Driving Volunteer Programs Abroad

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.

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!

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

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!

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!

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.

I enjoyed being a member of the Research Team and going out on Game Drives to gather data. We saw, identified and photographed numerous animals to determine if they were in our log or needed to be added. There were informative presentations related to animal species, behavior and habits.

I'm extremely satisfied to have been part of this great program helping children, their future and the future of the country. Accommodation - I was very happy and comfortable in a clean and pleasant environment. Food was always delicious, transport was always good, and cleaning was perfect. Staff were very kind and friendly with very good support; I was always able to reach them. I enjoyed every experience. Thank you so much for everything.

I enjoyed being part of the teaching program very much. Teaching English to year 3&4 was challenging at times but also a lot of fun. Receiving an email 2 weeks before arriving regarding school, classes would have been good. Emphasising the need for a laptop for lesson planning would have helped. I was very satisfied with accommodation; beds and pillows were comfortable, though upgrading to aircon was needed. Having 2 people in hot climate was better than three. Food was excellent and fresh with a great selection of meals all prepared by lovely, helpful staff. Having the occasional chicken meal was welcomed. Enjoyed experiencing Kerala food. We didn't need transport and the room was cleaned once a week & bathroom a few times each week. No complaints. All the staff were incredibly helpful, answering many questions. Working with Reshma was great both in and out of the classroom. She was extermely supportive when doing lesson planning & her help in the classroom with translation & classroom management was fantastic. Staff knew where various yoga places were always willing to suggest places to visit. Great suggestion by Shamla for cooking lesson and Kathkali.

During my internship, I contributed to an international project focused on autism screening and community research priorities. My work involved systematically screening studies, reviewing inclusion/exclusion criteria, and extracting detailed data into shared spreadsheets. I gained experience in critically reading abstracts and full texts, interpreting methodologies, and paying close attention to performance metrics such as sensitivity, specificity, and AUC values. Beyond technical skills, this internship gave me a deeper appreciation for the nuances of autism research — especially the importance of ethical considerations, community involvement, and shifting away from overly medicalized models of disability. I learned how to apply exclusion codes consistently, collaborate with peers across time zones, and manage large datasets precisely. This experience strengthened my research skills and my ability to reflect on the broader impact of scientific work. It challenged me to think critically about equity in autism research, including representation across countries, age ranges, and support needs. I now feel much more confident navigating scientific literature and contributing to conversations around research priorities. Overall, my internship was both practical and meaningful. It reinforced my academic interests in neurobiology and psychology while developing transferable organizational skills, critical analysis, and teamwork skills. I am grateful for the experience and for the opportunity to contribute to research that has real-world impact. Thanks again, and we look forward to keeping in touch!!

Connect-123 was super helpful in preparing me for my internship and putting me in touch with my supervisor. The organization and role matched exactly what I was looking for, and I really enjoyed the experience. Interning here for the past two months has been a great learning experience!

My internship was one of those rare experiences where I walked away feeling like I grew both professionally and personally. I learned how to take on real projects, navigate challenges, and see how the skills I’ve been studying actually come to life in a work setting. There were plenty of moments where I felt stretched, but that’s exactly what made the experience so valuable: I left with new confidence and clarity about where I want to head next. And of course, I have to give a little shout-out to Xena Pulliam from Connect123. She played a big role in helping me get matched to the right place and was always supportive throughout the process. She made sure I didn’t just land “an internship,” but the right internship, one that fit me well and pushed me in all the right ways. All in all, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I came in as an intern eager to learn, and I left feeling like I actually made an impact. Plus, I have a few funny stories and memories along the way that I know I’ll be telling for a long time. Thank you for the opportunity to grow, and I’ll make sure I’ll nurture it into something special.

My time with Connect-123 was definitely unique and memorable. It required me to adapt quickly and rely on my own initiative, which was a major part of my learning process. I’ve learned that I should always be prepared to navigate a lot of independence. I encountered situations that challenged me and helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect. It’s an experience that leaves a lasting impression.

I got to meet so many people from work and it was a great help for me to grow in the hospitality industry. I have also met so many people my age through C123 and made quite a few new friends through this program. It was a great program to meet new people and get out of your comfort zone.

Cape Town! Cape Town! What can I say, such a beautiful and wonderful experience overall. So many fun adventures with friends and outings on my own. I was hugged by the tastes and music of South African delicacies and culture, overall, an incredible opportunity. At my internship, I worked in the psychosocial department as a counselor, and I have gained so much experience and wise advice from colleagues and supervisors. I created a family in such little time. Thank you Connect-123 and thank you Carla for being so reliable, kind, and respectful, always being there when I had questions and giving me support when I got sick, needed cellular data, to learn about cool places to visit, and the list never ends. Much love from me Fernie :)

My internship in Cape Town was an experience of a lifetime. I met so many great friends in the program, and my internship taught me so much beyond the surface. Being a well-traveled person, I can confidently say that Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve been to.

My time in beautiful Cape Town has been a thrillful and memorable experience. From the cultural food, to the amapiano music, to the life lessons I have learned from my fellow colleagues at my internship site. Observing and having the opportunity to work with not only adults with disabilities, but adults with diagnosed mental disorders has truly helped me gain the knowledge and experience I will need to continue on to the next steps in my career. In addition, our Connect-123 advisor, Carla, was very welcoming and I felt supported by her as she helped answer any questions I had. This experience was truly unforgettable, and a great start to solo travel for me.

I am grateful for the experience I had in Cape Town. The Connect-123 staff was great to work with, and Carla was a great help in navigating my internship and had great advice about what to see and do in the city. My internship allowed me to work at a NGO and gain hands on experience while also learning about the local culture and community. Cape Town has been an amazing experience that I highly recommend for students looking to study abroad.