What inspired you to go abroad?
I was inspired to go abroad because I wanted to experience a different culture, meet new people, and do something meaningful outside of my everyday routine. I was drawn to the opportunity to immerse myself in a new community, learn from the people around me, and make a positive impact while gaining a new perspective on the world.
Why did you choose Give and Surf?
I chose Give & Surf because I wanted an experience that combined travel, cultural immersion, and giving back to the local community. I was drawn to its mission of supporting education and community development in Bocas del Toro, Panama, and loved the idea of being able to make a meaningful contribution while learning from the people and culture around me.
What was your favorite part about your host country/city?
My favorite part of Bocas del Toro was the combination of its natural beauty and the welcoming local community. The beautiful beaches, clear turquoise water, and laid-back island atmosphere made it such a special place to explore. What made it even more memorable was getting to connect with the local people and experience the culture beyond just being a tourist.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
What made my experience abroad truly extraordinary was the relationships I built, especially my connection with Bahía Roja and Marialena, one of the teachers who has become like a sister to me over the past 10 years. What started as an experience abroad turned into a lifelong bond that has kept me connected to the community long after my time there. Being able to build such a meaningful relationship, watch it grow over the years, and know that a place so far from home will always hold a special place in my heart is something I will always treasure. Give & Surf gave me so much more than a travel experience — it gave me a second home and relationships that have lasted a lifetime.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
The local staff made my experience incredibly special. Marialena and Vanessa were so welcoming, supportive, and dedicated to the community. Marialena, in particular, has become like a sister to me over the past 10 years, and my relationship with her is one of the most meaningful things I have taken away from my time with Give & Surf. Both teachers helped me feel connected to the community in a way that went far beyond the program itself. Emily Talentino, the executive director, was also wonderful. She was organized, thoughtful, and consistently checked in to make sure everything was going well and that I felt supported throughout the experience. It was clear how much everyone cared about the volunteers, the students, and the community. Their kindness and commitment are a huge part of why Give & Surf has remained so meaningful to me over the years.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I had stayed longer during my first trip so I could have more fully immersed myself in the language and culture. I would have loved to become more confident speaking Spanish and communicating with the local community in their native language. Building those connections was such a meaningful part of my experience, and I know that having more time to practice the language would have made those relationships even stronger from the very beginning.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
A typical day in Bocas del Toro started with waking up at the volunteer house and cooking breakfast together before waiting for Eddy, our boat driver, to pick us up. We would travel by boat through the beautiful mangroves to Bahía Roja, where the school was located, and spend the morning with the students and teachers. After a morning snack and time at the school, we would head to Bastimentos for lunch at a local Afro-Caribbean restaurant. Afternoons brought new adventures, whether it was surfing, exploring the beaches, or visiting the after-school center in Bastimentos. Every day was a mix of meaningful work, cultural immersion, and exploring the incredible islands. Some of my favorite moments were the simple ones — sharing meals, laughing with the kids, spending time with the teachers, and getting to know the local community. It was a lifestyle that allowed me to connect with the people and the place in a way that went far beyond a typical trip abroad.
What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?
During my free time, I loved exploring the islands of Bocas del Toro, spending time at the beach, surfing, and enjoying the beautiful Caribbean water. I also loved trying local food, getting to know the culture, and spending time with the other volunteers. Some of the most meaningful moments, though, were the times I spent with the local community outside of the school day. Over time, the people I met became so much more than friends, and those everyday experiences helped Bocas del Toro feel like a second home.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I stayed in a volunteer house with the other volunteers, which quickly became a home away from home. I loved the communal atmosphere — waking up together, cooking breakfast, sharing meals, and spending time together after a day at the school. It was a great way to bond with the other volunteers and share the experience of living in Bocas del Toro. Some of my favorite memories came from the everyday moments at the house, and I loved how it brought everyone together and made the experience feel like a little family.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Go into the experience with an open mind, be flexible, and be ready to step outside your comfort zone. Life in Bocas del Toro is different from what you may be used to, and that is part of what makes it so special. Embrace the local culture, try to learn some Spanish, build relationships with the community, and be present for the little moments. Give & Surf is so much more than volunteering abroad — it is an opportunity to form genuine connections that can last a lifetime.
Would you recommend your program/provider to others? Why?
Absolutely! I would recommend Give & Surf to anyone looking for a meaningful experience abroad that goes beyond typical travel. The program provides a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture, contribute to the community, and build genuine relationships with the people you meet. The staff are incredibly supportive, and the experience is so much more than volunteering — it is about becoming part of a community. Ten years later, my relationships with people in Bahía Roja, especially Marialena, are still such an important part of my life. Give & Surf gave me a second home in Bocas del Toro, and I couldn't recommend it more highly to anyone looking for an experience that will stay with them long after they return home.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
I think the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is gaining a new perspective on the world and realizing how much you can learn from people whose lives and experiences are different from your own. It pushes you outside your comfort zone, teaches you to appreciate different cultures, and helps you build connections that you might never have made otherwise. For me, my time with Give & Surf in Bocas del Toro was especially meaningful because the relationships I built have lasted far beyond my trip. Ten years later, I still have a deep connection to the community and consider it a second home. Traveling abroad showed me that the greatest memories aren't always the places you visit, but the people you meet and the relationships that stay with you long after you return home.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
My time with Give & Surf had a lasting impact on my life because it gave me the confidence to step outside my comfort zone and travel to other countries on my own. It showed me that I didn't need to wait for someone else to join me to explore the world and have meaningful experiences. I became more independent, open-minded, and comfortable navigating unfamiliar places and cultures. That first experience abroad gave me the confidence to keep seeking out new adventures, meeting people from different backgrounds, and embracing the unknown. Beyond the incredible relationships I built in Bocas del Toro, one of the greatest things I took away was the confidence to put myself out there and continue exploring the world on my own.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel, to me, is about connecting with people and a place on a deeper level than simply visiting as a tourist. It's about immersing yourself in a different culture, stepping outside your comfort zone, and learning from people whose lives and experiences are different from your own. My experience with Give & Surf taught me that some of the most valuable parts of traveling are the relationships you build and the perspective you gain along the way. Meaningful travel is about being open to new experiences, making genuine connections, and returning home with a broader understanding of the world and yourself.
