Program Reviews

Having done both the Dolores Hidalgo and Querétaro programs I highly recommend both. I thoroughly enjoyed my experiences at U.T.N.G. in Dolores Hidalgo and U.T.E.Q. in Querétaro. The staff and especially the students at both locations were wonderful. It was so easy to get hooked into teaching English to these students. They are extremely charming, appreciative, and warm. The G.V. team leaders that I had were always very knowledgeable and supportive. I've made serious friends both American and Mexican through my G.V. experiences in Mexico. The history and culture of the state of Guanajuato where both Dolores Hidalgo and Querétaro are located are truly fascinating. The opportunities to explore the surrounding areas such as the city of Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende, Peña de Bernal, and Minerales de Pozos on the free weekend are truly wonderful.

My group consisted of 8 University of Minnesota students who signed up to Teach English in Crete to young school children. Due to the Greece's economic situation, and the various austerity measures, the teachers were on strike. For this reason our group withheld from teaching English as volunteers (which would promote resentment of paid teachers) and instead paved the road for Global Volunteer interaction with the St. Spiro's center for mentally challenged (whom are far from disabled).
Perhaps Global Volunteers foresaw this issue (of striking teachers) before we had departed, but we were not informed until we had arrived. My guess is that they were hoping for the best, as we were told our first day of a pending decision to help out at St. Spiro's. It was my understanding that this center had been seeking volunteers for some time. These requests were not met due to some uncertainty from Global Volunteers, but quickly faded after the successes of our group, indicated by several missions after this.
At St. Spiro's we worked on arts and crafts with these members, played activities such as basketball, danced, observed them instruct young students from a nearby school on driving practices, and helped them practice for a parade. What we were observing and helping to develop, was a greater sense of the abilities of mentally challenged individuals rather than their disabilities. Below I have provided a link to a review written in June 2011 in "The Coastal Journal" in which our team leader, Sam, is mentioned discussing some of these issues.
One thing that I noticed while working with this center was the strong sense of community. An unfortunate incident occurred where one of the members of this center hit another member. When this happened many of the others consoled the abused member, and shunned the abuser. It shouldn't at all be remarkable to me that they stand up for each other, and protect each other. Again, they are far from disabled.
To say more about the rest of my experience, besides it having been too short, it was wonderful. We arrived out of tourist season and so the beaches were mostly barren and strewn with debris that washed up from the ocean. Within days though people were out and about, working diligently to clean up for Summer tourist season. It was nice to see an alternative aspect of Crete that a real tourist wouldn't see, to see Crete in another light.
We stayed with at a family-run hotel (Hotel Handakas) in Gazi. My only regret here is that I was unable to speak with them about their experiences. But this didn't prevent us from interacting. For instance, one afternoon we all came down to the pool area to bask in the Mediterranean sun (note that inside it can be quite chilly, but outside the sun burns). When we asked to use the sun-chairs they immediately set about washing them off for us, after they had been stored for the winter. And so, we helped. Our group and this family set up a sort of assembly line. It may seem like a trivial incident, but it's little things like this that demonstrate the extent that our hosts will go to accomodate us.
I shouldn't say too much more, so I will end with these words: the food is amazing, the people are great, don't be afraid of the dogs, don't count the shrines at the edge of road to St. Spiro's (and don't ask what they're for), and try a local orange if you can-they're amazing.

This program changed me for life. I came back with a new sense of appreciation, knowledge of a different culture, and memories that I will carry for ever. I met amazing people, both from Greece and the volunteers, that impacted me in ways I cannot described. I recommend this program to any one, any age, from anywhere.

I had a wonderful time in Greece teaching english in summer camps on the island of Crete. The kids were grateful to have us there, the community was wonderful, our hotel staff were so friendly, and the country coordinator gave it the extra special touch by allowing us to get to know her kids and spending time with us outside of the volunteer hours. Words cannot do justice for what I felt and feel about this program. I plan to make it back again! Crete is a lovely place and we had plenty of time to explore our beautiful surroundings as well as participate in the service program.

From the time I was a child I wanted to travel the Greece. Once I started volunteering abroad, Greece placed high on my wish list. Global Volunteers was that perfect fit and opportunity to get to know the Greek people and their culture, yet remain in a safe, comfortable environment. We spent the days finding fun, interactive ways to work the children on their English skills, and the late afternoons and evenings exploring the local communities and beyond with other members of our volunteer group. Global Volunteers does a good job of structuring your stay and providing opportunities for cultural exchanges with local community members. Samantha "Sam" - the Greece Coordinator, and her family make you feel right at home and embrace you as a family member during your stay. The children at the Gazi Summer School Program and a joy to work with and kept us very busy. You will also have additional time to travel during the weekend between your 2 week service program. If you've ever wanted to travel to Greece, this is a great way to help the children yet see and experience the beautiful country!

The bus ride every morning through a beautiful landscape on your way to St. Spiros at the top. Sam always greeting us with a smile and a "Kali mera". An amazing experience that I will never forget. Thank you Samantha and Thank you Global Volunteers!

Willy

I spent two weeks at the Gazi Summer camp in 2010. It was at the beginning of the economic troubles in Greece and there had been rioting in Athens. What amazed me was that I never experienced what I had been reading about in the newspapers here. There were no riots when I was in Athens and the island of Crete was wonderful, the people were friendly, and I always felt safe. I think of the kids I met there often, some of them still e-mail me. I am hoping to return, that's how much I loved it.

I loved my time w/Sam and the wonderful Global Volunteers staff on Crete. Loved working at the Agia Pelagia school with Father Antonis (sp?) This unforgettable experience broadened my horizons and changed my worldview. Thank you, GV, for an amazing time!

This trip is my very favorite one out of the many worldwide volunteering trips that I've taken over the years. I really cannot praise the whole experience enough! Global Volunteers stay at the Handakas Hotel in the village of Amoudara, located near the capital of Crete (Heraklion). The hotel was the best one that I have ever stayed at! It's no Hilton, but I would take it over a Hilton any day. The atmosphere is peaceful (and occasionally very fun- I'll get to that), the building itself is beautiful, the food is always fresh (they have a garden), the owners are lovely people, and the bedroom conditions are very satisfactory. The team manager of the Crete program often brings her family over to the hotel, and it seems that the owners also bring their family and friends to the hotel for an evening dip in the pool, or just to hang out. It's a very relaxing scene!
A special note on the food: the meals that you have at the hotel are always very tasty. You will get a few repeats, but that shouldn't be a problem in the big picture. It's possible to get soda and sweet things at the hotel, but they usually bring out water to drink and a peach for dessert, unless you ask otherwise. They have a nice little bar in the dining room, as well as a radio that you are free to control, and a good working space to plan out your teaching lessons (in the same room). The food outside of Handakas is great as well. If you are a vegetarian, it won't be an issue (I don't think vegans would have trouble either, but I can't be too sure).
The program itself is a summer school in Gazi. Volunteers help to teach the students English, but in a summer-school type of way. The children are a true joy to work with; they are always bursting with enthusiasm to learn and have fun, and they seem to really enjoy having people from different countries visit their own. The only downside of the school is the lack of air conditioning, which can get to you. But once you accept this fact and get over it, any trouble with the matter is easily forgotten.
The town of Amoudara is a lovely place to be. Whenever you pass by an oleander bush, the sweet scent fills the air around you; wherever you go, people are always welcoming and glad to have you there; and it doesn't hurt that there's a great beach nearby! During the weekends, you are more than able to go around to different places in Crete (in the general area, so as to ensure your presence at school on Monday) and explore the island, whether by seeing the history, the nature, or just being a tourist in general.
The team that I worked with all bonded terrifically over the course of the standard two-week stay. We're all good friends, and we still keep in touch two years later. If you take this trip, I guarantee that it will stand out among any other trips that you have taken, and if you are a first-timer to "voluntourism," I guarantee that you will be a convert. There is something for everyone here, and I cannot recommend this trip to you enough.

Teaching English to the children of Gazi during their summer camp was one of the best experiences of my life. It was so incredible that I went back a second year to do it all over again. The leader of the program, Samantha Pinakoulaki is a gifted and caring leader. She gave us everything we needed to teach the kiddos, provided us outstanding recreational activities (we were on Crete after all), and helped us forge lasting friendships. The children are eager to learn English and the parents and community were not only supportive, but amazingly grateful for our efforts.

Each day the team ate breakfast together and prepared for the day. We were bussed to the school in luxury where frequently the students were waiting for us to arrive. After a brief time of gathering materials, we began with our morning song, and then it was English lessons taught with stories, songs, games, puzzles, conversations, crafts, along with lots of laughter. My co-teacher and I enjoyed the children, and since we are teachers by profession, made our classroom into a bit of an American one. The children responded well and were soon acting just like our usual students. After camp, we returned to our hotel (run by the sweetest man in all of Crete) to plan the next day's adventure. After lunch we were free to explore the island with its amazing history (the ruins of Knossos and Festos; a Byzantine fort, the port of Heraklion, to name just a few) and beautiful beaches and coastline. At the end of our two-week session, we were celebrated with a pot-luck Greek-style, Greek dancing, and presentation of certificates from the mayor and school principal thanking us for our generosity in giving our time to help the children of Gazi.

The children can be challenging. Working with new people has its ups and downs. The heat can be unbelievable. But at the end of the day, those kids are just the cutest thing going; new friends are now closer than some old ones; and nothing can compare to cooling off in the beautiful Mediterranean Sea.

If you are looking for a fulfilling experience in a beautiful setting, this is the experience you must have. Efharisto poli, Global Volunteers!