What inspired you to travel abroad?
I was inspired by my love for travelling and wanting to do more for people in need.
Why did you choose Volunteer Eco Students Abroad?
I was set on going to Africa and this trip offered such a variety of volunteer categories, as well as a jam-packed itinerary with heaps of different experiences.
The adorable kids we got to work with while volunteering!
What was your favorite part about Africa?
The people—they were all so beautiful and friendly. The beaches in Mozambique were also absolutely unreal; the water was just amazingly clear and blue.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
The people (both leaders and volunteers) were so amazing and made the trip such a fun time. Not once was I bored and every single minute was just a learning experience. Having activities organised every day and the afternoons to explore as we wanted allowed us to make the most of the trip. Every single minute was extraordinary!
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
A number of the local staff were our tour leaders or came along on tours and other activities. They were all awesome and knew so much about their places. They were always down for a laugh and definitely made each trip fun and educational.
The Emdoneni Cheetah Project. Juba here is a hand-raised cheetah who cannot be released into the wild and has remained as an ambassador cat (he is not drugged, just sleeping!).
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
Honestly I would not change a thing. If I was to do anything differently, I would have stayed longer!
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
I would wake up and have a big breakfast with all our friends. We would then split into groups to go to our volunteer project (either construction, education, or conservation) for the day, or we would do activities or go on an excursion such as a safari. We would get back in the afternoon after an amazing day, have drinks at a bar and hang out with friends, have group dinner, then do fun activities (like a talent show) before either going to bed or going back to the local pub.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
Definitely having fun with friends. Some of our best memories include dancing on the tables and singing down at the local pub. If we weren't having drinks, we would be swimming, eating local food, or walking through the markets.
One of the safaris we did! On our safari we saw some really amazing animals in the wild, including elephants, giraffes, buffalos, and rhinos.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
Our accommodation was mainly in hostels. Although they weren't too flashy, I still enjoyed it, as I felt it’s what made the trip a challenge—which I love. It was fun to share a room with a number of people (as well as different people) when we travelled to other locations. The best part was that at the end of the trip, after staying in hostels, we got a hotel (WITH OUR OWN PRIVATE BATHROOMS, WOO!) which had an amazing pool overlooking the beach.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
I think it’s so important to just go into it open-minded and with a positive mind. There are a few things people may find difficult, such as the hostel living environment or the food, but going into it with a positive attitude and seeing it all as part of the challenge is what makes it all amazing.
Would you recommend Volunteer Eco Students Abroad to others? Why?
Yes, 100%. I already have been trying to get all my friends and family to go and give it a go. Not only did I have such an amazing time and see such beautiful countries, but I was also able to make amazing friends and just grow as a person.
Trying on handmade traditional clothing on our cultural tour.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
Just seeing how beautiful and different other places are in the world. It allows you to appreciate what you have and helps you grow into a better person.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
It has certainly brought me a lot more out of my shell, and I have a different outlook on protecting the environment and animals. I’m now a lot more aware of things like recycling and visiting cruelty-free animal attractions. I also feel as though it has made my passion to travel even bigger and I am excited for more trips away!
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel to me is being able to see as much as I can and experience a range of new things. It’s being open to meeting people and trying new foods and activities, and just making the most of every minute.