What inspired you to travel abroad?
In general, I enjoy traveling around the world - keeping an open mind, getting inspiration, meeting different people, getting to know different traditions, cultures, and being amazed by beautiful views of nature in the different continents.
I always wanted to try volunteering abroad. To me this means traveling in a sustainable way, staying in one place longer, being in the place you are needed in which you can make an impact and learn new skills. For me the exchange of working for free, and having a place to live is perfect. I think that such opportunities given to us for free should be used.
Why did you choose El Terreno?
My dream was to go to South America. I focused on programs in this area. Thanks to my week with COVID at home, I had lots of time to browse through all the programs.
Program El Terreno caught my eye because of the very well structured website and all the information and pictures you could find about the work before you apply. I personally felt connected with the mission of the project - helping the community (classes with kids) and building the culture center, café/restaurant.
Enjoying the beautiful sunset above the clouds, just 30 minutes from Atandahua
What was your favorite part about Ecuador?
First of all, I enjoyed the taste of South American culture and living my Ecuadorian independent life. Regarding the beautiful people of Ecuadorian Andes, I found them always smiling even though they do not have much and they have quite hard life conditions.
I was lucky to meet all the indigenous people living in a small quiet peaceful Ecuadorian community of Atandahua. I enjoyed all the fiestas on the streets and how they can celebrate one saint for months. Transportation is just amazing. I enjoyed jumping on the back of pick ups (camionetas). They were very cheap, adventurous and comfortable at the same time. I am definitely missing it.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
Definitely living in Atandahua, being so close to local people around and the opportunity to learn so many new skills because the project has a broad focus. I learned skills from making typical fried corn (tostado) to knowing the reason why you want to use horse poo as a material for your house.
When you have the opportunity to see a change in a child's life, when you have managed to teach him / her something. All these experiences were extraordinary. I stayed in El terreno for 3 months and was able to make relationships with families and kids, getting closer to the life they live there.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
In my case meeting my local staff was a big luck. They will give you all heart and always support you when you need it. From the beginning I felt very welcomed and did not have any troubles with a quick assimilation.
They will show you important places, places you should see while staying. They will show you the necessary things that you will do for the first time in your life, but also with a very good balance of your own independent way to fight with challenges that the program will give you (not like your mum taking you for a hand, guiding you to school).
Sharing some of Slovakian food with the community
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I would definitely rather become better in Spanish. I think it is very important to be able to communicate with people around you. I found it degrading when you can not be 10O% yourself because of a language barrier.
It is a nice challenge to learn language there but if I could change it I would definitely start learning some basics back home. And I guess each morning I should have said to myself, tranquilo, just to be more in an Ecuadorian mood. Also I would not take 5 pairs of shoes, but just the three I am actually using.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
I wake up at 6:30 am and have a slow morning with breakfast and coffee. At 8:00 am, we checked in with a circle of volunteers, coordinators, and our leader. We have a morning meeting about planning classes, important daily tasks, and sharing progress in personal projects.
From 8:30 am - 11:30 am, I work in the El Terreno building (helping with stuff needs in the moment). Then break at 12:30 pm and lunch with everybody that is involved in the project. Rest again from 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm (dealing with food coma and preparing for class). From 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm, we have a class and rest. At 7:00 pm, we go for a beer to Guaranda.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
My free days (from Thursday night to Sunday night) I mostly used for traveling around the country by myself or with my friends (other volunteers). Traveling was really easy, because you can easily jump to a bus and find yourself in another different climate.
I think that is also the thing I was enjoying the most about Ecuador, it offers everything you need from being 6000 meters above the sea level to reaching Amazonian forests. But you can also just stay at home and enjoy walks with beautiful views of the mountains or stay speechless while watching sunset just half an hour from Atandahua.
Family, we come together every day in Casa Comunal
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I was living in Casa Comunal de Atandahua. It was a shared common living with two bedrooms, common area, kitchen, and bathroom. For me it was challenging in the beginning because I found myself living with many people from around the world that have different standards.
Actually, that was also the best thing about it. It is very nice to live with your friends from the programme Sharing international dinners together make Casa Comunal the best living place there.
What is one thing every future participant should know about El Terreno before their program begins?
Hey new participant! Just relax and enjoy this time when everything is just waiting for you there. First of all, learn some Spanish or renew it, you will need it for sure. Be prepared for a nice, quiet, calm life in Atandahua also for some physical work in the morning and then being energetic with kids in the classes in the afternoon.
Be prepared that probably during the night you will sleep under four blankets and then will learn to appreciate your sweet warm atmosphere back home. Also be prepared that probably you will return as a changed person, but that's why you want to go there, right?
Would you recommend El Terreno to others? Why?
Yes, definitely! It is not only an amazing experience to get to know a small community in Ecuadorian Andes interact with people, but it is also a perfect experience for learning new practical skills.
Learn about restoring a 200 year old adobe building and remaking it for a culture center that can be used for showing local culture to the tourists. Also show your own culture for the community as an example of cultural exchange! It is a nice opportunity to raise your talent but also get closer to things you thought you wouldn't know how to do.
English classes with a game of Twister
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
I would say for me it is meeting many people with different stories and then sharing your story with others. You also have more time for yourself. You’ll see yourself from a different perspective than usual, so you are actually getting to know your own story.
The biggest benefit for me is that it was a perfect time to make my dreams true and become a free person again. Being abroad can also mean being uncomfortable sometimes because you are far away from your usual routines with strangers. But that makes the best memories at the same time.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I consider myself as an introvert most of the time, but you kind of naturally become more like an extrovert when you travel. It teaches me to be more open towards people, have courage, try new experiences, and have more freedom.
When you find yourself on the road alone, without the language and greater knowledge of the country, it will certainly leave some consequences, for sure. When I am traveling I am also trying to go against my fears, so I must say I am no longer scared of traveling alone in South America.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
I think all I have mentioned above defines meaningful travel for me. From willing to follow your personal dreams, to journeying to a new place because you want to make a difference, to trying to stay in one place longer, this is all meaningful travel. You are able to make relationships with people around you.
You learn more stuff about yourself, how you can interact with people around, how to be practical and helpful in work. You can bring your energy and talent to a place that needs it and you can take, from the same place, something for yourself. A perfect exchange again.
Walking around communities nearby
Did your program provide specific pre-departure Covid support? If yes, tell us what kind of support you received.
No, luckily I went to Ecuador when the Covid cases were decreasing . It helped me to stay focused on better times when I can travel. Any other help was not necessary or needed.
How did your program help you stay (and feel) safe abroad amidst the ongoing pandemic?
As I said before, help was not that really needed, because luckily I came to Ecuador in a better time than the pandemic years. But the project offered all the needs that you would use to feel safe(disinfection, masks, help getting a free Covid test). We were using masks in the classes as well and if you felt at risk because of many people, you did not have to attend the class.
