What inspired you to go abroad?
I was inspired to go abroad because I wanted to move beyond traditional tourism and experience a country in a much deeper, more meaningful way. I had traveled before, but I always felt like something was missing—I wanted real connection with people, culture, and daily life, not just sightseeing.
Volunteering in Colombia gave me the chance to combine cultural immersion, language learning, and community engagement in a way that felt authentic and impactful. The idea of contributing to local projects while also learning Spanish and understanding Colombian society from the inside was exactly what motivated me to take this step.
Why did you choose Voluntours Colombia?
I chose Voluntours Colombia because it felt like a more personal and grounded alternative to large, standardized volunteer organizations. I was looking for something where I wouldn’t just be placed as a “volunteer”, but actually integrated into local projects and daily life.
The combination of community work, Spanish classes, and cultural activities in Bucaramanga made it stand out. It wasn’t just about volunteering, but about understanding the social context and building real connections with people.
The clear structure, support on the ground, and focus on meaningful impact convinced me that this program would give me both guidance and freedom to have a real local experience.
Basketball activity with the kids.
What was your favorite part about your Colombia?
My favorite part about Colombia, and especially Bucaramanga, was the combination of warmth from the people and the authenticity of everyday life. I really enjoyed how open and welcoming everyone was, which made it easy to feel at home quickly.
In Bucaramanga, I liked that it is not a typical tourist city, so everything felt more real and unfiltered. From the volunteer activities to the Spanish classes and simple moments like walking through the city or sharing time at the hostel, I always felt connected to local life.
The mix of meaningful work, cultural exchange, and the relaxed but vibrant atmosphere made it my favorite part of the whole experience.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
What made my experience truly extraordinary was the combination of meaningful community work and the depth of personal connection I was able to build in such a short time. It wasn’t just about volunteering in different projects, but about being welcomed into real local environments where I could interact with people in a very genuine way.
Visiting the prison, joining football sessions with the Goles project, and working with the CAPAZ Foundation were especially impactful, because they showed me how much positive change can come from education, sport, and human connection.
At the same time, learning Spanish daily and living in a shared environment with other travelers made the experience feel very immersive and personal. All of this together created moments that were both challenging and incredibly rewarding.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
The local staff supported me in a very consistent and personal way throughout the whole program. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed and guided, which made the transition into a new country much easier. They helped with practical things like settling in, explaining the schedule, and making sure I understood each activity before participating.
During the program, they were always available if I had questions or needed help, whether it was about transportation, Spanish classes, or the volunteer projects themselves. What stood out most was that they didn’t just organize things, but were genuinely present and involved in the experience.
This created a sense of safety and trust, which allowed me to focus fully on the activities and the cultural exchange without worrying about logistics.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
One thing I wish I would have done differently is to slow down even more and take more time to reflect in the moment. The experience was quite intense and full of activities, new people, and impressions, so sometimes I focused too much on what was next instead of fully appreciating what was happening right then.
Looking back, I would have tried to document more of the small everyday moments and also spend a bit more individual time with local people outside of the organized activities. I think that would have made the experience even deeper and allowed me to connect even more with the culture and daily life in Colombia.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
A typical day in Colombia started quite early and followed a structured but varied routine. In the morning, I usually had Spanish classes, which helped me improve my language skills and also made it easier to connect with locals during the rest of the day.
After lunch, the schedule would change depending on the day. Some afternoons I participated in volunteer activities such as visiting community projects, supporting educational or sports initiatives, or joining local foundations like CAPAZ or football sessions with Goles. Other days were more cultural, including city tours or time to explore Bucaramanga with other volunteers.
In the evenings, I often spent time at the hostel with other travelers, sharing stories, playing games, or just relaxing after a full day. It was a good balance between structured learning, meaningful volunteering, and social time, which made each day feel different but always engaging.
Tasting at the local fruit market
What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?
In my free time abroad, I enjoyed a mix of simple social moments and exploring the local environment. A lot of the time I would spend time with other volunteers at the hostel, sharing meals, talking about our experiences, or just relaxing after a busy day.
I also really enjoyed going out in Bucaramanga, whether it was grabbing food locally, walking around the city, or joining small spontaneous activities with others. Those unplanned moments often turned out to be the most memorable, because they felt very authentic and gave me a chance to experience the city beyond the structured program.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I stayed at Zamia Hostel in Bucaramanga, which was a shared accommodation for volunteers and travelers. It was simple, comfortable, and had everything I needed for a longer stay, but what I appreciated most was the atmosphere.
The best part was definitely the social environment. It was very easy to meet other volunteers and travelers, which created a strong sense of community from the beginning. After a full day of activities, it felt great to come back to a place where you could share experiences, cook together, or just relax and talk.
At the same time, it still offered enough space for rest and privacy when needed, which made it a really good balance overall.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
One thing every future participant should know is that the experience is much more immersive and personal than a typical “structured volunteer program.” You are not just observing or doing isolated tasks—you are actively engaging with local people, communities, and daily life from the very beginning.
That means it helps a lot to arrive with an open mind, flexibility, and a willingness to adapt to a different pace and culture. Spanish will also make a big difference in how deeply you can connect, so even a basic effort to learn the language beforehand or during the program really enhances the experience.
If you come with the right mindset, the program becomes not just volunteering, but a very meaningful cultural exchange.
Would you recommend your Voluntours Colombia to others? Why?
Yes, I would definitely recommend Voluntours Colombia to others. What makes it special is that it goes beyond a typical volunteer placement and creates a real cultural exchange experience. You are not only supporting meaningful local projects, but also living and learning within the community, which makes everything feel authentic and personal.
The combination of structured support, Spanish classes, and diverse activities like community work, sports programs, and cultural experiences gives a very well-rounded experience. At the same time, the team is always present and supportive, which makes it easy to adapt even if you are traveling alone or for the first time in Colombia.
For anyone looking for something more meaningful than tourism, I think it’s a great choice.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The biggest benefit of traveling abroad, in my experience, is the shift in perspective it creates. When you step into a completely different cultural and social environment, you start to question your own assumptions and see the world in a broader, more open way.
It also forces you to grow personally. You become more adaptable, independent, and confident because you constantly face new situations, languages, and ways of doing things. On top of that, the human connections you build abroad are incredibly valuable—you meet people you would never encounter in your everyday life, and those interactions often stay with you long after the trip ends.
The commune tour in Bucaramanga was very fun and inspring.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
Now that I’m back home, my time abroad has had a lasting impact on how I see everyday life and my priorities. The experience helped me become more independent, adaptable, and open-minded, especially when dealing with unfamiliar situations or environments.
It also changed the way I relate to other cultures and people. I now feel much more aware of how different realities can be, and I value human connection and cultural exchange much more than before.
On a personal level, I also gained confidence, especially in communicating in Spanish and in stepping outside of my comfort zone. Overall, it feels like the experience didn’t just end when I came home—it still shapes how I think and how I approach new challenges.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel, to me, is when a trip goes beyond sightseeing and comfort and becomes a real exchange between people, cultures, and perspectives. It’s not just about visiting a new place, but about taking part in daily life, understanding local realities, and contributing in a small but genuine way.
For me, it means being present, open, and willing to step outside of your own patterns—whether that’s through volunteering, learning the language, or simply listening and connecting with people you meet along the way.
The value doesn’t come from how many places you see, but from the depth of the experiences and the relationships you build.
