Teaching English Volunteer Project Costa Rica - San Jose

I feel much more confident than before. I think now I can get used to anything and start anything new that would have scared me in my past. Stepping out from your comfort zone, overcoming fears and challenges that are involved with the country specific situations helps you put things in perspective. I am more open to new things than before and now I am 100 % sure that I won't be able to stop volunteering.

My advise is to start a program like this with a really open mind, disregarding all the concepts that you bring from home because this will be really different. Try to find out as much about the new circumstances and local culture and people as possible because this way you can also get to know yourself better. We all come from different cultures and backgrounds and it is almost sure there will be challenging moments but without these you really cannot become a better version of yourself. It is worth going through all this because when you look back, you realize only then what a great impact it had/has on your life.

Apart from the special memories and connections that you will have, the experience may change you and your perspectives. If you are in a phase in your life when you need a change, grab this opportunity because it will provide you ideas that you would normally never think of. It cannot be compared to an average holiday, because here you get way much closer to a local culture and to yourself than in any other form of travelling.

I gained a level of appreciation for the blessings in my own life, and how those from cultures and lifestyles very unlike mine appreciate what they have. The kids I was able to meet and teach have left an impact on me that I will never forget, and hope to be with them again next summer.

For someone who is hesitant, I would re-affirm that it is okay to be a little more nervous than excited & be very on the fence about the whole situation in general, but within days if not hours, you'll feel right at home with a new community and project because the team is so helpful in getting you accommodated & your role in your project makes your forget and leave behind all your worries.

I gained a lot of resources. I loved my experience and I’m in the process of trying to come back and volunteer for a year.

I truly believe that everyone should go on a trip through IVHQ, whether it is a week or a year, you will come back from it a better person. I have gained more knowledge in the 6 days I was in San Jose than I have all year at school. There are lessons that I learned that cannot be taught in a classroom, or on google, or reading a book. There is just something so different and astonishing about immersing yourself in a completely different culture than you are used to.

I took a leap of faith and truly did not know what I was about to embark on, but after adjusting and getting used to everything there, I was in heaven and wish with all my life I could have stayed longer. There is an adjustment period of about a day or two to get used to the life there but after that, I was living my best life and have never felt so content before. There is something so special about putting yourself out there and getting to know people from all around the world, being in a country that speaks a different language, all while making an impact on the lives of others who so desperately need the love and support from us.

I will never stop talking about this experience and pushing others to do it because I have such a greater appreciation for life itself. A piece of my heart is left with the kids I was lucky enough to teach, the family that I had the honor of staying with and getting to know, and all the beautiful humans I met from across the world, all while being immersed in a culture of truly living life to the fullest.

The experience gained from my IVHQ volunteer program gave me wonderful memories, cultural experiences, and growth during my stay. The cultural immersion, especially with the local team and host family truly allowed the growth that I was seeking, which I do not think I could have obtained in this magnitude from another method.

I thoroughly enjoyed being immersed into the Costa Rican culture. I loved writing in my journal every morning and capturing highlights every day. I could reflect on something special and rewarding. I enjoyed teaching, and the many excursions I was able to experience only added to an overall wonderful volunteer experience. Probably my last day of teaching was my favorite experience when so many children came up and gave me “leg hugs” and just the look in their eyes was really special.

If you're still hesitating about volunteering abroad, just do it! It’s wonderful! Go in with an open mind, and lots of flexibility. Remain positive throughout whatever is thrown at you and you will cherish the experience and memories forever.