Program Reviews

With the disclaimer that I am still in the midst of my first semester with the program (over two months to go - don't rush me!), I will say that my experience with Greenheart Travel has been mostly a positive one. The real strength of Greenheart is the preparation and support they offer ahead of time. Sara was so on top of responding to questions, sending information, and making sure I felt comfortable as a participant (as I'm sure she does for all participants). I was able to e-mail her frequently, with the expectation of prompt, precise responses. She was even available by phone. That being said, the network of organizations involved in this program (Greenheart, Heart for Change, Ministry of Education) made for quite a few information gaps and crossed wires. Transition into the program was a little choppy, despite all the pre-work that Greenheart did (and let me reiterate, they do a wonderful job, pre-departure!). Some of the tangles, I'm sure, couldn't be avoided, but it did make for a decent amount of confusion. There's a lot of individual and peer navigation that has to be done, since answers from the administration were not always clear or applicable. I do really appreciate the fact that Sara checks in with all participants once we are settled. That made me feel like I could go to her and Greenheart if I was having significant issues adjusting. Thanks so much, Sara and Greenheart Travel! If you are thinking about doing this program, I would say Greenheart is the most helpful in navigating the certain challenges you will face!

I had a great time volunteering in a homestay in Italy. Being able to share the local culture, traditions, cuisine and believes was incredible. I was very lucky to match with three families who were happy to introduce me to their culture. I learned significant teaching skills and I gained valuable friends.
The program was very supportive by providing helpful information about my adjusting process with the families, for this reason, I truly recommend this program and I encourage many of you to take the leap.

That's what you will here from every regional coordinator/director on this program, but it's true. You can get placed all over Colombia, which is a very diverse and amazing place. THat also means there are many factors that determine your experience here. I'm in a medium sized city (400,000 people and NO tourists). It's SUPER hot here but the cost of living is quite cheap. I am lucky enough to have the best school in the area, but this can also greatly vary. There are not many resources at some schools and many people struggle with the English level of their co-teachers. If you are prepared for these challenges, however, there are many rewards and incredible experiences available to you here. The pay is livable and as long as you are open to a challenge and care about teaching a new generation of people in a changing country, this program is ideal. There is a lot of support from the Heart for Change team and Greenheart as well. I recommend this experience whole heartedly, but if you are just looking for a vacation or just an adventure, this may not be your best option.

This is a great program for someone who has never been to another country before or for those looking for a legitimate and well organized employer. The head of the program Sara Thacker will assist you through every step of the process with her amazing support team. Sara is a very understanding and compassionate human being who loves her job and will welcome you to the team with open arms! The program has assisted me from the moment I said I was interested in the program to the second I landed in Bogota for orientation.

My time teaching and living in Colombia has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. Tired of my same old day to day life, I decided in my late 40's to pursue my lifelong dream of living abroad. I didn't want to wait until I retired. Life if for living now!

Teaching English in Colombia was definitely an opportunity for me to experience a totally new life and to finally learn some Spanish (out of necessity). My day to day in the USA consisted of getting up at 4:30 am, going to work, and getting home at 6:00 pm. This busy schedule left little time for friends, adventure, travel, relaxation and to actually live my life.

My new life in Colombia has been very different. I'm still up early, but my work day is much more relaxed and much shorter. The culture here in Colombia is very laid back. This is a pace I've been wanting for years. My work day is done by 12:30, and I have the afternoons free for hiking, biking, practicing my Spanish or just hanging out with some of the locals. You can buy some of the freshest, cheapest produce right here in Colombia. In fact, there are always street vendors set up just outside my apartment with delicious street food, exotic fresh fruits and amazing vegetables.

Most everything in Colombia is much less expensive than it is back home in the USA. The only thing I have found perhaps more expensive would be clothes. So, my advice is to take plenty of time when thinking of what to pack. Don't over pack, but don't think you will be able to just buy some inexpensive clothes here in Colombia if you don't bring them. I would also encourage anyone coming to Colombia to remember this is a different culture. As every place has their own unique way of doing things, we have to remember we are guests here. Different is just different. Different is wrong.

I had lots of concerns about leaving my stable, busy life back home. Yes, the majority of people teaching English are in their 20's. However, there are many of us 30 and 40 somethings out here too that were just ready for something new, exciting, challenging and different. I have not for one second regretted my decision to teach English in Colombia.

If you're thinking of teaching abroad, my advice is to just go for it. It definitely won't be easy, but it will certainly be worth it.. and I promise you that if you talk yourself out of this opportunity you will spend the rest of your life asking yourself "what if?" More importantly, once you do decide to go for it, I highly recommend using a program (aka Greenheart) because there will be times when you need help or are feeling helpless and they can be an amazing leg to stand on.

Before I submitted my application, my mom and I traveled to Chicago to visit the Greenheart office where we met Sara, the program manager. She answered every question that my mom and I had and made us both feel 100% comfortable with me taking the leap and moving to Thailand for a year. Sara even reassured my mom that if there was ever any issue or concern, my mom could contact her personally and she would take care of the problem herself.

After completing my TESOL course in Hua Hin with 30 strangers who became my family, I was dropped off alone in central Bangkok at my new apartment building. I had been fighting with a bout of homesickness for the past three days and in the midst of it, I had to leave for my placement and everything just started to become very real. Fumbling through the front door with my 100 pounds of luggage, I held back tears because for the first time since moving abroad, I was really truly alone. I gave myself a mental pep talk to hold it together until I got to my room as I walked to the front desk to sign a rental agreement for this apartment (which I needed asap considering I had to be at my new school at 7 a.m. the next morning). I managed to keep my cool until I tried to pay, and as I frantically dug through my wallet I discovered that my US credit card was gone. In your first month, you won't be working yet so you won't be getting paid. That means whatever money you bring with you is all the money that you have to get you by, and I had suddenly lost access to mine. Cue the opening of the floodgates. I became overwhelmed with emotion as I handed over almost all of my cash just to get the lady to let me stay in the apartment for ONE NIGHT. I had no idea what I was going to do and I called my mom in a fit of hysterics. My mom insisted that I contact Greenheart or my employment agency for help but I insisted back that it was too embarrassing and I would just figure something out. However, the next morning I woke up to several messages from Sara, my TESOL course company, and my employment agency. I was given multiple options on how to transfer money into a Thai account that I could access and how to get a new card to me ASAP, etc. Essentially, the problem had already been solved for me and I barely had to lift a finger. Little did I know, my overprotective (yet so well meaning) mother had contacted Sara herself in a panic, and Sara stuck true to her word, solving the problem as quick as humanly possible. If I had been completely on my own with no program to have my back, who knows how long I would have had to go without any money. And if Sara hadn't been so attentive and great, my mom probably would have hopped on the first flight out here just to give me $50 to get through the week.

All in all, now I can laugh at the hot mess that I was that day and now I am happy as can be living my life in Bangkok. I have several people to thank for that, and Sara from Greenheart is definitely one of them. I said it once and I'll say it again: if you're thinking of teaching abroad... just go for it!

Teaching in disadvantaged schools obviously means limited resources and potentially dangerous areas so I had anticipated this. The Greenheart staff, however, were a phenomenol resource in terms of providing support and assistance. They provided some much appreciated structure to the otherwise chaotic nature of Colombian culture. I dealt with Sara Thacker, which was absolutely my pleasure. She deals with a lot of difficult situations and always, always responded to me promptly and politely with as much help as possible. I could not believe her patience. Also she sent me a copy of my passport in an emergency situation within five minutes of me asking for it.It is a huge relief to know she is available for your support.

The first time that I went through Greenheart was in Thailand, so Colombia was the second time that I used them. Although there was a delay in the announcement of the start date due to MEN, Sara Dorsey would send updates with the latest information provided. She's always organized and answers any questions quickly! If you're ever confused about the process, she's there for support. Getting a book about the country was also helpful to know what to expect upon arrival. Being part of the GH community and having the support from other participants and alumni is another bonus :)

I taught for a semester in Armenia, Colombia. There were a few challenges with co-teaching, but the students were great to teach. The people of Colombia are friendly, and the country is beautiful and naturally diverse. I never felt unsafe during my time there. Overall, I had a great experience. If you're looking to take the leap, I would recommend Greenheart!

Sara Dorsey and the Greenheart travel program are amazing resources if you're thinking about teaching English in Colombia.

This year may have been a special case, but the Colombian government and the SENA program had issues with funding this year and thus communication about our start dates and placements were extremely delayed. While it was very frustrating and made things very difficult for those of us in the program who were literally sitting and waiting for news on when we would leave for Colombia, Sara and Greenheart did their best to continue communicating with us every step of the way, and were very understanding about our frustrations.

As with most government institutions, the SENA program has had its fair share of disorganization. I don't know if I would have continued with it if it hadn't been for Sara's empathy and constant communication. She also followed up with us after we arrived to Colombia and even months later after we settled in, even though her job was already done.

I have loved my time in Colombia and highly recommend going through Greenheart to get here easily and with great support from Sara.

I had a great time teaching English in Colombia. I traveled all over the country and saw so many things but teaching the students was definitely the best part. I definitely recommend doing this and have no complaints about any of it. The question I was asked most about going or when I came back was whether or not it was safe. I am a very young looking female and I traveled all over alone and I never had any issues nor did I feel unsafe. I can also be paranoid too, so I always paid attention around me and didn't do any obvious touristy things.