Connect-123 Internship Programs

This past summer I interned abroad in Cape Town, South Africa at the Legal Resource Centre as a Legal Intern. What made my experience so great was the people and my program advisor Carla. Upon arriving in Cape Town me and my fellow interns were able to meet up with Carla and get more information about Cape Town. We then got to know each other better and proceed to have the best 8 weeks!

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Studying abroad in Dublin, Ireland, and participating in the internship program was truly one of the best experiences of my life. I had the incredible opportunity to work at a medical negligence and personal injury law firm, where I gained valuable professional experience and developed a better understanding of the legal field. The placement exceeded my expectations, and I could not have asked for a better internship experience. Everyone was welcoming, supportive, and willing to help me learn, which made me feel comfortable and included from the very beginning. One of the aspects I appreciated most was how structured and organized the entire program was. From the initial preparation to the internship placement and support throughout the experience, everything was thoughtfully planned. The program provided clear expectations, consistent communication, and guidance whenever needed, which made the transition to living and working in another country so much easier. I always felt supported and knew there were resources available if I needed assistance. Beyond the professional opportunities, living in Dublin allowed me to immerse myself in a new culture, meet amazing people, explore Ireland, and step outside of my comfort zone. This experience helped me grow both personally and professionally, while giving me memories and connections that I will carry with me for years to come. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity and would highly recommend this program to anyone considering studying abroad or completing an international internship. It was truly an unforgettable experience, and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!

Over the summer, I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Ireland and intern at Hidden Howth Experiences through Bucknell University's College of Management program. I cannot say how much this experience has impacted my life, and as moments pass and the world keeps moving, I will always remember the people I met, the family I found across the sea, and how to live life to the fullest. Mark Mchale was an amazing boss, friend, and mentor. He taught me valuable lessons that not only helped me in my job as a marketer, but also gave me lessons I can use throughout life. Going into the internship, I honestly had no idea what the job would mean. After traveling an hour and a half to get there on my first day, I showed up in slacks, a button-up, and a purse, ready to be a business professional. I thought I'd sit behind a desk and curate videos and media. I quickly learned that was not the agenda. Instead, four amazing puppies greeted me at the door. Then I met Mark and Paddy—a 6'7" red-haired Irish man who admittedly scared me a little at first but quickly became one of the funniest people I will always remember. Their kind faces and welcoming community made me feel like I could create my own home here. That first day, we went on a five-mile hike. I was completely underdressed and hadn't worn the right clothes, but I was so excited to start working. Looking at the Irish land and atmosphere made me fully take in nature and the history behind it. After 8 weeks, I never got bored of the view and now fully understand all the Irish jokes along the way. Between balancing my classes and job, sometimes were stressful, but the people I met that I will never forget made it that much worth it. I hope to find myself back in Ireland, where my second home belongs. If you are ever nervous about going somewhere you have never been or starting a new job, take that step, because it might help you build the kind of feeling you've always been searching for. From the memories of fun class excursions through different parts of Ireland to the small fishing port I love so much, I will always carry this experience with me. If you are in Ireland, I would highly, highly recommend visiting Hidden Howth Experience Tours, where you will experience more than just an amazing tour; you might just leave with a memory you will never forget. I came to Ireland feeling like I was missing something from my life and came back finding myself and more, so if you want a professional or personal change, I would highly, highly recommend joining Connect-123 for memories that will change your life.

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I told Connect-123 I wanted something in finance, and I knew that could be hard to find. They ended up finding me an internship at Asabys Partners, a venture capital firm in Barcelona. An opportunity like that is so hard to get back home in the U.S., and I got to do it through them. It was exactly what I was looking for. I loved where we lived, too. The neighborhood was great, and they made sure we were close to the metro, which made it easy to get around. The events were honestly one of my favorite parts. They were really well organized, and there was always something going on with the other students. Big shoutout to the coordinators. They were super nice and would message me just to see how things were going. Any time I texted them, they got back to me quickly. I had a couple of things come up while I was there, and they helped me sort them out. It meant a lot knowing I had people I could count on in Barcelona.

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My internship as a market and financial analyst was an excellent opportunity for me to gain professional experience dealing with real business needs and personnel. The submersion taught me many technical skills and built my confidence, which I am sure have helped prepare me for my future positions.

My internship at the Salesian Institute Youth Projects pushed me far beyond what I expected, taking me from supporting program logistics to independently running counseling sessions and managing my own client caseload within just a few months. I was trusted with real responsibility early on, from leading a group of 45 adult learners on my own to adapting a therapeutic intervention on short notice for an urgent client referral, and that trust taught me more about clinical work and resilience than I could have learned in a classroom. This experience confirmed that clinical psychology, particularly cross-cultural and community-based care, is exactly the path I want to pursue.

Connect-123 made my experience in Ireland truly incredible. From the beginning, they did an amazing job matching me with a company that fit my personality, interests, and career goals. I couldn’t have asked for a better internship experience. They also did a great job planning weekend trips around Ireland, giving me the opportunity to explore different parts of the country and make unforgettable memories along the way. Overall, Connect-123 made my time in Ireland an amazing experience both professionally and personally.

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!

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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.

My internship has been the best experience I could have ever asked for. My co-workers are what made my time there so memorable. Connect-123 made the entire process smooth and easy, especially Antonella and Xena. They were both so kind, supportive, and helpful every step of the way. I’m so grateful I got to meet my program group, it was truly an amazing experience!

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.

Coming to Barcelona with Connect 123 was one of the best decisions I've made. They were incredibly helpful in helping find me an internship I felt comfortable and confident in and always very communicative. The housing they provided was amazing, and in a great location. Barcelona is now one of my favorite cities

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!

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As my time in Ireland comes to a close, I want to thank Connect-123 for partnering with Bucknell University to provide students like me with an opportunity like this. As an undergraduate, it can often feel stressful trying to gain relevant work experience while preparing for your future career. Thanks to Connect-123, I was placed with a company in a field aligned with my career goals, allowing me to grow professionally while exploring a new part of the world. This experience has given me valuable workplace experience, unforgettable memories, and a greater appreciation for living and working abroad. Thank you for making it possible!

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This experience has been nothing short of incredible. I will forever be grateful for this opportunity. My internship could not have been a more perfect match. I have gained not only new skills but also a new perspective as well. Outside of the internship, exploring this beautiful city has been so fun. Carla, the program coordinator, is one of the most amazing people I have ever had the privilege of meeting. She planned the most fun activities for our group and was truly invested in our well-being!

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Following this program was a unique experience that I will never forget. I thought it gave a great balance of working at my internship, meeting new people, and exploring the new country. The opportunities each weekend gave great insights and experiences to explore outside of where we were staying and i highly recommend going to each one.

My internship in Barcelona and experience with Connect-123 has been amazing! They helped place me into a biomedical research lab studying liver transplantation outcomes and I had amazing coworkers and a lovely time working there. I have gained many valuable skills here-from co-authoring a review paper to learning various types of histological and immunological analyses, which will assist me in future research I pursue. Connect-123 has been supportive and helpful every step of the way in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. These past few months have taught me important professional and personal skills, especially regarding cultural humility and adjusting to life in a new country. Overall, my experience in the research lab has strengthened my desire to pursue a career in medical and clinical research while also expanding both my academic and personal horizons. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and would highly recommend it to anyone seeking meaningful research and cultural experiences abroad.

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