Great experience working in an orphanage

I always wanted to visit another country after school and do some volunteer work there, even if it was only for a few weeks. So I did a research and found that child care program in jamaica by Projects Abroad.
I didn't think it would be such a culture shock when I arrived. It was so colourful and warm (summery temparatures and so many palms and other plants; I went there in winter). And I loved to see a country that was so completely different from what I knew. Life seemed more simple, but at the same time more carefree than in Germany. That experience is something I would recommend to everyone, to visit a culture that is totally new to you. Not only to visit, but also to work there for a little while.
The first three weeks, I worked in a day care center with a school and assisted the teacher. Sadly, it wasn't perfect for me. So I told the team leaders I wanted to work somewhere else, and the last week, I went to work in an orphanage which I liked much better. I had already worked in a kindergarten, so I felt confident doing that and found a good rapport to the children and the staff.
My host family was also very nice. The mother always made my food for me. I shared a room with another volunteer for two weeks, the rest of the time I had it for myself.
Sometimes there where special events for the volunteers like lessons in patois or visiting the places where the other volunteers worked. There was a house where we could always go to and would always meet one or another team leader. That was also our meeting point for activities and weekend trips. On the weekends, the volunteers could independently go where they wanted in Jamaica. I was almost everywhere across the country. We had beach trips as well as trips to the mountains and always stayed in hostels.
Overall, it was a great experience that I would recommend for anyone who wants some adventure, to help others and to really get to know other cultures.