What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Travel that impacted your life. You walk away with your eyes opened and a clear mind.
What inspired you to volunteer abroad?
I wanted to do something meaningful for matric holiday and I wanted to get some clarity.
Why did you choose GoEco?
I chose the specific program, because I enjoy being in nature and preserving the environment is a big passion of mine.
Hiking on off days
What was your favorite part about Israel?
The vibrant vibe and welcoming people as well as the beautiful scenery.
What surprised you most?
The friendly people and their willingness to help surprised me the most. I expected the local people to be blunt and even rude, but they proved my prejudice wrong with their kindness.
How difficult was it to communicate with locals?
It was quite easy to communicate with locals, however, they are a few locals that only speak Hebrew and therefore communication with them was difficult. In Eilat, most locals speak English well, but in Jerusalem it is much more difficult to communicate with locals.
Describe what a typical day in the life of a GoEco volunteer in Israel looks like.
Wake up in the morning. Eat breakfast, get ready, and make your way to work by bus. Greet the staff and start picking up trash. Help where help is needed, and if not go in for a swim or clean the lifebuoys. Help around with random tasks, go on patrols, or chill at the beach; it's all up to you. Finish your day by picking up trash and waiting till closing time. Go home or head out with friends.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
Going to the beach, hiking, or hanging out with friends.
Which kind of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
A hostel. I loved that I could meet new people every day.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program?
Buy yourself some good earplugs, because some people snore. You decide how much you want to do, but use your time wisely.
Do you have any other packing tips for individuals headed to Israel?
Travel light, but pack in clothes for warm and cold weather if you plan on going in winter. Jerusalem and the North can be quite cold, while Eilat is warm, but it is still chilly at night.
What was the hardest part about volunteering abroad in Israel?
The most difficult part of volunteering in Israel was the public transport. The bus system in Eilat was convenient and easy to use, but getting transport from Jerusalem to the airport is fairly difficult. The volunteering work itself is easy; if you are tired you can rest and you determine how much you want to work. It was also difficult to figure out what you had to do at work. If you did not ask for work, then you would not receive any work.
Hanging out with new friends.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I feel more in control. With my new found clarity, I am ready to take the world by storm.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
You are tested in the most peculiar ways and you are actually making an investment in yourself.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?
I wish I stayed longer!
Would you recommend your program and GoEco to others? Why?
Yes, this program taught me a lot about myself while it also encourages independence.
If you could volunteer abroad again, where would you go?
If I could travel abroad again, I would definitely consider volunteering in Eilat, but I would like to volunteer in South America or Asia too. I would want to volunteer in as many places as possible to expand my horizons and to learn more about other cultures and myself. I would be willing to volunteer anywhere, because there are so many countries that need our help.
