What inspired you to go abroad?
I had been dreaming of doing a volunteering project abroad for many years. This dream probably started when I was a teenager. But perhaps like many women in my generation, I got married, had two children, and am now a grandma enjoying a quiet life in a house I bought for my retirement in the backcountry of the Province of Quebec, Canada. I am a healthy person. I can use all my physical, manual, and artistic skills every day, besides part-time jobs, which I will talk about later.
Wanting to do a volunteer project, I first thought of teaching French, which would have been natural. My mother tongue is French, and English is my second language. But while surfing the internet, I saw many offers to teach English, but few to teach French.
I did see Mondify, and after exploring different options in Europe and Latin America, I chose to contact them, which is located in Cordoba, Argentina. At that time, I was not aware that I was unconsciously attracted to Argentina because, for many years, just as long as my desire to volunteer abroad, I had been dreaming of learning tango!
Why did you choose Mondify?
After realizing that I would teach mostly English and probably to young people, I kind of got turned off. I don’t have real experience teaching young people, and especially being a stranger with a strong accent didn't sound right to me.
After telling the Mondify Organization about my doubts, I withdrew and started exploring options where I could use and improve some of my new skills in Portuguese, a language I began learning about 10 years ago, even though I am still at a very beginner level.
An extraordinary idea came to me! When I suggested to Mondify that they do a project in the employment field, which is my field of experience in Canada, they showed their enthusiasm immediately, even though it was not an offer they had.
As I speak Spanish fluently, they immediately tailored workshops so I could teach job-search skills to three different groups: Grade 12 students, recent university graduates, and women in vulnerable situations. However, speaking and teaching Spanish in Canada is something I do on a regular basis; doing it in Argentina, with natives, was quite a challenge, as I had never done that before.
We agreed to a five-week project.
What was your favorite part about Argentina?
First, preparing myself by learning the differences between Argentina, my host country, and Peru, where I had spent three months fifteen years ago, was quite interesting. I used Artificial Intelligence to compare demographic data, political situation, cost of living, climate, food and wine, art, and folklore.
That part, however done before travelling, was, to me, an important step in knowing, being prepared, being aware… well, not traveling blind. Maybe the need to know in advance is more about a security concern related to my age.
Then, above all, meeting people was the most fulfilling experience. I came back saying that the people in Argentina are the most attentive, considerate, charismatic, and nice people I have met. Also, meeting other volunteers, French or English speakers, was a very enlightening experience.
Once, I participated in a “social” organized by a Mondify staff member (Tomi), and there were many volunteers from different placements. Then, I started to speak with a young lady from California and realized I could hardly speak English as my mind had switched to the Spanish language!
The kindness of strangers — a moment I will always remember (Altas Cumbres).
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
In addition to what I have said above, traveling around in my free time was an extraordinary experience.
I started my stay in Argentina by going to the south, where I wanted to ski. After I had received the orientation day from Mondify, I flew to San Carlos de Bariloche. I had chosen that mountain, Cerro Catedral, for its elevation, its quantity of snow (August, which is full winter, assured me to find enough snow!!), and to fulfill my dream of skiing in a majestic place, the Andes!
That is the funniest part! Even if I had not counted exactly how much it cost me, I am saying for fun that each ski run cost me $100 (flight, car rental, hotel, and ski fare)! There was no snow! The only slope open was as small as the highest slope at the mountain where I ski in Quebec! And it was so full of beginner skiers that every descent felt dangerous! For sure, the “locals” were not there, knowing the ski conditions. This is what can happen when a trip is planned far in advance. So funny! But I did realize my dream, I went skiing in the Andes!
In addition to this, every weekend, I rented a car and went as far as 240 km, visiting the Altas Cumbres and all the small cities and villages on my way! I love visiting churches. I met (in a picture) Pope François (Jorge Mario Bergoglio), who was from Argentina and had died at the age of 88 a few months before my visit.
Meeting and chatting with people were part of the most enriching experiences. Once, I had stopped at a souvenir kiosk, and I wanted to buy a small souvenir of the place. But I had left for that trip with so little cash that I needed to manage my expenses very carefully.
It was lunchtime. I wanted to buy myself a keychain, a piece of cheese, and a small piece of bread. The lady said, "Oh, sorry, we only sell the entire cheese." Disappointed, I said to myself, no problem, I have almonds in my purse. But then, two men who had observed the scene said to the salesperson, "Madam, we are going to have an entire cheese, that bread, and this salami. Would you cut it for us, please?" The lady said, "Yes" with pleasure. One of the men turned around and said to me, "Madam, would you join us? We would like to share our lunch with you!"
Isn’t it amazing! We spent two hours, sitting on rocks, contemplating the mountains, talking about their lives and my experience, there, in Argentina, so far away from home!
With Guillermo, Project Manager, and Ramiro, Project Coordinator, on my final day in Córdoba — grateful for this meaningful experience.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
That was also an amazing part. First, Guillermo, the Project Manager, when I was still trying to make up my mind about what kind of project I could do, seduced me by saying, imagine yourself, sitting in the backyard, under the sun (not so warm in winter), sharing your story, coaching life skills, including rebuilding self-esteem, teaching employment skills, English and maybe some French!
Well! This is the only thing I could hear to convince me to choose Mondify and Córdoba! Then, Guillermo was always attentive to give me the most accurate information to help me in different steps of that trip.
Ramiro, the Project Coordinator, fully dedicated to his work, was so inclined to make my experience a fantastic one! That started by preparing me for what I would be experiencing. The very first sentence that he said to me was, "Andrée, this is not what you are going to teach that counts, but the impact on people that you are going to have."
It shocked me at a certain point because I had prepared so strongly for the project, with 20 years of professional experience and 30 years of experience in support and counseling. But doing it in Spanish needed a minimum of preparation.
Throughout the project, Ramiro was always there to encourage me when I faced various difficulties with adapting (and I did), or, more happily, to help me plan my weekend around Córdoba.
What's one thing you wish you had done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I had understood before travelling the difference between 20 degrees in winter in Latin America and 20 degrees in summer in Québec (Canada). In Argentina, in winter, when it is 20 degrees during the day, it can be 5 or 7 degrees at night, and I could not wear the clothes I brought; they were not warm enough.
I went to a second-hand clothing store to buy myself a few pairs of pants and warmer shoes. I spent almost every day in my ski jacket and scarf, and underneath my “summer” dresses I wore my warm leggings. I needed to forget what it was like to dress with elegance.
The funniest thing: even though in Montreal I would not have felt comfortable, thinking that everyone was pointing at me with their fingers, in Córdoba I just blended in with the crowd. Staying warm and comfortable was essential! Without speaking, I could have come across as a local, which in a way made me feel much more secure.
The Tuesday market just across from the Mondify office — where I found genuine smiles and delicious food at affordable prices (Córdoba).
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
A typical day started with a big blanket in the kitchen to warm up, a cup of coffee, and bread with peanut butter. I had to buy these two ingredients because they were not part of the traditional breakfast in Latin America. For me, it was mandatory to have proteins at breakfast time as I have a tendency to have hypoglycemic symptoms.
After getting warmly dressed, I took the bus to the Mondify Office. I had a meeting with Ramiro, the Placement Coordinator. In the first few weeks, we made appointments to introduce ourselves to the people in charge of my three placements.
Starting in week 2 of 5, I began teaching job-search skills at the high school. I had four groups with three different teachers, which was kind of hectic to coordinate the workshops I was giving. I was leaving the office and took an Uber, as my coordinator said it was safer. But I discovered that transportation was not included in the project fees. I needed to adjust my budget accordingly. In the following weeks, after the publicity was done, I started teaching at the Instituto de Estadísticas y Tendencias Sociales y Económicas (IETSE), and the clients were recent university graduates.
That was the easiest part; it felt like pressing the “play” button on an old tape recorder. And the same week, I started to offer workshops at the Union of Workers of Private Homes (SINPECAF). Mainly, it was a group of women working in hard conditions. My role was to help them rebuild their self-confidence, get their voices back, and improve their working conditions.
After dinner, which was just too late for me (I asked the lady of the lodge to have dinner a little bit earlier), I went to bed early, exhausted! But what is important to note is that I was teaching in Spanish, my third language, and at the school, where I was there three days a week, my voice was not strong enough due to the echo in the classrooms and the concrete walls.
Fortunately, my energy came back, and I started to follow tango lessons. Learning tango was part of my dream of Argentina!
Learning tango in Argentina — a dream I had carried for many years.
What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?
Travelling, visiting the city, dancing tango and folklore, but mostly meeting people in those activities, was the most fantastic experience. Getting to know a country through its people is the best way to feel it and come back with vivid memories.
I went to an opera with another volunteer from France, Lydie. We attended the play, in Spanish, of Cyrano de Bergerac. I understood maybe only 75% (the echo did not help), but the theater was so splendid that the costumes and the actors were worth the trip. We had the cheapest tickets, almost sitting underneath the roof, but it was an amazing experience. And that same day, just before, with an Argentine lady, Cecy, who was also speaking French and English, we had gone to see a movie: Homo Argentum (2025), in the most modern shopping center I have seen in my life!
Also, horseback riding! I almost forgot to say something about it! I went horseback riding with the School Manager, Gabriela, a very nice lady, very professional with strong leadership, who turned out to be the sweetest and most sympathetic woman I have known.
Well, I also visited Buenos Aires with a taxi driver, Roberto, whom I had met when I went to the Altas Cumbres. Two nice couples were my neighbors at the motel. We ended up eating at the same restaurant next door, and they invited me to their table. Saying that I wanted to fly to the Iguazu Falls, they invited me to spend at least one day in Buenos Aires, and one of the men offered to drive me, for free, through his city.
Enjoyable! I could continue that part again and again.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
The host family where I was staying was actually a friendly lady who lived alone in a huge house with two pretty dogs, one of whom was blind. I say this because it was both sad and funny, it often went around in circles and bumped into walls all the time!
All the backyards in Argentina (and other countries) are surrounded by cement walls. That was a private and quiet place to sit to read, which I really liked, and sometimes to work “from home”. I could also wear some shorts on the warmest days!!
There were also many small shops nearby where I could buy extra fruits, peanut butter, and whole-grain bread. I also enjoyed walking around the neighborhood because there were several sports facilities, which I found inspiring.
I saw tennis and pickleball courts, a swimming pool where I went for laps, and a park with outdoor gymnastics equipment, where I taught young people a yoga pose that requires good balance. I also did some spins on the parallel bars. I felt 30 years younger!
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
For sure, one should know the climate of the host country better. The problem, and I should have known because I had travelled to Peru before, is that there are no central heating systems in the houses. They have auxiliary heaters, and they are few in number. They are often gas-powered, and I didn’t know how to operate them. I imagine that if it had been possible, the lady would have taught me. I didn’t dare to ask because I didn’t have the opportunity to use the kitchen stove.
One should also have a basic understanding of the host country’s language to understand expectations and instructions more quickly and to socialize more easily with people.
Exchanging ideas with university students at IETSE in Córdoba.
Would you recommend Empower Change: Human Rights Internship in Argentina to others? Why?
100%! At a personal level, it was much more enriching and rewarding than I could have expected. I thought I would get there and share my knowledge, but, in all humility, I came away richer in the human qualities that seem to disappear in our consumer habits: people care about people.
Was it because I was a foreigner? It’s difficult to measure, but I don’t believe so, because I witnessed street scenes and family life where there was beauty, harmony, respect, and civility!
As long as someone is open-minded and has an open heart, a trip like this changes a person… and it is never too late, I am 66, remember! This is a lifetime experience.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
For all the reasons I have mentioned above.
For the experience of going out of our day-to-day habits, to feel destabilized, get out of our comfort zone, and touch the internal strength that makes us feel alive. Feel our creative energy, the energy to face challenges, and stop complaining.
We have the chance to financially realize a dream, and many of the people in a country like Argentina still dream of buying a computer or a big screen. They cannot even imagine leaving Argentina one day.
The young people at school work to buy brand-name shoes. They dream of shoes. Yes, of course, they have a cell phone, but that's all they have, and they bought it used (not an Apple phone, and they were surprised I was on Android, not Apple.) They may also have stolen it while their father is in prison.
Well, I am talking about those I have worked with in the school environment, where I led employability workshops. I will not hide that I sometimes had the impression of speaking in a vacuum, because many did not believe in a good job.
You can never be unaware again once you have lived the life of a local.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I continue to practice what I have been doing for many years: dreaming, living a simple life, earning money before spending it, and recognizing one’s efforts to improve one’s life.
I used to believe I was a patient person, but this experience taught me what patience truly means. Since returning home, I keep practicing it and accepting that not everyone moves at the same pace as I do.
But most importantly, I express myself. When I have a need, I don’t expect it to be met if I don’t verbalize it.
Another impact is that I will be teaching employment skills, in Spanish, to women in my region (Mauricie, Quebec). They are newcomers with little knowledge of French and need to work, mostly to send money to their families back home.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meeting people.
Once, on a ski slope (my first week in Argentina), I slid and bumped into a man, and I said, "Oops!" I hadn’t seen him. He said, "You just made me two surprises!" "Oh," I said. He continued, "First, you bumped into me. Second, you said “Oops!” With this “oops”, I knew right away that you were French! Ah bon!"
We found that English would be the most appropriate way to communicate, and he presented himself. He was from the Czech Republic, and he had been a ski patrol at Cerro Catedral for several years. Like me, he was disappointed because there was no snow (only one slope open, as small as the smallest slope in Québec, where I live), but what could we do? We had both bought our flight tickets months in advance. But Jakub told me, "Argentina’s greatest natural resource is its people, but they don’t know it."
I experienced it and will always remember it. This is so true.
Finally, and I cherish this memory, I started chatting with all the shop owners, Uber and bus drivers, and even with young people in the park and at the public market just steps from the Mondify office.
I also had many informal exchanges with students, participants, and teachers from the school and organizations where I worked, including the high school, IETSE, and SINPECAF. I shared with them simple tips I have used for over 20 years to learn Spanish, and my Spanish level impressed them every time.
I planted seeds about the importance of learning English for people living in Argentina. I can already see those seeds growing, because the main tip is very simple. How do babies learn to speak? By repeating “mama.” Do the same when learning the language of your host country before you leave.
