What inspired you to work for Mondify?
The opportunity to serve as a link between volunteers and organizations in need of all kinds of support has been my main motivation for joining the Association. At the same time, I am convinced of the importance of learning other languages, and teaching Spanish allows us to provide our students with a fundamental tool.
Galapagos. After participating in their Spanish course, the volunteers head to their volunteer work at the giant tortoise reserve.
Describe a typical day at work.
My work requires communication to be timely and accurate. I usually communicate via email, phone, or WhatsApp. I analyze and design projects, and I am in contact with the different placements, our teachers, coordinators, and volunteers. In the case of volunteer programs, I analyze the volunteers’ profiles, their expectations, and goals regarding the project they will participate in, and I strive to match them with the needs of the different placements.
What advice would you give your pre-travel self?
I would advise them to travel with the mindset that they are going to discover a different culture, and that very difference from what they are used to is what will make their experience unique. Most importantly, I would anticipate that they will be challenged to put their adaptability to the test, in order to fully enjoy these differences—embracing what is positive, while also realizing that in many ways things may work better in their own country than they had thought. Proactivity is essential, and the desire to learn a new language will make all the difference when it comes to the results they achieve.
In the library of a primary school, where the volunteers carried out activities for the children.
Why should someone choose Mondify over competitors?
They should choose Mondify over other organizations because we can guarantee a comprehensive experience for our volunteers, living daily within a different culture, while supporting them at every step so that cultural shock and language barriers are minimized, and do not hinder their adaptation to a new context, both in their daily work and in the social activities we organize. At Mondify, we work in a professional manner, always prioritizing the value of each individual.
What is your organization's mission, and how do you continue to work toward it?
We are the top choice for epic learning journeys in Latin America, offering outstanding Spanish courses and dynamic volunteer projects. We connect global explorers with culture and unique experiences, while creating opportunities for communities across Latin America. Every day, I work on improving processes and making sure everything runs according to plan, in order to make this possible.
Empanada class at the office
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
I hope that the participants in our programs return to their countries having gained a deeper knowledge and understanding of our country, culture, and people. At the same time, I hope the experience has sparked new interests and challenges for them, and, as much as possible, fostered significant personal growth and development.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
What I consider most important about traveling and experiencing other cultures is how it opens our minds to new realities. We gain a much deeper understanding of why other people or countries act differently than expected in similar situations. The personal growth that such an experience abroad provides cannot be achieved by doing similar activities in one’s home country.
Empanada class at the office
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
I believe that being open to learning other languages and about other cultures is extremely important and makes the trip a meaningful travel experience. If we add volunteering activities to this, we get the perfect combination, one in which we not only focus on our own goals but also on helping others.
