Why did you decide to volunteer abroad with Imire in Zimbabwe?
Lindsey: I had previously volunteered at a wildlife rehab in South Africa, and had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of animals while I was there, including a baby black rhino.
Working with a rhino was such an amazing experience, and when I decided to go back to Africa I knew I wanted to do more work with the species. After looking through many different projects in Africa, I came across Imire.
Not only did Imire offer the chance to work closely with black rhinos, but also with elephants, which happen to be my favorite animal.
After doing some research, and learning about the history of Imire, and the amazing work they do with black rhinos, I knew I couldn't pass up the chance to visit. The fact that Imire also offered the opportunity to work with the local community and schools made it ever more appealing to me, since that is not something the previous program I visited offered.
The one thing that Imire offers that made me really finalize my decision to visit, was the chance to swim with the elephants. The idea of getting to do something so personal and interactive with my favourite animal was simply something I couldn't pass up!
Ten years from now, what's the one thing you think you'll remember from the trip?
Lindsey: My entire trip was so amazing, that it's almost impossible to single out one aspect that I think is the most memorable. I really think that ten years from now, ill look back, and remember just how incredible the entire trip was! I was able to experience so many incredible things, and I know that all the memories I have from the trip will last me a lifetime.
However a few of the highlights for me were getting the chance to work at the local school, the children were all so happy and full of life, and spending time with them really was an incredible life changing experience!
Working with the elephants was also something that was a major highlight of my trip, being able to work so close and person with such an incredible animal was so rewarding, and something I never dreamt possible.
How many people can say they've had the chance to not only ride on the back of an elephant as they wander freely around an African game reserve, but also say they've had they chance to share an experience as intimate as swimming with the elephants.
Tell me about one person you met.
Lindsey: A few days after I arrived at Imire, another volunteer joined the program, the two of us instantly hit it off, and realized we had so much in common, other than the obvious love for wildlife and conservation, which is what brought us both to Imire.
I formed great friendships with all the other volunteers that were there while I was, but my friendship with Mila was truly a special one.
We lived together at Imire for the entire 5 weeks we were there, but we were never at a loss for things to talk about, and always had a ton of jokes to keep each other entertained.
Having to say goodbye to such a good friend was very difficult, but Mila has become a very important person to me, and we are already planning to meet up again. If it wasn't for Imire I never would have gotten the chance to meet such a great lifelong friend!
What's something interesting about Zimbabwe or it's wildlife that the average person doesn't know?
Lindsey: Something interesting that the average person may not know, and I didn't know before I visited, is how extremely nice the people of Zimbabwe are. Every single local person I met during my 5 week stay, was incredibly nice to me. I didn't meet even one person who was unfriendly or rude in any way.
As soon as I got off the plane, I was able to experience the kindness of Zimbabweans, when a random women offered me the correct change I needed for my visa, because the woman working at the airport didn't have any small bills.
From that moment, until the time I left, I was constantly surprised by the kindness and happiness of all the people in Zimbabwe, and how much they were always willing to help, or answer any questions I had.
When people ask me about Zimbabwe, I always tell them that the people there are the nicest people I have ever met. I have never been anywhere else in the world, where everyone is so friendly.
How has this experience impacted your future?
Lindsey: My time at Imire has impacted my future in so many ways. It has had an impact on my future career. Imire has given me great experience working so closely with both rhinos and elephants, which will be very beneficial experience for me, since I plan on continuing a career working with animals.
More importantly however, Imire has really changed me as a person, my time there taught me to be a more positive person, to enjoy every moment in life and do the things that make me happy.
My time at Imire made me become a much braver person, and helped me conquer a few of my fears. Working at Imire showed me how important it is to just go out and do everything you can, and it's taught me that the world has so many amazing experiences to offer.
If you just step out of the small part of the world you normally live in, you are able to have life changing experiences. I really think that all those things will really impact my future!
I'd always wanted to go and really travel through Africa for a long period of time, but always though it would be crazy to pack up and leave normal life, while everyone else I know is starting careers. However, after my time at Imire, I now look at that sort of trip in a whole new perspective.
I know it's something that will truly make me happy, and after seeing how much my time at Imire made me grow as a person, I can't pass up the opportunity for other experiences to do the same!