Program Reviews

Working at the Children's Cancer ward In Dar Es Salaam was an incredible experience, one I will remember forever. Everything is so different; the culture, the language, the lifestyle, and this makes something everyone should take part in. Step outside your comfort zone and try something new. I went with one friend and we loved it. United Planet gave us support every step of the way, allowing us to explore a completely foreign place without feeling out of our depth. The school itself is so much fun, the kids have an amazing energy and kindness, which is even more impressive considering they are all sick. It makes you so proud to be helping them out, teaching them so they have a chance at education when they get out of hospital, as well as making their lives so much more enjoyable while they are in hospital.
I highly highly recommend this volunteer quest, or any others with United Planet. It will a moment in you life you remember forever as being a time you were proud to be you, and loving every minute of it!!

I went to Cusco, Peru through United Planet for eight weeks after I graduated college. I can honestly say it was one of the best experiences of my life. I think traveling will always be my favorite thing to do, but I also think a program can either hinder or enhance your experience. I am so glad I chose to go through United Planet, which is why I have decided to write a review. I feel so strongly about how well they planned and conducted the whole experience.
Upon arriving in Cusco, I was greeted at the airport by my host family. My host family was amazing!! I cannot say enough nice things about them. I thought I was so lucky, but other volunteers and I would tease that we had the best family, so it seemed like everyone felt the same as I did! My entire stay at their home I felt comfortable and cared for. We had three home cooked meals everyday. I am a vegetarian and United Planet made the effort to place me in a home where they were willing to provide those style meals for me. I was so grateful and it was never an issue.
I worked for 5 weeks at a womens shelter. Those girls challenged me everyday and although some days I felt discouraged or saddened by their situations, I learned SO much from them and feel they felt the same way about me. I made some great connections with the girls and it was through this program that I learned how much I enjoyed tutoring English, which is something I am currently pursuing at home. The last three weeks I spent volunteering at an Animal Sanctuary. This had not been my original plan but there were some openings for volunteers at the site and United Planet allowed me to switch over. I loved working here! We were outside all day. I gave tours to English tourists and helped the owners with their English. We painted, cleaned, cared for the animals and cleaned trash out of the river. It was a great experience.
I also took Spanish classes while I was there as part of the program. These classes far and above exceeded my expectations. The classes consisted of myself and one or two other students and the professor. This setup allowed for a great deal of personal attention and encouraged us to speak much more than a typical class at home. I could not believe how much my Spanish improved after only eight weeks!
There were also weekly cultural activities throughout my time. I loved these because I felt like it was a great way to learn about the culture and meet other volunteers. The cultural activities were also at the school which became a great hub for meeting other volunteers. We took cooking classes, a Quechua language class, origami, and salsa dancing. I loved it! We also went on three amazing excursions. We took a weekend trip to Macchu Picchu which was absolutely amazing. I still cannot believe that I was able to have that experience. We stayed overnight in Aguas Calientes and then hiked Macchu Picchu the next day. There was a group of about 8-10 of us which made it a really fun trip. We also went horseback riding for an excursion and white water rafting. White water rafting was one of the best days of my life! We spent the whole day out there and it was beautiful. We wore wet suits and jumped off a boulder into the river. After we finished for the day we were served a huge, delicious lunch and even got to go ziplining!
I can honestly say everything about my trip went smoothly and I would definitely travel through United Planet again. The only issue I encountered throughout my stay was that I got sick, which is obviously completely out of United Planets control. However, when this happened I called the in-country coordinator and she actually came and picked me up and personally took me to the doctor and waited the entire time with me. And then checked in on me for the next few days until I was better. I also received an email from the coordinators in the Boston offices checking in on me to see how I was feeling. I just thought this was above and beyond what anyone had to do for me and I don't think I would get that through another program. I am so grateful for my time in Peru. I met so many wonderful people and still keep in touch with my host family and several volunteers. I highly, highly recommend traveling and volunteering through United Planet.

United Planet, part of the larger worldwide group ICYE, was an amazing experience. I did the 6 month program and volunteered at a rehabilitation center for children with cerebral paralysis. I worked there every day, and then spent time with the many friends that I made in Honduras. I lived with a host family, and since my host sisters were my age I was able to connect with a lot of people and make lots of friends. I was also really close with the other volunteers, who came from all over Europe. We were able to travel together all the time, and see so many amazing places in Honduras and surrounding countries. While this program was on the more expensive side, working to save up for it was totally worth it and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

I volunteered for 12 weeks at Clínica San Juan de Dios in Cusco, Peru. It was the experience of a lifetime. This is a clinic that provides housing/care for children with mental and/or physical disabilities, as well as serves the poorer outskirts of Cusco as an outpatient clinic with several specialty doctors. During my time in the clinic I was able to move between the different areas of the clinic and participate in multiple different aspects. I did everything from filing to playing with children to triaging patients (being a RN in the US). I felt so welcome at the clinic and could tell my work was making a difference even if it was something as simple as making a child smile.

During my entire 12 weeks in Cusco I was lucky enough to live in a homestay, where I quickly became part of the family. We all ate breakfast lunch and dinner together in the house and the family was there to help with anything I needed; as well as just to talk and hang out with. I was lucky enough to live in a family with a daughter my same age, we became fast friends, and I went on to meet and hang out with all her friends from the city. Being that Cusco is a necessary stop for all travelers heading to Machu Picchu, there are also many tourists and a very big nightlife scene.

During the week I did my volunteer work as well as took Spanish classes that were included with the program. Through the spanish school there were weekly activities that were offered to get to know the other volunteers, such as bar-tending classes, cooking classes, game nights, and movie nights. Which were a great way to spend free time as well as meet other volunteers. On the weekends I had free time to do whatever I wanted. The program provided me with trips white water rafting, a tour of the sacred valley, and a visit to Machu Picchu. In addition to that I had time to do extra activities that interested me such as taking a trip into the amazon rainforest and salsa dancing classes.

Overall, this was the trip of a lifetime, it was an experience I will never forget. I would do it again in a heartbeat, and can't wait to go back and visit all the friends I made.

I spent 11 weeks teaching English in Quetzaltenango (locally referred to as "Xela"), Guatemala. Choosing this project proved to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. I gained valuable volunteer experience, helped nearly 200 girls to begin learning English, and gained a family of friends that made such an impact on my life that I'm planning to return within the next year.

My volunteer duties included teaching six classes of English to 4th through 6th grade female elementary students. I taught Monday through Thursday. I also participated in special school activities (for example, I was invited to be a judge in their annual talent contest and Carnival celebration). During weekends I usually spent taking day trips or hanging out with my local friends.

My support system was excellent! The coordination of the United Planet volunteer program is linked to the Kie Balam Spanish School which organized my housing, one-on-one Spanish classes, and cultural experiences/outings. They took care of me every step of the way from the moment I arrived in Guatemala, and they always seemed eager to assist me in whatever needs I had (medical, organizational, linguistic, etc.). I now refer to them as family.

My host home was very comfortable, with a spacious room, wi-fi, and three hot meals prepared for me everyday. And the meals were catered to my tastes and were much, much more than rice and beans (even though I ate my share, but that's because I love rice and beans, haha). My space was respected, and I was treated as family. I would return there anytime and know that the other homes used by the program are with extremely friendly families.

The foreigner will feel very comfortable in Xela. There are constantly dozens of Spanish school students from other parts of North America and Europe if you desire/need that sort of social interaction. Or, if like me, you prefer to spend most of your time with locals, they are among the most hospitable/friendly people you could ever meet. They'll be happy to teach you how to cook local food, go out with you to work on your Salsa dancing (a popular social/nightclub activity), or guide you to the best late night taco spots.

I highly recommend this program for anyone who wants a volunteer experience that is both satisfying and rewarding (both for the local community and for you). Viva Guatemala and viva Xela!

The teaching was definitely rewarding. Being able to see the understanding and appreciation in the students faces was one of the best things i've ever seen. Just knowing that you have made a difference, no matter what size, in someone's life is really an experience that everyone must have.

Volunteering was great not only because of what I've accomplished, but also how the program changed me. I feel more confident and useful now in my school and life because of the volunteer work. The friendships made were also fantastic. Volunteering with the group that I volunteered with definitely added to the experience, and I know that even after volunteering, we will always be very good friends.
Overall, this was possibly one of the best times I've had in my life and if I had to do it again, I would do it in a heartbeat.

The volunteer work there was much different than anything I have ever experienced, but it was a great chance for me to step out of my comfort zone and I loved it.

My placement in Nepal through United Planet went as well as could possibly be imagined. There are a lot of unknowns involved in a long-term volunteer placement overseas, but United Planet did a fantastic job of giving me lots of information to reduce the number of them, preparing me to face the ones that cannot be removed entirely, and setting me up with great support in the country so that everything worked out really well. I was teaching at a small government school for 10 months and living with a local host family nearby. I felt totally immersed in the community and gained a whole lot of perspective that I still carry with me today. I highly recommend United Planet for anyone seeking to understand themselves and the world around them in a deeper way.

In early 2010 I was in my junior year of college and wanted to do something different during the summer break. I love volunteer work and had never been out of the United States, so I decided to put the two together and started researching organizations. I found United Planet and decided to go to Romania! I knew nothing about the country; I was not even sure where in Europe it is located. I did some research and found out about the country's communistic past and what led to there being so many children without homes or parents now.

I left in mid-June and expected to arrive at an orphanage. I did- sort of. Pro Vita does have orphans, but they do not turn anyone away. Women escaping abusive relationships with their children, children who have families that can not support them, a group of girls who were rescued from the streets of Bucharest in the 1990s, disabled individuals, and the elderly all live in Valea Screzii.

Volunteers to Pro Vita live in a house together. A typical day started with a breakfast of whatever we had (usually cereal and crackers with jam). This was sometimes followed by spending the morning and afternoon playing with the kids on the playground. Other days we did manual labor such as hauling wood to be used in the winter or cleaning out one of the many half-built houses. The volunteers always ate lunch and dinner together, and each day we took turns cleaning up afterwards. A few times we worked during the week to plan activities for the Children on Saturdays. My favorite was when we put on a carnival, complete with face painting and games. The kids loved it! Our nights consisted of sitting on the always noisy front porch playing with the many stray animals or playing card games inside. For anyone considering volunteering at Pro Vita, do not expect to be told what to do every single day. Sometimes you are, but other times you may have to find work on your own! It is not hard though, as there is always something to be done, whether it is pulling weeds or helping one of the mothers with laundry.

There were, of course, things that I encountered on my trip that I did not expect. I did not think that any of the Romanians would speak English, but some of the teenagers speak well enough to converse with. Another thing was the difference in food. I knew it would not be what I was used to in the United States, but I did not really know what to expect. There is very little meat eaten at Pro Vita at any given time, but I also arrived when they were in the midst of a weeks long fast from it. They also fast from meat (and I believe dairy) two days a week. Soup was served at lunch and dinner every day, along with fresh bread and other dishes (they varied between potatoes, polenta, a spaghetti-like dish, and a few other things). I would suggest that a picky eater like myself bring snacks or Ramen noodles with them, although there is a small store up the road where you can buy snacks and drinks.

I felt very safe while there, much more than I anticipated. On the weekends the volunteers would sometimes take a bus to Valenii, a town about thirty minutes away, to shop. It should be noted that Romania has an extremely large amount of stray dogs, so expect to see them wherever you go. There are many at Pro Vita and I lost count of how many puppies and kittens were dumped there during my stay.

There are a few things that all volunteers should know before they go. It rains a lot and gets very muddy. Bring tennis shoes that you do not mind getting ruined. A nice outfit or dress is needed in case Father Tanase (the priest who started Pro Vita) invites you to an event. When I was there we had the opportunity to attend a wedding. If you get motion sickness, bring medicine! The roads are curvy and Romanians are not know for their driving abilities.

I felt very welcome at Pro Vita, by both the other volunteers, individuals who live there, and the staff. There is always a child ready to give you a hug or climb up on your lap! I hope that I made a difference during my time there, even if it was small. For myself, it was life changing. How many times have I complained about not having anything to eat (when really I had a lot of food, just not anything I wanted at the moment)? Pro Vita runs entirely on donations and sometimes they do not have much food. As I write this review, I look around my room at all the the things I have-purses, picture frames, a TV, perfume-none of which are necessary. At Pro Vita, most of those children do not even have parents. Yet while they live there, they take care of each other. There is a mother with three children there who agreed to take in eight others. Eleven children! My time at Pro Vita opened my eyes and made me realize how selfish I am and how often I take things for granted. I am so blessed to have been able to share six weeks of my life with the amazing people at Pro Vita in Valea Screzii.

Going to Valea Screzii is like going back in time. While the children and teenagers love Western music and some even have Facebook, you also still see horse-drawn carts on a regular basis. I got to see shepherds who live on a mountain not far from Pro Vita. They spend six days a week there, taking care of the sheep and goats and making cheese. My experiences were immensely better than any I could have imagined. Would I go back? Absolutely. I have wanted to go back since the day I left, and I have been given the opportunity to spend five weeks there this summer! I can not wait to see what progress has been made in the last two years and how much the kids have grown!

I volunteered at Ilula Orphan Program (IOP) in the Iringa Region in Southwest Tanzania for two months during the summer of 2011. I stayed in the orphanage and helped teach English and math at the local schools, organized sporting events for local children, and held day camps at the villages around IOP. I am so fortunate United Planet has a partnership with such an amazing program. I felt very safe traveling and living at IOP -- it is a gated facility with a guard 24/7. On weekends, we would travel to the local town of Iringa where we would eat lunch out, and use the internet to contact our families. IOP is also an incredible program -- I really felt like I made an impact, and I really connected with the girls who lived at the orphanage. It was an absolutely amazing way to experience the unique Tanzanian culture. Although I stayed for 8 weeks, I stayed an extra week; visiting the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar and Sleous Game Reserve for a safari. I highly recommend this incredible program!!!

I would wake up everyday and eat breakfast with my host father before walking to school. After classes I would hang around and talk with other volunteers and students at the Spanish school. Then I would return home for lunch before walking to Policlinico Belen where I volunteered for a few hours each day.

I really enjoyed the city of Cusco and my excursion to Machu Picchu was amazing! My hardest experience was navigating the city the first week, but this passed without a problem.