Alumni Spotlight: Pat Gruska Bazany

Why did you decide to volunteer with Global Volunteers in Costa Rica?

Pat: I decided to volunteer in Costa Rica for several reasons. I wanted an experience abroad that included getting to know the people in that area. I'm a bird watcher and wanted some place in the tropics so I could work in some birding while I was there. I wanted a program that was taking place during the Christmas holidays because I would have more time available to be away from work. The Global Volunteer Program in Costa Rica seemed to fulfill all my requirements. I wasn't sure that I had the skills the project needed but I was assured that whatever I could do would be of great help and that proved true.

Volcano in Costa Rica

Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.

Pat: Our days in Costa Rica began with a wonderful breakfast and then a ride out to the work site. We worked on our project (putting up a fence around the community building) until noon. Each day two of us would leave the work site about an hour before lunch and go to the home of the family preparing lunch for our group. We would help get lunch ready and then eat at noon when the others arrived.

After lunch we returned to the work site and continued on the project until 3:00 p.m. The rest of the afternoon we had to ourselves. I often hiked and looked for birds to identify. Then we would have dinner at our hotel/restaurant. Weekends were free of work as was Christmas day and we were able to explore the area better or just relax.

How has this experience helped you grow?

Pat: I loved every minute in Costa Rica. I recommend the experience to anyone interested in a vacation truly out of the ordinary and a vacation guaranteed to create memories that will last a lifetime.