What inspired you to travel abroad?
What inspired me to go abroad, or in this case, to another state within my own country, was the fact that I wanted to have an experience of living for a few months in a place far from my home, with a beach.
I wanted to experience culture and hear accents different from my location. Also, I considered that this would enable great learning and personal growth. But I emphasize that the natural beauty of the place was a great contributor to consider when choosing my destination.
Why did you choose ETIV do Brazil?
First, I wanted to go to the place that is known as "Bahian paradise". Second, it is a volunteer program aimed at the development and education of young people and children, especially in environmental matters. Third, it is a program that receives many volunteers from different countries, providing a kind of "exchange" within my own country. Fourth, in that organization I could contribute with my communication, marketing and recruitment skills.
What was your favorite part about Itacare, Brazil?
The favorite part of my host city, for sure, was the natural beauty. Beautiful beaches, with trails and beautiful waterfalls. In addition, the city is culturally rich. I was able to participate in several cultural events that happened in the city.
I started to practice capoeira angola there, participating regularly in training and meetings in the circles of capoeira events. It is a place that has good options for playing sports and participating in local cultural events.
ETIV do Brasil team at the ETIV New Year Party for students, parents, volunteers, and the whole team
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
What made my experience extraordinary was the welcome I received from local people, staff and volunteers from the NGO. One of the coolest parts was interacting and exchanging experience with volunteers from different countries and also several states in Brazil.
I was able to learn a little more about the English language and people who speak the language. That added a challenge that was significant for my knowledge and development in that other language.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The support I had from the local team throughout the program was great. They ensured my inclusion and integration with the team/volunteers and provided all necessary support both in relation to the language, and in my contributions to the organization. They were very attentive and the volunteers interacted during the NGO's meetings and actions. It was a very dynamic environment and even after the activities, the volunteers met and got together to enjoy their free time doing leisure activities together.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wouldn't have done anything different during the time I was away. I only have memories of good experiences and great learning and I am grateful to have had this opportunity.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
Meeting with volunteers and staff early in the morning (10:30 am - 12:00 pm), where they share the deliveries and contributions from the previous week and align what the week's contributions would be. I was a communication and marketing volunteer, so I worked more at home and didn't have classes directly with the children.
After the meeting, already knowing about my activities for the week, I would come home and then have the rest of my free time. He cooked lunch, organized things and then went to the beach where he spent a few hours. Returning, I organized myself to carry out my deliveries according to the deadlines and needs aligned.
Return to the city by Rio de Conta after oil collection at Praia do Pontal and Piracanga in Itacaré, Brazil
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
What I most liked to do during my free time at that place was to enjoy the natural beauty, more specifically, the local beaches. My favorite was Ribeira, also known as the fourth beach. It was one of the most remote urban beaches, but I liked it because it was an extensive beach with good waves for swimming.
And I lived near Concha beach, which I also liked a lot and always went to when my free time was less. This beach has no waves, so it is calm for swimming. And almost every day I watched the sunset at Mirante do Xaréu, which is right next to Concha beach. The landscape was magnificent and it was a privilege to have this as my "backyard".
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I settled on my own when I went to Bahia. I rented for six months in a small local house, very well located and quiet. What I liked most was having the experience of being mostly alone with myself, of having my privacy and doing things my way. And I confess that I miss it.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
What each future participant must know is that all their contribution is essential for the organization's activities and routine to flow in the best possible way. The activities are divided so that everything works well, so it is of the utmost importance that you fulfill your duties. Commitment is essential. And the activities themselves are not "heavy". Although the children are a little agitated (like many children their age) the city itself has a lighter and slower environment.
Would you recommend ETIV do Brasil to others? Why?
Yes, I would recommend it for the reasons that I believe I have already said in answers to previous questions. It is a favorable place to enjoy the natural beauty, the culture is rich, the staff is welcoming, there are options for playing sports and it is the land of surfing.
The team ensured my inclusion and integration with the team/volunteers and provided all necessary support both in relation to the language and in my contributions to the organization. They were very attentive and the volunteers interacted during the NGO's meetings and actions. It was a very dynamic environment.
View of Praia da Concha at Ponta do Xaréu lookout
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The biggest benefit (as I mentioned several times in the answers above) was meeting and interacting with different cultures, people and experiences.
Also, I enjoyed creating bonds with new people, improving and/or learning new languages with natives, seeing new and different landscapes and aspects of nature. When you leave for something new, you end up relearning a lot about yourself, about how you feel and about how you deal with different situations.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
This experience positively affected my life. Today I seek to better understand and accept each individual's experience. I have even more desire to visit new places and have new experiences outside of here and in my country. It also affected my perception of people I deal with and how they deal with environmental issues. I confess that I am a little frustrated in this regard. But in any case, I try in my own way, to show people how each minimal action can positively or negatively affect the planet as a whole.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
As I also mentioned several times in the answers above, it means meeting and interacting with different cultures, people and experiences, creating bonds with new people, improving and/or learning new languages with natives, meeting new landscapes and different aspects of nature,
In short, when you leave for something new you end up relearning a lot about yourself, about how you feel and about how you deal with different situations and environments. It is a kind of package of important things to experience that comes with the trip.
