Best Decision I Could Have Made for Myself in 2021

IVHQ was the best decision I made in 2021. I just graduated college COVID style and I was feeling a little stuck and conflicted on what my next step would be. I didn’t get to study abroad due to COVID and then I came across IVHQ and I thought this was perfect!

I knew I wanted to travel and volunteer somewhere in Latin America and I knew I’d be doing this trip solo, so I looked at was IVHQ recommended for solo travelers and the Childcare project in Costa Rica instantly got my attention.

I planned my trip only one month in advance. I did my individual research and asked all my questions with my IVHQ advisor and by the week before I left felt pretty prepared on what to expect during my trip.

IVHQ emphasizes their 24/hr and they lived up to it. I felt well supported throughout my time in Costa Rica. The orientation was very thorough with providing us with information about our placements/transportation/ Costa Rica need to knows/ volunteer activities/ etc. We were also able to meet all the volunteers even if we had different projects. I met some of the best people through this experience!

My time at the Daycare/School that I volunteered at was great! The language barrier was tough at times but the in-class teachers always tried to include me in the activities and care for the children. A new face in the classroom is something all the kids appreciated and I felt very welcomed.

Outside of the volunteer work, I was able to spend my free time exploring and appreciating the culture in Costa Rica. I spent my weekends traveling to different parts of Costs Rica with some of the other volunteers. I also liked how our placements and IVHQ headquarters was in the center of the city so it was easy to explore San José.

My program was short because I wanted to try out this program and see if it was trustworthy before I commit to multiple weeks at another destination. After my first experience with IVHQ, I already started saving for my next project with IVHQ! Overall my experience in Costa Rica was humbling yet liberating!