I feel that this experience has really changed my view on happiness in life. It allowed me to realize that importance of happiness and that it can be attained from the smallest things in life. Just a hug from my students at the end of the day meant the world to me and made them feel loved back. It amazes me how happy the kids are when I think about what their reality is like outside of school. The “gifts” I received from my students are the best gifts I have ever gotten and I would not have been able to appreciate them if I hadn’t left high school early. The things I took with me from my experience will never get old and nothing will be able to compare to them. My students are my inspiration to achieve anything in life. I can achieve any obstacle that comes my way with the thought and imprint my students left on me.
Aside from teaching in the schools I met incredible people from all over the world who I still keep in touch with. Every Friday all the volunteers and GVI staff got together for a barbecue it was a great way to get to know the other volunteers and make weekend plans.
Living with a host family was uncomfortable in the beginning and I didn't know where I stood in the house, but after a couple weeks I grew very close with my host family and they made me feel right at home. I would sit and talk with my host mom for hours. To this day I still keep in touch with them as well.
My Spanish speaking was not fluent when I arrived there and my confidence in speaking was very low. Not once did I feel ashamed to speak Spanish if anything I felt motivated by my students, staff, and host families to try my best with Spanish.
Global Vision International (GVI)
I had a really good time on this project.
I felt it was value for money,well organised and I learnt a lot of new things. I liked it so much in fact I am going to return.
The ongoing debate about money spent by volunteers vs money in the field always comes up, so for what it's worth, here's my opinion.
I thought carefully about where I was going to go and what I wanted to do before I went.
I know the cost of living in a different country like India is often lower, but I measured that against things like
1. ongoing monitoring of projects by GVI and their partner agencies
2. safety in the field. This is excellent, met at the airport, accompanied to project sites, given guidelines for safety when in the community or on excursions.
3. Programme structure. Structured but flexible to change eg exursions out as a group, organising meals out)
4. Cost of running the program with staff, etc and all on costs in the quieter months (ie non peak season) This still works out as truly cost effective when looking at accommodation, food,transport to work sites, support from staff.
5. Pre daparture information and follow up on return - this was well handled by GVI. I felt supported by the agency.
I've traveled fairly extensively in India over a number of years now and have previous experience volunteering there and visiting other community programs. This trip was a very positive experience, and my most positive so far in terms of living and volunteering in the community. It was much easier than setting things up on my own.
I had an amazing experience with GVI, I really cannot praise them enough all the field staff were great and the training I received was really professional and allowed me to really help out on the project and make a difference. I learned to Dive, had a great time and made some cool friends, I just wish I was back there now!!
I would stay away from GVI. I did have an amazing experience in South Africa, but it is very expensive, considering the costs of running the program in a developing country are relatively low.
GVI are a corporation so their main objective is to earn a profit. It says on their website that 70% of the program fee goes back into the project, but this means the money still stays with GVI. It doesn't necessarily mean any money is going to go back into the community or environment to make a real difference.
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Comments
I only went for two weeks but I had the most amazing time, it was my first time traveling alone so i was a bit nervous but I felt right at home as soon as I arrived. The Friday night BBQ's are the best and I miss my kids so much
