Projects Abroad

When I first decided I wanted to go on an alternative Spring Break trip I had no idea where to start my search for the right one. I asked one of my friends which program she had used and she enthusiastically suggested Projects Abroad. I was a little skeptical at first, not because of the company itself, but because I was essentially paying to volunteer, a concept I had never heard of before. But once I was in Costa Rica and saw where exactly my money was going to I was elated that I could donate my time and money to such a great cause. Projects Abroad is a wonderfully organized volunteer program. Every single member of staff that I met was amazing- on the first day in the office everyone greeted me with a hug! I felt so welcomed and like I was genuinely needed at my placement. The other spring breakers and I spent one week helping out at a day care and painting a mural at a kindergarten. I had the opportunity to practice my Spanish in every day conversations; an opportunity that I would never get sitting in my classroom. The work was definitely physically hard and exhaustive at times but we still had time to go out to the bars and restaurants and even to a beautiful beach! I met some amazing people from all over the world that I feel like I will be friends with for years to come. I would recommend Projects Abroad to anyone looking to volunteer in a foreign country- you learn so much about yourself and people in general that the experience is not to be missed! The only drawback is the price (it is quite pricey) but the money is used for such a great cause that this issue can be overlooked. My only regret is that I was not able to spend more time volunteering in Costa Rica!

I had an amazing experience volunteering in Tanzania with Projects Abroad. I'd lived in Africa once before, but in a different country and context, so I wasn't really sure what to expect. I was placed in a hospital outside of Arusha, and with a wonderful host family. The Projects Abroad staff were supportive without being intrusive; it was just enough structure to not feel lost, but not so much that it felt like a tour package. Working in the hospital was a very humbling experience (and required a strong stomach), and I really learned a lot. It was a lot more hands on than I had expected and I was asked to do a lot, which was really cool (and sometimes a little scary). Overall, I am very grateful for the experience and I would definitely recommend the program.

I volunteered in a Care placement with Projects Abroad for 3 months. I lived in Niteroi, a city of about 400,000 in the state of Rio de Janiero. I lived with a local family. My home was in a great location - it was a block from the beach and the bus stop. I worked every weekday at a creche - or care center. The creche is free, so most of the kids there came from relatively poor families. There were about 75 children ranging from 2 to 6 years old, and there were 14 staff members. At work, I played with the kids, fed them and bathed them. It was definitely a challenge and the experience often times pushed me out of my comfort zone. But the experience gave me invaluable perspective. Though the playground equipment is not as impressive as that of schools and care centers in the US (where I live), the kids for the most part act the same way. Kids are kids no matter where they live or what kind of background they have. During the weekend, volunteers were free to explore the marvelous city of Rio. I visited Cristo, Sugarloaf Mountain, the Lagoa, the Botanical Gardens, the Sambodrome, Flamengo Park, Arches of Lapa, Niteroi's Contemporary Art Museum, a favela, a samba club, some of Brazil's forts, and so much more. I watched a soccer game - the Fla-Flu game. It was between Flamengo and Fluminense, Rio's crosstown rivals. I enjoyed many of Brazil's beaches - from Ipanema Beach in Rio and Itacoatiara Beach in Niteroi. Along with sightseeing in Rio, I took side trips to Sao Paulo, Cabo Frio, Iguazu Falls, and the Amazon, where I held a crocodile and fished for piranhas. The volunteers mostly hung out together. The volunteers I worked with came from the US, UK, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Japan, and Portugal. Some people were taking gap years like me and some were taking time off from university or work. None of us knew each other before coming to Brazil, but we immediately had to trust and rely on one another. Brazil was incredibly eye-opening. I learned how to get around Brazil and immersed myself in the culture as much as I could. I became more alert and aware of my surroundings. I learned a lot from the way Brazilians treat others and approach life. They are never in a hurry and never seem stressed. Living in Brazil - where bus drivers wait for the man running to catch the bus from 2 blocks away and taxi drivers pull over to give money to beggars - moved me and humbled me. Brazilians amazed me with their warmth, openness, and carefree attitude towards life. The months I spent in Brazil were some of the most rewarding in my life. Projects Abroad's best feature is its flexibility. The staff does a good job placing you where you want, when you want, and how long you want, which is something I don't think any other gap year program offered.

I completed the Projects Abroad-Romania Program for academic credit towards my undergraduate degree. As a senior in my final semester of college, my project was to conduct independent field research on disadvantaged children abroad and then compose a lengthy report on my findings. Throughout this process, I was expected to immerse myself in the culture, complete surveys, and learn some of the local language. I contacted Projects Abroad shortly before the start of my semester with this "list." To my surprise, immediately after my web-chat with one of the New York City representatives, the organization got right to work in making my semester abroad a reality. Any questions that I had were immediately answered; all of my requests were accommodated. This early promptness and helpfulness definitely set the tone for the rest of my trip in Brasov, Romania. Throughout my time in Romania, I was afforded the opportunity to volunteer in three different orphanages, take Romanian cooking classes, speak at two Romanian High Schools, study the Romanian language, sightsee and visit museums throughout Brasov, attend social gatherings with volunteers from around the world, and immerse myself in the "local" life of the city. In this capacity, I meandered through historic buildings, cradled abandoned babies, played board games with formerly abused youths, learned how to cook "Galusti Cu Prune," interacted with high school students, and distributed surveys to Romanian locals. Most importantly, I also made many lifelong friends- from Romania and around the globe. It goes without saying that my time with Projects Abroad was one experience that I will never forget. The people I met-- my "host dinner families" (the families who taught me how to cook Romanian cuisine), the sweet children I volunteered with at the orphanages, the wonderful volunteers from all over the world, and the staff at the Romanian Offices-- all shaped my experience and allowed me to see the "oneness" of our collective humanity. I am forever grateful to Projects Abroad for being the conduit of this experience. For anyone wishing to travel beyond their geographic borders to continue their "education," whether through an academic program or an enhanced life experience, I highly recommend this program. Suffice it to say, I will definitely be returning to volunteer with Projects Abroad again. -Aly K, NJ

I spent two months in Romania doing a physical therapy placement and loved every single minute of it. Before this experience, the only time I had spent abroad was a week of an alternative spring break trip with 14 of my classmates, so I was a little nervous about going so far from home on my own. Those worries disappeared the minute I arrived to see the Projects Abroad sign in the airport. The staff was incredible at making me feel at home and trying to morph my experience into what I was looking for. For example, when I wanted a different experience from my placement, they had one set up for me within the week. My placement was at Hospice Casa Sperantei where I worked with children with lifelong disabilities and terminal illnesses. The physiotherapist I shadowed was amazing and really invested in teaching me. I was allowed to touch the patients, interact with them, feel their stiffness and crooked spines: experiences I hadn't had shadowing physical therapists in the US. I left this experience with no doubt that this was what I wanted to do as a career. I was so excited about it, I actually filled out almost all of my physical therapy school application while I was abroad! Being abroad over the summer was awesome. Since you can come and go when you want with Projects Abroad, I crossed path with 40some volunteers from all over the world. Every night we would meet up for dessert or karaoke or coffee, and on the weekends there was always someone to explore the country with. We became so close that I will always call them my Projects Abroad "family". I learned so much in Romania about myself and what I wanted in life. I met some incredible people and learned not only a ton about Romania, but the places where my fellow volunteers were from too. All of this with the beautiful Romanian backdrop, the summer I spent there was the best of my life.

I spent 2 weeks volunteering at a IT school in Mawala, a small village an hour south of the capital. The school was a single room with 12 computers where children came to take 3-month classes on how to use Microsoft, the Internet, and other basics like how to turn on/off a computer and how to use a mouse. Since they have no computers in their homes or public schools, this was the only place that most children had any chance to learn about computers. I found almost all the children to be extremely receptive and very excited to learn. I had a great time interacting with them and learned just how much I take for granted when it comes to computers. For example, it never occurred to me that I would need to teach someone what it means to "click" with a mouse - but then I realized that these children couldn't know such a thing because they had never observed someone using a computer before. The Projects Abroad staff was very supportive and checked in frequently to make sure everything was okay. They showed me how to get in contact with other volunteers and gave me lots of information on how to get around the city/country. They placed me with a good host family that had had numerous volunteers before (although I was their first American volunteer!). My host mother was an excellent cook and I learned to enjoy her spicy cooking. The other volunteers I met were extremely friendly and were from all over the world. We became fast friends and I had a great time traveling with them during my free weekend. Sri Lanka is a beautiful country with very friendly people, and my one free weekend turned out to be nowhere near enough time to see all the exciting places I wanted to see! This small island is packed with beautiful beaches, temples, and mountains and I recommend a longer stay if you have the time. But on the whole, I had a great time traveling and volunteering and would highly recommend the program!

My volunteer experience in Senegal from July-October 2011 with Projects Abroad was absolutely incredible. I was supported by the organization's staff from the day I first made contact with them, and have felt that contact through this day-- even after my experience has ended. I reviewed several organizations before making the choice to volunteer with P.A., and I would not have changed one thing about my decision. Through Projects Abroad, I found the perfect balance of support and independence, which is exactly what I was looking for in an organization. I didn't feel confined or overly directed while in Senegal, but someone was always there to help me if I needed assistance. The desk officer, social manager, and on-site staff were available 24/7, which is certainly a comfort to many individuals who volunteer in a foreign country. The excursions and social activities allowed for the chance to get to know other volunteers, and the projects themselves were extremely fulfilling and enlightening. Most of all, the structure of the program allowed for true immersion into the local culture. This is a vital element for volunteers to gain as much as possible from an experience while giving back to the residents of the community in which they work. The time I spent in Senegal genuinely changed my life, and Projects Abroad made that possible.

I loved my experiences in Sri Lanka through Projects Abroad. I learned so much about the country, it's people, the other volunteers that were from all over the world, and myself. The staff members were very helpful and accommodating. My host families were lovely and they always tried to make me feel like I was a member of their family and the community. The people were friendly, nice and very impressed when a couple of the other volunteers and myself would wear saris to work. They would make a point of telling us that we were teachers and they knew this because we wore a sari; my host moms were wonderful, from helping me get dressed in my sari in the morning, to accommodating their cooking for a vegetarian, to trying to teach me how to cook some of the local cuisine, and to bringing me tea when I was sick; they were just all around lovely people. I don't remember the final cost that I spent on my trip but the experiences I had and the friends that I made were worth every penny of it.

A small city in the Eastern European country of Romania is not where many people would go. However, for me, it was the most amazing 1-month experience I could have asked for and my choice to volunteer with Projects Abroad was the best decision ever. This summer I spent 1-month in a medical internship in Brasov, Romania through Projects Abroad. Preparing for my trip, I had no idea what to expect but the PA staff were with me from the time I considered a project. With frequent check-ups before my arrival in Romania, my friend and I felt ready to go to a new place. After travelling across time zones we arrived in Romania and it was unlike any place I had been before. The structure of the Projects Abroad program is what made it such a special experience for me. I lived with a host family and had a placement at a local care center for children with Down Syndrome. When I wanted more medical experience, the PA staff immediately gave me an opportunity to work in a local hospital as well. The freedom and flexibility of this program appealed to me the most. After being taught transportation and directions to work and the city center, we were responsible for attending every day. We could plan our own trips with other volunteers and if we ever had any questions, the PA office was just a 10 minute walk and the staff was more than happy to help plan. Romania was a place I had never before thought about going to, but ever since I returned to America, I can't stop talking about it. The friendships I made through my 1 month in Romania are more than I could have asked for. Projects Abroad was fantastic in every aspect of this trip and made my experience the way it was. Projects Abroad is a wonderful organization and I hope to participate in another program with them. I feel that everyone should participate in such eye-opening and life-changing experience.

I could not have been happier with my choice to volunteer with Projects Abroad. I found out about Projects Abroad through a career fair at my university and I thought it would a cool thing to do over the summer. I chose to travel to Moldova, located in Eastern Europe, because I had never heard of the small nation before. It was the best decision of my life thus far. I have no doubt that my friends are sick of me talking endlessly about my adventures in Moldova and my parents are probably disturbed by the total makeover which has taken place in my room to make space for all my pictures. From the moment I submitted my application the Projects Abroad staff was in contact with me. They were always prompt and knowledgeable although I would not recommend their flight booking service (you can find much better rates just booking airline tickets yourself). However, overall, I felt that the program was a good value. When I arrived in Moldova I was met at the airport by a friendly, and welcoming staff member. I was then brought to my host family who opened up their home to me and made me feel like I was staying with family. In terms of satisfaction with my volunteering project, I am extremely pleased. I started teaching my own classes the very first day I went to the local school. The students were so enthusiastic I instantly fell in love. Of course everyday was a challenge, but I was very pleased with the assistance and advice the staff provided me. Every weekend the Projects Abroad team offered trips to local sites to the volunteers. This was a great way to meet the other volunteers and see the area. Although I think they could have been done for less money, overall the chance to mingle with the other volunteers of set the potential price hike. I recommend Projects Abroad without hesitation. It was an amazing opportunity I am so grateful to have had.

As soon as I arrived at the airport, I was greeted by PA staff and taken to get dinner. The staff was very welcoming and attended to every question I had. Throughtout my stay, all staff were there to assist me with my needs, and It was great having someone who I coudl go to or call, e.g. the time I stayed out late and the rickshaw driver did not know where the address I was staying and we had to call the PA staff late at night and wake him up, but not to worry, he was helpful and I got home safe that night. I got sick 2 weeks into my trip, but the PA staff came and took me to the hospital and contacted me regularly to see how I was doing. I liked the fact there were regular scheduled outings for the wekend where we had to opportunity to have a guided tour and meet other volunteers. If I knew someone who wanted to volunteer overseas and was looking for an organization to sign up with, I would definately recommend Projects Abroad! The only thing I did not like was the fact I did nnot know the address where I would be staying, until I got to India. It could have helped to have been more prepared ahead of time.

As soon as I arrived in Ghana I was greeted by a staff member, very clearly marked as a Projects Abroad staffer, as well as, a few other volunteers who arrived on the same plane. Projects Abroad also provided me with plenty of contact information of staff members, just in case anything were to go wrong, a few weeks prior. This staff support continued throughout the 2 month trip. I was also very pleased to have weekly staff interactions during Tuesday night Quiz nights and during my outreach programs. I honestly could not have asked for a better accommodation. I stayed with Molly Yankey for my two month placement. She is the kindest and sweetest Host Mother in all of Cape Coast! She took care of me and my seven other roommates like we were all her daughters. She cooked to our preferences and always made sure we were well fed. Even having a roommate who was a vegetarian, she met her needs to the best of her abilities. I am so thankful for my placement at Miss Molly's because it also meant living with Esi and George, as well. They are like family to me now and I stay in contact with them, even a year later. The conditions were great, especially for being in a third world country. The running water would often not work, but that was only due to overall Cape Coast city problems. However, Molly always made sure to have water stored on hand so all 8 of the volunteers and the three family members could take showers and use water as need be. My project was with the Central Regional Hospital in Cape Coast and I worked as a Physiotherapist. I was able to work with my own patients, diagnose, and rehab with my own plan. Definitely an experience that I would not have been able to have in the united states without being certified. I was treated respectfully and always have plenty to do. Overall, I had an amazing experience with my placement and on top of that, an extraordinary time traveling all around the country of Ghana during the weekends. The price for the program was a bit lofty, but with how well the two months went and how well everything was taken care of, did I mention I contracted Malaria and the staff took me to the hospital and checked up on me for days after??, I am perfectly satisfied with how much I paid. I know I could not have had an equal experience going through a different program.

My experience with Projects Abroad was surprising and life-changing. I must admit I found things to be a bit rough at first. Once arriving in Accra, I was greeted by scorching heat and humidity. When I was first offered a water, instead of receiving a water bottle or a glass like I'm used to, I was given a little square plastic pouch filled with water. My face must've shown how surprised I was because the very friendly Projects Abroad staff member responded to my reaction with "I know it's a bit weird. You just have to bite the corner off and sip." I obviously did not know what I was in for. There were many things in Ghana I found surprising and strange, but those feelings immediately disappeared when I began to realize it was all a culture shock for me and that this was how many people live their lives in other parts of the world. My host family and all the Projects Abroad staff members made me feel so welcome. I found all the townspeople in Cape Coast to be so humble and hospitable, I felt like two weeks was simply not enough! I made so many new friends and I got to spend time with other teenagers who had the same passion as me. I would not trade my experiences with Projects Abroad for anything in the world and I most definitely will be joining the program again next summer. I recommend PA for anyone who would like to make a difference in the world, help make the lives of those less fortunate better, while at the same time, have an awesome time doing it!

Without Projects Abroad, I do not think that I would have been able to have such a successful trip to Morocco. Sure, I could have planned my own trip, but I would not have been able to locate a family in the beautiful old part of Rabat, the nation's capital, on my own, and I would not have been able to find such a qualified French tutor without their assistance either. Furthermore, being part of Projects Abroad gave me the opportunity to network with other ex-pats during our weekly get-togethers. Projects Abroad also accepted my outside scholarship money. When I went to Morocco, it was the first time I had ever been to a Muslim country, and Projects Abroad really helped me adjust while also letting me discover the country by myself. I was able to travel freely without feeling like Projects Abroad was breathing down my neck, but I also knew that if I needed help, staff was only a phone call and a few miles away.

This trip with Projects Abroad was absolutely amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in a completely unknown culture and life. The Ghanaians were welcoming and very accepting. The Projects Abroad staff were warm and supportive but also were good about keeping a distance so one could have the complete experience. The children at the daycare were adorable and kind. Realizing how little they have, both education and materials, was shocking. Helping to teach them English and basic lessons was very rewarding. I would give anything to go back to Ghana!

I loved Ghana and everything about it. I plan on going back to Ghana next year with Projects Abroad again, because everything was executed so well and was extremely organized. I'm looking forward to next summer already. :)

I had a fantastic time with Projects Abroad. The staff were extremely welcoming, meeting me at the airport, introducing me to my host family, and taking me on a "test run" of how to get to and from my placement. They dropped in to make sure that I was having a good time, and just generally made me feel supported and safe. My host family was also an amazing resource for support and love. Right away I knew that this was a place where I could be happy.

I have just returned from my amazing Medical Mission trip to Mongolia and I would like to thank Projects Abroad. The trip was everything I hoped for, though a little surprising in some aspects, and your help enabling me to have this experience means a lot to me. From the very start, with my 36 hour delay and over night stay in Beijing, I knew this would be an interesting experience and a trip I would never forget. Apparently Mongolia has certain wind drafts that make it difficult to land airplanes in the Chinggis Khan Airport, so flights from Beijing to Ulaan Baatar are frequently delayed. Fortunately for me, my flight originally scheduled for 7 am Saturday was delayed until 7pm the next day. This meant I was only a bus, airport train, and underground subway away from spending an entire day in Beijing. I was able to see the Temple of Heaven where emperors prayed each year to the heavens for a good harvest, Tiananmen Square , the Forbidden City, and the Lama Temple Buddhist Monastery. Having seen a city I never expected to visit on this trip, I was then ready to begin my two week mission in Mongolia. I don't really know how to start talking about Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia other than to say it was interesting. The first day I was there I saw Mercedes, Land Cruisers, BMW's, Hummers, and Lexus cars that I never thought I would see in Mongolia, but the rundown, rusted apartment buildings the cars maneuvered through quickly assured me that I was indeed in the right place. However, the apartment I lived in was fairly nice and clean besides the fact it was on the 7th floor with no elevator and had some mold lining the stairway walls all the way up. I noticed this all my first day there and once I had a feeling of what the city looked like, I was ready to go to work in the hospitals. With my previous experience I was able to help a lot, including removing sutures from a man's eye. I was also able to observe many interesting things in various hospitals and clinics. To start, due to a lack of money, the Shastin's State Hospital of Mongolia only has one Stryker drill for a neurosurgery department that has nearly ten surgeries every day. But as if this isn't bad enough, the drill was broken. So the craniectomies I observed were either done with a hand saw, a hammer and chisel, or just cauterization through the skull. Once the surgeries were then completed, the skin flap was sutured closed directly over the brain tissue without a patch or other protective material. This is because a skull flap/patch costs about $800 in Mongolia, and the average annual salary is only about $1000. In addition to brain surgeries, I saw a tonsillectomy with only local anesthetic, many cholecystectomies, hernia repairs, heart surgery, vaginal births, a couple of c-section births, and a premature baby die helplessly on a table in front of me. I am very fortunate to have had so much experience at Little Co of Mary Hospital because that offered me many chances to make comparisons to western medicine/surgery that I would have otherwise been unaware of. In addition to my medical work during the weeks, I went with several other volunteers and our supervisors to spend the night in a ger in the Terelj National Park on the weekend. The wide rivers, endless mountains, and actually fresh air (completely unlike Ulaan Baatar) was incredible and the whole trip would have been worth just going to this national park. We ate cooked beef with a nomad family for dinner in a ger, I got to ride a yak , and then at 4am the next morning me and another kid decided to climb on top of the biggest mountain for sunrise. We could see forever in every direction and after several hours of sitting on top, we returned to camp and then headed back to the city. Overall, visiting both China and Mongolia made this an amazing trip and again I really want to thank you very much for helping me have this experience. I feel I have gained much insight into the ways of a completely different culture, lifestyle, and style of medicine very unlike our own, and I will carry this awareness forward with me as I embark on my life's journey into the world of medicine. Sincerely, Alex Seyferth

The three month business internship program with Build Shanghai and Lister Investment & Management in Shanghai, China was the most amazing learning experience of my life and provided the best eye opening environment for anyone seeking to enter the international business world with strong insight into the Chinese market and developing future industry specific business proposals and networking contacts.

The Projects Abroad team was great at giving me all the support I needed leading up to the trip. If you want to make sure you are secure at all times use this organization. At the airport I was greeted promptly and made to feel right at home right away. My host family was absolutely amazing and everyone in Projects Abroad wanted to make sure I was safe and happy at all times. The materials provided were very useful,and the staff was always available for support at any time. The program itself is a bit expensive and I the only downfall I saw was not enough money from what I paid going into the orphanage I worked at. I feel the price is a bit high, but I am glad I used Projects Abroad for my first volunteer trip to Africa because they always made sure I was comfortable and safe and healthy - so in this sense it was worth the extra cost.

Projects Abroad was an amazing experience. The staff is courteous and on top of things. They don't stifle you with attention or hold you by the hand, but neither do they just throw you out without any information or know-how. My host family was very kind and would go out of their way to make sure we were comfortable. The food was also amazing (unless you don't like spicy food!). The placement went slowly at first, but by the end we were giving regular talks to students on HIV prevention and treatment. Of course the Projects Abroad HIV program in Ghana is still fairly new, so of course it's going to have growing pains. Overall Projects Abroad was a great decision for me and I highly recommend choosing it. Ghana is an amazing country as well, so you really can't go wrong!

It has been nearly four years since we began our collaboration with Projects Abroad and during these years we have had the pleasure of working with a number of your volunteers. The children, who are between the ages of 3 and 6, have enjoyed learning about other cultures and the enthusiasm with which the volunteers work, has helped to encourage and stimulate the children in so many ways. It has been a privilege to work so closely with people from different countries and the exchange of cultures has meant that we have all benefited greatly from the volunteer program. Your volunteers have shown more than just love and care for the children and have given their time to bring new activities by teaching the children new songs, dance and games. Working in an orphanage can sometimes become rather stressful and having the volunteers here has helped tremendously in alleviating some of that stress. As a result of our cooperation with your organization since 2003, two classrooms have been refurnished with new carpets, wardrobes, shelves with a new drainage system and heating system have been installed. We have also been able to provide the children with more toys and equipment, which simplifies the daily running of the orphanage. This kind of contribution deserves more gratitude than we can possibly express. Thank you so much for all your help and for making the lives of these children not only easier, but also much happier. We're sure our cooperation will continue and develop even further in the future.

From day one, the PA staff in the US worked hard to make sure I could complete all of the requirements necessary for my college credit towards my internship. They responded quickly to all of my e-mails and calls. Once I was accepted into the program, the staff in Fiji was also quick to respond to my questions and needs. Everyone made me feel confident and ready for a successful trip to Fiji. Once I arrived, I was immediately greeted by a staff member which was great because I already felt lost and exhausted from traveling long hours. I arrived immediately at my host-families house. My family was very friendly and did all they could to make sure I enjoyed my stay. The food that my host mother made was wonderful! They also asked if there was something particular I didn't eat but I was open to trying new things. I got a roommate after a couple of days which is a great plus. It was nice to have another volunteer to talk to and do things with. There were a few complications later on in my trip with the meals and staff (not keeping things confidential) but this is a minute problem that was immediately addressed. I liked that the staff did take time to meet with the volunteers mid-way between our stay to find out how everything was going at the accommodations and placement. Any conflicts were resolved immediately. The placement was great. It was challenging working with 35+ students in a class but it was also very rewarding once you figured out how to manage things a little bit more. I would've liked to do more teaching with the students but this particular class wasn't really setup in a way where the teacher taught at the front of the class like in traditional classes here in the US. Again, if any one did have a problem with their placement, the PA staff were quick and helpful to letting us go elsewhere. PA also held weekly socials which was a great way to meet other volunteers and do something fun. The staff are also helpful in planning any weekend trips you may want to take. Overall, it was a great experience and you can't go expecting to have the luxuries you have back home. You have to be open to trying new things and doing things that you want to do.. you are there for yourself and to teach children so make the best of it! And if you go and feel that you're not comfortable .. speak up! The staff will help you and do what they can do to make things better. Also, when I returned the US, the staff again were quick to get in touch and talk about my experience and let me know how I could be involved. For the pricing, I felt it was a little much. I am not sure exactly how the money is used but I do feel we could have gotten a little more for the price we paid. I'd like to see some of our money go to our schools because the students struggle with having supplies such as pencils, erasers, paper, etc. Great experience and I definitely would recommend PA.