Public Policy Volunteer Programs

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.

WOW! What an experience. I am so grateful to have been provided this experience. My instructors and Crystal were uplifting and incredible. LOVED every minute of it! I enjoyed getting to go to the Infirmary the most!

I genuinely had one of the most unforgettable experiences here with therapy abroad in Dominica! The excursions planned were so fun and engaging to the culture here on the island. While the excursions were fun, the experience working with local residents is by far the best thing on the trip. I am taking back words of wisdom and love I will never forget!

The team was very nice. It was educational learning about and understanding how life was in Ghana and the reality in prisons. It gave me a broader perspective on criminology issues. At the weekends we went to Kakum National Park, The Castle in Cape Coast and explored Accra; on evenings we mainly relaxed. It's an experience that will stick with you for your whole life.

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 had a great time in London with the intern group! I learned a lot about myself and my work ethic, and my likes and dislikes. I loved to experience traveling and seeing Europe in for the first time! Overall it was a great experience!

My six-month marketing internship with Interngroup was a great experience. I had the opportunity to further develop my creative skills, while working on a variety of marketing-related tasks. The Interngroup team were supportive and organised, which made it easy to settle in and get the most out of the programme. The intern events were a great part of the programme. It was an enjoyable way to connect with others and experience the city outside of work. Overall it was a delightful and valuable experience.

I had an incredible experience with the intern group in London. From the very beginning, the team made me feel genuinely welcomed and supported, which made settling into a new city so much easier. The entire program was extremely well organised and clearly focused on helping interns get the most out of both their professional and personal experience. A special thank you has to go to Peach and Alex. They went above and beyond to make sure I had the best possible experience. They were always approachable, supportive, and genuinely invested in helping me make meaningful progress in my career. Whether it was offering advice, organising opportunities, or simply checking in to make sure everything was going well, they made a huge difference to my time in the program. Because of them, I not only gained valuable professional experience, but I also truly fell in love with London. Their enthusiasm for the city and the community they built around the interns made the entire experience unforgettable. I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking to develop their career while experiencing life in one of the most exciting cities in the world. Thanks to Peach, Alex, and the whole team, my time in London is something I will always be grateful for. 🌍✨

The Intern Group responded to this reviewMarch 06, 2026

Thank you for sharing, Seb! We’re so happy to hear that you had such a positive experience in London and felt welcomed and supported throughout the program. We’ll be sure to share your kind comments with Peach and Alex! We’re so glad they helped make your time in London both professionally valuable and personally unforgettable. Wishing you all the best in your future journey!

I had a great time studying abroad! I loved Ibt Media and learned so much. I got great hands on experience, more than I ever thought I would. I had great bosses and they were so patient with me when I was first learning how everything worked.

The Intern Group responded to this reviewMarch 03, 2026

We’re so happy to hear you had such a great experience, Kyra! It’s fantastic that you gained hands-on experience and felt supported by your team at IBT Media. We love seeing our interns grow in confidence and skills. We're looking forward to watching you grow further!

I am a two time Therapy Abroad student traveler and I absolutely love Therapy Abroad! I went on the Belize trip about a year ago and absolutely knew I wanted to go on another one. I was excited to go again with Therapy Abroad to Thailand! This program was absolutely amazing and stretched me in ways that I would not have gotten in the university setting in the US. The observation opportunities and clinical experiences that were provided throughout the program were so incredible and helped enhance my clinical skills regarding cultural competency, AAC treatment, and modeling. This also was an interdisciplinary trip with 1 group being CSD and the other being PT/OT. I really enjoyed practicing interdisciplinary collaboration and communication. This experience not only provided me with amazing clinical and educational opportunities, but also allowed me to meet new lifetime friends and colleagues both in the states and in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Also the itinerary was organized and outlined perfectly by my amazing program facilitator from Chiang Mai (loved P’Pann so much!) and she was willing to answer all questions related to Thailand and Thai culture. There was a perfect blend of clinical and cultural experiences to better appreciate and learn the culture and clinical populations of Chiang Mai. If you ever consider going on a Therapy Abroad, specifically for Thailand, I would highly recommend you do so because it will change your life and perspective on clinical work.

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.

A once in a lifetime experience. I could not stress enough how worth this experience is. I got one of the best learning opportunities possible, made lifelong friends, had such fun weekend adventures and matured as a person.

The Intern Group responded to this reviewNovember 20, 2025

Thank you so much for sharing, Salvador! We’re thrilled to hear the experience meant so much to you. Knowing you learned, grew, made great friends, and had unforgettable adventures truly warms our hearts. We’re grateful to have been a part of your journey!

This experience gave me the opportunity to meet new people and connect with them, which is hard for me. I appreciated that everyone was so kind and supportive. My internship was really interesting, I learned a lot. I truly fell in love with London!

The Intern Group responded to this reviewNovember 18, 2025

Thank you for sharing your experience, Alice! We’re so glad to hear that the supportive environment helped you connect with new people and feel welcomed. It’s wonderful that your internship was engaging and full of learning—and that London made such a great impression on you. We're cheering you on as you carry these memories and skills forward!