Intern Abroad HQ

Medical Volunteer

July - August 2018 • Delhi, India

What I liked

The program was well-set up and staffed.

What I wish was different

I would have gone for even longer!

Advice

You should be in a place where you are mentally and emotionally prepared for India

Be the first to mark this as helpful

English Teacher

June 2018 • Lima, Lima Province

What I liked

I liked having the opportunity to work with people from all over the world on an ongoing project that has a notable impact.

What I wish was different

I wish I could have spent longer there.

Advice

Come to a foreign country with an open mind!

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Medical Volunteer

July - August 2018 • Cusco, Cusco Region

What I liked

I loved the rich Peruvian-Andean Culture!! I made so many connections. And how I was actually able to contribute in medical care in a clinic in the village.

What I wish was different

That I had prepared better, done more research on the place.

Advice

Plan and prepare, it will save you stress!!

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Volunteer

June - July 2018 • Cartagena of Indias, Bolívar Department

What I liked

Not only did I get to make an impact in people’s lives and help them realize the importance of physical activity to one’s health and teach English, I got to travel and meet people from all over the world!

What I wish was different

Advice

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Vounteer

May - July 2018 • Bogotá, Colombia

What I liked

I loved my fellow volunteers, most of the programs, and living in a different culture.

What I wish was different

I wish that the teaching experience had been different, but I know that the management of the teaching project has changed hands so I'm happy about that. Gloria, Liam, Lily, and Chris were amazing.

Advice

Research where you decide to go before and talk with former volunteers that went to that place.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Volunteer at Rehabilitation Center for Children with Special Needs

June - July 2019 • Mérida, Yucatán

What I liked

I really enjoyed getting to know the children and parents as they waited for appointments. Since I was there for 8 weeks, I got to know some of the patients, siblings, and parents really well. No one at the center spoke English so I got to practice my Spanish which improved throughout my stay. Nonetheless, everyone treated me so kindly and were extremely friendly. I loved how the center was this really happy place where differences were something to be celebrated, not shamed.

What I wish was different

I wish the state of Yucatan did not cut their funding for the center. After 6 weeks, the center lost a lot of doctors and workers, and patients will now receive their therapy sessions less frequently. It was a really challenging reality to witness, especially since I became so attached to everyone there and the goal of the center. The therapies were for children in low-income families, so to have the budget cut felt like an injustice that I was incapable of solving.

Advice

Definitely travel!! After 8 weeks, I feel so connected to Merida and Yucatecan culture. I think that investing yourself in one place and really getting to know the culture and people allows personal growth and awareness of a different lifestyle. The Summer Funded Experience grant helped make this possible for me, all students should apply for it and have an incredible summer like I had. Also-- volunteer at some point! I really enjoyed returning to a place I loved and cared about without having a money incentive. I highly recommend it :)

1 One person found this helpful

Community Development Planner

May - August 2021 • San Diego, CA

What I liked

Basically, I helped the reforming the building in poverty area with the residents. Then what I was impressed with was the conformity among the community.