I realized how many people there are in this big world with whom you can get on so well despite speaking a different language and coming from a different country. Not only did I have a great time with my French colleague Mae, but I also made a great friend.
From October to November 2024, Melanie spent her time as a volunteer in Mexico and Colombia. In Tulum, Mexico, she worked at reception in the hostel and enjoyed her free time on the beach, doing yoga and exploring the cenotes. She was particularly impressed by the "Día de los Muertos" celebrations.
In November, she continued her journey in Santa Marta, Colombia, where she worked in the bar of a hostel. She spent a lot of time with her colleague Juanito, got to know the Colombian culture and enjoyed her free time in the mountains and on the beach. Melanie made valuable friendships, found new perspectives and experienced a time of personal development.
My journey began in Mexico, in Tulum, where I first wanted to get to know the Spanish language. Mexico had always inspired me with its beautiful nature and the vibrant colors of Tulum. Although I had concerns about the security situation, positive experience reports and the support of WanderWorld helped me overcome all my fears. Once I arrived in Tulum, I quickly realized that these worries were completely unfounded.
After Mexico, I was drawn to Colombia. I was looking for a place that was even closer to nature and the mountains. Santa Marta, surrounded by lush mountains and the sea, seemed to be the perfect place. Here, too, I felt very well supported by the WanderWorld organization.
My four-week volunteer work at the hostel in Tulum was an incredible experience. As part of the reception team, I was responsible for checking guests in and out, checking rooms and helping with any problems. It was a harmonious and friendly collaboration with my colleagues and I had the opportunity to meet many new people.
After my stay in Mexico, I moved on to Colombia to take on a new challenge. In Santa Marta, I didn't work at reception, but in the hostel bar. My colleague Juanito gave me a warm welcome, showed me how to mix cocktails and taught me important Spanish vocabulary. In Santa Marta, the flexible working hours meant that I had a lot of free time four evenings a week, which I spent in nature or exploring the surrounding area.
Tulum not only offered me the opportunity to work, but also numerous opportunities to relax. I especially loved going to the beach, either alone or with friends. I regularly attended yoga classes on the beach, and the sunrise classes were some of my favorite experiences. I was also impressed by the many cenotes in the area, which enchanted me with their natural beauty.
During my free time, I also explored the local gastronomy. As a matcha lover, I visited almost every café in the city to relax and keep my travel diary. In the evenings, I went out with friends, partied or relaxed in the hostel pool. There were often themed evenings such as karaoke, cocktail classes or tacos all you can eat. But there were also evenings when I just wanted to be by myself and enjoyed the time listening to the sound of the sea at sunset.
In Colombia, I deliberately took more time for myself. I often traveled alone, either to the mountains in Minka or to the beach. I could really relax in this quieter environment. But when I wasn't traveling alone, I spent a lot of time with Juanito. We regularly enjoyed the sunset together in the evenings and ate delicious arepas. Judi, my boss, also showed me some hidden viewpoints that only locals know about and taught me how to cook traditional Colombian dishes. These moments of relaxation and discovery were some of my favorite memories.
A special cultural experience in Mexico was the "Día de los Muertos" at the end of October. I had the opportunity to experience the festivities and attend the celebrations. It was incredible to experience this important holiday in Mexico first-hand. Even though I couldn't really speak Spanish at the beginning, I quickly found it easier to learn the language thanks to the open and helpful people in Tulum.
In terms of Colombian culture, I can say that Colombians are incredibly warm and welcoming. I learned a lot from Juanito and his family in particular. His mother regularly invited me to her home so that I could get to know the life of a typical Colombian family. Another cultural highlight was the food in Santa Marta. Although the cuisine is quite simple, the empanadas, arepas and coconut rice taste incredible. I will always remember one mother of four in particular who made the best empanadas in town.
In Mexico, at the hostel itself, I had a very close relationship with my French colleague. I took Mae so close to my heart. We philosophized about an incredible number of topics, laughed until we were in tears, danced until the early hours of the morning and consoled each other when the day didn't go so well. I realized how many people there are in this big world with whom you can get on so well despite speaking a different language and coming from a different country. Not only did I have a great time with her, but I also made a great friend. I hope I can see her again very soon. Until then, we'll both be wearing an ankle bracelet to remind us of the wonderful time we had. The second best experience in Tulum was the Mexican cuisine. I love tacos & burritos and much more. I have never eaten as well in any other country as I did in Mexico. The fruit tastes much more intense and everything is fresh. I will really miss the dishes. I'm sure that in my work as an educator in a children's home I will definitely be cooking Mexican dishes with my residents and I hope they love them as much as I do.
In Colombia, I went on a 4-day hiking tour to the "Lost City" in Santa Marta. My boss Judi gave me an extra day off for this and added it to the next week. I hiked with a group for 4 days through the jungle in Colombia to see the "Lost City". I still don't know how to describe the feeling. Spending 4 days without cell phone reception, sleeping in the open air and experiencing the lives of the people there first-hand was an incredibly amazing adventure. Standing in front of the "Lost City" at the end felt very powerful and I was proud of myself for what I had achieved in the last few days.
In Mexico, I was initially accommodated in a dorm in a hostel. It was an unusual experience to have little privacy and to share the bathroom with other guests, but I quickly got used to it. It was particularly pleasant that the guests changed after a few days, so I was always able to meet new people from all over the world.
In Colombia, I was given a private double room at the beginning, which I really enjoyed. But after the second week, I switched to an 8-person dorm, which I didn't have any problems with at all. I was already used to it from Mexico and was looking forward to making new friends here too.
These trips have changed me in many ways. In Colombia, I was finally able to relax from my stressful everyday life at home. I had a lot of time to write in my travel diary and come to terms with myself. I realized how important it is to say "no" sometimes in life and take time for yourself. I learned not only to put my energy into my work, but also to make space for my private life. In particular, the openness and hospitality of the people in both countries have shown me how valuable it is to embrace new cultures and experiences.
I can only recommend volunteering to anyone who has the opportunity. You not only gain valuable experience about the country and the people, but also about yourself. You learn to appreciate yourself more and gain a deeper connection to your own way of life. If you have the chance to experience this kind of voluntary service, you should definitely take it - it is a life-changing experience.
Founder of Wanderworld Travel
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