THE PERKS OF VOLUNTEERING IN COSTA RICA ON YOUR VACATION
Volunteering abroad is one of those experiences we all admire and even recommend but, how many of us actually dare to live it? There is a lot said about how honorable it is, to invest your time in giving back instead of simply traveling to enjoy yourself, but perhaps not enough is said about how mind-blowingly fulfilling it is, apart from having the time of your life much more so than you ever would on a “regular vacation”. Join us in redefining the experience of volunteering abroad by learning the 10 reasons why volunteering in Costa Rica is the best choice you could make.
HAVE FUN
We are popping this to the top of our list for it is fundamental that you have fun. As they say, “All work and no play makes for a very dull day!” Volunteer activities are nothing like getting a job back home, but more rather tours within themselves, opening doors with direct access to the people and culture you are visiting. Instead of being an invisible, passerby tourist who only gets to see what’s going on from a limited distance, you can become a hands-on member of the community. The service you provide will always have the color, taste, and feel of adventure. This might sound too good to be true, but how often are you able to play with real monkeys in your day-to-day “job”?
When volunteering with Wonder Away, you can rest assured we’ve got your experience covered. Our Costa Rica volunteer programs include “extracurricular activities” such as scuba diving, surfing and dance lessons, volcano hikes, waterfalls, and much more, you name it!
MAKE AN IMPACT
Giving back and having a positive impact is quite a big deal when you are volunteering, and a huge reason why the experience is so transforming and rewarding. The Wonder Away project focuses on an array of work including an exotic animal rehabilitation center, helping an assortment of injured animals return to the wild, a community garden offering workshops to teach local families how to grow their own produce, a horse stable with professional trainers; a turtle conservation project; a local foundation that helps underprivileged children; a cacao farm where you’ll learn how to make chocolate, a local farm that teaches how to milk cows, make cheese and raise a variety of animals; a former Navy SEAL that teaches outdoor survival skills and a few other smaller projects like planting trees and beach cleanups. Travel with us and get a package of experiences! “You mean I’ll get to hang out with monkeys, teach children and save turtles in the same week?” Yes, and don’t forget about visiting a waterfall, learning how to surf, hiking a volcano, and more… But yes, that’s exactly what we mean.
MAKE NEW FRIENDS
Let’s face it, one of the best parts of traveling is getting to know new, different, and exciting people. When on a regular trip you might cross paths with other people here and there but sharing a volunteering experience with a whole group of people will draw you together like very few things ever will. Embarking on a new country and culture together while working side by side is an ideal scenario to discover yourself and others
Moreover, every purchase of our Costa Rica volunteer program will sponsor one of our Little Brothers & Sisters, which is a local youth similar in age to the student volunteer. The Little Brother & Sister will accompany the student on all-volunteer projects for a true bonding experience and cultural exchange.
LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE
You might have heard this before but, living and working in another country is, hands down, the best way to learn a new language. Hearing it spoken nonstop around you and having no alternative but to use it yourself to communicate with locals on a regular basis will accelerate your learning process. Besides, the Little Brothers & Sisters we just mentioned are mostly -though not exclusively- from Costa Rica, which means, almost 24/7 language exchange stimulation for you both, a real intercultural boost!
TRY NEW THINGS & ACQUIRE NEW SKILLS
Volunteering in Costa Rica is a huge opportunity for you to test yourself, realize your potential, grow on both a personal and a professional level, acquire new skills, broaden your mind and, must we keep going? The best part of it all is that you need no previous experience whatsoever. The truth is you’ve got everything to gain and nothing to lose.
Improve your people skills and your ability to assess situations! There will be moments where you may be somewhat out of your comfort zone, which will improve your patience towards getting used to a different culture, learning its language, and understanding a new job
GROW AS A PERSON & BOOST YOUR CONFIDENCE
You’d be surprised at how much the perception you have of yourself can change after experiencing some volunteering time abroad, as one thing is certain, you won’t return home the same person as you left. Your mindset will start changing from the very moment you arrive, being aware of the imperative need to manage yourself in a new country. Along with the fact that you’ll be learning how to do a variety of unique jobs, having to step up and stick it out, and much to your surprise, you’ll find out just how capable you are!
PROFESSIONAL PATH
First and foremost, no matter what field you are pursuing, volunteering abroad will brighten your profile in the eyes of any future employer. It will single you out as a person who’s been exposed to challenges and has had some meaningful work experience. Now, from a different perspective, truth volunteering will give you the chance to put your interests to the test. Until you have actually done the work in a certain field, it can be difficult to know exactly how much you will enjoy it. Hopefully, this will reinforce your commitment to the path you have chosen.
On the flip side, you’ll get a chance to try out a variety of jobs and skills that you previously had no interest in, which can sometimes lead to a newfound passion you were completely unaware of. So once again, you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain!
NETWORKING
Your newly formed friendships are valuable international networking opportunities as well! When it comes to growing and developing in the professional world, connections are your most precious asset. Many times, it’s not WHAT you know, but WHO you know! Volunteering in Costa Rica allows you to meet people of all ages and backgrounds from all around the world. Imagine the advantages of staying in touch!
HEALTH!
Participating in one of our Costa Rica volunteer programs will get you physically, mentally, and emotionally fit. It’s simply a matter of maintaining an active lifestyle, being outdoors, and soaking up the sun while pouring your body, mind, and soul into foreign tasks with newly befriended strangers. Conquering these daily challenges using teamwork and passion will lead to a bright and fulfilling environment that we think everyone can benefit from.
FULFILLMENT
Last but not least, there is the element of fulfillment. Fulfillment for making a tangible contribution, to a community, a country, the environment; fulfillment for stepping out of your comfort zone and triumph exceedingly; fulfillment for learning and acquiring new skills; fulfillment for feeling a part of something bigger…
We could keep going on listing the perks of volunteering in Costa Rica but we think you guys get the picture… Do not miss the opportunity of a lifetime and contact us to get more information on our programs.