I was searching for a smaller company where I have one contact person who don't change and it was the best decision. All information on Jamso Trainee page is very clear and the communications were easy; apart from this, they help smaller NGOs and people who want to do a difference for the animals (dog and cats) in Costa Rica.
Alumni Spotlight: Anne Tailor
Waiting for my next trip. I love backpacking, travel and do volunteer programs around the world.
Why did you choose this program?
What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?
Jamso Trainee gave me a lot of helpful information on what to bring to Costa Rica, what to do, where the accommodation is and all contacts. This information is very helpful and online. Really great that I was able to have access to all information 24/7. Flights I planned of my own and Jamso Trainee organized my pick up. Accommodation, food, projects, all this was very good organized. I even got on the first day (Monday) a pick up from the project at my accommodation.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
You can take some Spanish classes before arriving. I really can recommend this. I did 4 weeks of Spanish and after this amazing project. It helped me so much to get in touch with locals. Jamso Trainee is very flexible; they also offer 1 week of Spanish what I really liked.
Costa Rica itself: be relax, don't think things are like in your home country; be open to new things, then you will enjoy Costa Rica a lot!
What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?
In the morning, you start with a great typical Costa Rican food such as Gallo Pinto, Empanadas... The host also makes pancakes and cereal with fruits some days.
Afterwards, we walk to the project and the shift started at 8-11 am. After that, we go back to the volunteer house or to the beach ;)
In the afternoon, I helped sometimes as well with the shift from 3-5 pm, but it wasn't regulation to help two shifts. Like this, I had a lot of free time to discover Costa Rica.
Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?
My biggest fear is crawlies such as spiders... I was happy I didn't see any of it.
In this, Jamso Trainee did provide as well information - that we go to a tropical country and that we need to have a look that all is clean. We always followed, so I was very relaxed. I heard from people going to the rainforest that there are more spiders, but never went myself there.
How to make the first days without Spanish?
During your language school, you will have cooking classes. And you know people are so happy and definitely it works, even if you will understand in the beginning just a little bit. For this, it is very good that transport is provided from the airport and to Uvita. As well without any Spanish, you can come to this project, as there are always other travelers with language skills which help - like me.