What inspired you to co-found Connect-123? What mission and values were important to you through that process?
Supporting small business’ and NGO’s needs, while helping students refine their career goals and “find their feet” professionally, has driven me. It actually gives me goosebumps. Knowing that both sides benefit due to the relationships I can create, has been very rewarding. Being honest in business, reliable in service delivery and truly caring about what we do, who we help, and what we accomplish is essential to me!
How has your international work experience influenced your position as Program Director for China, Ireland, and Spain with Connect-123?
It has helped me learn how to be culturally aware, cope with unexpected change, and stay calm under stress. Plus I am able to share this knowledge with our students. Since I’ve “worn many hats” in my work life, I’ve also grown acutely aware of the diverse building blocks that can help a person reach their goals, and I apply this instinct when finding each applicant an ideal project abroad.
What makes China, Ireland, and Spain good locations for volunteers and interns?
These three destinations are uniquely different, but offer something for everyone depending on their cultural interests, language preferences, or sense of adventure. Shanghai, Dublin, and Barcelona are dynamic cities, and offer a diverse range of intern and volunteer opportunities.
Describe a typical day of work for you.
In a typical day, I’m networking with our partner organizations and gaining a better understanding of their business needs and how students can support these, while constantly looking for opportunities to build new relationships.
What qualities make a successful Connector?
It is not just skill or knowledge that make for a successful candidate. What helps Connectors grow while interning abroad is staying positive in tricky situations, having a can-do attitude, being upbeat, polite, hard-working, and trying to seek out the positive.
It means accepting that some days will be tough, but that getting up and trying again will make you stronger. It is important to learn and understand that everything doesn’t always go according to plan, but that you can always try another approach and work on finding a solution.
Why is volunteering and interning with Connect-123 unique?
I really believe that we go the extra mile all of the time! The amount of customization that goes into finding each student their unique tailored project is one of the many qualities Connect-123 excels at! Our global team is what make us authentic and real. We live in our destinations, are hands-on with our students. and we are completely engaged in their experiences.
We are also a family-run business. Steven and I are involved in every part of the business, every day. Together with our international team of program coordinators, we ensure that students experience our boutique approach first-hand.
Why do you think travel and experiencing new cultures is important?
It’s important to take a moment from our realities, and see the vast scope of others’ realities. Either to better understand it, or when possible to help make a difference where needed. The world has changed in many ways, but we are now enabled to see and experience it for ourselves through travel. Visiting a museum to see a stuffed animal on an exhibit seems so dated. Today we travel there in person, to taste, touch, smell, and experience a culture in person!
What is one piece of advice you would share with potential Connectors?
Believe. Act. Respect. Relax.
Believe in yourself and your abilities. Act by giving your all to your project and the experience. Respect those around you, their culture, and adapt respectfully to it. Relax - Rome wasn’t built in a day.
You are fortunate to be able to travel and you are learning through each step.
If you could participate in one of Connect-123’s programs, what would you do and where would you go?
I would probably select an animal rescue opportunity—like our Environment, Animal Science & Wildlife Volunteer Program—something madly exotic and dangerous, swinging from trees and sleeping in hammocks. But before that will happen, I’ll need to find that destination and expand C123 to it first!
What developments do you hope to see for Connect-123 in the future?
We chase passion and meaning. Connect-123 is my life, it’s not just a job or a company. Our children were born into the business, and have traveled the world with us because of it. My hopes are to continue creating meaningful experiences in more destinations for young people from all backgrounds, who share in our values and views, and appreciate our effort put into each customized experience.
