An unforgettable journey.

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

"My thoughts"
What are my thoughts? What am I thinking really?
Before writing this review I look back at everything I went through, from day one until my last day and now from where I stand.
I remember being so scared but at the same time so excited, I remember thinking "what am I doing? Am I ready for this? Am I where i'm supposed to be?"
Turns out that I was, my entire experience was at the right place at the right time.
When I say "I remember", I make it sound as if this was a long time ago but actually, this was three weeks ago. The thing is that in this incredible place, days feel like years but the weeks go by so fast.

"Don't sugarcoat it", they said.

Well my first day at Ostional was alright, the people were welcoming,
the place was really really hot and I was so tired that I didn't know how my body could still manage to be awake. My thoughts the day after while at work were "Will I make it through without giving up before the program ends?". I knew I wanted to stay, I knew I wanted to do this, but most importantly I knew I had to be patient and let my body and mind adapt to my new surroundings.
To my surprise, after going through all this impatient thoughts, everything in my mind was wiped off when I saw the first turtle I had ever seen. It was as if I had been renewed and suddenly, in my third day there, I already felt like time was running and I did not want to leave this place anytime soon.
I was very lucky, from day one I got to see many turtles and work with approximately 260 turtles in an arribada that brought around 13,000 turtles to shore.

About my homestay: At the beginning we all feel out of place I guess, and that is completely normal since you arrive to an unknown place and get to be in a different home apart from your own. The good news is that after a few days I could easily call it home as well and feel relieved whenever I came tired from a long, exhausting day.

Recomendations: The instructions and recomendations given by IVHQ before departure were accurate so I would just say: pay attention to them and don't miss a thing!!! Luckily I had everything I needed because of it. (Dark and light clothes, bug repellant, hiking shoes, RAIN COAT, sunglasses, etc.)

My one and only personal recomendation is PATIENCE!
If you are missing home, if you feel out of place, if you still haven't adapted just be patient and positive since the experience you will have will be worth all fears and will surpass the expectations you had and will also make you want to stay way longer!

What else can I say? One must pay attention to what thoughts were then and what they are now, as they evolved quickly from "What am I doing?" To "What else have I been missing?!" and allowed me to have unforgettable trip. I feared, I laughed, I traveled, I LEARNED and now I miss and I regret not staying enough time! I need to start planning my way back to these turtles!

Would you recommend this program?
Yes, I would
Year Completed
2015
Media
Photos