This was first trip alone into a place I've never gone before.

On the flight over to Costa Rica I met a few other uVolunteer participants, which was really comforting. We were met by a bunch of papers with names on them people looking for other people, and thankfully saw the uVolunteer logo. I was met by the coordinator who gave me a really useful orientation and kept reassuring me. Soon I was sent swiftly on my way to Playa Matapalo (by a very long bus ride).

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Even though the season was just starting, we saw a turtle and found a couple nests of eggs. I helped build the hatchery for eggs and did beach cleaning. It was amazing there.

Michelle Chung

Wake up to breakfast, complete the work task, run off to the beach and wait for lunch. Eat lunch, complete the afternoon work task, run off to the beach again and wait for sunset and dinner. At night we could go to the pulperia next door and chill out before patrols.

I planned to volunteer at Playa Matapalo for the full 5 weeks, however after 3 weeks of being around so many travelers and after a lot of pondering; I left with a small group of volunteers. We travelled all over Costa Rica (which I highly recommend).

I ended up deciding to volunteer (last minute!) at the Tortuguero National Park project. uVolunteer was so helpful in quickly arranging my switch and getting me around. And even while traveling the coordinator was there for anything I needed.

At the national park I lived in a jungle for a few days with Costa Rican university students. But I ended up leaving again because everyone else’s volunteer term ended and I didn’t want to be alone there. I traveled around some more with another volunteer from Matapalo before going home.

It’s just breathtaking what one can do. And uVolunteer was so easy and easy-going.

My trip was just absolutely, solidly WICKED.

By Michelle Chung

At the end of my program, I left this report for uVolunteer. I hope it helps future volunteers have a good understanding of the uVolunteer program. I've also allowed uVolunteer to give out my email address to those interested in asking me questions about my trip and the uVolunteer program.

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