What inspired you to go abroad?
I have always wanted to experience a culture from the inside rather than simply visiting as a tourist. After finishing an important period in my life, I felt it was the perfect moment to challenge myself, improve my Spanish, and discover a completely different environment.
Colombia attracted me because of its rich culture, warm people, and incredible diversity. I also wanted to contribute to a meaningful project and have a positive impact while traveling. Going abroad seemed like the perfect opportunity to grow personally, gain confidence, and create unforgettable memories while stepping outside my comfort zone.
Why did you choose Voluntours Colombia?
Me with some of the children we volunteered with
I was looking for a program that would allow me to improve my Spanish while also making a meaningful contribution to a local community.
The Children & Sports Program offered exactly that combination. Every morning, I could attend Spanish classes and immediately put what I learned into practice during my volunteer activities and daily interactions with locals.
I also appreciated that Voluntours Colombia offered a very personal and authentic experience rather than a traditional tourist program. The opportunity to combine language learning, volunteering, cultural immersion, and community engagement made it the perfect choice for me.
What was your favorite part about Colombia?
One of my favorite aspects of Bucaramanga was how easy it was to immerse myself in daily Colombian life. Thanks to my Spanish classes every morning, I became more confident communicating with locals and was able to build genuine friendships throughout my stay.
Whether I was volunteering, playing volleyball, visiting local restaurants, or exploring the city with friends, I constantly had opportunities to practice Spanish and experience the culture firsthand. Bucaramanga felt authentic, welcoming, and far less touristy than many other destinations, which made the experience even more special.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
One of the most extraordinary parts of my experience was the variety of ways I could connect with different communities. While my main project focused on working with children through sports activities, every Monday I also had the opportunity to teach English classes to inmates participating in a rehabilitation and reintegration program.
Those sessions had a profound impact on me. Listening to their stories, seeing their motivation to learn, and witnessing their efforts to build a better future challenged many of my assumptions and gave me a deeper understanding of second chances.
Combined with the friendships I built, my involvement in a local volleyball group, and the cultural immersion I experienced every day, these moments made my time in Colombia truly unforgettable.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
The local staff was one of the highlights of my experience. From the moment I arrived, Laura, Luisa, and Simon made me feel welcomed, safe, and supported. They helped me settle into the city, explained local customs, and were always available whenever I had questions or needed assistance.
Throughout the program, they regularly checked in with volunteers to make sure everything was going well and helped us make the most of our time in Colombia. Their local knowledge also allowed us to discover places and experiences that we probably would never have found on our own. Their dedication and friendliness created an environment where I felt comfortable from day one.
We also visited a dog shelter, and as an animal lover, I also enjoyed this experience
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
If I could do one thing differently, I would have stayed longer. It took only a few weeks for Bucaramanga to feel like home, and just as I had established strong friendships and settled into my routine, it was time to leave. There were still many places I wanted to visit and more projects I wanted to get involved with.
Looking back, I realize that the longer you stay, the deeper your connections become and the more you can immerse yourself in the local culture. I would definitely recommend future participants give themselves as much time as possible to fully enjoy the experience.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
A typical day started with breakfast before heading to my Spanish classes in the morning. The classes were interactive, practical, and adapted to my level, which helped me gain confidence in speaking Spanish.
After class, I usually had lunch before participating in volunteer activities with children through sports and recreational programs. On Mondays, I also joined English classes for inmates involved in a rehabilitation program, which became one of the most impactful parts of my experience.
In the evenings, I often met friends, explored Bucaramanga, practiced Spanish with locals, or attended volleyball training with a local team.
What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?
During my free time, I loved exploring Bucaramanga and spending time with the amazing people I met during my stay. One of the best decisions I made was joining a local volleyball group, which allowed me to meet Colombians and become part of the local community. I also enjoyed visiting cafés, exploring nearby towns, hiking, trying traditional Colombian food, and participating in social activities with other volunteers.
Weekends were often filled with excursions and adventures around the Santander region, one weekend we went to Barichara and did paragliding on the way, it was awesome. Because there was always something happening, I never felt bored, and every week brought new opportunities to discover different aspects of Colombian culture
We did many nice excursions and the people were amazing
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I stayed in the girls' dormitory at Zamia Hostel, which quickly became much more than just a place to sleep. The hostel provided a comfortable and welcoming environment where volunteers from different countries could meet, share experiences, and build friendships.
What I liked most was the sense of community. There was always someone to talk to, explore the city with, or plan weekend trips together. The staff was friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere made it easy to feel at home.
Living with other travelers and volunteers created many memorable moments and friendships that continued even after the program ended.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Future participants should know that this program offers much more than volunteering. The Spanish classes are an important part of the experience and greatly enhance your ability to connect with the local community.
Even if your Spanish is basic when you arrive, you will quickly gain confidence because you use the language every day—in class, during volunteering activities, and while spending time with local people.
The combination of language learning, community engagement, and cultural immersion creates a much deeper and more rewarding experience than traditional travel.
I also supported English classes in the prison, it was a life changing experience for me.
Would you recommend Voluntours Colombia to others? Why?
Absolutely. I would highly recommend Voluntours Colombia to anyone looking for an authentic and meaningful experience abroad.
The organization genuinely cares about both the volunteers and the local communities they support. The projects are well organized, the staff is incredibly supportive, and the overall experience allows participants to fully immerse themselves in Colombian culture.
What makes this program special is the personal approach and the strong sense of community that develops among volunteers and locals. I left Colombia with amazing memories, valuable life lessons, and friendships that I will keep for many years.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The biggest benefit of traveling abroad is the personal growth that comes from stepping outside your comfort zone. Living in a different country teaches you adaptability, independence, and confidence. It also helps you see the world from different perspectives and develop a greater appreciation for cultural diversity.
Traveling abroad pushes you to challenge assumptions, communicate with people from different backgrounds, and become more open-minded. These are lessons that stay with you long after the trip has ended and continue to influence your personal and professional life.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
My experience in Colombia changed the way I see both travel and community engagement.
I will always remembder those children, the people, and the foundations we supported. It was an incredibly experience
Working with children taught me patience and creativity, but the English classes with inmates had an especially lasting impact on me. Meeting people who were actively working to rebuild their lives reminded me of the importance of empathy, education, and second chances.
These experiences helped me become more open-minded and grateful while strengthening my confidence and intercultural communication skills. I returned home with lifelong friendships, unforgettable memories, and a deeper understanding of how meaningful human connections can transcend cultural and social differences.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel is about creating genuine connections and leaving a positive impact wherever possible.
During my time in Colombia, meaningful travel meant not only exploring a beautiful country but also becoming involved in local communities. Whether I was working with children, teaching English to inmates in a rehabilitation program, or simply spending time with local friends, I was constantly learning from the people around me.
These experiences taught me that travel is most rewarding when it goes beyond sightseeing and allows you to contribute, learn, and build relationships that continue long after the journey ends.
