For a stay abroad like this, it is helpful to be open to other cultures and to be interested in meeting new people. You should also enjoy discovering new places, trying different food and perhaps also working with children and helping them. A bit of a sense of adventure is also part of it, because many things are different from home and you have to get involved in new situations.
Tropical beaches, colorful cities and moving encounters: this trip through Colombia was far more than just a stay abroad for her. Irini had long dreamed of experiencing Latin America for herself, improving her Spanish and immersing herself in a new culture. What awaited her there were not only new places and adventures, but above all personal growth, inspiring encounters and unforgettable moments.
Her experience report gives an honest insight into life as a volunteer in Latin America, with all its challenges, special moments and valuable lessons. A journey that broadened her horizons and left a lasting impression on her.
I was already studying Spanish at school and learned a lot about Latin America. This gave me the desire to get to know the region myself, improve my Spanish and experience the local culture.
I booked the trip about six months in advance. Initially, I only planned the first three months and organized the rest spontaneously on site. During the preparation time, I watched videos about Colombia and read a bit in the travel guide to get myself in the right mood for the country.
Before I left, I was excited and also a little nervous about going to South America as a solo female traveler. At the same time, I was really looking forward to new experiences and to missing the winter in Berlin.
I was very well prepared by WanderWorld. I received helpful information about the packing list, country and vaccinations as well as a detailed video call with all the important information and local contacts. If I had any questions, I could get in touch at any time, which gave me a lot of reassurance.
Arriving in Cartagena was very exciting. It was much warmer than at home and I was full of anticipation to finally have arrived and start the journey. My first impression of the country was very positive, everything seemed colorful, lively and very different from what I was used to.
On the introductory day, I received a lot of information about the city and the center and was able to clarify open questions. That gave me a good initial overview. The first few days in the project were intense, as I worked with children on a very poor island. The living conditions there were new to me and gave me food for thought.
I got to know other volunteers directly. There were eight of us from Denmark, Colombia and the Netherlands. It took me about two weeks to really settle in, but after that I was familiar with the procedures and had found my routine.
In the first project, Youth Development Tierra Bomba, I worked as an English teacher, provided support in the area of sustainable arts and also helped with surfing. The working day usually lasted either from 9 am to 11 am or in the afternoon. In the free time, you could go to the beach, play soccer or spend time with the other volunteers and the children.
I particularly enjoyed the joint activities, such as cooking with the other volunteers or surfing with the children. I also really enjoyed the weekends in Cartagena and they were a nice balance to the daily project routine.
The cooperation with the employees in the project was very good. Everyone was friendly, helpful and there was an open, positive atmosphere.
In the second project, in a hostel in Santa Marta, I worked at the bar, usually from 6 pm to midnight. The work was very relaxed as I had the whole day off and could explore the city or go swimming. Here, too, the cooperation with the other volunteers was very good and the manager was very nice and supportive.
I spent a lot of time with the other volunteers. On the island, we often went to the beach together, played cards with the children or played on the soccer pitch. At the weekend, we always went to Cartagena to explore the city, party and just have a change of scenery.
One special trip was a trip to the Islas del Rosario when I was in Cartagena. We took part in a cleanup there, collected garbage, looked at corals and planted mangroves.
I also traveled to Medellín for a week with the other volunteers. I particularly liked the city because it is very big and lively, with lots of people and lots of music. Visiting a social project in a favela was also particularly exciting.
For the second project, I was in the region around Santa Marta. We went to Tayrona National Park and Taganga, where there are many beautiful beaches. But I particularly liked Minca because it's very quiet and relaxed there, with lots of nature, coffee fincas and beautiful sunsets.
I was particularly impressed by the openness and warmth of the local people. The children often shared things with us, even though they had very little themselves. I was very moved by this generosity.
I always felt welcome.
I was particularly surprised by how relaxed and easy-going many people are there. Life is slower, many things are viewed more relaxed and music and dancing are a natural part of everyday life.
I was able to learn a lot from the local people, for example to be more grateful, to live more in the moment, to help others and generally to go through life in a more relaxed way.
One moment that I particularly remember was our farewell evening together on Tierra Bomba. We ate together with all the volunteers, the manager and the children from the island, had a barbecue and watched a movie. Each of us was allowed to invite a child so that we could really spend the evening together.
Because many of the children there often only get one meal a day, it was very special to eat, play and simply spend time together. The atmosphere was very warm and everyone really appreciated this moment. For me, it was a very emotional and beautiful conclusion.
In my project, I was able to contribute my time, energy and support, especially when working with the children. Through lessons, joint activities and surfing, we were able to give them attention and provide them with new experiences.
My work was particularly important in the first project on Tierra Bomba because the living conditions there are very difficult. There is often little water, a lot of garbage on the island and educational opportunities are limited. Many children spend a lot of time on the streets and often lack prospects. Any support in the education and leisure sector is therefore very valuable.
At the same time, I learned a lot myself and gained new experiences, for example by working in the project and later in the hostel. I got to know a lot of people and improved my Spanish.
During my trip, I often talked about the projects and told others about them. As a result, I was able to inspire some people to also look into topics such as volunteering. Many were surprised that you can not only travel, but also stay in one place for several months and get involved. This creates stronger connections with the people and the place.
I was able to experience a lot in Cartagena. The city is very lively, there are lots of people on the streets, lots of music, a good atmosphere and plenty of opportunities to dance and party. There are also beautiful beaches, lots of tropical fruit and the nearby island of Tierra Bomba, where I also spent a lot of time.
What made this place special for me was that it is so different from my home. Everything seems very colorful, warm and relaxed, and life takes place outside a lot.
I rarely felt stressed because the people there are generally very relaxed and have a more laid-back attitude.
Compared to my home country, there is less strictness in everyday life and many things are taken more spontaneously. Punctuality is often not so important and music is part of it almost everywhere.
In the first project, I had my own room. Considering the conditions on the island, that was really a great privilege because the island as a whole is very poor. I even had my own shower, which is not a given there. There was also a communal cooking area and a play area for the children.
In the second project, I lived together with the other volunteers. It was more like a hostel, with one bed in a room with several people. We also had a pool and a small bar. I felt comfortable in both accommodations. In the first project, there were sometimes a lot of animals or cockroaches due to the warm climate, which was a bit unusual at first, but you get used to it. I lived with other volunteers from different countries, including Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands and France. This made the atmosphere very international. The main difference compared to home was that you had to organize a lot of things yourself, such as cooking, doing the laundry and planning your daily routine. The accommodation was generally simpler than at home. In the first project, there was sometimes no water and many things were very open, such as the kitchen. In the second project, you had less privacy due to the shared rooms. Nevertheless, you quickly got used to it and it was part of the experience.
I would definitely recommend a stay abroad in Latin America because you get to know a completely new continent, a new language and a completely different culture than in Europe. The experiences there help you to grow beyond yourself and see the world from a different perspective. The region is also very diverse and there is an incredible amount to discover.
Above all, I would say to future participants: just do it. These are special experiences that you won't forget in a hurry, especially if you work with children. I would recommend staying in one place for at least one to two months so that you really get to know the place, take more from the project and build a connection with the people. At the same time, it's worth using the time to travel and discover different places.
A personal tip from me is definitely to travel to Colombia. The country has an incredible amount to offer, from culture and nature to very open and warm people.
I can also recommend WanderWorld. The organization was very well structured and you could ask questions at any time. This is very helpful, especially for the first big trip, and also for the family at home, because you know that everything is well prepared. When you have more experience later on, you can of course organize more yourself, but the support was very valuable for the start.
I felt very comfortable on site, almost like being part of a small family. I was with lots of people my own age and the project manager was also very nice and helpful. This quickly created a good community.
On the island, we mostly went out together because you shouldn't go out alone in the evening. In Cartagena, we also did a lot of things as a group. In Santa Marta, I sometimes went out alone, but we usually went on excursions to Minca, Tayrona or Taganga together.
In everyday life, I made sure not to go out alone at night and not to leave any valuables on display. You should also be a bit careful with food at the beginning.
My tip for future participants is to give yourself time to arrive at the beginning, take care of your things and, above all, stay relaxed, as a lot of things happen a little slower on site than you might be used to.
During my time in Latin America, I was able to broaden my horizons in many ways. I worked with children for a longer period of time for the first time and realized how much I enjoyed it. Later, I also worked as a bartender in a hostel and learned new skills. At the same time, I got to know a new culture, with new habits, different food, new music and, of course, a new language. I also developed a new outlook on life. Today I try to deal with things in a more relaxed way, not to get upset immediately and to take more time. The many moments with the children were particularly formative for me. Every day was different and there were always new situations to learn from. All in all, I developed as a result of the many new experiences I gained. Of course you also make mistakes, but that's exactly what you learn from. Just going to Colombia for such a long time was a big step for me, and over time a lot of things came naturally. I am also particularly proud of the fact that I had the courage to travel to Colombia alone, without knowing exactly what to expect and whether I would like it.
My stay in Latin America was special because I was able to see many different places and meet lots of new people. I improved my Spanish, worked with children, helped them in the project and learned new things at the same time, such as surfing.
The continent differs in many ways from what I knew before. The mentality of the people in particular is very relaxed and open. Music is part of everyday life almost everywhere and many things are viewed less strictly and formally. At the same time, the landscape is also very diverse, with beaches, mountains, cities and lots of nature. There is also a lively culture with many festivals, good coffee and a very colorful atmosphere.
In three words, I would describe Latin America as dancing, diverse and lively. Dancing because music styles such as reggaeton, salsa and cumbia are everywhere and there is a lot of partying, especially in cities like Cartagena. Diverse, because there are so many different landscapes and opportunities. Lively, because I gathered an incredible number of impressions, experienced many funny moments and it was also a special experience to travel alone.
Founder of Wanderworld Travel
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