Don't be afraid to try something new, because in the end, we regret the things we didn't do.
For Leni, her trip to Costa Rica was a dream come true: After finishing school, she wanted to explore the world, learn Spanish, and do something meaningful at the same time. While volunteering to protect sea turtles, she lived right on the beach, helped conserve sea turtles, and experienced unforgettable moments watching the baby turtles being released into the ocean. In her experience report, Leni talks about her daily life at the project, living with other volunteers, and how her time in Costa Rica made her braver, more independent, and more open-minded.
I made the decision to spend a year abroad quite early on. During my senior year of high school, I started thinking more seriously about where I wanted to go. A friend of mine had spent half a year in Costa Rica at the time and told me all about the wonderful time she had there. I also really wanted to learn to speak Spanish.
That's why I decided on South America as my travel destination. By chance, I then came across the turtle project in Costa Rica.
The project description won me over right away, and that's when I started making my travel plans.
WanderWorld Travel provided me with a lot of informational material, as well as a packing list, which made preparing for my trip easier than I expected.
In San José, Helena welcomed us and showed us around the city. She was a great example of the friendly and cheerful nature of Latin American women.
We got an overview of the country's history and culture, which provided a good foundation for getting started on my project. In addition, the orientation days gave me the opportunity to make some initial contacts.
The best days started with the volunteer coordinator making pancakes for everyone for breakfast. After that, we usually all went to the beach and swam in the ocean. The daily activities for the project often varied: beach cleanups, surfing, expanding the station, changing the sand, or—best of all—releasing baby turtles! At night, we took turns watching over the nests and, when necessary, released baby turtles or discovered new nests.
I spent most of my free time at the beach. We went swimming a lot, or
You can also go surfing. There are many cafes and restaurants nearby, and a few beautiful waterfalls are within walking distance (about 30 minutes). Other activities, such as a trip to „Tortuga Island“ to see bioluminescence or a cable car ride through the jungle, are also possible.
If I had to describe Latin American culture in one word, it would be „cheerful.“ No matter how much people have, they’re almost always in a good mood. People dance and play music everywhere. They’re very open and helpful, and the food there is also very delicious.
My favorite moments were watching the baby turtles being released. Watching the little sea turtles waddle into the ocean was one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen. The feeling of contributing to animal and environmental conservation—or even holding a baby turtle in my hand—gave me an added sense of fulfillment.
My favorite place was definitely the beach. Especially at sunrise, the ocean and the white sand were simply breathtaking.
I was staying in a house in Montezuma with the other volunteers and the volunteer coordinator
The volunteers were housed in shared rooms (boys and girls separately). The house was right on the beach, and from the terrace you could watch animals and the ocean. Of course, in a house surrounded by nature, you’ll occasionally find animals like geckos, cockroaches, or mice. But you get used to it quickly, and it really isn’t a problem.
I love Latin America for the diversity of landscapes it has to offer. Breathtaking nature, wonders of the world, great food, and a zest for life. You’ll find all of that there. I was particularly impressed by how cheerful and helpful the locals are. Even people who have very little would share everything with you. There’s music everywhere, and the people there seem happy.
Fortunately, I haven't had any negative experiences when it comes to safety. I felt very safe everywhere I went.
However, as always, you should still be careful. I recommend always going out in pairs, keeping your valuables close to you or leaving them at home, and just being mindful in general.
My experience abroad has made me much more confident and courageous. The experience of finding my way in a foreign country without initially being able to speak the language gives me the confidence that I can overcome further challenges in my life. New beginnings—for me, for example, studying in a different city—no longer scare me. I was definitely able to broaden my horizons by immersing myself in a new culture. I’m more open-minded and have learned a lot about different ways of life and people. I’ll never forget my time in South America, and I highly recommend it to everyone.
My advice is not to plan too much in advance. Stay spontaneous and let yourself enjoy the experience.
Even if something seems boring at first, it could turn out to be your best experience. So don't be afraid to try something new—because in the end, we regret the things we didn't do. I also think it's important to connect with the locals, because for me, that's the difference between traveling and just going on vacation.
Founder of Wanderworld Travel
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