Program Reviews

The experience I had in La Serena, was exactly what I envisioned after reading the A Broader View webpage. My host family treated me exceptionally well. They helped me improve my Spanish, and took time to teach me "Chilenismos". The teachers at my school, Colegio San José, were fantastic in setting up a schedule that worked for me and allowed me to meet my personal Spanish tutor, Tania, in the afternoons.
The local program coordinator picked me up at the airport and whisked me through my arrival without a problem and attended to my needs whenever I called her. I got to live the life of a typical Chilean teacher from the very first day in La Serena. It was an awesome experience and I have remarkable Chilean friends I can revisit.

A Broader View in La Serena is an average experience. The work at the schools needs to be more structured for any meaningful impact to occur. Even more, the thought of having institutional or structural change, even teaching effectively, in a small a week or a month's work is incredibly problematic. Safe yourself the time and stop re-creating colonial trajectories in these spaces. Also, the on-site coordinator cared more about publicity for A Broader View and her own image to the organization than the actual work done. Not once were we asked how our experience working with whatever kids was - all we were told to do was wear the t-shirts and have our pictures taken. Not okay and almost sickening. This is not a reflection of their other programs but should be said.

Through this program, I have been able to experience a once in a life time opportunity. Not only to help those in Nepal, which included women, children, and those in the villages and in the city of Kathmandu, but to also have a time to explore this incredible country. ABV brought me together with wonderful, open minded people that allowed us to explore ways for us to help the community in their schools, on the farm, and through the medical clinics in both villages. I found myself engrossed in the ways of the Nepali women, and enjoyed everything, from de-licing children to helping teachers improve their English so they can better teach the Nepali children. The 8 weeks I was there, I would like to think I made an improvement, no matter how small, and that I had an impact on the women there. I hope they always remain as strong as I remember them, and I hope to go back again with ABV's help to do more work in the future.

Being here in Honduras for 2 weeks in the Premedical program seemed like a very short amount of time for me. I felt that I had a purpose there and was doing something useful. Also meeting and making friends with the nurse and doctors and helping them out was a rewarding experience for me. The accommodation was really nice; no AC, cold showers which are really not a problem as its so hot in La Ceiba, the meals are good and although different, usually the hosts make sure you are well fed. As for security as long as you are aware of your surrounding and know when and where not to be, I felt safe.

5*****
At first it was a bit of a shock to work with the children with special needs. They have such an unfortunate range of disabilities, and this kindergarten/pre-school is very understaffed. Many of them were also orphans. It was however really rewarding to see how much joy they still found in their everyday life, regardless of their circumstances.
My experience was great and working at the two placements I did got the opportunity to really help out with these children. I’m glad I went for as long a period as I did, as it takes time to get to know the children enough to really help them (especially the autistic and mentally challenged kids).
The coordinator was great, and helped me out with whatever I needed. She was really supportive and worked hard with me to help in my efforts to buy Christmas presents (clothes, blankets, toys) to over 400 orphans and disadvantaged children. I appreciate that a lot.

I was pleasantly surprised how nice it was to be without internet access at the national park in Peru. I had such an amazing time getting back into my body's natural rhythm, waking up at 6am with the sun and going to bed around 8pm! :)
You need to bring ALL biodegradable substances: shampoo, toothpaste, and bug spray. However, you can also support the program by buying their products once you arrive. They sell all three of these products there for 40 soles.
I had a truly eye opening 2 weeks and I have A Broader View to thanks. I learned so much from being in the jungle, and it really changed the way I think about the World. I hope I can use this experience to help better my own country!

When I first touched down in Accra and walked out of the airport I did not know what to expect or what the next 2 weeks would hold for me. I can honestly say in the short period of time I was able to get to spend time with a large amount of the children from the home, go out and really observe yet experience what the Ghanaian culture had to offer in Kpando and Accra. I went on this mission trip with the intentions on touching those I met but in reality they touched me in ways I could never describe. The experience was extremely humbling and it was amazing to compare a country that had very little but were the happiest in comparison to mine that is quite fortunate yet unappreciative and stressful. I enjoyed being careless and living life day by day. They taught me to appreciate all of my blessings and look at my glass as half full and never empty.
The host family was great. Mary did the best she could to accommodate our meals that were always very much on time (ironically) for 12pm lunch and 6pm dinner. I personally brought bars which I brought for breakfast and snacking. I felt very safe in my environment even when walking along at night I never feared for my safety in Kpando walking from the children's home to the host home.
The local ABV Coordinator was great as far as a volunteer and I enjoyed their company. The coordinator is a very passionate man and I admire how he puts his heart and soul into what he does. He is usually busy running around trying to keep all of their projects running as well with helping the locals in his community.
I was surprised the most with how approachable the people in the community were. Coming from Boston where people go about their day without greeting strangers which was a pleasant surprise. I enjoyed the kids in the neighborhood most. They were so happy to see new faces and would randomly go up to me to hug me or greet me while I was walking and I love it.

I am so grateful for my experience in Ecuador. It was incredible, I have had the best 10 weeks. I am leaving with memories that I will never forget, friends from all around the world, and a second family to come home to one day. I cannot thank A Broader View enough!
The support in country was amazing. I lived with the in country coordinator, and she was the nicest woman I have ever met. She helped me every step of the way, with both the details of my program placement and the transition to living in another country.

I wasn´t sure what to expect when I went to Xela and was a little nervous about going to a foreign place for three months, but now I am so glad that I did it! It was a wonderful experience to serve the people of Guatemala and to become integrated into the culture here as well. I made many great friends. I also got to participate in many activities and see many places around Guatemala which were all great experiences. I will miss it here very much and I hope to return someday soon!
Bring warm clothing if you come during the winter months because it was colder than I had anticipated, and there was more rain than I had expected. Other than that, don´t worry about bringing EVERYTHING because you can find most of what you need at the local mall.
The accommodations were great. I love my host family and will miss them greatly. They were always so hospitable and I was taken very good care of the whole time. I never felt like I was lacking anything I needed while in country at the house. They are my second family.

A Broader View provided me with a once in a life time opportunity that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Volunteering is a great way to get involved in a cause that you are passionate about, meet new people from all over the world, and experience other cultures and experiences that you would not have otherwise been able to witness. ABV enabled me to go on this amazing adventure, and provided me with every little detail that I needed to have an amazing trip.

My accommodation, meals and feeling of security was amazing! I feel like I have a second family and a second home in Costa Rica. The beds were super comfy, something I was not expecting. I enjoyed living only meters from a beach, in a very basic shelter. Meals were also excellent, I never know there could be so much variety in the way you can cook beans and rice! Pancake day was my favorite! I always had more than enough food, and was always satisfied with the meals I was provided with. There was never a time where I didn't feel safe, and I couldn't be happier with the living and eating provisions I was given.

The A Broader View Support before traveling was stellar. I was provided with detailed packing manuals, instructions and pieces of advice as to how to adapt to the new culture I would be immersed in. Any and all questions I had were answered effectively and promptly. ABV was also very accommodative of my itinerary, as I was traveling for five days after volunteering, and they even suggested some travel agents, companies, and activities. To me, ABV is more than just a company providing volunteer opportunities, but a company built by people who are caring, and passionate, and want to provide their customers with the best experience possible.