Volunteer Costa Rica

1.-How was the local ABV Coordinator and the support provided in-country?

My local ABV Coordinator, Jenny, was very helpful in every way possible. I was picked up on time at the airport, I had a nice city tour/introduction to Escazú, upon my arrival, she arranged all of my transportation to and from the Rescue program, was always available to converse with and ask questions and be of assistance.

Jenny coordinated my ‘weekend off’ visit to Mario Antonio National Park, and everything was just perfect. Jenny is very knowledgeable about her country, and she is always willing to share her knowledge. Her house is centrally located to everything, the accommodations were very comfortable, and the food was excellent.

2- What was the most positive surprise you experienced?

At the program: Everyone was so helpful, friendly and nice.

At the accommodation: Accommodations were very comfortable, very centrally located so you can walk everywhere.

About the country: People here are so happy, very willing to help you with anything, beautiful, just a lovely country with lovely people.

3- What was most difficult/cultural shock to experience?

At the program: The work at the rescue center, it can be difficult and tiring, but very rewarding.

At the accommodation: I’ve been to Costa Rica before so there was no difficult or cultural shock that I experienced.

The country: The noise is different than the U. S., traffic, horns, scooters, roosters, etc. But you get used to it!

4- Any tips for future volunteers, give as many details as possible…

Clothing: Just need warm weather clothing, and bring an umbrella for the rain.

Weather: Very warm, humid and rainy

4.1-Other things volunteers should know, about what to bring, what to do in country, what to eat, transportation, other:

a.- Bring an umbrella

b.- The coasts are beautiful so I would suggest trying to get to either the Pacific Ocean or Caribbean while you are here.

c.-Bring comfortable shoes, you walk a lot.

d.- Bring any snacks you prefer from home

5- Personal Paragraph (ABV Program Testimonial), don’t leave blank:

I had a fantastic experience all the way around with ABV. From the time I inquired about their programs, to almost the day before I left to come to Costa Rica, ABV was continually in touch with me making sure everything was arranged, taken care of, answered any questions I had. ABV is a very professional organization and one I would volunteer with again.

Volunteering in Costa Rica

6- How would you describe your accommodation, meals and security in detail:

Accommodations were very comfortable, had my own room, shared a bathroom, the food was excellent, Jenny accommodated my vegetarianism, and she continually made sure I was where I was supposed to be and safe. I loved my Spanish lessons also. The teacher was amazing. The class is about four blocks away from the host house.

7- What was your favorite memory of this trip?

Program: Working at the rescue center, quite an experience!

Country: Loved staying with a Costa Rican family and see how they live in this country..

Tours: I enjoyed going to Manuel Antonio National Park, what a grand experience it was, earthquake and all!

8.- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling?

Communication (Phone/emails/Online chat): Perfect, I always felt ABV was on top of everything. I liked the constant communication.

Website Information: Website has all the information you need, almost. If you need more, ABV will respond quickly to your email, chat, phone call.

9 – Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?

Absolutely!

Volunteer Peru

1.- Whats was a daily schedule at the program, hours volunteered?

I would wake up at around 7:30 am, have breakfast with Marie Elena.  I would volunteered from 8:30am until 12:30 pm, come home and have lunch with family.  Some afternoons were spent volunteering, and some afternoons were spent sightseeing.

2.- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

Host Family:  Marie Elena is very kind, and supportive.  She made us feel right at home, always had fresh warm, and delicious food ready for us.
Program:  I worked in dental clinics, and noticed that there is lack of dental restorative materials.  The dentists and dental students have very good skills, but lack equipment and supplies, bring donations.
Country:  I was surprised how cold Cusco was, especially at night.  Also, I was surprised at the skill level of the dentists at the hospital.  They are quite capable, but lack instruments and equipment.

3.- What was the most challenging thing you experienced?

Host Family: Marie Elena was very nice, and made sure I had a good experience here.  There were no challenges for our family with regards to the accommodation.
Program:  There was a strike at Cusco when we were here, and therefore not too many patients at the hospital.  But I still was able to see a fair amount of patients at the hospital.  The challenge at the hospital is the lack of supplies and equipment.
Country:  I did not expect the high altitude to bother me as much as it did.  I had a hard time breathing for the first couple of days.  It did get better as time went by, but I find I get tired very quickly, and I think it has to do with the high altitude.

4.- Any tips for future volunteers…

Make sure you bring warm clothing, it gets really cold at night.  Take it easy for the first couple of days until your body adjusts to the high altitude if you are over 50.  To dental students and dentist volunteers, bring dental supplies if you can, they can really use it and will appreciate it.

5.- Other things volunteers should know before coming here (besides Spanish):

Host Family:  We stayed with Marie Elena, and she took real good care of our family.  She made sure we were comfortable, and well taken care of.  She also gave us very good tips about Cusco, and outings.
Program: Come with an open mind, things may not always go as smoothly as you expect.  You may experience a different way of doing things at volunteer location, but will have the opportunity to learn a lot.
Country:  Cusco is a big city, and is quite safe.  Sometimes things get done at a slower pace that you are used to.  People are very nice and always ready to help you.

Volunteering in Peru

6.- Personal Paragraph about the experience (ABV Program Testimonial):

It has been an interesting experience volunteering in Cusco.  It changed my perspective as to how things are done in another country.  I found the dentists at the hospital to be quite skillful with the limited resources. Cusco is very safe, and people are really nice here.  Marie Elena was really helpful during our stay here.

7.- How would you describe your accommodation: meals, security, friendliness, quality others:

Meals:  The food was always prepared fresh daily, and was always delicious.
Security:  I felt very safe in the house that I lived in.  It was in a nice neighborhood
friendliness:  Marie Elena is the best.  Very friendly and welcoming

Volunteering in Peru

7.1.- Score the following from 1 to 10:

• Quality of meals: 10
• Quantity of each meal:  10
• How clean was the house:  10
• How safe was the house:  10

8.- How was the local ABV Coordinator/staff and the support provided in-country: Airport, orientation, introduction to the program, schedule of the program, friendliness, solving problems?

Marie Elena met us at the airport when we arrived. She is very friendly, kind and supportive.  She gave us tips how to navigate the city.  She also took time and effort to make sure that  we are happy at the volunteer location.

9.- Whats was a daily schedule at the program, hours volunteered, activities you did?

Usually volunteered from 8:30 to 12:30 pm.  Sometimes volunteered in the afternoon also.  The first week, I worked at the hospital.  The second week I was working in the orphanage.

10.- What was your favorite memory of this trip?:

Accommodation:  We had a surprise good bye lunch.  Marie Elena make delicious food, and desert from scratch, with fresh flowers on the table.  We felt very special.  We will miss her.
Program:  My favorite memory is of people I met at the hospital and orphanage.  I was surprised how resourceful the doctors were, and how patient the patients were.  Everyone is very polite and respectful.
Country:  I enjoyed the beautiful mountains, and scenery.  We travelled to Machu Picchu and although it was a challenge, it was worth it.  The people have a simple life and I learned a lot.

11.- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling? Emails, chat online, calls, volunteer guide:

Support was very good online.  Emails were answered promptly.

12.- What do you think about the reservation system online?

Online support was very good.  Answered all my questions

Volunteer Nepal

1. Hi Tell us about you:

• Full name (first and last): Jacklyn Chu, Age: 23
• What do you do (study or work, where): Dentistry, Australia
• Where are you from (city and country): Brisbane Australia

1.1. Why did you choose to volunteer in Nepal Kathmandu, what program(s) are you doing and why?

• Why Nepal: Heard from friends that the people are very friendly………………
• What program:  Dental Volunteering

2. What was the most surprising thing you experienced while in the program?

• Program: Helpful people.
• Host Family: Feel really good. Sarita is very cooperative; prepare my favourite food and hot water every day.
• Country: Bus is so crowded during the peak hours but easy to adopt because the bus drivers are helpful in guiding us.

3. What was the most difficult thing you experienced while in the program?

• Program: Program went smoothly but there were limited things that were available for me to do because of the limited time , despite being able to offer a lot.
• Host Family: Cold! But they provided me with extra blankets.
• Country: Air pollution – kept coughing due to construction.

4. Any tips for future volunteers….

• Clothing: Long sleeves and pants so you won’t be dirty.
• Sightseeing: Must see the UNESCO sites. Sudhir can tell you more on this.
• Donations: Gloves, masks, books.
• Laundry/internet: Cheap. Sometimes slow 3G.

5. Other things volunteers should know about:

• a.- City/town: Thamel is good. Bring face masks. Food is so good always try new things.
• b.- Weather: Hot in the day. Cold at night, pack adequately.
• c.- Local People: Kind but language barriers – download translator on phone.
• d.- Tours: Didn’t go on tours. Explore yourself enough with your best friend.

Volunteering in Nepal

6. Personal paragraph (volunteer program testimonial), detail as possible:

Staffs at dental hospital were so welcoming and kind. Bought us food and drinks, introduced us to many good food and phrases to interact with the patients. Did extractions, pulpectomy, fillings, etc. Great if I could have done more but sadly no, due to language barrier. If stayed longer, could have done more. I only stayed for a week.

7. How would you describe your:

• Accommodation: Sarita is very helpful. A lot of privacy at home/room, locker facility  and good family to be with.
• Meals (favorite): Traditional Nepali meal. 3 veg + rice + roti + lentil
• Security: Safe house.
• Host family: Welcoming, considerate, thoughtful.

8. What was your memory of this trip?

• Program: Staffs were really nice.
• Host Family: Nice
• Country: Beautiful architectures (earthquake/constructions/traffic)

9. How was the local ABV Coordinator, the staff and the support provided in-country? Be as detailed as possible.

• Airport: Welcoming, Easy, Fast, Efficient.
• Orientation day: Helped us with SIM card, transport etc. Comprehensive
• Daily Support: Answered all our question. Very Helpful

10. How was the information you received from ABV prior to traveling?

Adequate

11. Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers about your volunteer experience?

Okay!

Volunteer in Chile

I’m a student at Cary high school. I’m from Cary, North Carolina, USA.

I chose to volunteer in chile to help the school in there attempts to become a more bilingual population. I wanted to practice my Spanish as rigorously as I could and I had been informed that Chile is notorious for its Spanish being more complex.

The host family was very nice and I found it very surprising how alike we were in terms of political and social views. I was able to have several discussions with them about how the politics in Chile were similar to those in the United States.

One thing I found difficult was learning how to use the public transportation. Me and Adrienne would spend up to and hour in the cold mornings searching for a “taxi-colectivo” that wasn’t full. Not having air conditioning was another thing I had to get used to.

I recommend that other volunteers pack warmer clothes. Its usually 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature doesn’t change much throughout the week. During the week ends I would recommend going to places like isla damas. Volunteers should really take advantage of the days they have off.

Volunteering in Chile

My accommodations were very pleasing and I was very satisfied. Silvia, our host mom was a very good cook and I was always looking forward to what she had prepared for us. I loved her rice. I’m not a fan of fish but Silvia made the best fried fish I have ever had. I never felt like I was in danger so I don’t have anything to complain about when it comes to my security. My host family was amazing and I didn’t miss my family at home since I had them for company and they made me feel comfortable in my new home.

My local coordinator, Vilma was amazing. She made sure we had things to do on our days off. I didn’t really feel the need to ask her for any assistance, but I was confident that if I needed anything that I could depend on her.

Volunteer Zambia

1- How was the local Coordinator/staff and the support provided in-country?

​He was very attentive to me and ensured I was settled in well.  He immediately showed me around and helped with booking excursions. He made introductions to the key staff at the clinic. He helped me sort through the paperwork needed for the clinic.

2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

​The ​unexpected las minute US$100 clinic fee.  It made things seem unorganized, but ABV refunded the US$100 which I was thankful.

ABV: The clinic changed the policy a day before your arrival, some programs do this, but is not common practice of the clinics or hospitals. We will always try to have updated information from all our 245 locations on a weekly basis.

3- What was most difficult to experience?

​The lackadaisical attitudes of Zambians and laid back attitude about everything, including professional issues.

4- Any tips for future volunteers… (clothing, travel, donations)

​October was very hot/extreme heat. Bring a bathing suit.  Be ready for relaxed attitudes about ​punctuality even with tours/dinner service.  Donations: toys, pencils and crayons for the kids in the nearby villages

4.1- Other things volunteers should know:
a.- Water is safe to drink in Livingstone. I had no issues​
b.- Absolutely use  mosquito nets.  You need it. Bring one
c.- Kids are very friendly and curious. They ask a lot & ask for money ​
d.- Livingstone is safe. The coordinator is great about ensuring safety.

Volunteering in Zambia

5- Personal Paragraph (ABV Program Testimonial):

​This was my second trip with ABV out of 3.  Africa was an extremely different place (than Peru).  However, it was lovely to see the contrast.  I had a hard time adapting to the laid back attitude by the locals, but by the end of my time there it didn’t even phase me. You learn to adapt.  I felt like this trip was great for my patience. The clinic I worked at was a good exposure for me to see how healthcare works there. Everyone was so happy and friendly.  Plus, the excursions in the area were amazing.

6- How would you describe your accommodation, meals, security (e: host family, on-site, shared)

​The house was clean and comfortable.  The meals were delicious ​and I loved trying traditional food.  I felt safe and bonded with the family.  I miss them.

7- What was your favorite memory of this trip?

​The safari was exceptional. Seeing the animals in the wild and learning about them made me feel more connected with nature.

8.- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling?

ABV staff in USA were supportive throughout and help with with anything I needed or asked.  I appreciated the refund of the $100 unexpected fee. ​

9 – Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers

​Yes!​