Alumni Interview with Tina Frank

What inspired you to travel abroad?

I love traveling, one of my life goals is to go to a new country each year. This year I decided to volunteer in addition to just traveling because I wanted to experience the local people and culture as more than just a tourist.

Why did you choose Spirit Cultural Exchange?

I have always wanted to go to the Galapagos Islands but I thought it was a retirement dream because of the expense. This program was way more affordable than I thought a Galapagos trip would be AND I got to live there!

What was your favorite part about Ecuador?

Meeting the other English teachers and working with the kids was so fun and rewarding. The English teachers were from Ecuador, Cuba, and Venezuela so I was able to talk to them about their experiences in their home country, what it’s like to teach abroad, and how they got so good at English! Everyone had a unique story. I also LOVED meeting and working with the kids. The younger ones were so excited to learn and would give me hugs after class.

What made your experience abroad extraordinary?

The people and the setting. I wrote earlier about the amazing people I met, but add in the extraordinary setting of the Galapagos and it made this trip magical. I was able to see almost all of the major 'to see' animals on Isabela island including, sea lions, marine iguanas, sharks, sea turtles, sea horses, flamingos, blue footed boobies, penguins, sting rays, and more! It was amazing.

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

I lived with a host family and they were so accommodating. They cooked me three meals a day, provided a bike, and invited me to a locals party. It was a party outside of town that lasted until 4am and almost every community member came! I was one of 3-4 tourists who were there. It was such a great experience to be invited too. I was very honored. 

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

I wish I had done a school supply donation drive before I arrived. I didn't use either of my free airline checked bag and I could have brought so much stuff for the school! The school has all the necessary supplies, but because they have to ship everything over from the mainland all school supplies are extra expensive. I could have provided some free shipping.

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

I woke up at 6:30am and had breakfast, class started at 7am. Each morning there would be a morning assembly where staff would address the students. Then I would work with different teachers for 35-minute to 70-minute long classes. Volunteer time would be over at noon and I had the rest of the day free. During the two weeks I worked with four different English teachers and first graders to seventh graders.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?

I took SO MANY tours of the Galapagos. There are three major tours to do on Isla Isabela. I did the Tintereras - kayaking and snorkeling tour where I saw sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, blue footed boobies, and penguins. The Tuneles which is a boat tour with hikes and snorkeling where I saw blue footed boobies nesting on eggs and feeding their young! As well as sea turtles, sharks, golden stingrays, sea horses, and tons of fish, and lastly the Sierra Negra volcano tour. You get to hike up to the mouth of the second largest volcano in the world. It was very majestic. 

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

I was at a home stay with a family that runs a hotel, so the room was like a hotel room with bathroom, but then there was a communal kitchen where the family cooked their meals. I was able to eat and hang out with the family. I think it was the best of both worlds because I got the family interaction but also the privacy of my own hotel room. I loved it. 

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

Volunteering in the Galapagos is almost twice as expensive as volunteering in mainland Ecuador because you have to buy an extra flight to get there, pay for two nights at the hotel when you enter and exit the islands, there are government fees to enter the Galapagos, and inter-island transfers are $25 each way. So just know its a bit pricier, but so worth it. You're in the Galapagos!

Would you recommend Spirit Cultural Exchange to others? Why?

Yes. The program was amazing, the cost was decent, and Spirit took care of everything.

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

Traveling humanizes 'the other.' I feel like my traveling has made me more compassionate to people who are different than me and has a big impact on how I view other countries and people from other countries.

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

Right now I am working to find an NGO or sister school to connect my Ecuadorian school to. 

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

Meaningful travel expands your point of view and broadens your world. I think it should be required of anyone who wants to have an opinion in foreign policy, diplomacy, or trade.