What inspired you to work for Raleigh Costa Rica?
I volunteered with Raleigh Costa Rica in 2018 and was left with a lasting desire to build a greener and fairer world for all. I made friends that I'm still in contact with today and made so many memories. I wanted to give back to an organization that gave me so much and help empower other young people to create meaningful and lasting change through international volunteering.
Describe a typical day at work.
I support and engage volunteers by responding to their questions, process volunteer applications, update volunteer information, ensure volunteers are fully prepared for upcoming expeditions, devise volunteer training, meet with partner organizations and support volunteers in-country in their personal development.
Three Peaks Fundraiser
Why do you do what you do?
I enjoy supporting volunteers and communities of volunteers in their journey in becoming changemakers. I enjoy connecting and building meaningful relationships with communities of changemakers and love being able to say I support sustainable development for a charity that contributed so much to my own personal development.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I enjoy spending time with volunteers and building connections with people, whether that's through emails or online training or being on program in Costa Rica. I love hearing people's stories and watching them grow throughout their volunteer journey. I love seeing the impact our work has on Indigenous communities in Costa Rica.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
I am creative — having studied music at university I am able to think outside the box, look at problems, and utilize creative problem solving. Having worked as a volunteer coordinator for Raleigh International, I have a unique insight into how best to engage and develop volunteers throughout their volunteer journeys.
What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?
Adjusting after the sudden liquidation of Raleigh International required me to be flexible with systems and processes, and advising how to streamline the volunteer journey process with limited resources. I am lucky to be surrounded by such a talented and great team that helps keep me motivated when things get difficult.
In front of a bold block pattern mural
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
Don't be afraid to look silly — be brave and explore more. Remind yourself where you are right now and remember that you will regret not doing things when you're back home. Learn more Spanish (it makes everything so much easier), always wear sunscreen, be prepared for the rain and the cold showers, and bring screen protectors for your phone.
Why should someone choose your organization over competitors?
Raleigh Costa Rica has run Expeditions for over 20 years; very few organizations can say the same with such a high volunteer satisfaction and safety record. We have built meaningful and lasting relationships with communities of Indigenous people all across Costa Rica and have worked in countless National Parks to support Costa Rica's globally significant biodiversity.
How is your company handling Covid protocols? What should participants know about your Covid readiness? How are you assisting participants with navigating the new travel landscape?
Volunteers must be fully vaccinated before arriving in Costa Rica in order to take part in the Expeditions. We are constantly monitoring the Covid situation and will continue to do so. We ask volunteers to isolate themselves before traveling to Costa Rica in order to reduce the risk of catching and spreading Covid, as well as bringing a supply of lateral flow tests with them.
On arrival and at any point involving long distance travel, volunteers will test themselves for Covid and isolate if they test positive or show symptoms. We will support and monitor volunteers that test positive until they test negative and can rejoin their Expedition.
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What is your Raleigh Costa Rica's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
Raleigh Costa Rica's mission is to empower and support the next generation of young people to tackle the world's most pressing sustainable development issues.
By balancing personal and sustainable development throughout our programs, we are able to create meaningful and impactful change that helps fight the climate emergency, promote good quality education, and establish clean water and sanitation whilst also benefiting young people that volunteer with us.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
We hope alumni leave Raleigh Costa Rica better than when they found it, both in the sense that through Expeditions they enact positive change, but also leave having developed on a personal level.
We support young people to become leaders, to be more confident, and have a broader world view. We hope they have gained an insight and passion for sustainable development, made lasting friendships with other volunteers and want to continue their journey as changemakers.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
It's not just healthy, it's vital that we meet and learn from people that have come from different backgrounds and cultures. It helps us grow and learn from each other. Culture exchange is essential for connecting people across the globe to build a fairer and greener society. It helps us empathize, understand, and grow.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel is all about leaving somewhere better than when you found it, it goes beyond tourism and means giving back in some way like volunteering. For travel to be meaningful means it should impact you in some way and leave you changed through the experience for the better. Meaningful travel can help promote the work of the sustainable development goals and can help build a fairer and greener world.
