nonprofit work. As someone interested in public policy, this internship gave me a ground-level view of how policy and civic mobilization intersect in practice. I want to thank Sophie and Brenda, whose support made this experience what it was; guiding us, supporting us every day, and matching us to internships that fit us so well. This internship taught me so much about the challenges vulnerable communities face and the power of organized volunteerism to meet them. Working in grant management and volunteer coordination showed me how thoughtful funding decisions and resourceful organizing can translate directly into impact on people's lives. It opened my eyes to different ways of life and to a city deeply committed to mobilizing its citizens for good. Barcelona will always be a second home for me, and I'm so thankful to have taken part in this experience and gotten to know so many wonderful people along the way.

I had an amazing experience both visiting and working in Barcelona. I especially appreciated the events throughout the program; being able to make some friends from the States, as well as meeting good friends while working, was a great experience. I took advantage of my weekends to travel as much as possible and couldn't be more appreciative of this opportunity. Thanks, Connect, for a great time!

I chose Cape Town because it was one of the first places that came up when I searched for internships in Africa simple as that! I decided to pursue an internship to help figure out my future career path. During my time here, I interned with a legal organization focused on women’s rights and advocacy, where I had the chance to contribute to meaningful social change. I am especially grateful for how welcoming and supportive my colleagues were throughout the experience. Beyond the internship, I loved Cape Town’s incredible nature and landscapes. I stayed for three months, which felt like a great amount of time, though I would recommend staying at least two months to fully immerse yourself in the experience. The VACorps staff were always friendly and helpful, and the weekly activities were a fun way to explore the city and meet other interns.

I chose Cape Town as a place to work abroad because of its beautiful landscapes and incredible wildlife. During my time here, I had the opportunity to intern with a local seabird conservation and rehabilitation organization, where I helped care for several species, including the African penguin. I loved exploring Cape Town and the surrounding towns, spending time at the beaches and mountains, and meeting the many kind people who live here. The culture and art throughout the city are also truly inspiring. I spent six weeks living and working here, which felt like the perfect amount of time, though I would have happily stayed longer to explore more of the country. One of the most rewarding parts of my internship was working directly with the birds, feeding them, assisting with care, and helping during rehabilitation. A highlight was attending a penguin release along the coast, where I watched several birds I had helped care for return to the ocean. I am especially grateful for the support from the VACorps team, who made the experience even more meaningful and were always there if I needed anything.

It was a great experience with incredibly supportive staff and a wonderful opportunity to explore Cape Town. My internship with a community-based organization offered an insightful and engaging workload, making the experience both meaningful and unique. I have no major recommendations and am very grateful to everyone who helped make the journey so special.

Cape Town was an easy choice for my internship. Having visited before, I already knew it was one of the most beautiful cities, with great weather and a vibrant culture. During my time here, I had the opportunity to intern with a professional organization in engineering, where I met a range of professionals and made valuable connections. It was a great way to gain experience while learning more about the industry in an international setting. Living in Cape Town was an incredible experience. There is always something to do from hiking and going to the beach to enjoying the nightlife and exploring the city’s culture. One of the best parts was meeting people from all over the world, especially the other interns I lived with. The VAC staff were fantastic and organized fun activities that helped us experience the city in a meaningful way. I stayed for eight weeks, but I would definitely recommend staying longer to make the most of everything Cape Town has to offer.

I absolutely loved my placement. Initially, I thought I would rotate through a different unit each week, but I ended up spending most of my time in the maternity ward because I enjoyed it so much. During my internship, I observed 23 deliveries and a number of interesting medical cases. I also learned a great deal about how the healthcare system here operates. Overall, the medical officers and professional nurses were wonderful to work with. They are often more direct than doctors and nurses in the U.S., but I came to appreciate that approach and found it to be very effective. I am incredibly grateful for my time in South Africa and will carry this experience with me throughout my future career in healthcare. One of my personal goals in coming to Cape Town was to spend time away from home and learn how to navigate my anxiety in a healthy and effective way. I feel proud that I was able to do that, and it made the experience even more meaningful.

This was the best experience of my life. I had the opportunity to immerse myself in Argentine culture, meet many new people, eat amazing food, and learn so much at my internship working with promoting diversity and inclusion. Since day one, our coordinator, Brenda, was super communicative and very helpful throughout the whole trip. This was such a unique experience, and I will carry it with me forever!

I enjoyed my experience working remotely during my internship! I'm grateful for the support I received from Connect 123 and this experience gave me so much direction as to what I'm looking for in my future career.

My experience in Cape Town was great! Carla is extremely helpful and was always there for anything I needed. She made me feel so comfortable and taken care of. I also really enjoyed all the planned activities!

My time abroad was liberating and has motivated me to be able to return. Between my internship and time in Buenos Aires, learning the language and culture was incredibly fulfilling. Connect's scheduled events were great insights into the local life and were led by an incredibly compassionate coordinator who went out of her way to not just those days, but 24/7 for us. Maybe its just the Buenos Aires effect, but this trip was exactly what I was looking for!

With the help of Connect-123, I spent my summer interning in Barcelona at a Swiss NGO whose mission is to turn peace into a tangible, shared economic benefit for people living in conflict-affected regions. I worked closely with the incubation team, and by the midpoint of my internship, they trusted me to build out my own project. Over the following weeks, I developed a detailed budget, outlined a peacebuilding business model, and prepared concept notes to present to donors. I also conducted research on market entry strategies for shea butter in Europe and assessed alignment with funders. However, none of this would have been possible without the support I received from Connect-123. They handled so much of the heavy lifting—from finding me an internship whose mission aligned with my core interests and convictions, to managing my housing and logistics. They were especially helpful during a heatwave that knocked out our AC unit, quickly finding a safe alternative apartment that very same day. This wasn’t some résumé-polishing summer abroad. It was long hours, rewrites, humid bus commutes, and moments of real, hard‑earned clarity. It was a summer of learning what it means to try something difficult in a place that stirs your imagination. Thanks to Connect-123, I got to experience the ineffable magic that floats through the summer air in Barcelona. Cheers!

Connect-123 were so helpful for me during my time in Dublin Ireland, whether it was teaching me how to write a professional email or basic professional skills with employers they were very helpful. On top of that, they were able to find me an internship in a quick timely manner after my first one didn't workout. I appreciate everything they did for me.

I had an incredible experience interning during the summer of 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. I was able to help with the marketing efforts along with interacting with the students. I was able to grow both professionally and personally. As I continue with my career, I will always remember the positive impact that Connect 123 had!

I'm so grateful for the opportunity to intern in Dublin. Living there for two months and working allowed me to truly immerse myself in the culture. I'm so glad to have had the support of Connect123 throughout the entire experience. They made interning abroad seem achievable!