Program Reviews

My partner and I both loved our time throughout this programme. We were both nervous having never done this kind of travelling before but once we got there the nerves didn't get a second thought. We were well supported the entire time and extremely well looked after by one of the local families (we are still trying to recreate some of the recipies). The school in which we were placed was very much on board with the programmes goals. In the classroom it was well structured and progressive learning with set patterns and of course the odd game. Tongue twisters are pretty fun if the kids eyes are glazing over in the afternoon. We saw a massive improvement in everyone's spoken English and their confidence in using their language skills. It was very sad to leave when our time was up. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone looking to immerse themselves in the culture and learn about another way of life while helping out the community.

I loved riding on the back of a boda boda (motor bike) through the sugar canes to the school I taught at in Kitoola. The school administrator was very helpful and welcoming.
People where very friendly I made so many great friends who I still keep in contact with.

Helping the English language teachers at the Truong Tieu Hoc elementary school in Hanoi was a real treat. If you think Vietnamese students are reserved and introverted, think again. They are just as energetic and mischievous as are American students. That said, they marveled at having Americans teaching them English pronunciation. Between classes students relished playing the game rock, paper, scissors. Winning the game with an American was like an American winning the lottery with much cheering and new competitors stepping up. The experience was gratifying and well worth my time and efforts.

I have decided to take a break from my advertising carreer after running a small agency in Brazil for almost 10 years. There was something inside me that told me to do that. I asked a friend that work in UN how to be a volunteer in Nepal and he recommened GVN Foundation. As I was researching about them I found the Be the Change program in Costa Rica. I've enrolled the program and had a very interesting and inspiring week among people from all over.
This mix of cultures and experiences is so rich and enlighting... I really recommend the programm to the ones that want to get inspired and oriented by people with knowledge and good heart. And if you have already your idea in mind it is ever more useful. You can have a huge help and counseling in whatever your objective is. A real nice program lectured by real experienced and nice people <3

Before departing for my 2 weeks volunteering in Thailand.. I have no idea what to look out for, let alone what to expect. After my 2 weeks volunteering in Thailand.. i've learned new cultures, met new friend (from & outside of Thailand) and gained new experiences. I loved every single minute of my time in Thailand. Undoubtedly one of my best experiences abroad by myself! The workload was good and the tour guides/care takers were excellent!!

As a young woman who'd thought she'd done it all, seen it all blah, blah, I was wholly unprepared for the emotional impact that those 3 months would have on me.

I remember getting off the plane at Entebbe, dazed and sweaty, I followed the crowd towards the visa department of the airport. Being scanned with a thermometer (as an ebola screening?-I'll never know!), having my hands sprayed with sanitiser and being told aggressively to look at the camera I hadn't even noticed. The fear of "Oh my God, what if my luggage isn't here?!" "What if I can't get a hold of Leslie?" At this point in time I was still under the impression that Leslie was a man. Mostly due to the way she spells her name! My mistake Leslie, sorry!

After wandering around like a lost sheep trying to find the driver who was picking me up, I got in the car and we headed to the backpacker's lodge. This was the scariest drive of my life. It was also my first real experience of Ugandan roadsense!

We'd headed down the main road and on to the dirt track, there was work being done on this road and lots of machinery had been left lying around (at the side of the massive ditch that had been dug)-Alas, the driver decides to brave it anyway. I didn't feel that I could say anything because I didn't know any better and honestly, as long as I lived, I didn't care how we made it there. All I wanted was a shower and a nap. As we were making our way along this half formed road in this beaten up old Toyota, the car is sliding further and further into the ditch with the lack of traction from the dust. Before I knew it he was driving on two wheels of the thing! I@m hanging on to the handle of the passenger side door for dear life and thinking "I've been in Uganda for less than 24 hours, don't let me die. My mother already thinks this was a bad idea".

We made it in the end. Doesn't mean I wasn't scared though! I will never forget it.

Overall, I would recommend TRU and GVN to anyone and everyone. Of every race, gender, age, sexuality, religion, you name it! Don't be afraid to get yourself out there. It can only bring positivity into your life. You will learn and you will teach. Sharing your knowledge, skills and wisdom with others will never be a bad thing.

I lived at a cabin (for a little more) above the beach at Bang Por. It worked out well as I was provided a ride to my assigned school site. The ESL supervisors were enthusiastic and fun to work with. The students were sometimes mischievous but not mean and easily diverted. Group dinners and eating street food at the various "walking streets" was fun and tasty. In daylight hours riding "songtaels"--jeepneys--is a reasonable way to get around the island but after dark it is the wild west for fares. As an 80 year old, I loved it and would do it again if I continue to feel healthy

Throughout the BTC program, we're introduced to inspiring people who have gone all the way to realize their ideas and make the world a better place. They are all different. Their ideas are different. What is the same about them, is that they are all very genuine. They are all visionary doers.

Among them is Alonso who has become curious about what's happened to the trash that we generated everyday, and he started following the rubbish truck. He wasn't happy with what he saw. And took a bold move to petition to the top management of bottled drinks companies. Eventually got one of them to replace plastic bottle with glass bottle.

It is amazing to hear from the person himself, not from a video. We get to ask questions and discuss. It makes me believe that our small and premature idea may just be possible.

Colin, Catie and Cat facilitated a fantastic week with a variety of persons from a variety of stages in life. There was plenty of time to help one focus, reflect, brainstorm and just tall out ideas, plans and dreams. Even if not know what you're looking to do come and they will broaden your ideas and horizons. For me it gave meore clarity and focus for the coming year.

Meeting the leaders and learning about their accomplishments was inspiring. Add to that meeting the conference attendees who really want to contribute positively toward improving the lives of others who are struggling and/or to implement programs to decrease harming the environment or wasting resources. Time went by quickly as we learned and enjoyed each other's company.

Only after I was home and able to look back at the conference that I realized we learned so much useful information, while forming strong bonds with everyone. There was a lot of interaction among the attendees. Another aspect that I appreciated was being exposed to a few issues that Costa Rica was experiencing. I should also mention that we ate healthy, tasty, and lovingly prepared meals.