Volunteer Ecuador

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

The ABV Coordinator/staff were very helpful in making sure my experience was smooth and great. They were very available when I had to ask them a question through WhatsApp. They challenged you to speak Spanish throughout without defaulting to English in order that you learn the language. When I went into the office, they would greet me by my name.

2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

Program: It was surprising to see how some of the nurses did not use gloves to take blood. I saw a patient with pneumonia; he was very pale and skinny. It was surprising seeing surgery where the patient was still awake.

Host Family: My host mother has an 8 month year old and she breastfeeds her baby at the table. That is not a common practice in the United States. My family likes to drink cola or drink juice everyday. I don’t drink cola or juice at home often.

Country: There are a lot of stray dogs everywhere. People drive very anxiously.

3- What was the most challenging thing you experienced?

Program: It was a challenge dealing with patients who did not want to cooperate with you. I want to be a doctor. I had to try harder to be involved with the doctors instead of the auxiliary nurses.

Host Family: I am an only child who is used to being around adults. It was a little harder connecting to the teenager and baby. Sometimes I would have to take cold showers which is uncomfortable since the climate is cooler than I thought.

Country: I have never walked so much in my life. The landscape consists of a lot of hills. I got a lost a few times because the bus routes were a little confusing to me .

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

1. Bring warm clothing.

2. When you walk into a crowded area, keep your bookbag in front of you.

5.- Other things volunteers should know before coming here:

a. Air pollution, in my opinion, is a problem here.

b. When you greet a woman, you touch the side of her cheeks with yours and make the “kissy” sound

Volunteer Pre Medical

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

I stayed with a host family and the extended family visited often. I felt like I had plenty of space. The meals were very delicious. However, I eat plenty of meat and vegetables. I left my computer and phone out plenty of times so I feel safe. People are friendly when you ask them for directions.

7- What was your favorite memory of this trip?:

Program: I got an opportunity to see surgery on a patient who had broken his tibia. I was very amazed how the anesthesiologist had to be careful not to administer too much anesthesia to the spine.

Host Family: I enjoyed playing card games with my family and listening to their stories.

Country: I enjoyed going to Mitad del Mundo. I bought some chocolate and it was nice learning the history how people figured out what the middle of the world was. I also got a chance to try Cuy.

8- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling? (who helped you, emails, phone calls, chat online, how fast did you got an answer, did you got all your answers)

I used chat online and email to communicate with ABV. Someone named Lori helped to answer my questions. Everything was really fast (less than 24 hours) and I am appreciative of that. All my questions were answered.

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

I thought it was pretty easy to navigate. It was appealing to look at.

9.1- Who did you find Abroaderview website (keywords, search engine, word mouth to mouth, recommended by .., other)

I found the website by learning about it through a blog on the internet about what to do over the summer for pre-medical students. I then showed it to my Spanish professor who supported my decision in attending the Pre Med/Pre Nurse Program in North Quito.

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

Yes, I am willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers.

Volunteer Nepal:

What Program did you choose and why?

Medical because I want to go into the medical field.

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

In one word, I would say excellent. The host family here was incredibly welcoming, helpful and very very nice. They definitely made me feel a part of the family. We got a few emails checking in from a broader view as well which was very nice.

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

How nice everyone was. Everybody loves talking to us and they were very willing to teach and very helpful.

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

I would say adjusting to the culture. The food, transportation, and just the overall lifestyle is so different than anything I have ever experienced. I don’t think it was a bad thing by any means but it just took some getting fed to.

Any tips for future volunteers….(clothing, travel information, packing, sightseeing, donations)

I would say if you are coming in July like I did or just the summer in general don’t bring a big sleeping bag or tons of clothes for cold weather like the packing list says. It is always hot and Im from Idaho.

Other things volunteers should know:

If you are volunteering at the hospital. The list says to bring a white coat or scrubs any color. Nobody at the hospital wears scrubs, just regular clothes and a white coat. If you want do want to wear scrubs the nursing director wants them to be blue.

ABV: we recommend the scrubs or coat as this si what volunteers use to be different from the local staff. Follow the guides.

Volunteer Medical

Personal paragraph (volunteer program testimonial):

Overall I loved my experience here and time spent at the hospital. It was different than what I was expecting, but it definitely exceded my expectations. I did language immersion classes which were very helpful.

How would you describe your accommodation, meals, security?

The house here is very nice. I was very comfortable here, felt very safe and sarita the host ‘mom’ is an excellent cook.

What was your memory of this trip?

My memory of this trip is a good one. All of the nice people, great hikes and fun times at the hospital is something I’ll remember forever.

How was the information you received from ABV prior to traveling? (Emails, website, support) was there anything missing or should be included to prepare other volunteers?

Overall the information from ABV was very good. The only thing that could I mentioned before the medical stuff I’d recommend not bringing scrubs, you won’t need more than one box of gloves and bring masks (one of each per week) that protect against TB because we’ve not immunized and regular masks don’t protect against that.

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

Yes.