What inspired you to travel abroad?
My family didn’t travel much when I was younger. When I got a little older, I became much more curious about the world and decided to take a shot and get out of my comfort zone.
I was very curious and wanted to explore what was out there. I wanted to meet people from different parts of the world.
Nuremberg, Germany. All of the counselors spent a fun day in the city before starting the camps!
Why did you choose LEOlingo?
I enjoy teaching and working with children. I also enjoy working closely with others in a tightly-knit setting. I chose LEOlingo South because of those reasons.
I got to work closely with the children and also counselors from all over the world. I also knew someone who had worked at this organization before who recommended it to me!
What was your favorite part about your host country/city?
Beer gardens! It was really interesting to experience the beer culture in Germany. I also really enjoyed the country’s attachment to its heritage and culture.
Many of the cities, even newer ones, are built in a traditional style that doesn’t contradict older architecture. I appreciated the country’s attention to its identity.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
The people! From those I was working with to the host families I stayed with, everyone was so hospitable and kind. Andrea, the business owner is a wonderful woman who makes you feel like her own children! I made relationships with so many people that I still keep in touch with to this day, almost three years later.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
Local staff were often on-site; if not, they were only a text or call away. They were always eager to come in and help with whatever you needed. They were approachable and made you feel very comfortable to ask for help and questions. Each counselor received all the proper material and resources necessary to be able to succeed!
A picture from Prague’s main square! I headed to the Czech Republic on one of my weekends off!
How did your program help you stay (and feel) safe abroad amidst the ongoing pandemic?
All of the counselors and children were tested regularly to ensure that there was no spread of infection in the camps. We were also tested before visiting our host families to ensure everyone was staying safe! Overall, there was a very large focus on safety during the pandemic, which resulted in a very smooth experience for everyone involved!
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
On my weekends, I traveled to many different countries! While I had a blast, I do wish I explored Germany a bit more! Since we were in Bavaria, sometimes it was closer to visit other countries rather than see northern parts of Germany. I have cities like Berlin on my list for when I head back to Germany!
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
The days at LEOlingo varied! If I were working at an overnight camp, I would wake up, make sure the children are awake, have breakfast, play some language games, play sports, have lunch, practice a play, do some activities, and have dinner.
During the evening, I would relax unless I was on a night shift, in which case I would help the children with evening activities and also make sure they go to bed and are up to no trouble! During day camps, I would be in a school or community center from about 9 am to 5 pm and then head to my host family who would sometimes take me out in the evenings.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
My favorite thing to do during my free time abroad was travel with my fellow counselors who became my closest friends during my time abroad! I was able to visit many cities like Prague, Karlovy Vary, Nuremberg, Munich, St. Gallen, Amsterdam, Brussels, and more, thanks to the amazing network of trains and buses in the area.
A picture from Switzerland! A few of the counselors went on a road trip near the end of the trip!
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
As mentioned, the accommodation varied depending on the type of camp I was working at. During the overnight camps, counselors got their rooms or shared rooms with other counselors. The rooms had everything that one would need and were very comfortable.
My favorite accommodation though was when I was working at day camps and stayed with host families. I loved getting a taste of the local lifestyle and making relationships with German families. I became friends with the family’s children and the parents and I still keep in touch today.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Overnight camp will usually have a full half-day activity on one of the days! These might include water skiing, canoeing, caving, and more. During my time there, I was able to try out water skiing and caving. I hadn’t done either one before, so it was super cool to bond with the children over these very interesting activities.
Would you recommend LEOlingo to others? Why?
Yes, undoubtedly for so many reasons. Not only do you get a chance to expose yourself to a different part of the world, but you also move around to different areas in Bavaria for the camps, letting you see glimpses of different lifestyles and neighborhoods. You also get to make lifelong friends from all over the world! A year after I returned from my program, I was in Europe for another job and met up with some of my friends from LEOlingo and it was awesome.
This is me taking a picture from the famous library in Prague, Czech Republic!
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
I feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is opening one’s eyes to different perspectives and parts of the world. You get to see how different people live, how they speak, what they eat, how they communicate, etc.
You also get to see how different countries operate. For example, I was very happy to see sustainability as such a big focus in Germany. The other part is meeting people from all over the world!
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
My time abroad has impacted my life deeply. It has given me a deep appreciation for everything in life. It has also made me more open to new experiences and challenges. Additionally, it made me a much more independent person.
After I came back from my program, I decided that I had to go back to Europe, but for a longer period. I decided to get an internship in Paris for four months, and had a fantastic time exploring the city and country on my own!
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
To me, meaningful travel means trying to truly understand different countries and cultures. It means going beyond the tourist attractions of a specific place. It means spending a substantial amount of time with locals in local neighborhoods, truly understanding their culture and way of life. I find that this gives me a deeper appreciation of a place over simply checking off a bucket list of attractions.
