Why did you decide to volunteer with VISIONS in Nicaragua?
Becki: The summer going into my sophomore year, I went on a community service trip with another company, and I was not so pleased. However, I knew I wanted to continue doing service work, so I searched through probably 30 different programs to find another volunteer trip for my next summer.
One day, I was sitting in class and my friend had the VISIONS website open on his computer, and I was intrigued by the variety of programs offered for spanish immersion. He told me he knew two VISIONS alumni and they both loved their experiences, so I decided to look further into VISIONS. I had also seen an email from the student life team at my school regarding VISIONS. Through reading the brochure, looking at the website and photos, I learned about the unique blend of community service, cultural immersion, language immersion, and sight-seeing that VISIONS' trips offer. In addition, after speaking with alumni, it seemed that the staff was extraordinary and the trips were genuinely fun and fulfilling
Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.
Becki: I woke up and ate breakfast but if you are on home base for the day, you are responsible for making breakfast. Work is usually from about 8:30 until about 3:00 to 4:00. Then the bus arrives and takes you home, unless you have an activity after work, such as a pottery workshop, but most of the time you just go straight home. Three days a week some people went to teach English at a neighboring school, if it is not one of those three days we usually hosted a soccer game with local children in the street in front of our house.
There was also usually time to go to the local coffee shop or the market, or explore around with a buddy within our border. Often, everyone would hang out together in the living room, talking, playing cards or singing along with someone's guitar. Every other night we had communidad, which is a group conversation for reflecting and sharing on the day and week.
What made this experience unique and special?
Becki: This volunteer abroad experience was unique because while we were working very hard during the day, there were countless opportunities to really learn from the local community. I did not feel any hostility or exclusivity from our neighbors, but rather a genuine desire to include us in the community and teach us the "Jinotegan" values. We worked side by side with members of the community, and we could really see their need and appreciation for our hard work. I was also pleased to see my conversational Spanish improve immensely.
In addition, the staff were extremely supportive and sincerely cared about our well-being. They were a perfect mix of parent and friend, and I never felt unsafe or uncomfortable. Lastly, the various sight-seeing/touring opportunities were definitely a highlight of my experience. Nicaragua is filled with culturally and architecturally rich towns and villages and it was awesome to really experience these new cultures first hand. VISIONS definitely did a great job of balancing hard work and fun activities.
How has this experience impacted your future?
Becki: After really enjoying my trip to Nicaragua, I chose to travel to Peru with VISIONS this summer, and again had an incredible experience. I have learned that I feel extremely passionate about community service and creating positive change across the world, and I love that VISIONS provided me with the opportunity to act on this passion. I also learned a lot about what I, as an individual, am capable of, and what a small group of teens are capable of, and this was an extremely powerful realization. After these trips, I continue to search for various service opportunities within my community, and in the future I hope to continue service work.
I would definitely recommend VISIONS to anyone looking for a culturally rich, immersive, and fulfilling community service program.