Volunteer Review Costa Rica

How were the local ABV Coordinator/staff and the support provided in-country (airport, orientation day, follow up, communication, emergencies)?

Overall, the local ABV coordinator (Alexander) was extremely helpful and willing to assist with anything I needed along the way. From my arrival in Costa Rica and throughout my program I felt like I was supported and staff went above and beyond in order to make my experience a memorable one. My first day and orientation, whilst being an intimidating experience, was made easier by a friendly coordinator who was thorough in addressing all areas of concern.

volunteer in costa ricaVolunteer ReviewWhat was the most positive surprising thing you experienced?

a.- Volunteer Program: The most positive experience during my program was the rewards of volunteering and the feeling of being able to give back whilst simultaneously becoming immersed in a foreign country and experiencing all that Costa Rica has to offer.

b.- Host Family: The most positive aspect of my host family was their willingness to make me feel comfortable in their home without hesitation. Prior to my arrival, I had concerns as to living in someone else’s home but my host family was beyond great.

c.- Country: The best part about Costa Rica is not only the wonderful and friendly locals but also its beauty and how within a matter of hours you can experience a variety of nature and landscapes.

Volunteer in Costa Rica

3- What was the most challenging thing you experienced?

a.- Program: The most challenging part of my program would be a language barrier but despite this, communicating with volunteers, hospital workers and the children became much easier over the duration of the program with the help of the Spanish language immersion.

b.- Host Family: Overall I experienced no challenges with my host family, they were supportive and were able to provide for everything I needed and more.

c.- Country: Again, the language barrier was a slight difficulty during my stay in Costa Rica but communicating became easier and locals, my host family, and ABV staff were always willing to assist me.

4- Any tips for future volunteers… (clothing, travel, personal items, donations, a gift for the host family)

Pack for a variety of weather conditions but try to pack lightly, have a smaller extra bag so you can efficiently go on weekend trips, which there are plenty of in Costa Rica.

5.1- Other things volunteers should know before coming here:

Tips for future volunteers would be to be prepared to be out of your comfort zone. The best experiences I had in my program were the ones that I had never experienced anything like before and was not afraid to get involved in. Definitely take initiative throughout your program, although you are in a foreign environment be proactive in making your program the best it can be so you don’t have any regrets.

Gap Year Costa Rica

6- Personal Paragraph about the entire experience (ABV Program Testimonial) give as much detail as you can:

Overall, my ABV experience was one that I will never forget. My experience volunteering was extremely positive and I had a wonderful time at the children’s hospital. The staff I met were friendly and willing to help. My language immersion was a great experience and I learned a lot very quickly which was a huge help in navigating CR. My host family went above and beyond to assist me throughout my program and I am so grateful for all they have done. Overall I was extremely pleased with my program and felt very supported throughout.

7- How would you describe: your accommodation, what meal did you enjoy the most, security in the house/neighborhood, friendliness, quality others:

My accommodation was definitely a highlight of my program as my host family was incredible. The house was clean and had everything I needed and I never felt unsafe. The food was excellent and I really enjoyed all the meals cooked by Alice.

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

a.- Program: My favorite memory of my program was forming bonds with children at the hospital and hopefully improving the quality of their day.

b.- Host Family: My favorite memory of my host family is the feeling of being welcomed as part of the family, which I felt from the day of my arrival in CR.

c.- Country: My favorite memory of Costa Rica is the scenery, nature and incredible landscape that you cannot find anywhere else in the world.

Volunteer Trips Overseas

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

ABV support prior to my travel was good and I received emails from staff providing me with contacts to answer any and all of my questions. I did not have many questions prior to the beginning of my program as the guide was thorough and detailed and answered any questions I had.

9.1- What do you think about the reservation system online?

I think the online system was easy to use and was well set out and it was an easy step by step process that ensured that no important information was missed.

Volunteer Reviews Costa Rica

Volunteer Ecuador

1- How was the local ABV Coordinator and the support provided in-country?
Everyone was so nice! They made us feel at home.

2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

How good it felt to help kids learn and experience new things. It made me think outside the box because things were so difference. We played the ukele for them and they loved it. It was so appreciated by them and it felt good.

3- What was most difficult to experience?

Saying goodbye everyone. We got close to the kids so it was hard to leave them. It was hard leaving at the end of the day because they wanted us to stay longer.

4- Any tips for future volunteers… (Clothing, travel, personal items, donations)
Bring your favorite stuff, candies etc to share with the children. Also ask what you can bring in advance. Be open to experiencing a new culture while you are there. It makes it more fun.

5- Other things volunteers should know:

Stay flexible because things are very different in Ecuador. Make sure to read the information given by A Broader View which helps understand what to expect. Ask lots of questions to get more comfortable with the project.

Volunteering in Ecuador

6- Personal Paragraph (ABV Program Testimonial):

I would recommend volunteering with A Broader View because they offer a broad range of volunteering opportunities not just all over Ecuador but all over the world. The staff was so nice. Laura and Gianni were great. Also getting to know their families was great, especially Gianni who’s son attends the school where we worked. This gave us some insight into working with the kids. It was nice being at someones home especially in such a different environment.

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

The accommodations were comfortable and the meals were very tasty.

8- What was your favorite memory of this trip?
The kids! They were energetic fun and very smart. It made me miss being that age. I will always remember them.

9- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling?

Very good. We would have liked to have had more details about what we were doing beforehand but in the end it worked out.

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

Yes!

Volunteer Ecuador

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

Excellent

2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

The kindness of all the teachers. They were very patient and humble, How excited the kids were

3- What was most difficult to experience?
Seeing how much help they needed. Realizing how little they had

4- Any tips for future volunteers… (Clothing, travel, personal items, donations)
Always make sure to check the weather before you come. Dress warm clothes

5.1- Other things volunteers should know:

1. Helpful, and polite
2. Positive
3. Have fun
4. Give 100%

Volunteer Review

6- Personal Paragraph (ABV Program Testimonial):
ABV was a wonderful experience. I wish I had stayed for more days!. I would definitely recommend it to others. I think more people should come because they definitely need it. Thank you ABV!!

ABV was such a humbling experience and I wish I could have worked for a longer time. Given the opportunity I would do this again.

7- How would you describe your accommodation, meals, security

Excellent

8- What was your favorite memory of this trip?

Reading books to a senior. When the kids told me “te quiero”

9- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling?

Excellent

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

Volunteer Peru

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

Maria Elena was very supportive and helpful throughout the entire trip. She was very welcoming and easy to get along with the entire time. She always made sure we were okay, and happy with how everything was going.

2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

Program: I was surprised by how welcoming the girls were in the orphanage. It was so easy to become close with them and made volunteering there very fun.

Host Family: My host family as a whole (ABV volunteers and Maria Elena) became so close, and all bonded so quickly. I feel like we will all keep up with each other which is great.

Country: There are many festivals and other events that go on often in Cusco, but I enjoyed that aspect because it made each day very different and being around all the festivals really allowed me to experience the culture.

3- What was the most challenging thing you experienced?

Program: The only difficulty I had with the program was when going to the orphanage, on Fridays the girls all watch tv and it was hard to find something to do. But then I found the kitchen which I helped out in a few times when the girls were busy doing other things. The orphanage has 5 big areas that you can help in.

Host Family: I had no difficulty with my host family, it was like home.

Country: It was difficult traveling when there were strikes because when I was on my way home from Arequipa the bus had to be stopped for a couple hours before we were able to move on. Not a big deal.

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

1. It is important to bring a warm jacket and a windbreaker because it gets cold at night.
2. bring a lot of sunblock because it’s easier to get sunburned.
3. When you arrive, get some snacks for when you get hungry during the day.
4. Travel on the weekends! Peru is so diverse, they have beautiful mountains, huge lakes, and so many other amazing places that should be visited.

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

Coming to Peru was possibly the best experience of my life, it completely changed my outlook on life. After coming on this trip I would love to do something like it again. I loved my volunteering, the girls were so cute and amazing and hard to leave. I also loved my host family, Maria Elena was so welcoming and sweet, and the other ABV volunteers became some of my closest friends in such a short amount of time. I’m also so happy that I got the opportunity to travel on the weekends to see all over Peru. Overall I had an amazing experience in Peru.

Volunteer Review

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

My room was very clean and comfortable. The shower had hot water which was great.

The meals were so amazing, I loved all of them. And I never felt unsafe at home. Everyone was welcoming and friendly.

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

Program: My favorite memory was when I went to a home for cancer patients with all of the volunteers and Maria Elena to make breakfast and hot chocolate. They were very happy with the cake we brought them, and seemed to enjoy having visitors.

Host Family: my favorite memory of the trip was going to rainbow mountain, the hike was a bit difficult in the altitude but it was so cool to see.

Country: Being here on Peru Independence day was awesome and great to be able to see.

8- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling?

The ABV support was great, Sarah & Lynn always responded to all questions I had within <24 hours which was very helpful when I needed to ask questions.

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

It was easy to sign up for work online with the reservation system.

9.1- How did you find Abroaderview website

My dad found out about Abroaderview online.

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

Yes of course!

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

Volunteer Ecuador: The local ABV coordinator was very good and very helpful whenever I needed help. The house was very nice and everyone was very friendly. She would help whenever I had any problems.

2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

I didn’t think that I was going to make as much friends as I made. Everyone I met was extremely friendly and polite and it made my time in Ecuador a whole lot easier.

3- What was most difficult to experience?

it was hard to get used to the much higher altitude because my lips and skin would get very dry and I had to find ways to adjust. The air was also much drier compared to where I am from so it took a little to getting used to.

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

Bring casual attire as well as dress attire. Anything that makes you look better than you normally do, like khakis or Jeans and polo’s and button ups if you plan on going out.

Also bring chapstick, sunscreen and lotion for your skin because you might experience dryness.

Volunteer Review

5.1-Other things volunteers should know:
a. Be prepared to meet and make friends with new people

b. Be prepared to learn your way around a brand new city if you plan to visit tourist areas.

c. You will enjoy your time.

6- Personal Paragraph (ABV Program Testimonial):

A Broader View gave me the opportunity to be able to volunteer in a daycare based in Ecuador where the climate is great and the overall area is beautiful. I was able to help out around the daycare and play with the kids. They were super funny and the time passed by very quickly on some days. It was a very special opportunity and I thank A Broader View for the chance to visit and help during this 2 week period.

7- How would you describe your accommodation, meals, security

The accommodation was very good. I enjoyed my stay very much. It was clean and everyone was very friendly. The 3 meals served every day were very good and filling.

8- What was your favorite memory of this trip?
My favorite memory on the trip was making friends and visiting all the places together. It made my time very enjoyble. All the tourist areas were also very cool and memorable.

9- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling?

It was very good and they helped me with any question that I had even though they made everything very clear and did not have much questions.

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

Volunteer Colombia

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

Excellent, I felt very supported during the program.

2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

Program: It is insane to see so many babies in a room all together. Having grown up around the childcare business it was a very different way of running things so it was very interesting to witness.

Host Family: My host mom was amazing and I was very pleasantly surprised at how she included me in the simple stuff such as food shopping and going to the market. I felt more immersed and it was great!

Country: the humidity!

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

1. Bring light but long pants for the foundation! Also, it’s very unusual to see women wearing shorts in Cartagena so I was grateful that I brought a lot of light pants and dresses to explore in. The only time I wore shorts was hiking!
2. Do the language immersion and try to come into the country knowing the basics at the very least! I didn’t find anything difficult to adjust to.
3. Take advantage of the area! There’s so much history and culture to explore and the weekend trips outside of the city are amazing. I took weekend trips to Playa Blanca and Tayrona and stayed in a hammock at both. They were breathtaking​ and Tayrona was the most amazing place I have ever been. You should probably get the yellow fever vaccine before Tayrona. I didn’t and was fine but technically you aren’t supposed to enter the park without it. Weekend trips are a great way to meet other solo travelers from all over the world!
4. Each time I got a 2000 pesos bill I saved it for the bus. I had one strange experience where the man collecting money on the bus tried to take advantage of me by not giving me change. I was able to argue for it but it’s a lot easier to just have exact change, especially if you don’t speak Spanish.

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

1. Nothing can prepare you for the humidity. The temperatures are normally in the 80/90s which is fine but the humidity is unreal. (check the weather)
2. The water is fine to drink. On the first day I decided to just drink it despite what everyone in the US told me. I didn’t have a single issue and it’s a lot easier than worrying about buying water and not eating certain foods.
3. I got a lot of warnings about cat calling but I thought it existed less here than in the US. Having red hair I would often hear peliroja behind my back and experienced some stares but it never felt annoying or creepy like it does back home.
4. Be careful crossing the street. There are motorcycles coming out of everywhere.

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

My month in Colombia was absolutely amazing. I loved everything about the program and didn’t have a single issue. The only part that I found difficult was dealing with the heat! My absolutely favorite weekend trip was to Tayrona National Park. It sounds crazy to go hiking by yourself and then sleep in a hammock surrounded by strangers but I have never seen such a beautiful environment in my life.

The experience was breathtaking and is a must! I fell in love with all that Cartagena had to offer. The women at the program, my host family, and the support staff were amazing. Also, the Spanish immersion (lessons) piece was excellent. I am so happy I chose to do it because the amount of time I received in private lessons would be worth $1000s in the US and I felt like it really improved my Spanish. Plus my Spanish teacher was an additional source of support during the program. Overall, my experience was extremely valuable.

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

My host family was amazing! I had no issues being a vegetarian, my room was very comfortable, and I felt safer here than where I live at home if I am to be honest.

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

Program: Each day was pretty much the same, but all of them were amazing and I loved working with the kids and getting to know all the women who work there.

Host Family: Visiting the market with my host family! It was a great way to see the culture and everyday life of a lot of people from all around the city.

Country: Tayrona National Park (get yellow fever vaccination if going to this park)

Volunteer Reviews

8- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling?

I always received a reply within 24 hours and everything I needed to know was answered!

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

Everything easy to navigate and work.

9.1- How did you find Abroaderview website

I liked the website and found many great reviews online! I hadn’t heard of the program before until I stumbled upon it through a Google Search. I had another friend who was interested in the program when I told her about it and she honestly thought it was a scam, I believe because of the extreme affordability of the program, but she was completely wrong.

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

Yes, I would love to!