What inspired you to travel abroad?
Adventure! I always wanted to do something unusual and outside of the box that would provide me with both a learning experience and the opportunity to meet new people. I knew there was a world outside of the small bubble that I lived in, and I wanted to go and explore that.
Why did you choose GoBeyond?
I chose GoBeyond because my brother had previously been abroad with them. My mom had a sense of comfort with the company, and I was very intrigued by the trips they had to offer. Hearing my brother always talking about his experience made me have the urge to go. I chose to go to the British Virgin Islands because of the environmental aspect that the Preserving Paradise trip presented, and the hands-on hurricane relief the Rebuilding Island Life trip offered.
What was your favorite part about the British Virgin Islands?
My favorite part about the British Virgin Islands was the difference between every Island. It was fascinating to see the culture and beauty that every Island had to offer.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
The thing that made my trip so extraordinary was having the opportunity to meet people from around the world. It placed individuals with the same interests and ultimate goal of volunteering in one place. This provided us with the chance to live together, work together, and develop an "extraordinary" bond.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The local staff were always extremely supportive of the entire group. Always seeking your opinion, the staff ensures that your voice is heard throughout your three weeks. Not only do they get to know you as an individual, but also provide you with encouragement, motivation, and exuberant amounts of positivity.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
If I could have done anything differently, it would have been to live in the moment. The time that you get when abroad is so incredibly valuable. I wish I lived in the present moment, not always asking what we would be doing next, and just take it all in.
Shannon’s GoBeyond group being taught by staff members about the tools they would be using over the next three weeks
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
A typical day in the life of a GoBeyond student is an amazing experience. Generally we get right out the door in the morning after a quick, early breakfast. During the Rebuilding Island Life session, we spent a lot of our workdays cleaning up schools, playgrounds, and community parks. Generally around 4:00 we head back to our boat, get into our bathing suits for our ocean showers!
Post shower, the chefs for the day will begin to prepare dinner while everyone else sets the table, organizes their cabin, or just takes a few minutes to be by themselves. After dinner, we perform an activity called 'squeeze'. Squeeze is when everyone holds hands, and the skipper of the day must pose a question. The group must answer the question, and state what their favorite part of the day was. At this time, the dish cleaners for the day clean up dinner, and everyone begins to settle down.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
Personally, I enjoyed being with my friends onboard, learning facts about the islands, and sailing. I felt this was an opportunity to learn and ask questions. During any free shore time, all the students would go to a restaurant, get food together, and then go shop at the local food store and gift shops.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
Over the three weeks, we lived on a catamaran sailboat. Living on a sailboat was personally an easy adjustment for me, but it is much different than living on land. One of my favorite things about it was that at night I was able to sleep on the trampolines at the front of the boat. Hearing the ocean below me, and the wind blowing was the most spectacular feeling.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
One thing that every future participant should know before their program begins is that you must put yourself out there. The more people you become close with, the better your experience becomes. Along with leaving your shell, it’s important that you should try to overcome any fears that you have. The more you overcome fears, and the more you try new things, the more unique your experience is.
GoBeyond students in the British Virgin Islands had the chance to build a swing set and paint walls for a local school
Would you recommend GoBeyond to others? Why?
I absolutely recommend this program to anyone who is thinking of going abroad. GoBeyond Student Travel teaches you that there is something outside of your town and to not take life and things for granted. They make you aware of your surroundings, and of what actually matters. They somehow do all of this while giving you the best summer experience ever. They provide students with opportunities other people will never have the chance to experience, so everyone should take the leap.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
I personally think the best benefit of traveling abroad was meeting other people besides the people in my town. Most people grow up with the same people for years, and traveling outside of the little bubble I lived in really opened my eyes to meet new people from all around the world, who are now my best friends.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
Now being at home, and having this experience under my belt, I have a whole new perspective on life. I tend to have a more positive outlook on not only my life, but others as well. This experience has also taught me to fight challenges, and not back down.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
To me, meaningful travel is when traveling makes an impact on you. I feel that it is not traveling to see tourist attractions, but getting something out of it. Discovering ways to improve yourself, your friends, and the world around you.
