Explore interviews with travelers, alumni, and staff from hundreds of programs.
GoAbroad interviews dive deep into the real stories of people who've studied, interned, volunteered, or traveled abroad on one of our 11,000 programs. From unforgettable adventures to honest advice, our interviews share what it's really like to go abroad. You'll also meet the staff behind the scenes—passionate people who make these programs possible and give each one its own unique vibe. Whether you're looking for inspiration or trying to choose the right path, our interviews will give you the insider scoop you can't find anywhere else.
I was inspired to go abroad because I wanted to experience a different culture, meet new people, and do something meaningful outside of my everyday routine. I was drawn to the opportunity to immerse myself in a new community, learn from the people around me, and make a positive impact while gaining a new perspective on the world.
After completing my MA in Applied Linguistics at San Diego State University, I was looking for a safe, family-oriented place to raise my son while continuing my remote work in the TEFL/TESOL industry. Nosara welcomed my family and me with open arms, and we found a community where we could imagine building a life.
When I was later laid off from my remote position, it became the catalyst to pursue a longtime dream: running my own language school. It wasn’t quite the route I had planned, but my professional background, the community we had found, and the opportunity came together. NSI gave me a way to put my education and experience into practice while helping others connect through language. It all felt very serendipitous, and I’ve never looked back. The connections students build with local people and one another continue to make the work rewarding.
After living and working in Central America for many years, I wanted to work for an organization that was truly connected to the communities it served. I was drawn to Give & Surf because we work with different communities experiencing poverty and, importantly, our programs are right in their neighborhoods.
I've always enjoyed meeting people from different parts of the world, learning about their cultures, and sharing my own. That's what initially attracted me to Go-Elective. I loved the idea of helping international students experience Kenya beyond the usual tourist attractions, through clinical placements, volunteering, cultural activities, and everyday interactions with local communities.
I was also inspired by the organization's commitment to making international clinical experiences more affordable and accessible. What makes the work especially rewarding is watching students arrive in a completely new environment, gradually become comfortable, build friendships, and leave with experiences they'll remember for years. Sometimes they even wish they could stay longer, and that's always lovely to hear!
As a pre-med student, I wanted to experience healthcare outside the United States and get a better understanding of what a career in medicine involves. Going to Kenya gave me the opportunity to observe doctors in a different healthcare system while experiencing a new culture. I was especially interested in surgery and emergency medicine, so being able to shadow in those departments made the trip particularly meaningful.
After previously going to Africa on a family trip, I knew I wanted to experience its healthcare side. I could not think of a better way than to do an internship there. I have seen many people do internships across the world, but not many who have chosen Africa. I knew I was going to love it as soon as the idea popped into my head!
After a financial disaster with a failed franchise venture, which led to my divorce after 25 years of marriage. I wanted to escape the UK, travel to parts of the world I had never visited, and do some useful environmental conservation work. I specifically wanted to go to Southeast Asia, an area that had fascinated me from an early age.
I was inspired to work with Volunteer Safari Initiative by my passion for tourism, conservation, and community empowerment. Through my experience in tourism, I realized that travel can be much more than visiting beautiful destinations—it can be a powerful tool for learning, creating connections, and making a positive difference.
I believe travel can be about much more than simply visiting beautiful places. I was inspired to work with the Volunteer Safari Initiative because I wanted to be part of something that allows people to experience Kenya’s incredible wildlife, culture, landscapes, and communities while also giving back to the places they visit.
One of my greatest passions began in childhood. As an Ecuadorian with half of my family from the United States, I loved bringing my American family to Ecuador and sharing my culture, people, and country with them.
I was inspired to go abroad because I wanted to gain international experience, improve my English, and learn from professionals in the hospitality industry.
My Compassion for the poor, reckless, disadvantaged, abandoned children from poor backgrounds, who suffer daily and remain in poverty without help, led me to form this organization to support them. From past suffering, we want to show compassion for all children.
I’ve always loved traveling, especially anywhere connected to the ocean. Throughout college, I worked during the school year so I could spend my breaks exploring new places.
What inspired me to work for CES Maastricht is the organization’s strong commitment to international education, cultural exchange, and creating meaningful experiences for students from around the world. I am particularly attracted to CES because it brings together people from diverse backgrounds and provides an environment where students can develop academically, personally, and culturally.
It's my passion and dream to travel, and I want to gain more experience in other countries and get connected to different countries and people as well, to learn more about volunteering abroad with different people in the same field, and to boost my confidence in volunteering and how to take risks in war zones.
I have always wanted to experience living in another country while developing skills that would help me in my future career. South Korea stood out to me because of its culture and global influence, especially in beauty.
I have always been a strong supporter of the Fulbright program and deeply believe in the value of educational and cultural exchange. During my years at the Franco-American (Fulbright) Commission, I began developing outreach initiatives with U.S. study abroad programs in Paris, and Middlebury regularly invited me to share information and meet with their students.
As a Colombian, I've always believed that my country has so much more to offer than many people expect. I wanted to help visitors experience the real Colombia—not just its beautiful landscapes, but also its people, culture, and communities.
