What inspired you to travel abroad?
I was inspired to go abroad with Bright Light Volunteers by the prospect of being able to help people less fortunate than myself while also experiencing a new culture. Prior to going abroad with Bright Light, I had spent pretty much my entire life doing volunteer service in one form or another, so when presented with the opportunity to volunteer abroad I immediately knew I wanted to learn more. The combination of meaningful service and cultural exploration was probably the biggest draw for me, but the icing on the cake was the location. Bright Light trips go to some pretty incredible locations, including the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador and Cuba.
A view of the organic farm we worked at with the beautiful scenery of Viñales in the background.
Why did you choose the Cuba Unlocked Program of Bright Light Volunteers?
The Cuba Unlocked Program was my second service trip with Bright Light Volunteers. I chose to participate in this trip because I enjoy helping others and because the exposure to a different country, language, and culture that is available through a Bright Light trip is a truly wonderful experience. In addition, my school has a relationship with Bright Light so that every year juniors and seniors in a few specific classes are invited to go on the trips. I went to Ecuador/Galápagos Islands and Cuba with Bright Light, and I, along with everyone I have talked to that has participated in a Bright Light trip, loved it.
What was your favorite part about Cuba?
My favorite part about Cuba was how friendly the people were. In the houses we stayed in, we were treated like family. By the end of the trip, many of us really felt like we were leaving family members behind us. In Viñales, we ate breakfast and dinner with our host families. While only a couple of students stayed in each "casita," all of the houses were located on a single street, so it was a very comfortable and familial atmosphere. At the farm we worked at, the farmers there were very friendly and gracious in showing us what to do. Our in-country guide was always so joyful and made us feel very appreciated.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
Part of what made the Cuba Unlocked Program extraordinary was the opportunity to experience a culture and a nation that is typically so far removed from the average American. Not many Americans are able to ever go to Cuba, so this was quite a unique experience. At times, looking out and seeing the classic cars, the palm trees, and posters of Che Guevara made for a very surreal experience. Additionally, being able to stay with Cuban families instead of in some hotel made the trip much more valuable because we were able to interact with the Cuban people at a level that the average foreigner traveling to Cuba never could.
A classic car passes through the town center in Viñales.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The local staff were very welcoming during the program. Our local guide always seemed so excited to show us around the town and country he called home. Our guide was also very knowledgeable about the places we went and the things he showed us. All of the homeowners whose houses we stayed in were friendly, gracious hosts. The staff made sure that we always had everything we needed and were prepared for the day, from food to water to sunscreen. I always felt supported on the trip.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
One thing that I wish I had done differently during my time abroad was get to know my host family better. Since everyone on the trip would often hang out at one particular house, I got to know that host family better than my own. Looking back, I think that getting to know a host family in another country is a wonderful blessing, and I wish I had taken advantage of that opportunity more fully. Since the Cuba trip, I have participated in another abroad experience with a host family, and I have learned that living in a welcoming environment when immersed in an unfamiliar culture and language is a great source of comfort.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
On a typical day in Viñales, we would first wake up and have breakfast. Breakfast always included eggs, various pastries, and incredible fresh juices (as well as coffee for coffee drinkers). We always had plenty of food for every meal! After breakfast, we would meet in front of the main house and walk to the organic farm that was a few miles away. We would work at the farm, helping with whatever tasks needed to be done, and learning a lot about the farm and the crops of Cuba, until lunch time. Lunch at the farm was always delicious. After lunch we would work some more and walk back to the houses. In the evenings, we sometimes walked to the town center to use the wifi or shop. We also went to a tobacco farm one day for lunch and to learn about how tobacco is grown.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
In our free time, we either went to the town center, stayed at the houses, or played card games. While we had all brought our own cards to play with, for Cubans the game of choice is dominos. As a result, we played lots of dominos with our host families. When we went to the town center, there were many activities to do. We could use the wifi in the plaza, get piña coladas from a restaurant, or go to the local market to buy all kinds of cool gifts for ourselves and our friends and families back home. We also enjoyed playing with some of the adorable pet dogs that were in the neighborhood.
Another view of the organic farm we worked at with the beautiful scenery of Viñales in the background.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
In Havana, we stayed in what I would describe as a hostel that we had all to ourselves. The woman that ran the hostel was very kind and welcoming. In Viñales, we stayed in "casitas," or houses that private citizens rented out to visitors. We always had private bathrooms. The best part about the accommodations was the ability to interact with normal people on a daily basis. Instead of staying in a hotel that was designed to make tourists feel like they were at home, we got a much more authentic experience as we lived with real Cuban families, complete with children and even some pets.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
One thing that every future participant should know about the Cuba Unlocked Program is that you will not always be able to stay inside your comfort zone – and that's okay! Growth seldom comes from being in a comfortable situation, and it is in slightly uncomfortable situations that we learn the most about others and about ourselves. This is not to say that I ever felt unsafe on this trip, far from it, actually. Rather, being uncomfortable is the only way to truly appreciate an unfamiliar culture, which is much better than just insulating yourself from everything and missing out on the opportunity of a lifetime.
Would you recommend Bright Light Volunteers to others? Why?
I would definitely recommend Bright Light Volunteers, and specifically the Cuba Unlocked Program and the Galápagos: The Ecological Expedition program, which I took part in, to anyone seeking a volunteer service experience abroad. Bright Light is very organized and, on top of all the details for these trips, they go to great lengths to ensure participant safety and enjoyment. Furthermore, I felt like I was actually able to do something meaningful instead of just going on a service trip to add it to my resume.
What do you feel is the biggest benefit of traveling abroad?
For me, the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is being able to experience another culture. Having a global perspective allows you to view others as fellow human beings instead of outsiders. While cultural differences such as language and dress are some of the most obvious differences to the casual observer, spending time with people from another culture will eventually allow you to realize that you have much more in common with people from other cultures than you initially might think.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
My time abroad with Bright Light Volunteers in Ecuador and Cuba has had a great impact on my life. Not only am I actively involved with many community and international service organizations, but I have since studied abroad in part because of the wonderful experiences I had on Bright Light trips. Seeing different parts of the world has allowed me to gain a level of appreciation for the diverse cultures of the world, and I am looking forward to where I am able to travel next.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
In my opinion, meaningful travel is travel that causes you to learn something new about yourself or the world around you. This can mean gaining an understanding and respect for another culture that you previously knew nothing about, discovering a passion for volunteering, or growing in empathy for other people, for example. Meaningful travel starts with an open mind and a desire to step outside your comfort zone and into the great unknown without letting fear hold you back.
