Give us a little intro
Emily Goodridge is a native of New York City and attended Bowdoin College for her undergraduate degree in English and Theatre. She went on to assistant teach and work at two different education-focused non-profits in Boston and New York City. She earned her Masters Degree in Theatre Education from Emerson College, graduating in May of 2014 and went on to become the Education Associate at Cleveland Play House, where she remains to this day. Her go to dance move (and pretty much her only one) is "raise the roof." : )
Why did you pick this program?
Discover Corps offers short-term programs which, as someone who works full-time, were very appealing to me. My program was only 8 days long but there was a lot packed into it, and it was reasonably priced considering the price is all-inclusive (with the exception of flights). I also liked that it was a good balance of volunteering, and doing fun, vacation-like activities, with as much community-immersion as is possible in 8 days.
What do you tell your friends who are thinking about going abroad?
I would recommend Discover Corps to anyone. I know they offer longer trips if that's what they're looking for, but I would absolutely think of them to friends who have limited vacation days and budget, as I do, and are looking to both volunteer and give back, and also to have an exciting and enjoyable vacation.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
I would tell them to go prepared to have an unforgettable experience, to keep an open mind, learn a few phrases in Spanish if they can, and pack plenty of sunscreen and bug spray, and dramamine if they get carsick on (very) bumpy roads!
What's your favorite story to tell about your time abroad?
It was towards the end of the trip and we were at a lovely resort that had a spa with various pools of different temperatures. I was sitting in a hot one, by myself, surrounded by nothing but quiet and trees, and it was a warm day but there was a slight breeze and the weather was just perfect. I leaned my head back, closed my eyes and felt a level of relaxation I hadn't felt in a long time. To this day, when I am stressed, I close my eyes and go back to that moment of pure peace!
Why pick this trip over another one?
This trip is great if you're interested in hanging with turtles, and aren't looking for a trip that is constant activity, but rather has relaxation times built in. The housing in the middle of the trip is certainly far from fancy so be prepared for that, but it was clean and pleasant. If you're looking for a very hardy, outdoorsy trip, this may not be the one for you, but if you're looking for a good balance of activity and down time, this may be a great fit.