Why did you pick this program?
Becuase ive always been interested in helping others, as the community service coordinator for my volleyball team at South Carolina. I also have a passion for adventure and figured this would be an amazing opportunity to expand my world knowledge.
What do you tell your friends who are thinking about going abroad?
I say it is a once in a lifetime experience and encourage my friends to travel while they still have a chance to. Travel with a fresh mind that still has room for molding and fitting more knowledge in.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
Be prepared for manual labor and hard but rewarding work. Also be prepared to challeneg yourself in ways tou could never even imagine. Also, take moments to really absorb the experience and the beauty of whereever you are!
What's your favorite story to tell about your time abroad?
We played in a soccer tournement against the local ticos and we actually played really well for a bunch of random kids. My host dad was the goalie of our team and he was about 55 years old and a small guy.
But Pepe ended up making unbelievable saves and everyone was so supprised by him! By the end of the game everyone was chanting Pepe's name, even though we ended up losing in a shoot out. The sense of comrodery in the local town and the sense of community was so amazing.
What were the living sotuations like while volunteering?
I stayed with a host family of adad and his 3 daughters. It was a small house with a tin roof and no heating or air or tv or radio of phone. It was beey rural but it was so amazing because we spent our time playing games outside with the girls and drawing pictures with them. I realized there are more ways to communicate that through technology.