I had a lot more energy today, which was odd because I woke up at 5:45am to go run with Jenna around the 2.5 mile path. It was surprisingly a lot of people out biking and running at 6:00am! Jenna and I also had a really good conversation during our walk to and from the center.
Read PostTraveling abroad to volunteer is an exciting experience filled with opportunities to discover new culture and customs, make new friends and bring positive change to our world.
Of course, with everything being so different from back home, it’s natural to experience some feelings of apprehension, and getting accustomed to a whole new life can bring with it a touch of homesickness from time to time.
Read PostIf you’re keen to get under the skin of Thailand when you volunteer abroad, July is prime time to book your trip. Early in the month, the Phi Ta Khon – or Ghost Festival – is held in Loei; this unmissable event is a celebration of Buddhist tradition and local culture.
Read PostRenowned as a cultural melting pot, home to more than 100 tribes and ethnic groups, Ghana attracts thousands of international volunteers every year, all keen to experience this unrivaled culture.
Read PostToday was my second day at the center. I have been helping the church group translate in Spanish which is very fun! It helps learn and improve my Spanish speaking skills, increasing my confidence to speak more fluently without so much premeditation of the words. It is also great just listening to the because I have learned helpful words and phrases.
Read PostCosta Rica is a wonderful destination for a volunteer vacation, even during the rainy season; as well as helping making a difference, you’ll have boundless opportunities to experience the natural beauty of the nation with various activities, including adrenalin-pumping watersports.
Read PostIt was weird not seeing or at least hearing fireworks on the Fourth of July, but we tried to be “as American as possible” by singing traditional songs like the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance. However, the best part of my day involved starting my uVolunteer project.
Read PostIf you’ve made the life-changing decision to volunteer abroad, be prepared to make another extremely important choice: which volunteer program to enrol with. There are literally hundreds of companies to sift through, and a similarly broad range of programs – how will you choose?
Read PostThis morning I went for a run, but it ended up being more of a photoshoot because I kept stopping to take pictures of the beautiful scenery! Then, I had Spanish class with Luis, Gaby’s husband! We went over basic conversations like personal introductions and directions.
Read PostToday we had an orientation to Costa Rica. For breakfast, I had the traditional Gallo Pinto dish with eggs, rice, beans, and bread. I thought it was delicious!!
Read PostMaya Evans was the second winner of the uVolunteer Travel Scholarship for 2016. She was awarded a free trip including airfare to our program in Costa Rica.
During her trip she wrote a daily journal about her experiences and we will be sharing these journal entries with you over the next few weeks. We hope you enjoy them and that they give you an inside perspective of live as a volunteer in Costa Rica.
Read PostIf you want to step into the past on a volunteer vacation to Ghana, don’t miss a visit to some of the country’s most renowned historical landmarks. With more individual heritage sites than any other nation in Africa, Ghana is a treasure trove of fascinating relics from the past.
Read PostCosta Rica. Ghana. Thailand. That’s it.
You won’t find us sending volunteers all over the world. Instead, we offer a boutique volunteer travel experience in just three destinations.
Read PostJuly marks the beginning of Buddhist Lent in Thailand, known as Vassa, and this is an ideal time to learn all about the local culture and religious traditions during a volunteer vacation.
Read PostA major draw for volunteers to Costa Rica is the opportunity to sample delicious, hearty food, and there’s no better time to taste one of the country’s most famous exports than during the Chayote Fair
Read PostIf you’re planning to volunteer in Thailand and immerse yourself in native culture, you won’t want to miss the Royal Ploughing Ceremony this May. An ancient custom, the ceremony of age-old traditions is held to predict how the crops will fare for the rest of the year.
Read PostIf you’re lucky enough to be volunteering in Thailand during mid-April, you won’t want to miss one of the biggest festivals in the nation’s Buddhist calendar: Songkran Festival. The New Year’s celebration, which takes place between April 13th and 15th, comprises all sorts of fun and festivities, including water fights!
Read PostMillions of people visit Thailand every year in groups, couples and as solo travelers, such is the country’s reputation for rich culture, beautiful natural landscapes and mouthwatering food. The idea of traveling alone can be nerve-wracking but for many people the experience is the perfect opportunity to explore without distraction, make new friends and create memories to cherish.
Read PostIf you’re lucky enough to be volunteering in Costa Rica over the Easter period, you’ll have the chance to experience one of the nation’s most important Christian festivals.
Read PostNot all volunteer vacations are created equal; when you decide to volunteer abroad, it’s important to choose an organisation that best fulfills what you want to achieve from your break. While some volunteer firms are fully focused on making a difference, others are tailored to your academic or cultural goals – at uVolunteer, we like to think our vacations offer the perfect mix.
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