Alumni Interview with Subrina Pumford

What inspired you to travel abroad? 

Traveling around the world can expand one’s perspective on life. I knew that being able to meet and interact with those who are living in completely different cultures, environments, and societies would open my mind to something I’d never experienced before. I was also called to go abroad because I wanted to use my skills to give back to a community, while at the same time experiencing the culture in a new way and learning the language more proficiently. That way, I would be gaining from the people I worked with, while they gained from me!

Why did you choose Love Volunteers? 

I chose the Women's Empowerment program because the entire premise of the volunteer program is to change the lives of women for the better. This is important to me because women today face struggles in society that men do not encounter as often, like sexual harassment and inequality in social standing and opportunities. These issues are much more apparent in third-world countries, including Nepal. As a woman myself, of course I want to reach out and help other women to rise up and achieve equality, through teaching them about their rights, how to better speak English (the universal language), how to generate income, and how to protect themselves against human trafficking and other safety risks. 

What was your favorite part about Nepal? 

My favorite part about the host country being Nepal is that the experience helped me connect with my roots. My mother is Nepali, and the culture of Nepal has greatly affected my upbringing. However, I had not experienced much of the country itself or the people, besides my relatives and the area where my family lives. This time abroad, both when living with the host family and when volunteering with the women, taught me about the daily life in Nepal and expanded my view of the world. Also, my proficiency in the Nepali language improved through immersive learning, which was amazing because I wanted to learn to speak more fluently so that I can better communicate with my Nepali relatives, who only speak their native language. 

What made your experience abroad extraordinary? 

During this entire two-week experience, I learned a lot. As part of my daily ongoing reflection, I kept a handwritten journal answering five questions daily, one of which was, “What did I learn today?” Every single day, I had more acquired knowledge to write down. During induction, I learned much about Nepal, from the country’s sustainable development goals to the dos and don’ts of bargaining in their marketplaces. During placement, I learned about daily life in undeveloped areas, from how the host mother carried huge bales of hay on her back for the cows to the influence of the patriarchy in the lives of the women I taught. During the in-between times like evenings and weekends, I learned even more, just from being in this new environment. My local volunteer partner taught me how to take the bus. The next-door neighbor helped teach me the letters of their alphabet. The village children taught me a Nepali song. The list goes on and on! 

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

The local staff was a huge help. They hosted a three-day induction process in Kathmandu, during which us volunteers learned about the organization and about how to prepare for our placements. I spent these days researching, making posters, and writing lesson plans for my seminars, with plenty of support from the local staff. 

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

If I would have done one thing differently during my time abroad, it's that I wish I had gone on some of the weekend trips with the other volunteers. One of the weekend trips offered was to Chitwan, where you can explore the jungle and ride elephants! Love Volunteers offers many weekend exploration opportunities, and I suggest others don't pass that up!

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

I would have breakfast with my host family and then make the hike up to the bus station to visit the volunteer site of the day (usually a home or a school). I would give a presentation, which covered topics like Domestic Violence and Personality Development. Later in the day, my local volunteer partner and I would help out at a local tomato farm. Some days, we would visit and help out at soap-making sites. The women are taught how to make consumer goods, including dolls, bags, and soap, that can be sold in the marketplace as a source of self-created income. Finally, I'd come home for dinner with the host family, and then get some rest for another day of volunteer work.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad? 

In my free time abroad, I met with other volunteers at their host family sites and met the neighbors in the area. The World Cup was happening at the time, so it was fun to go over to other people's houses and watch that, while getting to know new families in the village. 

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

I stayed with a host family, and what I liked best about them, besides the fact that they were very warm and welcoming, was that they didn't speak English, so my Nepali skills had to get better—and fast! 

What is one thing every future participant should know about Love Volunteers before their program begins? 

Do your research on the language, culture, history, and customs before beginning. It's always good to have some background on how to communicate, what traditions exist, what might be considered offensive, etc. 

Would you recommend Love Volunteers to others? Why? 

I would absolutely recommend Love Volunteers! They were excellent facilitators, and I'm very grateful to them for making the process of study abroad as easy as possible, from the induction that helped educate us to the constant support throughout the experience. 

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

The impact that this experience had on me was immeasurable. Not only teaching me knowledge, facts, and skills, the experience also widened my perspective and gave me a new view of the world. Nepal has a completely separate culture, history, and lifestyle from America. Understanding the difference in backgrounds has helped me to stay aware of other viewpoints. This will impact my future because it has also fueled my desire to give back, so I want to make a stronger effort to serve those who are in need, especially those from undeveloped nations. 

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

Through full immersion in a Nepali-speaking country and continual practice, I was able to improve my language skills enough to teach two classes completely in Nepali! In addition, I had never learned to read or write, but after my total five weeks in Nepal, I was able to write basic words and could sound out most of the words on signs around me. It's completely changed how I communicate with my family—for the better. 

What does meaningful travel mean to you? 

Meaningful travel means travel with a purpose. Volunteer experiences like mine are extremely important to society. Far too often, people are too comfortable in their privileged lives to consider those with less money or opportunities. Most of us in the developed world are guilty of this kind of ignorance. Serving abroad can help people understand that they have the ability to use their privilege to do good!