The best and most rewarding 2 weeks ever!

I have recently got back from Córdoba after spending 2 weeks there and I already can’t wait to go back! Everything from the host family to the volunteering placements to the local area was perfect. As a 16 year old with no previous experience of travelling alone I was very nervous in the run up to the trip, however my nerves completely vanished and I felt completely at home almost instantly because the family which I stayed with (Pedro, Nati, Julio, Bauti y Martí) are some of the loveliest and kindest people I have ever met who are more than happy to make your time there as special as they can. Lucas, a family friend and a worker, is someone who I now consider a really good friend of mine having spent almost every night out with him.

I do think some knowledge of Spanish (advanced beginners and up maybe?) or at the very least a willingness to try and learn little bits whilst you are there, is necessary to fully make the most out of your trip as most if not all of the placements are almost exclusively in Spanish.

My one big piece of advice is that to get the most out of this trip you really do need to force yourself out of your comfort zone and to try your hardest to make friends with everyone around you ie the other volunteers, the family (although you’ll have no problem with that), the people who you’ll encounter while working, and even some of the locals which you’ll meet if you go to Quepi (the local bar).

All in all, IVHQ Córdoba is a trip that I would do 1000 times again if I could and would recommend it to almost anyone of all ages and interests. However the enjoyment you get out of the holiday is entirely dependent on what you make of it. If you choose to spend all of your free time at the house, you’ll have a much worse time than the person who went out exploring the local area with other volunteers!