Program Reviews

My name is Emma. I recently spent time in Jamaica volunteering through projects abroad, doing their care project. I was placed in a vey loving host family, where i had 3 other volunteers staying with me. They were all very supportive and caring. I then was placed in my placement, an orphanage. There i got to meet and help amazing children who accepted me with open arms. I got to make a difference not only in their lives but in my own. I made lifelong friendships with other volunteers as well as being so deeply submerged into the wildly different culture. It made me grow so much as a person and i would greatly recommend doing it to anyone who has a passion to help others.

I took part in one of the projects abroad care and community Christmas programs volunteering in Ghana. It was an absolutely amazing experience. I got the chance to work at an orphanage teaching English, organizing activities, fundraising, and just spending time with the kids. I made some really good friends from around the world and got to really submerge myself in Ghanaian culture. My host family was so great and the projects abroad staff were very helpful and kind. Overall an unforgettable 2 weeks.

My trip to South Africa was phenomenal! I am blown away by the beauty of the country and the people! I volunteered for the child care program in Cape town for two weeks. I worked directly with the children and assisted the staff with creating programs that will enhance their social-emotional development and academic abilities. The other volunteers and I taught the children basic hygiene practices through songs and visual prompts. Seeing the children learn while having fun was very rewarding! The principle was constantly expressing her gratitude and pointed out how happy the children were having us around to play and learn with. I will never forget all the moments of playing, singing, eating, having small talks, doing arts and crafts and reading! They will forever stay in my heart and memory.
I am impressed by the professionalism and support Projects Abroad staff members offer. Being that it was my first time traveling alone overseas, I was nervous and skeptical about booking my flight. The travel team was patient with me and helped me book my flight. This gave me a sense of peace and security. I appreciate the attentiveness staff members provided during my stay in South Africa. They made sure I was safe and satisfied at all times.
My host family were sweet and welcoming. The meals were delicious and there were always snacks and fruits available (which helped for long days at work). It was interesting living with five roommates from all around the world. I was able to learn about different cultures and upbringings. From talking about our day at work to going on unforgettable adventures together, everyday was filled with excitement! I will forever be grateful to Projects Abroad for creating such amazing opportunities for people to give to those in need in exchange for a life changing experience. I went on this trip with an open heart to help children and came back filled with compassion and hope!

It was a really fun experience to volunteer in Cuyutlan, Mexico. I joined the Sea Turtle Conservation program, which aimed to take care of the sea turtles. The most interesting part was to pick up the baby turtle eggs near the sea in the morning. You can see the most beautiful view of the world near by the sea in Cuyutlan. Also, picking up the eggs, seeing the small turtles growing up and putting them back to the sea was meaningful to me. It made me feel that I did help them live. Anyways, it was a special and enjoyable experience to live and take care of the sea turtles and other animals. It was a great volunteer program to join to get close to sea turtles and know more about their behaviors or features.

My trip with Projects Abroad was definitely an experience I will never forget. I decided to travel to Ghana and volunteer in the medicine field because that was the field I was interested in. When I arrived to Ghana in the Accra airport, it was definitely a whole different culture than what I am used to in America. However, I was able to settle into my placement smoothly with the help of the Projects Abroad staff. There were staff sent by Projects Abroad that took me to my placement in Cape Coast, which was 3 hours from Accra, making the journey safe. When I arrived in Cape Coast at my host family's house and warmly welcomed by my host mother, brothers, and sister. At that time, I had no idea how much of a family they would feel like to me by the end of the trip. I also knew that all the other volunteers were staying in the same house and did not know where they were even coming from at the time.
However, I have to say my 2 weeks volunteering in Ghana was an amazing experience for so many reasons. Although I came into this trip not knowing who I would be volunteering and living with, but everyday working with the other volunteers made everything seem more comfortable and smoother. I definitely would not have made such amazing friends from all over the country if I had not applied for this program. Not only did we bond through our volunteering, but also through our evenings together at home in the dining room playing games and talking to each other. Another huge factor in our evenings were my host brothers and sister, they made us feel at home and treated us like true brothers and sisters. Every night with them was definitely not boring, but filled with fun and laughter. Additionally, I learned an incredible amount about the culture and volunteering during this experience. The Projects Abroad directors and supervisors made sure that we had a very enjoyable stay in Ghana, and I am very thankful for that. I very much enjoyed volunteering in community outreaches, as well as the leprosy camps, and the Projects Abroad supervisors also played a huge role in making the work enjoyable. They were there to help guide us in our work, but also treat us as one of their friends instead of teacher, and they added joy and thrill to the trip as well.
Projects Abroad has made my first trip to Africa one of the most memorable experiences in my life, and opened my eyes to what life is like in places like Ghana. This journey has made me appreciate my lifestyle more, and it also made me want to come back to Ghana in the future.

Projects Abroad has been beyond incredible in making this the trip of a lifetime. I decided to go to Mongolia and live with nomads for a week out on the steppe. Although I did want to stay for longer, I am beyond thankful for the experience I was able to have. Being 16 years old- one of the youngest to go out and live with a family, my family had reservations about how safe I would be. I went with a friend from the states, and Projects Abroad made sure that our accommodation was together. The whole time we were organizing it, it was very personalized and they made sure to follow up on even the smallest question or request. My organizer, Zulaa- picked us up at the airport and made sure to make our entry into Mongolia one to remember. She is one of the sweetest people I have ever met, and the most hospitable, generous, and caring. All the staff I met were genuinely concerned with our well being, and very open to suggestions, questions, and ideas. The company has wonderful roots in all nations where it offers projects. Their ability to connect with volunteers through wonderful staff make the experience very personal and memorable.
The nomad project is incredible- you are truly able to connect with yourself and experience a life which you would never be able to in the United States. Although for many it is tough to not bathe on the daily, eat a freshly slaughtered goat, and use the bathroom in the bushes, I thought that these events were what made the experience perfect. You must be open to change, new things, and positive to be able to survive out on the steppe- because after some time, you will realize that the everyday things we use are not really necessities. You are much more aware of what you have when you come back, and nothing should be truly taken for granted.
My nomadic family was beyond perfect. They had two children who were very close in age to my friend and I- which made every day so much fun. It was very easy to connect with them despite the language barrier. I got to experience things that I would never have been able to before, and became aware about the world and how not living the “American Dream” is not necessarily a bad thing. Please, if you are considering going to Mongolia- do it. It will a choice that you will not regret.

My name is Trystin St. Denis. I'm 16 and from San Jose, California. I participated in the Projects Abroad Care & Community program in Mandeville, Jamaica. This project was one of the most eye opening, incredible things I've ever done in my life. I lived with a wonderful host family -the Stewarts- and four other roommates. Aside from the actual volunteer work, they contributed greatly to my experience there. The staff support while in Jamaica was astonishing. While I was there, my dog back home died. The staff went out of their way to comfort me and provide me with anything I needed to get through my grief and allowed me time to myself to process, while still making sure I knew that they were there for me. I also got super sick while I was there(I get motion sickness easily) and they immediately called my parents and took me to the doctor and even paid for my medicine and doctors visit.
My roommates were easily one of the greatest parts of my trip. We were all near the same age, so I think that contributed to how well we got along, but they were also just incredible people with such big hearts; I feel so honored to know that they'll forever be apart of my life. I lost my wallet the very first day I was in Jamaica, and my roommate Cory helped me pay for anything and everything the rest of the trip. There's truly no one else like the other volunteers; they're so giving, understanding, and genuinely good people.
My actual project was also incredible, as I got to work with little kids(3-5 year olds), and help influence them and their future decisions. Being able to contribute to their future success and help the teachers there, who truly do need the help, felt so rewarding. I would do it a thousand times over again if I could.

My experience in Córdoba, Argentina as a medical intern facilitated my development as both a student-scholar and overall human being. Being independent in an unfamiliar city, speaking a different language throughout each day, and immersing myself in a uniquely beautiful culture pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best ways possible. My summer internship allowed me to obtain a better understanding of South America, different healthcare systems, and who I want to be in the future, and it changed the way I look at my life and the lives of others.
I specifically chose to work with Projects Abroad because of their holistic approach in aiding developing countries with projects in various fields of work. Throughout my internship with Projects Abroad, all of the coordinators and volunteers were kind, welcoming, and supportive. Everyone working at the Córdoba location is passionate about the community, making a difference, and embracing the incredible opportunities that Argentina has to offer. For a majority of my work, I shadowed physicians and residents at the Hospital Universitario de Maternidad y Neonatología, a public hospital in the center of the city that serves expecting mothers and infants. A typical day in the hospital consisted of shadowing live births, cesarean sections, hysterectomies, mastectomies, and other surgical procedures. As an additional part of my Projects Abroad medical internship, I participated in outreach work in economically disadvantaged areas of the city, and I was also able to take part in some of the human rights activities that supported the homeless community in the city. There were also monthly community service projects in which Projects Abroad partners with another local organization to help the city of Córdoba and its people in some way.
My accommodations and the relationships I formed while in Argentina were absolutely unforgettable. As soon as I arrived, I was warmly welcomed by my host mom, Maria Elena, and some of my housemates. I lived in a quaint, three-story complex in the center of the city that offered everything I could possibly need. Because each volunteer had a different start and end date, I had various housemates from all over the world throughout my internship. For most of my meals, I ate at home with my host mom and housemates, eating delicious, freshly-cooked Argentine cuisine and discussing each of our unique experiences from that day. As I usually did not work on weekends, I fortunately had time to travel around Córdoba and to other provinces of Argentina to obtain a more holistic view of the country. Having the opportunity to see different parts of Argentina was integral to my understanding of the country, and these experiences taught me that each province has its own distinct accent, life, and culture that are well-worth appreciating and embracing. Reflecting on my trip as a whole, I am so grateful for my summer internship and have become a much more independent, open-minded, and self-aware human being, and I feel so fortunate to have had this opportunity.

I volunteered in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. My time in Dar was the best experience of my life. I think back on my time there every single day of my life. My host mother was the sweetest woman I've ever met. I actually called her "Mama", because that's what she was to me. Her housekeeper was lovely as well. Our meals were fresh and unique every day. The relationship I formed with them truly touched my heart and I plan on visiting them again.

The staff in Dar were constantly working hard to ensure we got the most out of our experiences. Anytime, day or night, they were available. If we had any issues with anything, they were immediately there to help. They also encouraged us to get to know the culture and we were invited to participate in several events at the office to help us do this.

My roommate is now one my dearest friends. She and I bonded instantly. We did everything together when we were not at work. The other volunteers were also incredible. We had our own little family on an entire different continent! We have all kept in touch and plan on getting together at some point in the near future.

Traveling overseas for the first time by yourself can be a very overwhelming scary experience. The Projects Abroad staff helped make my pre-departure, arrival, time in Kenya and departure as smooth as possible. The staff opened me with welcoming arms and made sure that each day I was in Kenya was a positive experience for me. They constantly checked in on me and made sure that I was happy in my placement, happy with my host family and happy with the overall experience. I was not 100% happy with my first care placement so they helped find me a placement where I found my true calling. I would not have made it through my time in Kenya without them!
Also with the support of my host family, I had the most amazing experience in Kenya. My host family was so caring and loving which helped make me feel even more comfortable with them. They always had breakfast, lunch and dinner ready for me. They always asked about how my day was and listened to all of my stories, just like my own parents would have. They asked questions and helped me understand why some of the people do what they do in Kenya. When I left I truly felt like their home was mine and they were my own family. They were incredible.
The other volunteers I met in Kenya soon became close friends. They helped make my time in Kenya even more memorable. We constantly shared adventures and stories and helped push each other to reach our goals.
Projects Abroad helped make my life time dream come true.