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<h3>What inspired you to go abroad?</h3><p>I love to travel and I spend my days trying to gather money for my next adventure. Being right now at a phase were I'm unemployed, doing my thesis, and sending some job applications, I decided it would be the perfect moment to volunteer abroad. I know that as soon as I get a job it's going to become incredibly hard to do something like that for a long period of time. My decision was then based on timing, on having saved some money working in retail, and on knowing I was finally mentally ready to do something like that.</p><figure class="awesome-image right-aligned" style="width: 50%;"><img style="" src="https://www.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto1-reis-1524645095.jpg" alt="Teaching Spanish in Colombia"><figcaption class="caption"><p>Teaching some Spanish</p><p></p></figcaption></figure><h3>Why did you choose IVHQ?</h3><p>When the ideas of maybe doing a volunteering program started to pop up into my head I found, by coincidence, that an old colleague was in Indonesia with an organization called IVHQ. She praised their name in every photo she posted and everything looked so incredible that I had to research about it. I didn't choose them as much for prices, as I don't really think they have the best price in the market, but their package included accommodation, food, and support, and they had a multiplicity of programs in dozens of countries, which is why I decided to go with them.</p><p>Regarding my program, I knew from the beginning I wanted to teach. I've always wanted to have a teaching experience in my life and being able to put together two dreams - teaching and volunteering - seemed perfect.</p><h3>What was your favorite part about Colombia?</h3><p>Colombia is incredibly "artsy." First of all, people are so full of energy and so alive, dancing and singing everywhere. I feel like there's always a very artistic vibe in the air in that country. You are always hearing music on the streets, when they go out their dancing talent is insane, and the street art is out of this world; you can see beautiful graffiti everywhere, to the point where it is not touristy anymore, just another part of their streets.</p><h3>What made your experience abroad unique?</h3><p>Definitely the people I met along the way. Even though I may seem like a social butterfly, I have very well camouflaged social anxiety. It's hard for me to try to start new friendships and to feel comfortable with the people around me, but in Bogotá, it was so weirdly easy to be myself with all the volunteers. We all shared the same interests and opinions, and living with them 24 hours a day with no breaks was one of the best experiences I've ever had.</p><h3>How did local staff support you throughout your program?</h3><p>The local staff was extremely supportive. They always tried to make us feel at home, and if anything was wrong, they did their best to help. I had some issues with one of my programs, but after telling them they understood and changed it so I could have the best possible experience and give the best version of myself to the kids. We also had weekly meetings where we could share our mutual concerns about the living environment.</p><figure class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="https://www.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto2-reis-1524645130.jpg" alt="Volunteers on a night out in Bogotá"><figcaption class="caption"><p>Acting like real gringos for a night out</p><p></p></figcaption></figure><h3>What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?</h3><p>I had the most amazing time so I doubt I would change anything. The only thing I would, perhaps, change a little bit is my extreme organization and the fact I had all flights to return already scheduled. After the program I went for a week to Colombia's coast, where I had a great experience and met amazing people, so if I had to do it all again I wouldn't change it. However, I felt that three weeks was not enough; I know that if I didn't have everything booked already, I would have extended my program.</p><h3>Describe a typical day in the life of your program.</h3><p>We woke up really early, around 7 a.m., to have an amazing breakfast before heading to our program. Once there, we stayed until lunch time, depending on the program (I had one twice a week that was pretty far from Bogota so we only returned at 4 p.m.). Our morning at the teaching program would consist of giving some classes about basic themes in English and then having some individual sessions with the kids in need.</p><p>We all shared lunch at the house around 12:30 p.m., and afternoons were free to go visit a museum, chill at the nearest park, or do some shopping. At night we usually had dinner pretty early, around 7 p.m., and then went out to a club or a bar most of the time until 11 p.m., our curfew.</p><figure class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="https://www.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto3-reis-1524645157.jpg" alt="Bogota street art"><figcaption class="caption"><p>Bogota's street art</p><p></p></figcaption></figure><h3>What did you enjoy doing in your free time?</h3><p>I tried to make the most out of my free time and used almost all of my afternoons to get out and do something different. I visited museums, tourist attractions, went to the most well-known restaurants and cafes, saw the main squares, etc. However, I also had some afternoons that were exclusively dedicated to doing nothing, usually going to the park with all the volunteers to listen to music and chat for a bit.</p><p>On weekends, we made the most of our extended curfew to go out for some drinks, and we also tried to see new places. We travelled to Medellín on one of the weekends and to some cities nearby on the others.</p><h3>What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?</h3><p>We lived in a very nice neighbourhood in Bogotá (something very important having in mind Bogotá is not the safest place), near to supermarkets and small shops. The house was always beautiful; it had two floors with a small garden and was always very clean. We slept in bunk beds in considerably large rooms. and there was always enough space for all our things. Overall, it was a very cosy environment and had a very familiar vibe.</p><h3>What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?</h3><p>If you plan to sign up for a teaching program and, just like me, have no teaching experience, you should be aware that it isn't going to be easy. In Colombia, they have almost zero knowledge of other languages, generally speaking, so you should have at least some basic Spanish skills to be able to explain to them what things mean in English and have a minimum level of communication. Otherwise, you will face uncomfortable situations where you can't teach them properly because you can't speak their language, and they’ll end up not learning anything because they will just give up on making an effort.</p><figure class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="https://www.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto4-reis-1524645179.jpg" alt="Bogota, Colombia, street art"><figcaption class="caption"><p>Bogota's street art</p><p></p></figcaption></figure><h3>Now that you're home, how has your time in Colombia impacted your life?</h3><p>It may be a cliché, but I definitely feel like I've returned a different, improved version of myself. I'm currently more spontaneous, following the motto "it is what it is", trusting more my instincts, and letting myself go with the flow. I was very nervous for this experience, trying to control every single aspect, but most of my days ended up being random, unexpected, and last-minute decisions, and that's what made everything so amazing.</p><p>I feel like I'm also more conscious of the people that surround me. I'm now able to better appreciate everyone's stories and pasts, and I'm more open to different people. Also, I'm definitely less judgemental and more understanding.</p><h3>Would you recommend IVHQ and your program to others? Why?</h3><p>I definitely recommend doing a teaching program in any country that has a partnership with IVHQ (and I extra recommend Colombia or any place in Latin America). It's true that you need to save some money and pay a considerable fee with them, but I can assure you that it's worth it because you'll never feel alone and you'll be supported every step of the way.</p><blockquote>You'll meet wonderful people, live life-changing experiences, and grow as a person due to the contact with new cultures and ways of living in society.</blockquote>

Beatriz Reis

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Beatriz Reis who participated in International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ] program.

Beatriz Reis | International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ] Alumni Interview

Beatriz Reis - 2018 Program Participant


<h3>What inspired you to go abroad?</h3><p>It wasn't my first time abroad, actually I had lived in several other countries before; and once you start with these adventures, it seems that you can never stop. You cannot just sit at home and think of all the things that are out there. I have always been a teacher, so when I saw an opportunity to go to teach to Colombia, I didn't hesitate.</p><h3>Why did you choose More Than English?</h3><p>I chose my organization because it was very small and family-based. Since I knew that I was going very far, I didn't want to be stuck in a big company that administers hundreds of schools and doesn't pay attention to the teachers. And, I also wanted to go to a region where I can actually help and make a difference. The program that I chose was exactly everything that I was looking for.</p><figure class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="http://cdn3.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto2-toborikova-1484206830.jpg" alt="Sunset on the coast in Tayrona National Park in Colombia"><figcaption class="caption">Tayrona, the most beautiful national park</figcaption></figure><h3>What was your favorite part about your location?</h3><p>There are zillion things that I could name here. It is just an amazing place full of friendly and open people; actually, it was the people that made me fall in love with the country, every single one of them. Everyone will walk the extra mile to ensure that you are safe and happy here. The landscapes and countryside are also breathtaking. You can find anything from mountains to deserts, from the Caribbean to the Pacific coast. And the little towns are just lovely; the colonial architecture makes all the towns and villages look really cute and you just can't help love it here.</p><h3>What made your experience abroad unique?</h3><p>Now it seems that literally everything was unique. The early mornings when I was cycling to the school and the sun rise that I could watch every morning behind the mountains. The children who were so smart, so active, so amazing. The colleagues and the moments that we spend together. The weekends that we spent in the local bars getting to know the culture or, on the contrary, the moments that we spent in rock bars searching for something familiar to our own culture. The weekends and holidays spent travelling around the country and meeting new people, learning about the differences between the regions here. There doesn't seem to be anything that wouldn't be unique.</p><h3>How did local staff support you throughout your program?</h3><p>I lived with the director of the school where I taught, so she was always present to help and to support me. It made a big difference to me, because even during the difficult days, I wasn't alone. Alejandro, the creator of the project, couldn't be there because he wasn't in Colombia, and yet he kept texting almost every day to make sure that I wasn't lacking anything. The support was almost 24/7 and I couldn't be more grateful to them.</p><h3>What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;">	</span></h3><p>I wish I had more classroom experience before coming to Colombia. I did have many years of teaching, but most of it was in private classes with adult students. Being in the classroom was suddenly a very different thing and I wish I had been more prepared.</p><figure class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="http://cdn3.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto3-toborikova-1484206852.jpg" alt="Vew of Mongui, Colombia"><figcaption class="caption">Mongui, an amazingly lovely village</figcaption></figure><h3>Describe a typical day in the life of your program.</h3><p>On a typical day I woke up at 5 a.m., prepared all the things that I needed for that day, and at 5:40 a.m., I left the apartment and cycled to the school (there was an option to go to school by car, but it was about half an hour cycling and I enjoyed the morning exercise). Once there I changed and got all the materials ready. The classes started at 6:30 a.m. and typically there were three two-hour lessons, so I would meet three different classes every day. After two classes, there was a break, and after the break, there was the last class. We finished at 1:15 p.m. and had lunch at the school.</p><p>After the lunch, I cycled back home and prepared for classes the next day or corrected quizzes, or whatever there needed to be done. In the afternoon, I would meet my friends, go out for a coffee, talk to my family, or read. I used to go to sleep at around 9 p.m. (because I do need to sleep my eight hours).</p><h3>What did you enjoy doing in your free time?</h3><p>More than anything, I enjoyed travelling. We had quite a few holidays (one week in Easter, three weeks in June/July, and one week in October, plus various bank holidays throughout the year), and I was happy to take advantage of this free time. Colombia is an amazing country and everyone can find what is appealing to them. I spent my holidays travelling mainly to the Caribbean coast. It is always warm there, the sea and landscape is charming, and the people are the friendliest people in the whole world. Cities like Cartagena or Santa Marta and national parks, like Tayrona, are absolutely unique and definitely worth visiting.</p><h3>What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?</h3><p>I shared an apartment with the director of the school and my colleague who taught English at the primary level. What I liked the best was their company, the opportunity to share, comment on what was going on and discuss various problems that arose, and get help and support when I needed it.</p><figure class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="http://cdn3.goabroad.com/images/interviews/interviewphoto4-toborikova-1484206880.jpg" alt="Colorful street in Cartagena, Colombia"><figcaption class="caption">Cartagena, one of the most famous and colourful Colombian cities</figcaption></figure><h3>What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?</h3><p>They should know that it's gonna be the best and the most difficult time of their life, or at least so it was for me. From the work point of view, it was amazing, the children were great and I can't imagine anything better than what I experienced there. However, due to lack of my experience, it wasn't always easy. Classroom management is not an easy task, especially with kids that are as active as the Colombian ones. If you apply for the program, you should know that it's not gonna be a rose garden. It is going to be tough work, and it's gonna be the best thing that you have ever experienced.</p><h3>How has your time abroad impacted your life?</h3><p>I moved to another city and I kept living in Colombia. I am super happy here and I don't think that I will be going home any time soon. So, the impact has been very profound. I have a new job, more confidence and humility, and more experience to bring the children than the previous year.</p><h3>Would you recommend More Than English to others? Why?</h3><p>I would! Always, and with my whole heart, because you will experience the life in Colombia, you will meet amazing people, and you will learn a lot about yourself. You will become a better teacher and you will be able to give more to others.</p>


Aneta Toborikova

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Aneta Toborikova who participated in More Than English program.

Aneta Toborikova | More Than English Alumni Interview

Aneta Toborikova - 2016 Program Participant


<p class="p1"></p><div class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="http://cdn4.goabroad.com/images/interviews/alumniinterviewphoto1-walis-1430210939.jpg" alt="







American teacher with Colombian student"><div class="caption"><p>With a student on her graduation day</p></div></div><h3><span style="line-height: 24px;">Why did you choose to become a volunteer teacher abroad? What made you select Colombia?</span></h3>
<p class="p2">I had always wanted to get abroad to live, not just travel or study. Not only is teaching English an option to make living abroad possible, but I had always wanted to try teaching. I&rsquo;m one of those people that enjoys editing other people&rsquo;s writing, and correcting their grammar, so I knew I would enjoy teaching English.</p>
<p class="p2">The reality however, I had no teaching experience nor certification, so I knew that nobody would sponsor my visa to work abroad. Therefore, I joined WorldTeach because as a volunteer teacher I didn&rsquo;t need prior teaching experience, and they handled the visa and all other logistical details.</p>
<p class="p2">I had been living in Miami for a few years, so all of my friends were Latin and I finally had a chance to speak Spanish conversationally, which I had been studying in the classroom for over 10 years and still hadn&rsquo;t mastered. I knew I wanted to become fluent in Spanish, and I had the opportunity to visit Colombia for vacation. As soon as I was there, I knew I had to return. It is a very special country that has been plagued with a history of violence, but that history is in the past, and currently the people and place are thriving. I feel so fortunate that I took a chance on an unknown place, and that place is now my second home.</p>
<h3>How did you find out about WorldTeach and what attracted you to their programs?</h3>
<p class="p2">I spent a solid two years researching opportunities and jobs abroad. I wanted to find a job on my own, but again I knew with my lack of experience I wouldn&rsquo;t be hired. So after two years of online research, reading reviews, watching webinars, and speaking with alumni, I had confidence that WorldTeach was the best option. This was because the organization seemed focused on academic success, since they were connected to Harvard University, and because of the support I would receive in-country (housing, visa, monthly stipend, training).</p><div class="awesome-image right-aligned" style="width: 300px;"><img style="" src="http://cdn3.goabroad.com/images/interviews/alumniinterviewphoto2-walis-1430210970.jpg" alt="







Teaching in Colombia"><div class="caption"><p>Brooke&rsquo;s co-teacher snapped this shot, posted it online saying &ldquo;thank you for your help&rdquo; - little did her co-teacher know how much she and this student were helping Brooke</p></div></div>
<h3>What was a typical day like as a volunteer with WorldTeach?</h3>
<p class="p2">I woke up at 4:30 a.m., way before the donkey next door started howling. Some schools in Columbia provide school buses for teachers and administrators, so it picked me up quite early. Once at school, it was a mix of <i>tinto</i> (coffee), <i>onces</i> (snacks), lunch, and of course class. But there&rsquo;s always time for food and break in Colombia.</p>
<p class="p2">I was a co-teacher, working alongside local Colombian English teachers in their middle and high school classes. I also conducted weekly one-on-one sessions with each of my English teachers to help them improve their own language skills. When we weren&rsquo;t in class, we would plan lessons together, or just discuss the beautiful complexities of both the English and Spanish languages. They were some of my favorite conversations ever, seriously.</p>
<p class="p2">After school I would spend time with my host family, head into Bogota to wander the city, see other volunteers, hang out with my Colombian co-teachers who became my second family, or do language exchanges with administrators in my school to help them with their English, and they helped me with my Spanish. It was a beautiful, simple life!</p>
<h3>Your volunteer work was focused on teacher training, how did your background help you improve the teaching skills of Colombians and work with them successfully?</h3>
<p class="p5">I had no professional teacher training, education, or certification. That&rsquo;s why I was &ldquo;volunteering.&rdquo; However, I had been a teacher&rsquo;s assistant throughout school, and in a previous job I was in charge of job-skill training for new hires in my department. That was a very corporate setting, however I learned two major skills: patience and how to communicate difficult concepts into easier language for students; and it served me well in Colombia.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>You organized a large event while volunteering abroad, tell us about it.</h3>
<p class="p5">English Day! The English department hosted a day-long English celebration; we were in charge of creating events, activities, and performances, all conducted in English, for the entire school of 900 students and 60 teachers. It was exhausting and amazing. There was a lot of practice and planning involved, on the part of the teachers as well as students. We were holding a dance and singing competition, and two fourth graders came to practice their song with me weekly before the event. It was Adele, of course. These girls sang that song in English better than I ever could, and their pronunciation improved drastically over the course of our practicing. Whenever I hear that song my heart is heavy.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>What was your most memorable moment from your time in Colombia?</h3>
<p class="p5">The pronunciation of simple past tense verbs ending in &ldquo;ED&rdquo;, like &ldquo;invited,&rdquo; &ldquo;tried,&rdquo; &ldquo;confirmed,&rdquo; is very difficult for English language learners, including my teachers. It was painful to hear the teachers make mistakes with this pronunciation, because of course the students would pick it up. We practiced every day, individually, in the cafeteria, hanging out in Bogota, anywhere! I never held back from correcting them. They loved me and hated me for it. Finally, we had a group &ldquo;quiz&rdquo; of sorts during a department meeting and everyone did so well, and we were all smiles. It was an amazing feeling that I&rsquo;ll never forget. &nbsp;</p><div class="awesome-image centered" style=""><img style="" src="http://cdn2.goabroad.com/images/interviews/alumniinterviewphoto3-walis-1430210998.jpg" alt="







International teacher with male Colombian students"><div class="caption"><p>With my sixth grade boys/angels/devils</p></div></div>
<h3>What advice would you give to others who are interested in volunteering in Colombia?</h3>
<p class="p5">Do it! All the fear you have right now will disappear the moment you&rsquo;re on the plane. You&rsquo;ll never be the same, but you&rsquo;ll be better.</p>
<h3>How has your experience volunteering abroad impacted your life?</h3>
<p class="p5">The question is, how hasn&rsquo;t volunteering abroad impacted my life? I now have a second home, a second family, a second dog, and <i>abuela</i> (grandmother) even! I now think and dream in a second language, and define my personal and professional lives and successes differently. Never did I imagine it to impact me so personally and deeply, but that&rsquo;s what these communities do, they get to you. They welcome you in and you&rsquo;ll never be the same. If I had taken a fancy expat position at an international school, I never would have received that welcome, nor would I have been as needed.</p>
<blockquote>The success I felt in the school, the relationships I built there, and the host family that welcomed me into their home, are all reasons why I now consider Colombia to be my home.</blockquote>
<p class="p5">On a professional level, I gained many skills in Colombia that have transferred home with me: Spanish fluency, intercultural communication skills, ability to work in an under-resourced environment, classroom management skills, flexibility, and the attitude that if I can teach in a foreign country, I can do anything!&nbsp;</p>


Brooke Walis

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Brooke Walis who participated in WorldTeach program.

Brooke Walis | WorldTeach Alumni Interview

Brooke Walis - 2013 Program Participant

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