What inspired you to travel abroad?
I wanted to go abroad to shake things up a bit, after staying in the U.S. for years at a job that has become predictable and less challenging. I also wanted to improve my Spanish speaking skills, challenge myself in new ways, and immerse myself in a culture that is unfamiliar to me. Since my job is education-adjacent, teaching at a summer camp was a perfect match.
Why did you choose Bilingual Education for Central America (BECA)?
I chose BECA because I believe in its mission of bilingual education for Hondurans, and that helping children become bilingual will afford them new opportunities to explore beyond a life that is frequently limited by poverty. I especially support BECA's community-centered approach.
BECA makes sure the work at the schools is directed by the families who live there and whose children actually attend — so it is not international people coming in, imposing what they THINK is best on a community they do not know as well as the folks who actually live there.
The fifth and sixth graders at BECA's summer camp.
What was your favorite part about Honduras?
It is hard to choose a favorite part, but if I had to choose I would say the warmth of the people involved in the school. Families were so welcoming, generous, and supportive, they were truly grateful for our work.
We got to visit with them in their homes, where they made us delicious meals and shared their lives with us so generously. The children we taught were also a joy, full of energy, and eager to please. I also ate the best mango of my life and witnessed the release of rehabilitated macaws into the wild, a very special moment.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
The relationships our organizers have with the local people are extraordinarily close, and they were able to share those connections with us. We truly got to meet members of the community and learn about their day-to-day lives, which was so special. Several families hosted us for dinner, and we not only shared delicious, authentically local food, but also got to chat about people's life experiences.
And we had fun! We played with one family's pet parrot, sang happy birthday to one of the local 16-year-olds who helped us at the school and played word games that had everyone laughing, across languages and cultures.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
Everyone was genuinely supportive and grateful for our work. Our leaders organized outings and made sure we knew what the schedule was in advance so we could prepare. They arranged for transportation and accommodations, family visits, and meals, and the school staff was always available if we needed supplies or help finding what we needed.
Learning crafts during recess at BECA's summer camp.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I had taken more time to just savor the moment, to say to myself, "I am in Honduras!" and soak it all in — the sounds, the smells, the feelings. It all moved so fast. I think if I went again, I would spend more time learning more Spanish as well.
It was not necessary, and the point of the program was to speak to the children in English, but if I'd known the language better, I'd have understood more of what was going on around me. I'm very glad I didn't let that stop me though I picked up enough and was learning more and more every day.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
My time with BECA was as a volunteer for the two-week summer camp. I got up early and had some alone time journaling in a quiet room, listening to the roosters and pigeons slowly wake the town. Then we were on our own for a quick breakfast at the apartments we shared (there were eight of us in three apartments, all on one floor) — typically fresh fruit or cereal.
Around 7 am we left the apartments to walk about a mile to the school. The summer camp began at 8 am, but we were on hand for kids to play games as they arrived. We did group activities for half an hour, and then we had age-grouped classes from 8:30 to 12, with a recess break in the middle.
I shared teaching about sixteen 5th and 6th graders with two other volunteers. After school, we shared lunch and spent 30-60 minutes planning the next day's lessons, then walked back to the apartments.
Some days we would take a break at a local (air-conditioned!) coffee shop. While others we would spend taking the time to further planning, or resting. Then in the early evenings, we shared a meal with one of the local families or cooked together.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
We had a weekend trip to Copán Ruinas, where we visited Mayan ruins and a bird sanctuary where conservators were rehabilitating the national bird, the Guacamaya (also known as the macaw). It was a lovely break from the "school" work we'd been doing and allowed me to learn more about the history and natural environment of Honduras.
The natural beauty of Honduras' mountains, and the everyday laundry we saw hanging in nearly every home.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
We stayed in a simple apartment building. The beds were comfy and there was a kitchen for each apartment, with a full fridge and stove. There was no air conditioning, and it was hot! But each bed had a fan, which made all the difference.
There was a washing machine for clothes, but oddly enough I loved the pila best! This is like a giant sink that is in a common space (on the balcony of the apartments). It holds gallons of water, and beside it is a counter with a washboard built in for doing hand wash.
I also loved hanging our laundry to dry, something I remember doing when I was small — this back-to-basics lifestyle was appealing to me and a great change of pace.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
This opportunity is rewarding, empowering work that really makes a difference. It is not a cushy vacation. Be open to new experiences.
You will grow and learn in ways you might not expect, and you will also be contributing to a community that is quite special. It was an honor to become a part of it, even for the short time I was there.
Ginny Myers, BECA volunteer
Would you recommend your program/provider to others? Why?
I would absolutely recommend this program to people who want to learn more about teaching, and/or learn more about education and culture in Honduras. It is an opportunity to immerse yourself in a community that is generous and supportive — and you will learn to be generous and supportive right back.
Your teaching skills will definitely improve and grow. The provider will give you everything you need and they are good at balancing guidance with autonomy so that you can make your own decisions but you will not be left on your own without the support you need.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
Experiencing different ways of living broadens my understanding of the many ways of being human — some shared, and some different. It exposes me to new natural environments, new histories, and new ways of thinking. It helps me understand the people around me, and it helps me understand aspects of myself as well.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I think I will be more flexible and more open to different ways of being in the world. I will worry less if things don't go exactly as planned, or if things get a bit uncomfortable.
I will read the news and connect it to real people — it's not just headlines, but actual lives and experiences, and that knowledge will make me more empathetic. I will slow down and really listen to the people around me.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Travel is meaningful when I can connect with the people and the day-to-day life in the place I am visiting. It is meaningful when I can learn something new. I like to delve into the history and culture of a place when I travel, and my trip to Honduras certainly gave me plenty of opportunity to do that.
