Dream Volunteers Gap Year Program

WorldStamp provided me with the opportunity to explore more than just 3 beautiful communities in 3 beautiful countries- it allowed me to explore myself, my passions, my goals. Not only was the service work meaningful, but it allowed me to envision what I wanted to do with my future, and how I could continue serving and making a difference even when the program was over. I learned about self - love and the law of attraction, along with all of the fun times I had immersing myself in foreign cultures.

This program was an amazing experience. I spent my nights socializing with my host family singing karaoke and my days working for the community. I learned all about their culture, their lives, and their community. I would definitely recommend this program to all.

I absolutely love Dream Volunteers and consider myself so lucky to have traveled with this program. I've been to Costa Rica and Guatemala now and both have been the most incredible experiences of my life. Highlights of Costa Rica included dinner/family time with my host family, playing soccer with the community and zip lining in the rainforest. In Guatemala I loved playing games with the young kids at school in Vuelta Grande. Taking a day trip to Lago Atitlán was a great way to end the trip. I will forever be grateful for Dream Volunteers helping me discover my passion for service work.

I was lucky enough to travel to both Guatemala and Costa Rica with the Young Dreamer network. Traveling to two diverse communities gave me the chance to not only learn about different cultures but to meet a multitude of individuals! During my time in both Guatemala and Costa Rica, my group conducted volunteer work at the local elementary schools that were in need of our assistance. While at the schools, we were able to interact with the students and were able to get them involved in helping out. This program is so amazing in the way that they simultaneously teach the community and the volunteers how to positively impact the communities. Aside from volunteering, the host families were extremely welcoming. The host families were hospitable and truly loved having volunteers in their homes. The variety of excursions gave us the opportunity to see more of each country and to experience more of what each place had to offer. These trips have changed my life by opening my eyes to the world and by pushing me passed by comfort zone. I truly feel that I am happier and more fulfilled because of the many lessons that these trips have taught me.

I was fortunate enough to travel with Young Dreamer Network twice, to Costa Rica in 2012 and India in 2013. Both experiences were led by the more-than-capable Brian Buntz, one of the most charismatic, big-hearted, and sincere people I have ever known. Having come from a different high school than most of the other volunteers on the trip I went on, I was initially worried I wouldn't fit in or be seen as an outsider. But not only did I quickly make some really close friends, but I also participated in some of the most meaningful service I've ever done in my life. Out safety, amenities, and well-being were always Brian's top priority, and he and the adult chaperones did more than enough to ensure we were having a meaningful, yet secure, time abroad. Honestly I cannot say much more than my colleagues above already have-- I truly cannot do this excellent program justice alone in one short paragraph. It honestly is an eye-opening experience and one that definitely changed my life for good. You won't regret it!

I have had the privilege of traveling with the Young Dreamer Network twice during my membership of this club. I went to Costa Rica and India. Both trips were an amazing experience. It was equally fun as it was challenging. I was pushed out of my comfort zone which allowed me to grow as a person and a leader in my community. I learned about sustainable service, while being immersed in beautiful cultures. The program leaders and hostile staff were kind, understanding, and supportive. The excursions and activities ware fun and allowed for people to bond with the community-- it was an all around amazing experience! Before going into these trips I was a shy person who did not feel like I was capable of having an influence on the world and now, after my experiences in Costa Rica and India, I hold more power than ever and have become a change-maker in my community!

My trips to Guatemala and Costa Rica opened my eyes to the world. I had never been to Central America before this trip and I was very excited to go. Going with Brian and the group of kids on a volunteer trip was a great experience because I got to see what these countries were really like and not just the tourist side that most people on vacation see. I will never forget my time in Guatemala and Costa Rica because I was able to help people in need and make new friends who I would have never met if it wasn't for these trips. When I returned to my home I was a different person because it allowed me to see the world through a different cultures eyes. What makes the trip so great is the balance between work and leisure. While you're there you and your group will do great work as a team but you will also have a lot of time to get to know both people you came with and the locals that live in the area. Still to this day I feel like I am a better person and that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Went with the youth version of the WorldStamp Gap Year program to all of their countries: Costa Rica (2012), Guatemala (2013) and India (2014). I enjoyed my time on the trips, doing activities ranging from Sightseeing to Elephant Riding to Waterfall swimming. My first exposure to Latin America came from World Stamp, and, ever since, I have fallen in love with the region.

My most memorable moment was in Costa Rica, carrying a wheelbarrow full of cement down the hill to the drop zone.