Staff Spotlight: Priscila Tufani Carneiro

I work for Iko Poran with marketing, working on the company online campaigns and with partners around the world. In addition, I have also worked in the past as a volunteer coordinator in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I now live with my family in Brazil (Rio de Janeiro) and the US (Austin, TX) promoting Iko Poran.

Traveling has always been a passion for me. Since I had my first international experience when I was seventeen years old, I knew that was only the beginning. Being able to see different places, learn a new language and a new culture has become one of my greatest passions. I want to be able to pass this on to my son, who is already learning two languages and is half Brazilian and half American.

One of the trips that has impressed me the most was going to Cuzco, Peru. What an amazing place to visit! Not only is the nature stunning, but also the architecture and the history are so rich and beyond what words can express.

Even though I was born in a neighboring country, it's like being on the other side of the planet. It's so different from Brazil and that's what makes South America such an interesting place. There's so much diversity!

Change is the key word for someone that is looking for a volunteer abroad experience. Working as a volunteer in a different country is the most rewarding experience if you are looking to understand and learn a new culture from a local perspective. Change is inevitable!

On my side, as a volunteer coordinator, I have had the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and to get to know and understand the reality of my own city better through projects in low-income communities in Rio.

After working so many years for Iko Poran I have had the pleasure to follow the personal growth of so many volunteers that went on this adventure with an open heart. It's really hard to pick one single story. But the one that lingers in my head is the relationship made by a volunteer and his project that last until today.

This volunteer worked on a project in Rio for 6 months and had the chance to bring the artists from the project to have an exhibit in his own country. They all got to share and experience each other's country and culture.

There are no life savers, but human beings that travel the world with an open heart to connect and share. It should be a win-win situation and this genuine exchange experience between the volunteers and the projects is what makes the program successful for everyone.

As I mentioned I love traveling and learning about new cultures. I already had the chance to travel around South and North America and Europe.

I would love to go to Asia next and Nepal would be a dream come true. There is so much I don't know about Asia and I feel that would be the ideal destination at this point in my life. Not only because of its natural wonders but also because of the spiritual side and its people.

The first time I heard about Iko Poran I was very impressed with the idea of having international volunteers working in low-income communities in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I had never heard of traveling as a volunteer before this. At that moment I knew I wanted to work with this organization and be part of this very special group of people.

Iko Poran is one of the few organizations based in a third world country that also receives volunteers locally. Dealing with the daily challenges but also having a deeper understanding of what is to be an international volunteer.

Aside from matching volunteers with different projects around the world, we get to see the whole process very close and we are able to help the volunteers at a higher level. We do understand the challenges and the rewards of what is to be an international volunteer.

I have always thought that success meant hard work. A company that promotes volunteer programs around the world needs more than just that. We work in an extremely sensitive and unique type of business.

People that apply for programs like ours are willing to donate their time and skills to create a positive impact in a different country. The projects also open doors to those in search of help, but also to warmly welcome the volunteer into their lives and community.

We need to make sure the projects and volunteers are not just numbers and treat them on an individual basis with our constant help and support to make sure they have the best experience.

When people choose to be a volunteer they come full of hopes that their presence will create a positive impact. The biggest interest for us as a facilitator should be to help them achieve their goal. Not only finding a good place/fit for them but also making sure they have the right expectations.

The projects also need our support to understand what to expect and how to better work with international volunteers. Promoting win-win experiences is our main goal.