Alumni Interview with Cecilia Okre

What inspired you to travel abroad?

To travel and get to know different cultures and places and to try to make positive impacts in the communities I visit. 

Why did you choose ETIV do Brasil?

After receiving friend’s advice, viewing online recommendations, and getting to know the project that is implementing a variety of activities that support environmental conservation and development in Brazil.

Itacaré is rich in beaches, green landscapes, food, music, markets, endless parts that make the whole such a memorable place to visit. It almost seemed like a challenge to pick out the best parts of Itacaré.

Somewhere during my visit, however, I realized that the spark that makes Itacaré such a genuine and special place is the people that make all its best things come to life.

What was your favorite part about Itacaré?

Itacaré is incredibly rich in traditions, thanks to a unique mix of Indigenous, European, and African cultures. A variety of folklore festivals happen throughout the year, and Capoeira (Afro-Brazilian martial arts) and Candomblé (Afro-Brazilian spiritualism) are the main cultural expressions.

Itacaré is home to countless artisans and artists who create an infinitude of all sorts of art. It's not just nature that makes Itacaré such a special place; it is the combination of cultural diversity and natural beauty that makes this small town in Bahia one of the most famous in the worldwide tourism map.

What made your experience abroad extraordinary?

The possibility of learning another language, knowing other cultures, making friends, and having the chance to collaborate with an organization that is doing a great job in the developing of the local youth and taking care of the environment.

How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?

They were really supportive and helpful. I would really recommend this experience to other people. The company is great, the directors are superb. Always there to assist and people with great hearts and motives.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?

I've enjoyed doing outdoor activities and being in contact with nature and sports like surfing, canoeing, hiking, riding a bike and getting familiarised with the local culture, the local typical music and dances and so on. 

What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?

I didn't stay at the ONG's house but they offer that option too. And they also offer Portuguese and capoeira lessons among a lot of different day trips into nature: visits to paradise beaches, waterfalls, mangroves and much more. 

What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?

The company is great, the directors are superb. Always there to assist and people with great hearts and motives. ETIV also allows you to experience the amazing activities that Itacaré has to offer: canoeing, rafting, hiking, visiting numerous breathtaking beaches, surfing! It's just fantastic! The people in the town are friendly and welcoming and so kind. I would recommend this to anybody anywhere in the world. 

Would you recommend ETIV do Brasil to others? Why?

Not only was the place beautiful and full of wild nature but the people, community and fellow volunteers were fantastic as well. They really care about the work they do and the people they help with their program. But they also care about the volunteers who come so far from home.

I was comfortable and happy working with them because they go out of their way to provide for a volunteer’s needs in whatever way they can, whether it’s to enjoy a lunch together, offer an interesting activity, or just to listen.

I recommend this program because these are real people who will be waiting for you when you arrive and you will feel that you are making a real difference in the lives of the locals.

What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?

I truly believe that one has so much to learn from people belonging to different nationalities, cultures, and religions, and nothing compares to the feeling of establishing friendships across borders. I believe that the best method to learn a new language or to speak it authentically is to live among native speakers and use that language on a regular basis.

You know what they say about languages – use it or lose it. There is no point whatsoever in studying a language for years without ever using it in real life. Also, when you are abroad you are more likely to do things you wouldn’t normally do at home.

And once you get accustomed to that, it gets easier and easier to switch to the local rules no matter where you are. Cultural shocks become a thing of the past.

Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?

There are uncountable reasons why getting off the beaten track and exploring new cultures and environments is so exciting and enriching.

But instead of naming those reasons, I’d rather finish with a quote I came across some time ago, which in the meantime has become rather clichéd but that doesn’t make me find it less inspirational and beautiful than I did when I first learned it: “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page.”

It’s possible that I will never finish this huge book, but that doesn’t stop me from being curious to discover as much as possible of its plot.

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

Making the lives richer for the people you meet, the communities you visit, and the environments you explore. Meaningful travel is about being aware of your footprint and doing what you can to help the places that you visit. When volunteering or helping others you expect nothing in return, but it ends up giving you so much. It is the greatest feeling to know that you are making the world a better place in your own little way. 

Meaningful travel is about being aware of your footprint and doing what you can to help the places that you visit.