Amazing experience!

Ratings
Overall
5
Impact: 5
Support: 5
Fun: 4
Value: 5
Safety: 4
Review

I had a wonderful time volunteering with SMEF in Santa Maria. The friends I made, places that I was able to visit, and things I learned made it an unforgettable experience. Living in a small town in rural Paraguay allowed me to really get to know people and to feel part of the community. Everyone knows everyone, and people are happy to welcome you as a friend. It was the perfect opportunity to improve my Spanish because I was one few English speakers in the town, so was really immersed in the Spanish language and spoke it for hours everyday. Working alongside other volunteers and Sarah I felt very supported and part of a team. The teaching is hard work but incredibly rewarding; you teach each class everyday and so get to know your students well and have the opportunity to really make a difference. I felt like my hard work was really paying off when in the weeks leading up to the Cambridge exams I saw my students’ results rapidly improve, along with their confidence. Outside of class and at the weekends I formed some great friendships with the other volunteers, my students, and other young people from the town. There isn’t a huge amount to do in the way of cinemas, shopping or restaurants in Santa Maria, but because of this you spend your time appreciating the beauty of the local area and forming real connections with the people who live there. Some of my best memories are of chatting in Spanish and enjoying terere with friends on a hot day in the countryside. I highly recommend this experience for anyone keen to teach English, improve their Spanish and experience the culture of Paraguay.

Would you recommend this program?
Yes, I would
Year Completed
2018
Media
Photos