Alumni Interview with Sian Berkley

What inspired you to travel abroad? 

I have travelled quite a few countries, but following university I wanted more than just to travel, hence why I searched for a volunteer opportunity. During my studies at university, I learnt a lot about sustainability and development, so I wanted to find a project that fell in line with what I have been taught and put my knowledge into practice. Additionally, I took this time away to learn a language, as it’s something I have been wanting to do for a while. My organisation, AMPED Abroad, helped source this in the host country for me. 

Why did you choose AMPED Abroad? 

I spent weeks searching for the right organisation. I didn't want to pay a ridiculous amount of money as these companies keep a lot of what you are paying for themselves. This is when I found AMPED Abroad—a smaller, humble company, who gave me the breakdown of the costs, of which I thought were reasonable. The main reason I went with AMPED is because they offered exactly what I wanted: a volunteer experience (not too defined with a lot of flexibility, with AMASIA Women's Organisation: ), a homestay, and arranged Spanish lessons for me. Whilst I didn't find many reviews of AMPED Abroad online, I spoke to Charmaine (the founder of the organisation) on the telephone and found interviews with her online which gave me the comfort I needed to book with their company. 

What was your favorite part about Costa Rica? 

It's hard to choose between the people and the nature. Costa Rica didn't get the name “Rich Coast” for nothing. Its beaches are some of the most beautiful I've ever seen—where jungle meets white sand and clear ocean, and monkeys and iguanas are practically sunbathing next to you. But the people are something else; they’re the most laid-back nation I've ever met. No rush, no anger, just “pura vida.” I've definitely tried to take a lesson from them in being less stressed and rushed, which is a tendency in England. 

What made your experience abroad extraordinary? 

Again, the people were what made it extraordinary. The four women I worked with, though shy at the start, were the most inspirational women I've met. When we finally got over the language barrier, I began to learn so much about these women's stories and what they've been through and their current situations. Yet one thing prevailed—they never moaned. They are all in their 60s and 70s, some days doing manual work, and everyday walking a very steep rocky hill. They may struggle with money some months. Yet not once have I heard them complain.

It was a true friendship I made with these women, one in particular feeling like an aunt to me. I will try and learn from them to be grateful for what you have. Whilst working here I held an event at the workplace, which aimed at getting the women's organisation more publicity and raising funds. They made enough money to cover the license to grow and cook for sale for another year. This was amazing news, but what’s more, it gave the women a new motivation to start selling again in various places. By the time I'd left, things felt different. They felt more united and had commented on that. The flexibility I had with this programme is great, but it also means you have to make the most out of it as you aren't given guidance on what to do. 

How did the local program staff support you throughout your program? 

Andres was my in-country support and I couldn't have asked for more. He welcomed me to the country by picking me up from the airport and then gave me orientation around the town. He accompanied me to some local events to get me introduced to the neighbourhood. Following this, he was there for any Spanish translation, local questions, or organisation queries I had. He also was the one who gave me the idea of running an event. He believed in me and gave me that starting push. During the lead up to the event, and the actual event day, he acted as translator which was massively helpful. He was a huge support out there and my time would have been very different if he hadn't been so passionate about the volunteer organisation, encouraging me to make the most out of my time there. 

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad? 

Perhaps speaking to family and friends less on the phone. This time spoken in English (which was well-needed at times) took me out of the Spanish mindset and maybe my Spanish would have improved slightly faster if I didn't keep switching between the two. This would have allowed me to speak more confidently with the women I worked with sooner, getting to know them better. 

Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like. 

I would wake up around 7:00 a.m., with breakfast cooked for me by my host mum—usually tortilla with sour cream (not the healthiest but filling!). I'd leave to get my 9:00 a.m. local bus from the town centre out to AMASIA. I'd arrive around half 9. The gates would always be unlocked by one woman, but the rest would come throughout the morning. I would water the plants, or plant new roots, or do makeshift jobs of what was needed on the day.

Often I helped cook local dishes for bulk orders the women had, or I would spend my time planning the event—talking to the women about their wants and opinions. The women would feed me with freshly-squeezed juices, fruits, and bread. I would leave here usually around 1:00 p.m. by bus or taxi. Other days (usually Wednesdays) I wouldn't go to AMASIA; I would use this day to publicise the event with expats and locals by handing out flyers, etc.

My afternoons usually consisted of Spanish lessons taught by Paola, the most amazing teacher. At the beginning, I had these Monday-Thursday, but later down the line I reduced them to just once or twice a week. If not at Spanish lessons, I would be practising Spanish with the family on walks, making Facebook posts, or creating videos for the publicity of AMASIA. My evenings were quiet, so I joined a Salsa class, which I went to every Tuesday and Thursday—it made my time there so fun! 

What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad? 

Some weekends I travelled to volcanoes and spent the weekend away, but this would take a lot of travelling, so I found it better to do it all at the end. I spent my weekends visiting more local towns and nature parks. As I mentioned, I went to Salsa class, and one evening went to a social at a dance venue in the evening—this has to be one of the best experiences whilst out there. At the end of my 6 weeks volunteering, I travelled around Costa Rica for 3 weeks, and this is when I got to know the beauty of the landscape and meet a variety of people, which brought together my whole time away. A well-deserved break and adventure. 

What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it? 

I lived in a homestay while volunteering. Their house was lovely, and I had my own bedroom with a double bed. Their house was always spotless, and the mum, China, always cooked me such good food. My favourite thing about the accommodation was the two hammocks in the back garden, but the accommodation wouldn't have been what it was without the family. The Rodriguez-Rojas family were so welcoming, and their extended family all live on the same street, so there was never a quiet moment with children, dogs, and babies always around. 

What is one thing every future participant should know about volunteering with AMPED Abroad before their program begins? 

You need to make it what you want it to be. There are little guidelines on what you should be doing there. For the first couple days, I would come in and water the plants, but this isn't actually adding much for the women. Later down the line I asked them about this and they explained to me how running the event I did was the most helpful thing they've had. They want people to inspire them and be brave in doing something like this—there are no expectations, and if the event had flopped they honestly wouldn't have minded (the nature of the Costa Rican people). 

But you should think to yourself, how am I helping? Is it adding anything to their organisation? Try and think up something which could help their organisation excel, though always keep in mind the sustainability of what you're suggesting—then roll with it. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a plan come together which benefits the women you're working with as well as yourself. This is volunteering with a difference. 

Would you recommend AMPED Abroad to others? Why? 

I would highly recommend AMPED Abroad! They gave me enough support throughout and were super positive and helpful. I believe their organisation is transparent and the money is reaching the correct people (an important factor to me). Everything was sorted for me by the time I'd got there, and so I was very relaxed settling in. I would recommend the programme purely for the women that work there. However, if you are someone who wants manual work or wants to follow strict instructions, I wouldn't choose this programme. If you are someone who wants to take control of your volunteer experience and make a real difference, this could be the programme for you. 

What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is? 

Getting to know different cultures; every culture has a different way of doing things. This recent trip abroad to Costa Rica has relieved me of some of the societal pressures I feel in England at this stage in life. It's so good to visit different places and realise that they don't exist everywhere. Being able to travel abroad makes you realise that the big stresses in your life at home aren't as bad as they seem, and sometimes you just need to get away from them and see the bigger picture. 

Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life? 

My time abroad has helped clarify what's important to me in life. For example, the type of career I would like to follow. My time volunteering helped me gain hands-on experience of which I moulded myself, allowing me to practice some of the lessons taught in my university studies. Also, this time abroad has helped my confidence grow and made me much happier in myself. The volunteer experience of helping the women gave me so much fulfilment, of which I'd never experienced from any job. 

What does meaningful travel mean to you? 

Meaningful travel to me means travelling with a purpose. It's easy to travel to a country and not get to know the place, or add anything to the local community. But travel that includes both, as well as learning a language to help with that integration, is so much better. When you are volunteering, you must think about whether this is adding anything to the community, or whether this is just for yourself (to look good on your CV/resume). When you know you are volunteering for the people you are with and genuinely making a change, that's when you know it’s meaningful travel.