Staff Interview with Iona

What inspired you to get involved with Pod Volunteer?

I had always hoped to find a job which incorporated my love of travel with my desire to be part of something positive! Growing up in a household where both my parents had traveled around so much of the world when they were young, I was encouraged to learn as much as I could about the world outside my own bubble. This encouraged me to take time out before university to do some independent travel and, when I got to university, to study Anthropology and Cultural Studies. Both these factors continued to fuel my passion for seeing and getting to know as much of the world as possible. When I saw a job post for Pod Volunteer, I knew that working for such an ethically-conscious and travel-mad team would be the perfect fit for me.

You took a gap year and visited Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Australia during that time. Can you tell us about this experience and how it influences the work you do today?

The main influence it has for my work today is that I can put myself in the shoes of volunteers who are traveling independently for the first time! You learn so much from experience and being able to chat through the things I wish I had packed (and the things I wish I didn’t pack), tips for traveling from point A to B, and providing general reassurance to those who are feeling a bit nervous. It’s really rewarding!

Describe a typical week of work for you.

It is difficult to describe a typical week as there is never a dull day in the Pod office! Generally, my week includes ensuring that my volunteers are on track with their application process, or checking in with volunteers who have arrived at their placements. However, working in this field means that no two days are the same and we are constantly adapting and learning—as well as taking different time zones into account! We always want to ensure that our volunteers receive the most up-to-date and accurate information, so this means we have strong relationships with our teams on the ground who we rely on to update us on any changes at projects. They do a great job of it, too!

How do you support volunteers?

We have a three-step process to provide support for our volunteers: chatting through the projects we have available and sending them detailed Guides before they join the project, keeping in contact when they are on placement, and making sure to get in touch once they have finished. Before a volunteer joins a project, we send them through the details of their role, the location, and anything we feel is important to know about the country they wish to volunteer in; this may include cultural variations or just our favourite aspects of the country from our own experiences. Once their placements are confirmed, we provide all the information they need on flights, travel insurance, transport to the project, and visas (all the really important bits!).

What makes South Africa an ideal location for volunteers? How about Peru and Thailand?

All three are fantastic countries in their own ways. I visited South Africa earlier this year for the first time and was blown away by the hospitality of the locals and the beauty of the country. It is an amazing place to volunteer in as there is much to see and do. Whether you are part of a conservation team and spending your days spotting African elephants in Kruger National Park, or working with vibrant and welcoming community projects on the stunning Western Cape, you will always have another site you want to see!

Thailand is a great country for first-time travelers who still want to get out of their comfort zone. The moment you leave the airport, you are so aware of being in a new and exciting place. The locals are so friendly, the food is incredible and, again, the country is beautiful. The animal tourist trade in Thailand is making positive steps towards being more ethical, but there are many projects that need a constant influx of volunteers to help them care for elephants and tropical wildlife who have been rescued from the trade.

Peru is a country rich in cultural history; from the Inca trails to Machu Picchu, the country has so much to offer. For volunteers looking to brush up on their Spanish skills whilst taking part in some jaw-dropping hikes, this is the country for you.

What should volunteers expect from Pod Volunteer programs?

With all our projects, volunteers should expect to be a little bit out of their comfort zones (but that’s the joy of it!). It is good to be aware that you are going to be in a completely new environment with a group of people you haven’t met before who represent a wide range of ages, nationalities, and backgrounds.

However, all of our projects have been visited by us to ensure that they are ethical and responsible, and have a genuine need for volunteers! We have strong relationships with our local teams who are all a friendly bunch, and as supportive as possible for our volunteers.

Pod volunteers should expect to work hard, make new friends, and feel like they are contributing to something important.

Why should volunteers consider animal-based volunteer projects?

Unfortunately, there is still a high amount of mistreatment of animals across the world. By joining an animal-based volunteer project, you can directly contribute to improving the welfare of animals. There is such a variety of ways to contribute to the protection and care of animals in an ethical way; these can range from joining a conservation team who contribute to important research on the most effective ways of protecting both animals and their habitats, to a more hands-on experience of assisting local rehabilitation centres by helping out with feeding, cleaning, and creating enrichments for the animals who reside here. Many projects work to educate local communities to change their views on how animals should be treated, and they work closely with them to find ways to benefit both animals and the community.

Why is it important for individuals to travel and experience new cultures?

Without sounding too cliche, it really does shape you as a person! It’s so easy to be in your own bubble, but if you have the opportunity to experience a different way of life, it is so worth going for it. For me, my first stint of traveling gave me such a confidence boost which has followed me throughout every milestone in my life. If I can get an overnight bus from southern Cambodia to Vietnam with very few English speakers around, I can get through a lot.

If you could participate on a Pod Volunteer program, which would you choose and why?

Our Marine Conservation project in Thailand! I may be a little biased as I am the Volunteer Specialist for the project, but it is such a fantastic team who have achieved so much since they began in 2007. In an effort to tackle issues such as coral bleaching, tourism, moor-line damage, and overfishing, the project is working towards protecting and restoring this area of the ocean to its former, spectacular self. Volunteers assist the local team through taking part in research dives, installing artificial reefs, and lectures which educate them on the importance of conserving our oceans. As well as the awesome conservation activities you will be involved in, you are also based on the incredible island of Koh Tao—what’s not to like?!

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

Meaningful travel to me means leaving a positive impact on the areas of the world you visit. This impact doesn’t have to change the world, but can be as simple as having some awareness and understanding of the culture you are going to be visiting. By having this understanding, it means you are far more likely to understand what is ethical and what is not during your travels. If you have the chance, getting to know locals and really immersing yourself in the culture is always really grounding, and you can learn so much from those who call these countries home. They can also give you some great insight into the best places to see!