Next Step Connections - 2009 Alumni testimonials
"The internship programmes offered by Next Step Connections are second to none. The accommodation is exceptional, and the staff offer friendly, round the clock support. The internships themselves offer a level of responsibility that would be unthinkable in company in the United Kingdom, meaning one leaves ones host company with a real sense of achievement, safe in the knowledge that they have really had an impact on the business. Interns in Shanghai certainly play as hard as they work, and the events organised by Next Step Connections ensure that you meet plenty of like minded people to explore the nightlife with! I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience with Next Step Connections, and would not hesitate to recommend their programmes! " R. Allinson, Durham University, UK, August 2009
"Next Step Connections did exactly what I wanted them to do: provide me with housing, an internship, and help with Visa forms and initial transportation. They even helped me with a cellphone and a metro card which were both extremely useful and something I wouldn't have been able to do on my own as I speak only basic Mandarin. The internship they set me up with was what I was looking for and I actually felt useful to the company, not just a coffee monkey. Overall I really enjoyed my stay here in Shanghai and I don't think I would have if not for Next Step Connections. Money well spent. "
L.Dahl, Colorado College, Boulder, CO, Business internship Summer 2009
"My overall experience with Next Step Connections was above and beyond what i anticipated before arriving in Shanghai. I would participate again for a prolonged period of time given the opportunity."
M.Wasserman, John Hopkins University, USA, Pharmaceuticals program, Summer 2009
"Shanghai is so much fun! The program has been successful and productive. I would do it again and again, one of the best choices in my life!
Great Job Guys!!!" L.Borroni, Italy, Finance Internship, January 2009
"If it weren't for Next Step Connections, I don't think I ever would have gotten that extra push it took for me to come out to Shanghai by myself to work in such a foreign place, which is quickly becoming one of the most important cities in the world." J.Johnson, University of Miami, FL, Business internship, Summer 2009
"NSC were extremely helpful in offering me a choice of internships that suited
my needs. They had a really broad range of activities in the fields I was
interested in (finance and renewable energy) and many different locations too.
The company I finally went to was perfect: I met loads of new people, got to
practice Chinese everyday and learnt more than I ever would have imagined!"
Lara Adamson, University of Oxford, Investment Banking Internship, Beijing summer 2009
"From before I arrived until the end of my stay in Shanghai, the Next Step Connections team has been incredibly resourceful and accomodative to all of my concerns that were brought up. I would definitely recommend NSC to my friends because NSC is a team that I can trust to help me fulfill all my needs ranging from my internship to weekend trips. I had such a marvelous summer interning and absorbing the modern and trendy culture of Shanghai." Q.Huang, Georgetown University, July 2009 (Finance Internship) Shanghai.
Rayyan (Sudan), Ebow (Ghana) and Chuls from Next Step Connections pictured in Zhouzhuang, China -- trip organized by Next Step Connections.
"Next Step Connections brings people from all walks of like together, building bounds that cannot be broken and experiences that will last for a lifetime! It was a pleasure doing my internship in Shanghai. The culture, the people and the way of life will always remain a significant learning experience that I will take with me into the future." Rayyan (Sudan), Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Malaysia, Fashion Internship, July 2009
W. Zhang (USA), A. Portee (USA), J. Yong (Singapore) and T. Jessop (UK)
"I think this is a great program, I was able to meet a lot of new people easily and the help from the NSC staff made my living experience in Shanghai very enjoyable. " W. Zhang, USA, CEIBS Shanghai, Private equity finance internship, May 2009.
"I absolutely loved living in Shanghai. I came here on a sort of whim and had no idea what to except but Next Step Connections made every effort to help me feel as comfortable and welcome, without feeling babied, as possible. I am so deeply grateful for their help in finding me a great internship and helping me have the best summer I may have ever had." A. Portee, University of Florida, USA, August 2009, (PR Internship)
"The time spent working and living in China has been wonderful. The chance to intern abroad is very beneficial experience, and a great step for other opportunities. Next Step Connections not only gave me the chance to work, but also many other opportunities to really see Shanghai. A truly fantastic experience. " H. Katz, Temple University, USA June 2009 (Fashion Internship)
M. Hale (USA), D. Cornett (USA), A. Williams (Nigeria), L.Franey (USA), Y. Namba (Japan), A. Le Boulanger( France), B. Kim (Korea) and S. Mc Cullough (USA) pictured at the West Lake in Hangzhou, China.
"Everyone at Next Step Connections was very friendly. They helped set up everything for my two months in China. I was able to learn the language, gain work experience, and make some friends as well. I would recommend them to anyone wanting to come to China." M.Hale, Indiana University, USA, (Law Internship), July 2009
"I recommend Next Step Connections to anyone who loves to travel and also wants to gain some international work experience. It has a small but capable team that is able to deliver whatever level of attention that is suited to your needs.
I worked for a sourcing company and gained skills that will be valuable to me since I'd like to have an international oriented career. I also worked on finance projects that are quite relevant to my educational background.
I also enjoyed getting to know many of the other interns and believe Next Step Connections provided a community that made this quite easy.
I believe the experience helped me grow both professionally and personally." D. Cornett, University of South Carolina, USA, (Trading Internship), August 2009
"Next Step Connections sets up everything from the internship, to accomodations, to field trips around China. All you have to do is show up and have a good attitude to truly enjoy everything Shanghai and the rest of China has to offer. Having hands on experience in China teaches you everything that the books and classes just cannot properly explain. There was a bit of culture shock (as expected) at first, but once you know your way around and learn a few important phrases in Mandarin, it's really hard to not want to participate in every single event and social gathering. The staff was very friendly and welcoming, and helped me out whenever I had an issue. I lost my wallet within the first week and Next Step Connections made all the arrangements necessary and even loaned me enough cash to get me through until I found it! Shanghai is the most exciting city I've been to and it's hard to leave once you've mentally stationed yourself here. I now wish I had stayed longer and would advise stays of three months or longer, an entire semester if you can. Also, take advantage of the Mandarin lessons; the more Chinese you know, the more fun Shanghai can be to foreigners." L. Franey, San Diego State University, USA, Business Internship, July 2009.
"I really enjoyed my stay here and my internship was a great experience. I met some cool people but my stay was definiteley too short. " Y.Namba. Japan, July 2009, Lehigh University, USA (Business internship)
I would definitely recommend Next step Connection's program to everyone. From my arrival to my departure, the NSC's team was very helpfull and nice. The events and trips organized by NSC are a great way to meet other people and get some new contacts and friends in Shanghai. This experience in China was one of the greatest one in my life until now. I'm looking forward to come back !!! A. Le Boulanger. France, August 2009, EPSI Nantes, France (IT internship)
"Honestly, if I hadn't found Next Step Connections, I probably wouldn't have had the fantastic opportunity to work for a high-profile magazine, such as the Shanghai Business Review. My internship with SBR was without a doubt the best journalism-related experience I have had and I am so thankful I had the priviledge to work there. Through SBR, I was able to attend executive events, proofread articles, add clips to my portfolio, and research and caption photos. It truly was the most worthwhile experience I and NSC made it happen! "
S.Mc Cullough, July 2009, Central Michigan University, USA, Shanghai Business Review Journalism Program
"NSC is a great stepping stone for those looking for an exciting internship after graduation or during their studies. It allows you to experience a different culture in a vibrant city. I would definitely recommend this program to others as it opens your eyes to a city that for me was a mystery before."J. Silva, University of Miami, April 2009 (Business Internship)
"Next Step Connections really helped me settle into Shanghai and made living in a new country very easy. I learnt many skills that will be useful after I leave and hope to come back to Shanghai soon." C. Theobald, UK, Art Internship at a famous art Center in Shanghai, January 2009
"Next Step Connections helped open new doors to my career and life experiences. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I have zero regrets. Next Step Connections is an awesome organization with awesome people." K. Chao, USA, June 2009 (Architecture Internship)
