What inspired you to go abroad?
I was inspired by the idea of immersing myself in a completely new culture, and I was inspired by the prospect of volunteering in the area of human services. I could not wait to connect with new, like minded people and to travel in general!
Ella, Sri Lanka
Why did you choose SLV.Global?
The program sounded like a perfect fit for me! It had everything I was looking for—cultural immersion via living in a homestay within the local communities, practical training and workshops, and real firsthand psychology work experience. Also, we participated in travel every weekend which was what I was looking for as well.
What was your favorite part about Sri Lanka?
My favorite part about my host country was the warmth and friendliness everyone exhibited. I felt truly at home and I loved learning about the ancient history and about Buddhism—the primary religion in Sri Lanka.
What made your experience abroad unique?
To get the chance to attend so many unique workshops, including some that involved learning from Buddhist monks, the chance to travel basically the whole country, and to have a huge team of volunteers to bond with and work together with them every single day.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
The local staff were so supportive and so kind! They created a positive and caring environment for us and helped us with literally any questions we had—no matter how embarrassing or weird. They also accompanied us on our journeys around the city to different projects, and helped direct us whenever we were struggling with certain aspects of our placement. For example, they would help us come up with fun and suitable activities for certain groups of disabled individuals in the communities.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?
NOTHING! I only wish I could have stayed longer and wish I had made the effort to connect with my homestay family more over the course of my busy time in Sri Lanka.
Describe a typical day in the life of your program.
Wake up early, around 6:00 a.m. Maybe do some yoga with our homestay dad, have a quick breakfast, get dressed, and head out in tuk tuks to our first project, or else session planning with the whole of our regional SLV team.
Have two projects, perhaps one in a mental hospital and one in a school teaching English, and then have lunch at a local spot with everyone. Have a bit of downtime, then one or two more projects in the afternoon, in which we may have to travel on public buses for greater distances.
Arrive home in time for dinner, spend some quality time with everyone while at the same time planning our activities for the next day, and socialize with the homestay family before bedtime!
End of placement Sari Party on the beach! SLV placement was one of the best experiences of my life <3
What did you enjoy doing in your free time?
Reading, journaling, traveling, eating out, having fun with new friends/other volunteers, shopping, and getting to know and bond with the homestay family—eg. through learning to cook traditional dishes with them.
What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?
A surprisingly modern house in the heart of Colombo, on a dusty road with a guard dog and fans in our rooms. We had thin mattress, small beds, but they were adequate enough. Around three, to five or six of us would share a bathroom which we adjusted to with time. The best thing about it was the beautiful outdoor spaces to enjoy around the home and the tropical views and our rooms were spacious and nice.
What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?
Make sure to adequately prepare yourself and do your research! Including learning about some of the cultural customs and expectations, such as dress codes. Also, expect to be surrounded by lots of people nearly 24/7, so mentally prepare yourself for that and little privacy!
Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?
It has impacted my life in so many ways—I am very inspired and have new world perspectives to draw from, as well as new cultural and psychological knowledge too. I had the most amazing time contributing my efforts in Sri Lanka with SLV, and the opportunity to volunteer and bring a smile to our service users' faces truly warmed my heart so much. Everything I volunteer/work with at home matters that much more to me now.
Would you recommend SLV.GLobal to others? Why?
DEFINITELY!! You won't regret it! It is truly one of the most powerful, life changing experiences you could ever have! If you are interested in psychology, helping others, providing communities with new skills and mental health promotion, this is the program for you—go for it! Take a chance and see what you learn and gain—including so many international friends and connections!
