Me Encanta El Salvador

Not only was this my very first international trip with FTPF, it was also my first time volunteering abroad period. I had lived in South America, but living/working in a city and volunteering with a NGO in rural towns are very different things.

I spent an amazing week in which I felt both challenged and at ease simultaneously; every day was full of new experiences and chances to learn. I racked up knowledge on planting techniques, organic tree care, how to say new words in Spanish, Salvadoran lingo, local foods, this small country's fascinating and unhappy history, traditional uses for medical plants, and the list goes on and on. But the best part was just being in these small towns, or in the schools, or in people's homes where you felt completely part of their lives. It was not a vacation or a tourist experience, but truly a slice of life in El Salvador at this moment.

I have since continued volunteering with FTPF, but as my first international trip with the organization, I can say that this project really lit the fire of my passion for their work. I highly recommend this trip to anyone looking to have a tangible impact on a local AND global level, while also getting off the beaten track and truly seeing a country. Me encanta El Salvador!