I would recommend a stay abroad in Latin America to anyone, because it broadens your horizons, gives you new perspectives on life and allows you to improve valuable skills such as Spanish. My tip for future participants: plan enough travel time, stay flexible and enjoy the moments consciously.
Tropical beaches, lively cities and impressive nature. This trip through Colombia and South America definitely left a lasting impression! For Luca, the stay abroad was not only an opportunity to improve his Spanish and gain valuable practical experience in the project, but also a journey full of personal development, new friendships and unforgettable moments. From the first few days in Cartagena to everyday working life at the diving school and adventures in Tayrona National Park and the desert of La Guajira, his experience report gives you an honest insight into life as a volunteer in Latin America and shows why this region captivates so many travelers.
I thought about exactly where I wanted to go early on and compared various countries in South America. I booked my flight about five months in advance, but I would recommend a one-way ticket because travel plans usually change.
I was particularly interested in improving my Spanish and getting to know a completely different side of the world and it really is completely different. I was excited before the trip, but the anticipation was greater. WanderWorld was particularly helpful in my preparations, as you always have a fixed contact person and receive helpful tips.
After arriving in Cartagena, I was picked up directly by José. He was totally relaxed and nice, so my excitement quickly disappeared. My first impression of the country was overwhelming, because you can't compare it to Europe at all - everything seems livelier, more colorful and somehow more intense.
In Cartagena, I then met Kevin, another volunteer from Santa Marta. We spent the first few days together, which of course made the start much easier. The introductory day was very relaxed overall. Jan showed us around the city a bit and gave us some helpful tips for the rest of the trip.
When I finally arrived at the diving school in Taganga, I was a bit nervous again. But everyone there was super friendly and we got on really well straight away. As a result, I settled in pretty quickly.
My daily routine at the diving school was actually really cool. On normal working days, I got up at around eight o'clock, got ready and went straight to the diving school. There, I mainly took over the social media area, created content and took care of the online presence. I really enjoyed it because I was able to work creatively.
But the absolute highlight was of course the diving. On diving days, we went to the boat at eight or nine o'clock and were on the water until around 1 pm. Then I had a short break before I went back to work at the diving school at 4 pm.
In the evenings, I often did things with my colleagues or played in the soccer team in the village. As a result, I quickly became part of the community and really settled in.
In my free time, I traveled around a lot and explored the surrounding area. I particularly liked the fact that I could get to lots of great places quickly from my place of assignment. I spent three days in Minca and three days in Tayrona National Park - both really beautiful places that I can only recommend to anyone.
In Minca, I really enjoyed the nature, waterfalls and tranquillity in the mountains. Tayrona National Park, on the other hand, was a real highlight with beautiful beaches and jungle right by the sea - this combination was simply impressive. I mostly spent my free time with other volunteers or colleagues, which made the excursions even more special.
For the first time, I experienced the nature of Latin America so intensively on this trip - with a tropical climate, exotic animals and completely new landscapes. It felt like a little adventure every time.
I can really recommend anyone to travel to Colombia or South America in general, because the people there are simply very different. I felt incredibly welcome right from the start. The openness and warmth made it easy for me to make friends quickly.
I was particularly fascinated by how relaxed the people there are about life. Many don't take things so seriously and enjoy the moment much more - we Germans can definitely take a leaf out of their book. This serenity impressed me and also made me feel calmer myself.
I often went out with my work colleagues or with travelers I met in Minca, Tayrona National Park or Taganga - including to parties. I experienced the culture even more intensely: music, dance and this strong sense of community. I learned from the local people to take a more relaxed view of life and to live more in the here and now.
One of my favorite moments was the sunset in the desert of La Guajira. I went on a three-day jeep tour there with a friend, and this one evening in particular has stayed in my memory. Standing in the middle of the desert, seeing the vastness around you and watching the sun slowly sink into the sea was simply breathtaking.
At that moment, I felt incredibly free and grateful. It was one of those moments when you realize how special this trip actually is. That's exactly why I can recommend everyone to plan enough travel time after the project. I was on the road for another month and a half in total - and in hindsight, I could easily have spent twice as long.
I was able to add value to the project on site, particularly through my work in the diving school and in the social media area. My tasks were important because they supported the organization and visibility of the project and at the same time took the pressure off the diving operations.
I was also able to inspire the people around me by being open and grateful to new situations. I also showed others how to get a diving license through motivation and commitment - something that was a new experience and inspiration for many. They were able to learn from me how to embrace new things and actively take advantage of opportunities.
I was particularly fascinated by La Guajira with its combination of endless desert and turquoise blue sea. As already mentioned, I went on a jeep tour there for several days and experienced a breathtaking sunset - a moment full of freedom and gratitude. Compared to my home country, this place seems raw, pristine and completely different, which is what made it so special for me.
I was also very impressed by the cities of Medellín and Rio de Janeiro. Medellín captivates with its transformation, creative atmosphere and surrounding mountains, while Rio is simply unforgettable with its unique mix of beach, mountains and vibrant city life. Both cities are bigger, livelier and more emotional than anything I know from Europe, and everyone should experience them at least once.
During my time there, I slept in a dormitory with eight beds, but it was almost never fully occupied, so it remained pleasantly quiet. The house itself was very clean and well-kept, which gave me a good feeling, even though I hardly spent any time there.
I only lived with others sporadically, as most of the volunteers had different work or diving schedules. The community atmosphere was particularly different from home: you share rooms with lots of people, constantly get to know new people and have much less privacy - but you also experience much more interaction and closeness. Overall, I felt comfortable in the accommodation because it was practical and provided a good base for exploring the surrounding area.
I love Latin America because the people are so open and welcoming, nature is incredibly diverse and life is much more relaxed. A stay there is special because you can gain so many new experiences in a short space of time - from breathtaking landscapes to exciting cities and unforgettable encounters with locals and other travelers.
I would recommend a stay abroad in Latin America to anyone, because it broadens your horizons, gives you new perspectives on life and allows you to improve valuable skills such as Spanish. My tip for future participants: plan enough travel time, stay flexible and enjoy the moments consciously. I can definitely recommend WanderWorld, as you always have a fixed contact person and the support with planning and organization is very helpful.
I actually almost always felt comfortable on site and was only alone when I wanted to be. Most of the time I shared my experiences with other volunteers or colleagues, which made everyday life very pleasant.
It was particularly important to be open to people, remain flexible and experience the culture with respect. My tip for future participants: enjoy the community, use the time to try out new things and don't be afraid to do things on your own if you want to.
The trip has definitely changed me and broadened my horizons. I have become more grateful and have learned how much we have in Europe, especially in Germany - and that you can often be happy with small things. At the same time, I learned a lot about other ways of life and developed a more relaxed and open view of life.
I am particularly proud of the fact that I was able to significantly improve my Spanish and find my way around a foreign environment independently. Overall, the trip encouraged me to seek out new experiences, step out of my comfort zone and consciously discover the world.
In any case, you should be open-minded and keen to try out new things. Curiosity, flexibility and the willingness to step out of your comfort zone are very important because you are constantly experiencing new people, cultures and situations.
Personally, I was able to learn to adapt quickly to different people, be more independent and take a more relaxed view of life. I also learned a lot about Latin American culture and language - experiences that really help you move forward.
Founder of Wanderworld Travel
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