My most important tip for future participants: really go for it. Go in with an open mind and try not to let the well-known safety concerns hold you back. Of course it's an issue, but it's just one part and Latin America has so much to offer if you're willing to experience it.
Nike experienced an intensive stay abroad in Mexico, which was characterized by a combination of volunteer work, intercultural exchange and personal development. In addition to working with children in the project in Sayulita the encounters with people, the surfing and the immersion in the local culture were unforgettable experiences. The trip was a mixture of challenge, growth and joie de vivre, which also had a lasting effect on my own perspective.
I prepared for my stay by brushing up on my Spanish, researching different options in the region and talking to local friends. It was particularly exciting to take a closer look at the various options on site and to imagine what my everyday life could look like. My motivation for Latin America comes from a long-standing enthusiasm: I have already been to Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and Guatemala and love the culture, the music and the dancing. My long-term goal is to travel all over Latin America and get to know the continent in all its facets.
I started thinking about the trip about five months in advance, with the actual planning following one to two months beforehand. Before the trip, I mainly asked myself what it would be like to work in Spanish, how the day-to-day work would be different and what challenges I could expect. WanderWorld gave me a lot of support throughout my preparations, especially with the organization, short-term requirements and project implementation as part of my studies. This was not only incredibly helpful, but also gave me a sense of security in terms of planning and implementation. I received extensive information about the region and the project, as well as a contact person who I could contact in advance for coordination.
The first few days were a bit bumpy because my fellow traveler was directly affected by a medical emergency. That was exhausting and stressful at first, but WanderWorld gave us total support and everyone on the project was understanding and helpful. That really gave us a lot of security.
Despite all the complications, our first impression of Sayulita was really nice. We fell in love with the place pretty quickly and immediately felt at home in the hostel. The atmosphere there was relaxed and informal, not overcrowded or party-heavy, but just the right mix to arrive, get to know other travelers but also have enough peace and quiet to focus on the project. We received a really warm welcome at the project itself. Everyone was open and took the time to explain everything to us. We were able to talk a lot, discuss our tasks and had a good feeling right from the start. The working hours were also very pleasant. In the first few days, we took a lot of time to get to know the children, we played with them a lot and tried to settle into the structures. At the end of the week, we had dinner with the team and went to a play, which rounded off the first week really well for us.
As we did the whole thing as part of our psychology degree, our work was strongly influenced by our studies. We arrived in the afternoons, spent time with the children and were in regular contact with the psychologists on site before implementing a research project in parallel.
I particularly enjoyed working with the children. It was incredibly fulfilling and gave you a completely different approach to everyday life and culture than you would have when traveling in the traditional way. That's exactly how we immersed ourselves so much deeper. We felt really well looked after in the project. The collaboration with the staff was very open and appreciative. We were able to learn a lot from the exchange and inspire each other, which made the experience even more special. In terms of content, we learned a lot about life and structures in Mexico, but above all about intercultural psychological work. Overall, it was a huge learning process and extremely valuable for my studies. I am very glad that I chose this project.
I spent most of my free time with my fellow travelers and the people we met at the hostel and in Sayulita. It was a really nice mix of familiar moments and new encounters. Unfortunately, we didn't go on that many excursions because we had a lot to do with the project due to our psychological work and were often restricted by health issues. When we had time at the weekend, we went to nearby islands and kept discovering new beaches. Each beach had its own special feature.
But my absolute highlight was definitely surfing. I love surfing, my first experiences were in Guatemala and Baja California and the beaches around Sayulita were just perfect for it. We really used every free minute to get into the water. La Lancha beach was a special spot: it's a bit remote, had really nice waves and was never crowded. It was precisely this mix that made my time there one of the best experiences.
My experiences with the culture were very intense throughout, especially through the work in the project. I was particularly fascinated by the warmth. We were welcomed openly everywhere and I felt really welcome. I was particularly impressed by the children: Their energy, their talents and their way of approaching you with so much openness was simply special. I was particularly fascinated by the strong sense of community and solidarity. I learned a lot about seeing things more in the moment, approaching people more openly and going through life with a certain lightness. These intense encounters definitely left the biggest impression.
A big part of this experience was also the team on site. Everyone was incredibly committed, but I was particularly impressed by the founder of the project. The story of how the project came about, the idea and how much heart and soul went into it was really moving. She gave you a whole new perspective and helped you to understand why this work is so important. Dealing with social inequality in Mexico was also very formative. Many people get actively involved, develop their own ideas and become incredibly creative in order to make a difference. Seeing that was extremely inspiring. The place itself was almost magical for me. You not only get to know the country better, but also yourself. You suddenly question many things that we take for granted. I particularly noticed how much more connected the people there are to nature. That was very instructive for me and gave me a whole new perspective.
There wasn't just one moment, there were many small ones that together made this time so special. I particularly remember the intense encounters with people. This feeling of no longer just being a „visitor“ but really having a daily routine and feeling at home was something very special.
Just as formative were the moments while surfing, being in the water, completely in the here and now, often together with my fellow travelers or people we met there. And then there were the sunsets: different every time, totally picturesque and somehow the perfect end to the day. In these moments, I simply felt free, at home and really happy.
One place that particularly fascinated me was La Lancha beach. It's a bit remote and that's exactly what made it so special: it was quiet, uncrowded and simply incredibly beautiful. I could really switch off there. It was one of those places where you can immediately relax, clear your head and be completely in the moment. I also had some of my best surf sessions there, the waves were just perfect.
The sunsets there were also special every time and gave the whole thing a very special atmosphere. Compared to my home in Berlin, the contrast could hardly be greater. Instead of the big city, hustle and bustle and constant input, there was simply peace, nature and space, and that's exactly what made this place so special for me.
We stayed in a hostel and shared a twin room, which was perfect for us. We quickly felt at home. There was always something going on in the hostel, but never so much that it became stressful or too much. Many travelers were there for longer, which meant that a familiar, almost family-like atmosphere quickly developed. People knew each other, saw each other again and again and conversations and joint activities developed naturally. I stayed there with my fellow traveler, but also spent time with others we met at the hostel.
Compared to my home, it was definitely livelier. There was always movement, more interaction, more spontaneous encounters. At the same time, you had to get used to a few things, such as the fact that water is much scarcer there than in Germany and you have to be more conscious of how you use it.
For me, Latin America is simply magical, vibrant and warm. Magical because there are places that feel almost unreal. Lively because there is music, movement and energy everywhere. And warm, not just because of the climate, but above all because of the people and the way we interact with each other.
I fell in love with this continent years ago and feel more alive there than anywhere else. That's exactly what makes my stay so special: the combination of impressive nature, unexpected events and a completely different way of life. Everything seems more emotional, more open and somehow more real.
What distinguishes Latin America from other places for me is above all the mentality. A lot of things are more spontaneous, more communal and less planned. At the same time, nature is breathtakingly beautiful and diverse and often much more present in everyday life. This also changes your own perspective on many things.
My most important tip for future participants: really go for it. Go in with an open mind and try not to let the well-known safety concerns hold you back. Of course it's an issue, but it's just one part and Latin America has so much to offer if you're willing to experience it. I definitely want to travel to many more countries in Latin America in the future. But I'm particularly drawn to Brazil and Mexico again. I've already been to both countries several times, but Brazil is so huge and diverse that there is still so much to discover and Mexico now feels like a second home to me.
Founder of Wanderworld Travel
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