Alumni Spotlight: Sara Wall

Sara Wall, 42, is originally from the United States. Six years ago, she was inspired by a volunteer experience to leave behind her country and career to travel the world and teach. She currently resides in Thailand, where she splits her time between writing and working with students.

Sara volunteered at a local high school in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Why did you decide to volunteer abroad with VFP in Mongolia?

Sara: My second volunteer experience with Volunteers For Peace was at a workcamp in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. I chose this camp because I was interested in learning about the culture and customs of a country that I knew almost nothing about. Also, after the hustle and bustle of spending a couple of months in China, I was ready for trip to the least densely populated country on the planet.

Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.

Sara: We spent our days volunteering at a high school located right in the heart of the city. The students were enthusiastic and excited to have us there. Their English level was quite high, so were able to do more difficult speaking and listening activities. Over the course of the two weeks, each of the volunteers presented on his or her country, talking about topics like music, sports, festivals, and customs. After, we had a Q&A session, with the students asking us questions.

What made this volunteer abroad experience unique and special?

Sara: On the weekend, the volunteers decided to take a trip together. Our camp leader organized an excursion to the little Gobi Desert, where we stayed with a nomadic family in a ger (also known as a yurt). We learned about their traditional ways of living, including how they moved their home, raised animals, and prepared food. The grandson taught us to play a children’s game using the ankle bones of sheep.

In the evening, we watched as the grandfather trotted off into the vast expanse of desert on a small horse carrying a long staff with a rope noose at the end. He soon returned with three double humped camels trotting along behind him. After the sun set, he invited each of us to ride a camel underneath the almost full moon and an ocean of stars. I’ll never forget that moment.

A nomadic grandfather in Mongolia

What advice do you have for future volunteers?

Sara: I love volunteering because it gives me a chance to become part of a community; to get to know people and places in a way that is difficult to do as a tourist. But, it is quite different from traveling on your own. Keep the group in mind, be flexible, stay open to other’s ideas, and try new things.

How has this experience impacted your future? (Personally, professionally, etc)

Sara: I’ll always treasure my experiences in Mongolia, and to this day, I remain friends with my fellow volunteers and camp leader. I hope that someday, I can return to that beautiful country.