Volunteering in Mongolia with Projects Abroad

I had the great opportunity to volunteer in Mongolia with Projects Abroad and could not have had a better experience. Traveling to Mongolia was very daunting and I was nervous about traveling abroad independently and trying to adjust to a new standard of living and new customs. My apprehensions immediately diminished once I stepped off the plane and was greeted by a cheerful staff member. She introduced me to my host family, took me around Ulaanbaatar, explained Mongolian traditions, and helped me become comfortable with public transportation. The support system provided by Projects Abroad was phenomenal. Besides feeling safe and well adjusted, my volunteering experience was wonderful. Projects Abroad connected me to a Primary Care Center and I worked for two weeks with infants and toddlers. The staff at the center didn't speak English but we still managed to communicate with hand signals and I gained such an appreciation for nurses and their hard work. Projects Abroad also organized a volunteering excursion to a ger camp where, working with other volunteers, I taught some very basic English, set up arts and crafts, and played basketball with some local children.
The host family Projects Abroad connected me with was so welcoming and kind. They gave me my own room, made large family dinners every night, and taught me about Mongolian history. I am so grateful to Projects Abroad for setting up such a life changing experience and making sure I felt comfortable for the entirety of the trip (except when it was necessary to feel uncomfortable, because sometimes that discomfort is most needed!)