What inspired you to work for NGO Taxi?
I've been a teacher in France for the past five years, and though I really enjoyed the work I wanted to make a career change into a field that had a larger, worldwide impact - especially in the area of environmental protection. I was excited to join NGO Taxi as their values were closely aligned with my own. They work to ensure that their projects have the desired impact on the communities they work in.
Immersing myself in my current home country!
What is your favorite part of your job?
I love having the opportunity to help connect much-needed volunteers with important social and environmental work - work that becomes more and more essential each day in our ever-changing world.
What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?
We are a smaller organization (for now!), so sometimes it's difficult to compete with much larger, well-established and well-advertised organizations. I overcome this by creating listings that show why NGO Taxi is a great choice. I want potential volunteers to see our range of volunteer opportunities and all the amazing aspects of our available programs. Our projects are, frankly, awesome - and I work hard to make sure our listings reflect that.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
Wherever you go, go with a curious mind and an empty stomach! There is so, so much to experience in this world if you keep yourself open to it and don't shy away from learning experiences or trying new things.
Why should someone choose NGO Taxi over competitors?
Being a small organization, we are able to give attention to each of our volunteers throughout the application process and during their volunteering project. You can expect 24/7 in-country support during your project!
What makes NGO Taxi easy to market to potential participants?
Our projects are amazing learning opportunities in a number of ways. Firstly, NGO Taxi volunteers will vastly improve their Spanish skills by working within small communities and communicating professionally and colloquially with locals and project managers. NGO Taxi offers Spanish courses too! Secondly, most of our programs last a minimum of four weeks - this gives volunteers plenty of time to integrate into the community and learn about the culture. And lastly, the projects themselves are excellent learning experiences, of course! Working closely with project managers, our volunteers develop invaluable skills in environmental protection, teaching, healthcare, animal rescue and rehabilitation, environmental management, and more!
Stepping FAR outside my comfort zone while hiking Mt. Sainte-Victoire!
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
I hope our participants come away from their experience with an understanding of their impact on the world, and a determination to make that impact larger and more positive every day.
Additionally, I hope that their interactions with other cultures foster an appreciation of their place in a vastly diverse world and respect for lifestyles different from their own.
If you could participate in one of your organization's programs, where would you go and what would you do?
Without a doubt, the Surf & Help Camp in Ecuador! I'm very interested in marine wildlife protection and rehabilitation, and I have always wanted to learn how to surf. The coast of Ecuador would be an amazing place to hop on a surfboard for the first time and interact meaningfully with ocean wildlife!
Why do you think learning a new language is important?
Understanding a language is essential to understanding a culture. When I learned French, it gave me so much insight into the way French people live and think; you don't realize how nuanced your own language is and how it's used to reflect your thoughts...until you relearn how to do it in another language! And of course, the greatest joy of the learning process is stumbling upon fun expressions to use and seeing how expressions translate from language to language.
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
Remember that you are not going abroad with the goal of living just like you did at home! Being hesitant to try anything new or different will close you off from a vibrant culture with many, many lessons to offer. Going abroad is your opportunity to learn - this means letting go of expectations of how things "should" be done, stepping outside your comfort zone, and being open to new experiences of every kind.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel fulfills and supports both the traveler and the community they are traveling or volunteering within. Trips become meaningful when they have a positive impact on all those involved.
