Alumni Interview with Kimberly Duncan

What inspired you to go abroad?

I had always wanted to go to Africa but wasn't sure about the safety of traveling alone, or even where to start planning.

Why did you choose International Volunteer HQ?

I studied music in school and when I saw that there was music program in Kenya (IVHQ) it was an easy decision. IVHQ was recommended to me by a friend from high school.

What was your favorite part about Nairobi?

The people in Nairobi were so kind and thankful. There was so much beauty in every inch of the country and there was so much to explore.

What made your experience abroad unique?

What made my experience unique was that although between 40 and 50 volunteers started on the same day as me, I was only at the same school as two of the other volunteers. Even still, I had my own class to teach each day.

How did local staff support you throughout your program?

Local staff were very supportive and were on call 24/7 if any of the volunteers needed anything.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?

My one regret is that I wish I stayed longer!

Describe a typical day in the life of your program.

Wake up and have breakfast at my placement with the other volunteers, walk to school, work for a few hours, walk back, then have the nights off to do as I pleased (go to junction mall, sightsee, use wifi, etc) and dinner with the house around seven.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time?

In our free time we frequented the Junction Mall to use wifi and have some comfort food from home (milkshakes!). I also used one weekend for a safari trip, and other free days to go sightseeing around Nairobi.

What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?

The accommodation was great. My host family was very thoughtful and kind and the food they prepared was amazing! There were about 4 people per room, and space was limited, but the common areas were large and welcoming. What I liked most was that you could always catch other volunteers in the common areas and join in with whatever they were doing.

What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?

You will absolutely fall in love with the country.

What was the hardest part about volunteering abroad?

The hardest part about volunteering abroad was that I wanted to give my students the world, and it just isn't feasible in the short two weeks that I was there. I would definitely recommend staying longer if it's possible with your schedule.

What surprised you most about Kenya?

What surprised me most about Kenya was how kind each and every person I encountered was. Everyone was accommodating, friendly, and excited to share their culture with someone from a different country.

How difficult was it to communicate with locals?

Most locals spoke English where I was, so it was relatively easy to communicate.

What is one thing you wish you would have known before volunteering abroad in Kenya?

I wish I knew how much there was to see! I did some research on my own before my trip and made a list of what I wanted to see and do in my time there, but there was SO much more to see, the country is beautiful!

If you could volunteer abroad again, where would you go?

If I could volunteer abroad again (which I will) I would probably either return to Africa or go to South America. I'm currently looking at an animal welfare program in Peru.

What do you feel the biggest benefit of volunteering abroad is?

The biggest benefit of volunteering abroad is really being able to immerse yourself into a foreign culture by staying with locals rather than in a hotel, and working with people who know the ins-and-outs of the country and also live this life on a day-to-day basis. I know I would not have had the same experience if I had just planned a trip to Kenya and traveled with my own itinerary.

Do you have any packing tips for individuals headed to Kenya?

Packing tips: you REALLY don't need as much as you think you do. Closed toed shoes are a must, but otherwise, you don't need those extra pants and shirts. Save room in your luggage and buy beautiful clothing at the Maasai markets!

Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?

I have learned to be appreciative of so much more in my life. I am so blessed with what I have and I find that little things don't seem to bother me in the same ways.

Would you recommend International Volunteer HQ to others? Why?

I would absolutely recommend this program to others because they do the work of finding you a volunteer placement, but you still have the luxury of a loose schedule and free time during nights and weekends.