Staff Interview with Dominic Yates

What inspired you to work with Outward Bound Costa Rica?

I had been planning to move to Costa Rica for a while and this job appeared to me organically whilst I was researching the country, I knew it was fate. When I saw this opportunity I couldn’t miss it, I knew it fit me perfectly. 

I have always had a passion for the outdoors, whether it be hiking, surfing, scuba diving, or many other activities I love to pursue. Therefore, I thought that working for a company which had this at its core was ideal. This coupled with my respect for the environment, and my love of animals; it was a no-brainer.

What makes working for Outward Bound Costa Rica (OBCR) special?

Three things: The people. The attitude. The lifestyle. At OBCR, we live together and work together, so I feel so lucky that I get on really well with my colleagues. Everyone is high-spirited, up for adventure and laid-back at the same time, the perfect combination for a team. 

Can you tell us about your role as the Marketing and Media Manager?

Currently, I am focused on a number of different matters, such as looking for new partners to collaborate with, creating awareness about our brand and our values through different social media outreach methods, and I have also focused a lot of my attention on transferring a lot of content from the old site to our new site, which we will be launching soon!

How does your Business Management studies background influence your current work?

My degree was focused on many different subjects, such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, and digital marketing. I think my studies gave me an overall perspective of how to run a business, rather than specifically only working in one field. This allows me to influence other departments rather than just my own. Also, time management has been a key aspect of my job and I feel that I learnt this skill whilst completing my degree.

You have had international experience in New Zealand, Australia, Bali, Colombia, and Peru. How do these experiences impact you personally and professionally?

Personally, my international experience has taught me that you need to be able to take yourself out of your comfort zone. If you are travelling on your own, you need to be able to have the confidence to walk into a room and start talking with people. At first, I found this daunting and a nerve-racking experience, but over time it came naturally. Don’t forget that these situations are where the best friendships are made and you meet the people that you can relate to most.

Professionally, my experience from working internationally has allowed me to take more risks and be more adventurous with the job roles I go for. For instance, I am currently living in the Costa Rican jungle on base at OBCR!

If you could participate on any Outward Bound Costa Rica program, which would you choose and why?

I love a challenge, and I always say go big or go home. For that reason, I would do the 85 day Coast to Coast course. You begin with nearly a month of hiking! You go whitewater rafting, scuba diving, kayaking, surfing, etc. What more could you ask for? I also think it’s great that you meet local communities and volunteer on service projects, which allows you to learn more about the local culture.

What hopes do you have for the future of Outward Bound Costa Rica programs?

We currently have a partnership with Hurricane Island Outward Bound in Maine, USA. I like how this gives students the opportunity to experience Outward Bound in different countries with different cultures whilst on the same course. I would like us to expand on these partnerships, creating a more diverse experience. Also, we are currently working on partnerships with Veterans. I would like to see a program dedicated to the older generation of adventurers and see a different perspective on discovery.

Why do you think it is important for individuals to travel, experience new cultures, and learn new languages?

I was very close-minded before my itchy feet started kicking in. I had no idea what was out there and what I could achieve in the process of travelling both personally and professionally. When I returned home, a lot of people were in the same routine as when I left them. I urged them to break away from it and try something new. I felt that the more I travelled and the more cultures I experienced, the more respect I had for my surroundings. I firmly believe that if you don’t try to learn the language, you can never fully experience that country’s culture.

You are currently learning Spanish. Any language learning tips

I have two big tips. My first one would be to start young and my second would be to immerse yourself in the culture! In secondary school, I studied German and French but didn’t have the choice to do Spanish, even though it was the only language I wanted to learn! When I arrived in Colombia a couple of years ago, I only had hola and la cuenta under my belt. I can tell you it was a struggle. 

I moved to Madrid and started working for a Spanish start-up company, this is when I knew I had to get the ball rolling. I was lucky because I was immersed in the Spanish culture fairly quickly. I am still a long way away from being fluent by any means, but I am on the right path. 

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

I think that travel is meaningful when you take something from the experience which can help you grow as a person or make other people’s lives better in the process. This could be the result of helping others, volunteering in different programs, or doing something you didn’t think was possible, like rappelling down an 80-foot waterfall!