If you have any doubts: do it all the more!
The trip to Colombia was a life-changing adventure for Laura. After intensive preparation, she fulfilled her dream of living abroad in Latin America. In Cartagena, Santa Marta, Taganga and Minca, she not only got to know the colorful culture, the warm people and the impressive nature of Colombia, but also learned a lot about herself. Through her volunteer work with our diving school project, she was able to contribute her creativity, meet inspiring people and develop personal strength. Despite minor challenges, the joy of discovering, learning and growing prevailed - an experience that she recommends to anyone thinking of spending a year abroad in Latin America.
Latin America has always attracted me and I had the idea of traveling for a few months in the back of my mind. About 8 months before the trip, I decided to do it and 6 months before it was clear: I'm doing it now!
These 6 months were turbulent: in addition to preparing for the trip, I had to finish my Master's degree, move out of my hall of residence, rent storage, etc. It was exhausting but also exciting. It was exhausting, but also exciting and the nice thing was that on the one hand you see how much you can manage on your own and on the other hand that I have great friends that I can count on and that I'm not really alone.
I often asked myself whether I would manage to do everything I needed beforehand, the time pressure was there. Whether I might fail because I wouldn't get my travel vaccinations in time, for example. Whether something would go wrong with my studies. But everything worked out in the end!
WanderWorld was there for me a lot, be it because of my uncertainties or because of specific questions of understanding. They were also always empathetic and understanding and always encouraged me when things looked bleak.
My first few days were wonderful. All the stress fell away from me as I sat on the plane from Bogota to Cartagena and the energy and joy of the adventure took over. The hostel was lovely and the great thing about backpacking is that you get to know nice, open and inspiring people. Although a few negative impressions were confirmed (catcalling and being wary of crime), you can quickly find a good way of dealing with them and the positive impressions have remained.
On the introductory day, we had a great tour of Cartagena and were treated to delicious food - I really fell in love with Colombian cuisine! The first evening of volunteering was also amazing - there happened to be a barbecue and I was warmly invited and quickly became part of the Ocean Lovers family. The other volunteers were also incredibly inspiring and impressive personalities.
After two or three days I settled in, very quickly by my standards.
I was allowed to take on administrative tasks and maintain the diving equipment, and later social media content and social activities were added, which was a lot of fun. I was able to use my creativity and moderation skills to the full. My colleagues at work were incredibly kind, always made me feel at ease and gave me free rein to develop my full potential.
Lisi is the best boss I've ever had - she was patient, even when it was stressful, formulated work assignments crystal clear and saw my strengths and assigned me tasks that I was better at. You often have to ask your boss for something - the fact that Lisi did this of her own accord was simply great. I really appreciate her and can absolutely recommend working with and for her.
I spent a lot of time with hotel guests, work colleagues and of course with myself, it was a wonderful balance.
Santa Marta, the nature and bars of Taganga and Minca were super beautiful. I can especially recommend the Sunset Mirador Walk in Taganga because of the wonderful colors and the view. In Minca, the contrast was breathtaking: first the hot, colorful, noisy Caribbean coast with cacti - and 40 minutes later you were in the quiet jungle surrounded by butterflies and hummingbirds in the cool waterfall.
The people in Colombia are warm, cheerful, helpful and generous - I loved that! I quickly felt welcome. I was pleasantly surprised that this cliché about Latin America is true and my time there taught me that I would like to be more generous myself.
My best moment was when I was having a coffee on a hill in Minca and saw a toucan-like bird. I don't know if it really was one, but I felt like I was in paradise and realized how wonderful life is and that all the work beforehand was more than worth it.
Jardín and Minca were definitely my favorite places. The landscapes, the tranquillity, the architecture and being in harmony with my needs and with myself. It was an experience that I had never had before! Both the nature was different from home, but also the architecture - Germany is beautiful, but the efficient house colors (white, beige, gray, light blue) don't attract me. The colorful things in Colombia and the tropical plants were exactly my thing.
I felt incredibly comfortable in the hostel (especially as my last room in the student residence was not ideal). We stayed with the guests in a well-equipped, bright, friendly hostel room. Despite the lack of privacy, it was great, especially as the rooftop and the courtyard were also very nicely designed.
Latin America is different and I mean that in a positive way, so I recommend it. If you have any doubts: do it all the more!
WanderWorld is wonderful if you've never been backpacking before and don't really know "where to start". You get valuable tips and support that I wouldn't want to miss.
The special thing about my stay was really realizing that I was on a different continent, somewhere completely different. The landscape, the living, the food, everything was different. Latin America is cheerful, intense and colorful - so are the people, the lifestyle, the whole of life in Latin America.
Which country in Latin America do I still want to see? All of them!
I had to find a way of dealing with the catcalling, as I often felt stressed. It was also important to be home before dark. You have to get used to it, but it works. Many people are very afraid of Latin America and crime. But as long as you stick to the rules (always keep an eye on your bag, don't go out after dark in some places, take an Uber in the evening, only party in groups you trust), everything works, so don't be discouraged!
My horizons have broadened in that I have been able to get to know so many different ways of life that I have found inspiring. I want to use my money even more consciously to make my life more beautiful and to be more generous towards others.
Traveling alone has shaped me and I have become more independent, more relaxed, even more flexible and kinder to myself when I make mistakes. I know even more precisely what I want and I stand by it. I am very proud of all of this.
Interests that you should have in this project in particular: The sea and nature, adventures and group activities.
Friendliness, enthusiasm and an awareness of nature and environmental protection are definitely an advantage, as volunteering is very much about these topics. And you shouldn't be too introverted - Colombians are very social and love group activities!
Founder of Wanderworld Travel
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