Connect-123 Cape Town Internships

Name: Connect-123 Cape Town Internships
Brand: Connect-123
SKU: 17574
Rating: 9.2 (20 reviews)

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9.2 Rating

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Location

South Africa
- Cape Town

Industry

Advertising Animal Science Architecture Biology Business Communications Computer Science Conservation and Preservation Design Engineering Film Healthcare Journalism Law Marine Biology Nursing Photography Social Work Startups Sustainable Development Technology Tourism Wildlife Sciences +13

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Program Details

Compensation

Unpaid

Timeframe

Academic Year Fall J-Term Maymester Spring Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round

Housing

Apartment

Language

English

Pricing

Price Details

Contact Connect-123 for Cost Details

What's Included

Some Activities SIM cards

Last Updated: Jan 31, 2020

Last Reviewed: Apr 24, 2018

About Program

Our Cape Town internship program offers an astonishing variety of international internship opportunities against the backdrop of one of the most beautiful cities in the world! This is your chance to live and work in one of the world's top-ranked destinations.

The Connect-123 internship program offers you the opportunity to participate in a variety internships in Cape Town. Some popular internship fields in Cape Town include business and entrepreneurship, medical and health care, engineering, human rights and social work, among others.

Connect-123 offers custom internship opportunities suited to your interest and skills. Our program durations and start and end dates are flexible to fit your needs. Our local staff provide on-the-ground support before, during, and after your internship including housing assistance, in-depth orientation, social events, cultural activities, as well as career support and guidance.

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Video and Photos

Visit leading tourist attractions such as Cape Point

Take epic selfies while hiking in and around Cape Town

Intern in local clinics, hospitals and therapy centres

Explore one of the world's most beautiful places

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Program Highlights

Tailored placements! Connect-123’s experienced team finds unique, best-fit opportunities for you, related to your interests, goals and requirements.
Extensive Network! Connect-123’s partner network includes entrepreneurs, human rights organizations, engineering firms, advertising agencies and many more options!
Flexibility! Choose your arrival and departure dates, based on your schedule.
Service! From pre-departure to in-country support to post internship assistance, Connect-123 provides you with all the support you need!
Memories! Meet new friends from all over the world and make memories to last a lifetime!

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Program Reviews

9.2 Rating

based on 20 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Intern

9-10 rating 80%
7-8 rating 15%
5-6 rating 5%
3-4 rating 0%
1-2 rating 0%

Growth 8.9
Support 8.3
Fun 8.9
Housing 9
Safety 8.2

Showing 1 - 8 of 20 reviews

This review is long overdue. I participated in the Cape Town internship with Connect 123 all the way back in 2014! I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Management and Connect 123 placed me with "The Backpack" hostel where I worked reception, tour desk, and occasionally the bar! It was a life-changing experience where I met some incredible people and was able to really get to know the city! What was especially awesome about this internship was that many of the local tour guides allowed me to go on their tours for free for promotional purposes...this means it was free wine tastings, shark cage diving, and tours around the city!

While in class studying to become a child life specialist, I am taught over and over that play is the universal language of childhood. It was not until I immersed myself in a whole new culture across the world, when I realized the truth to this statement. Having the opportunity to work with so many different children, in all sorts of settings, speaking many of the different languages native to South Africa was incredible. Recognizing how play is a language we all can "speak" and understand and its importance to a child is a lesson whose impact goes much further than the classroom.

as nothing short of amazing!!! My initial expectation was to gain an internship but, I left with so much more. Connect 123 not only guided me to the internship of my dreams but they also connected me to a new found family. I built lasting relationships with employers, made life-long friendships, and found my home away from home. Every day I worked alongside colleagues, reviewed analytics reports, and worked on currents projects. Interning not only confirmed my classroom knowledge but, it gave me a platform to develop new marketing skills. Connect 123 is an experience that will challenge you, connect you, and propel your professional career. They give you the tools necessary to succeed, so get ready you will leave better than you came.

My experience in Cape Town from start to finish was amazing. From the first day I was welcomed with such warmth all the connect 123 staff were so kind and helpful. From organising great events and activities to being a constant line of support and advice. Yet most importantly my internship was valuable and I really appreciated connect finding me a great internship with a very well respected architect like Andy Horn who was a great mentor. Overall I loved every second of my time in Cape. Town and would like to say cheers to all the people who made it so special.

I've had a wonderful stay in Cape Town, South Africa. It is an amazing city!! Connect-123 went above and beyond to get me this internship and without exaggerating, it has been one of the best experiences in my life! Robyn, who was my coordinator, is absolutely wonderful and she will tell you everything you need to know about Cape town! If you're looking for a great way to live abroad, gain unmatched work experience, and have the time of your life, this program is for you.

I feel bad about leaving this review but I wish people would have told me this before I went. Connect 123 in Cape Town will pressure you into living where everyone else lives and promises certain amenities they do not follow through with (gym, TV, constant roof access) and they will constantly come into your housing unannounced. Connect will drop you off at your first day of your internship but does not provide you with transport back, and I've heard many stories of people crying because they felt so lost about how to get back who were not in the safest areas. Two of my coordinators were absolutely lovely but often felt like the third one was treating us like children. Since I payed for this all completely on my own I often wondered what exactly the payment to Connect-123 was exactly for. Especially after leaving it took over 2 months for a letter of recommendation that was only 2 paragraphs. Overall, I learned so much from the experience but I would not go through Connect-123 again.

Response from Connect-123

We're very sorry to receive your feedback and to hear that you weren't happy with your experience. It’s certainly possible that there were miscommunications or misunderstandings and we apologize if you feel that we’ve let you down.

To reduce costs and increase options for participants, we offer flexible housing options in each destination. We offer our advice, to help keep participants safe, but we have no requirements or preferences regarding where participants stay and can exclude or include housing fees at your preference.

Regarding transport, we arrange various options in Cape Town, depending on safety and the host organization’s location, ranging from public transport to private Uber taxis. We discuss transport options with participants as part of the placement process and it’s important to us that everyone feels comfortable with their commute to their internship site. We also include transportation as part of orientation. That said, things might not always go as planned and we encourage participants to reach out to us to discuss any issues. In addition to the weekly events and formal feedback sessions, we’re contactable 24/7 in each location and we’re always available to help.

We’ve worked with thousands of students over the past 11 years and each person’s experience is very important to us. Given our positive interactions, we were pleased to provide a reference letter for you, where we described your contribution to your host organization as well as your great relationship with fellow C123 participants and with our team. Again, we apologize for any misunderstandings and we wish you all the best for the future.

By Connect-123 on December 16, 2016

My time in Cape Town with Connect-123 was more than I could have ever asked for. With an easy transition to Cape Town Life, I found a new adventure everyday and it was wonderful having many other interns around to share the experience with. Whether it was hiking, shopping, going on evening outings there was never a shortage or things to do or people to do them with. Connect made it so easy and accessible for me to get comfortable by walking me to work on my first day, setting up evening activities, and being very available and responsive to any questions I had along the way. Overall my Cape Town and Connect-123 experience were both unforgettable and taught me so much about myself and about South Africa. From making friends to learning exactly what I want to do with my perfectly matched internship everything was perfect when it came to my time spent in Cape Town. I can't wait to make it back soon to the Mother City soon and thanks to Connect-123 for making me fall in love with it.

I worked for the medical research council that was surveying over 12,000 babies and testing them for HIV. I was able to help with collection and instructing individuals on testing. Worked with wonderful people at the University of Western Cape who helped me throughout the way even after leaving Cape Town. My focus had been with HIV epidemiology and the internship fit perfectly. Connect 123 did wonders in trying to find the perfect opportunity for me. I was sad to leave the people I worked with, as well as the friends I made through Connect.

What would you improve about this program?

Not much that the program could potentially do, but maybe work more with the internship leaders to make sure they are following through on everything they said they would.

Questions & Answers

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Male Headshot

Describe your favorite must-have food that you tried abroad.

Josh: Magwinya is a must have South African delight. What's in it? Meat. If you need more detail, I'd guess liver. It was like a (insert favorite fast food dish) on a croissant. Some people called them fat cakes, and I called them lunch. It was cheap, local and a nice way to relate with people.

I would walk down the same road in a township named Gugulethu most days for lunch in the basking heat of the African sun. Children would be riding their bikes past me and the line to eat grew from outside of the little hut that served everyone. In the same town that had the fat cakes was a restaurant named Mzoli's, which for any meat lover, is a paradise. The basic premise is as follows: 1. Go to the raw meat bar and choose from different cuts of sausage, lamb, beef. 2. Hang out in a giant block party-like atmosphere while it cooks. 3. Receive the incredibly cooked meat on a platter and chow down without utensils.

Describe your program socially and academically.

Josh: The social aspect of the program was a huge boon to my overall experience. I was paired with a random roommate who was also interning/studying in Cape Town. We could not have been more different, but to this day we remain good friends.

There were events organized by Connect-123 - like a gathering at the local vineyard, volunteering in both natural and humanitarian settings, happy hours and a housing situation which led to all of us interacting on a daily basis. It was like a luxury dorm apartment with a gym on the roof and full amenities. I felt as if I always had an incredibly safe home to return to and it was close to grocery stores and local transportation.

Mzoli's

Why did you decide to go abroad with your provider?

Josh: I found Connect-123 online by typing something generic like "work abroad." I came to Connect-123 and saw that they paired applicants with jobs based on specific qualifications.

As a Drexel Co-op, who needed prior approval, it was imperative that my school approved any job I chose through an independent search. I gave them qualifications based on my major and personal goals and they matched me with an internship.

I could not have asked for a better job. I helped coach soccer and basketball during the evenings and implemented a short message system mechanism through another partner that helped the organization monitor the progress of the organization for potential and past donors. I worked hard, but it barely felt like work.

Tell us about an experience you could not have had at home.

Josh: I can't remember where I was headed, but I was lost. I stopped in to one of the local fast food restaurants and asked a man who was sweeping the floor for directions. He put his head down in a bashful manner and told me he did not know and that I should ask someone who was white.

Baboons

These words will always haunt me. The indoctrination of the apartheid was so severe that over a decade after it's own collapse, some victims still believed in their own inferiority, despite its baseless nature. The apartheid was a shameful chapter in the era of South Africa and the world as a whole. To see the ripple effects of a devastating mental warfare on a class of people is a reminder to all that societal progress can sometimes lag laws. The South African constitution is one of the most progressive pieces of legislation ever written and still society struggles to adopt its code.

South Africa is full of so much beauty - both physically and through its people. South Africa is a place to expand one's horizons, learn on a daily basis and help to make sure something like the apartheid never happens again.

Mary Reed

2013 Alum

Sangeeta Sharmin

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Saskia, an award-winning film producer, has worked in production for many years — on television shows and feature films ranging from documentaries to Mad Max: Fury Road. After completing her studies, she set out on a career that has led her to work with Hollywood stars and studios, on smaller independent films of her own, crossing the country in search of that perfect location for that perfect shot.

Saskia is an avid traveller and adventure-seeker, and recently completed the Camino de Santiago, a 775km trek, on foot, across Spain. She is happy to bring her energy, creativity and love of South Africa to C-123!

What is your favorite travel memory?

I recently completed the Camino de Santiago, a 775km trek on foot across Northern Spain. It was the toughest thing I've ever done, and so the most rewarding! Its hard to single out just one moment from the journey, but if I had to, it would be my second night.

I stayed in a hostel, in the middle of nowhere, above the clouds in the Pyrenees mountains. That evening, everyone gathered for the most delicious home cooked meal. The host asked us to briefly introduce ourselves to the group - where we were from, where we were going, and why we were there.

With every single continent represented, we talked and laughed the night away, the twin Italians even bursting into spontaneous Opera, someone else started a traditional dance and so it carried on. The energy was just incredible.

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Although we were all from such different places and backgrounds, and taking on this journey for various reasons, we had the love of travel and adventure in common. That night I made several friends, friendships which traverse all boundaries of language and cultures, and which I will cherish for a lifetime.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Joining Connect-123 was a big career change for me and I’ve loved every second of it. Everyday, I get to work with incredible students from all over the world, each with their unique interests and talents. Their passion is so inspiring and the work and projects they do here, continues to amaze me.

Seeing the country I love so much through their experiences, also teaches me new things about the city I live in. Plus they always discover the newest hang out spots and end up giving me tips on where to go! There’s always something new to discover - there’s never a dull moment!

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

We’ve recently had two participants come back to Cape Town after having completed their programs, and make the city their new home. It's so great to see how they have fallen in love with the city, the culture and the people here. The experience really leaves a lasting impression. Every person who joins us, comes away with so much personal growth, cool stories and envious Instagram pics!

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

That’s so hard to choose! I’ve had the privilege of visiting both Buenos Aires and Barcelona before, and although I would never turn down an invitation for tapas and sangria, I would probably want to go somewhere new.

Shanghai would be exciting as I’ve never been to Asia and would love to experience a world and culture so vastly different from mine. But I’ve always wanted to go to Dublin, explore the castles and do a real pub crawl! Or wait, there’s Sydney too with its beautiful beaches and foodie heaven! So many great options!

What makes your company unique?

Everything we do is so personal, and that’s what makes it so great. As a team, not just in Cape Town, but across the world, we work very closely together. We take time to get to know every participant and love it when we put together a project which we know would be the perfect match for each applicant.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

We pride ourselves in being efficient and thorough, but still very personable, and that’s what makes our offering unique. The programs are all customized to match each applicants own goals and interests. We offer support for each person, from application, pre-trip, on the ground whilst in-country and afterwards as well.

Location

Location:

Cape Town

Currency:

South African Rand

Weather:

Jan-Mar

79 F / 57 F

Apr-Jun

73 F / 46 F

Jul-Sep

66 F / 45 F

Oct-Dec

77 F / 52 F

Airports:

Cape Town International

( CPT )

Cape Town is a port city, the legislative capital of South Africa, the most southern city in all of Africa, and referred to as the "Mother City". It is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, reflecting its role as a major destination for immigrants and expatriates to South Africa.

About Connect-123

Connect-123 develops and administers internship programs in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cape Town, South Africa; Shanghai, China; Dublin, Ireland; Sydney, Australia; and Barcelona, Spain. In all countries, internship opportunities are hosted by local companies, non-profit organizations, schools, research institutes and health care clinics.

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