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Before arriving in costa rica I was very nervous and even though I was given a great amount of helpful information I couldn't help but be a little bit apprehensive.

Once I arrived it became clear that I was definitely not alone and help would be there for me all along whenever I needed it. The first weekend I became very familiar with the town and costa ricans themselves and their 'pura vida' lifestyle.

I was lucky enough to go zip lining the second day I arrived and it was an experience I know I will never forget! I was very excited to start working and going to bajo tijares the first day was a bit of a culture shock for me and it really impacted me because I was never familiar with people living like that.

The children were so loving and kind I could tell that they really enjoyed me being there. Over the course of the first week it was tough to connect with a few of the kids.

Some never even connected with me at all, but the ones that did really opened up and were so happy and bright despite their situations.

Some of them reminded me of my own younger cousins and I know I will never forget about them. I'm so thankful that uVolunteer gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in the costa rican culture and be able to meet some amazing kids.

I hope that I made a positive impact on them because they definitely had a positive impact on me.

Anita

On the first day all the new volunteers are given an orientation about the culture and shown around the small town. This was so much fun. That afternoon, despite my jet lack I went zip lining with a few volunteers. It was so easy to make friends with everyone. All the volunteers were very like minded.

On the Monday, it was my first day at the orphanage. Ligia takes all the volunteers to there projects on the first day, so you don't get lost. The journey was extremely easy. From the dorm I would walk ten minutes to the bus station and then take a 10 minutes bus ride. I was made very welcome by all the Aunties (Tia's) at the orphanage. I was so worried about not being able to speak Spanish but that really hasn't been a problem at all. I am now an expert and charades. The Tia's are so friendly and patient with me. And of course the children are so, so wonderful. There are 13 children at my orphanage, all under the age of 10. They just want to play and receive lots of cuddles. I try and help the tia's out as much as possible. I would clean the floors and windows for them, I would also help feed the children and clean the dishes afterwards. They are so appreciative of any help.

You have to work Monday to Thursday at your chosen project. You then have 3 days at the weekend to go visit all the amazing places in Costa Rica. There really is so much to do. I have had 3 weekends to travel and I have been zip lining, to the beach, seen a volcano and been white water rafting!! The volunteers all go away together, which is so much fun. They help recommend hostels and tour companies, as well as explain the easiest way to get there. You really are in good hands here!

I had an amazing time here is Costa Rica. The people are so friendly and welcoming. The way of life is so relaxed here, which suited me perfectly. The landscape is absolutely stunning. I have nothing negative to say about my experience.

Thank you so much the staff. I love you all. You really have made my experience here unforgettable.

This is the second time I've been to Ghana and it still impresses me that you can buy pretty much anything from the comfort of your tro-tro seat; breakfast, laundry soap, razor blades, phone credit, school books...you name it!

I've found Ghanaians to be incredibly friendly and curious...

the hugs and smiles from the children at Hour of Grace Orphanage have always managed to make my day!

I can't believe my four weeks in Ghana is almost over! Reflecting back, it's amazing how quickly I've learnt to forgo Western conveniences, such as bus timetables and public toilets, and embrace Ghanaian conveniences, such as tro-tro (mini-van) shopping. This is the second time I've been to Ghana and it still impresses me that you can buy pretty much anything from the comfort of your tro-tro seat; breakfast, laundry soap, razor blades, phone credit, school books...you name it! I've found it particularly exciting when stumbling across that thing I gave up looking for yesterday when sent north, south, east and west by well-meaning locals who wanted not to disappoint an obruni (white person) but to point them in the 'right' direction!

There are many other things I will never forget about Ghana. Among them, walking to work alongside goats, chickens and the occasional cow, the shout of "obruni" followed by the sight of a young child dashing out onto the road to catch a glimpse and wave good-bye, and the chaos of Korofidua on Market Day, a stark contrast to Sunday mornings when the whole town, it seems, is at Church.

As well as having enormous faith, I've found Ghanaians to be incredibly friendly and curious. While incessant calls of "Akosua (Sunday-born), where are you going?" and "Where are you from?" have been overwhelming at times, the hugs and smiles from the children at Hour of Grace Orphanage have always managed to make my day! Popular activities have been colouring, making animal masks and decorating smiley face biscuits (the kids had never seen icing or 100s and 1000s before but were won over when assured it was all sugar!). Working with these children has been the highlight of the trip; my only regret is not spending more time with them! It would be great to have volunteers teaching English so as to help the kids at school.

I have spent most of my time in Ghana working at St Joseph's Hospital and have been fortunate enough to work alongside three Ghanaian physiotherapists, four Ghanaian students and three other volunteers. Having mostly worked at an acute hospital in Australia, I've enjoyed the opportunity to work in the outpatient department with a mixed adult and paediatric caseload (conditions such as stroke, back pain, fractures, Cerebral Palsy, Erb's palsy and Talipes). If working at St Joseph's has taught me one thing, then it is how to adapt.

Challenges have included testing my imagination skills with limited equipment (disposable rubber gloves serve well as kicking/punching bags for kids with broken arms or legs), rehabilitating patients who have presented up to two years post-stroke (it's not uncommon for patients to seek alternative therapies such as witchcraft and herbal medicine first) and trying to be a makeshift occupational therapist, speech therapist and orthotist (these therapies are either rare or non-existent in Ghana and so it would be GREAT to have people help out in these areas too) all at once. While being caught outside my comfort zone at times, I have been able to pester my work colleagues at home with incessant questions thanks to the luxury of internet access in the dorm!

The location of the dorm in Koforidua is ideal. A short taxi ride (or 30 minute walk) takes you to the centre of town, from where begins many a weekend adventure. I'd recommend the Wli Waterfalls in the Volta Region, Mole National Park and Paga in the North, and the many beaches along the coast. The Bradt guide is invaluable when making travel plans so be sure to take it along. Failing that, the locals are always willing to point you in (maybe) the right direction! I hope Ghana is as memorable for you as it has been for me.

Kate

It was a great month working with a local football team and local college sporting teams such as track and field, basketball, badminton, table tennis and volleyball. Since the West African Poly games are coming up, I was very busy volunteering with various teams.

At the college, it was track and field qualifications for the West African Poly games. Most of the athletes competed in bare feet, socks, and a few pairs of shoes. Kofi, the 20 year old man who represented the IT students, won the 1,600 meter race by running it bare foot and still managed to break the school record held for 15 years.

As a volunteer, it took long days to help prepare the field for the event. We had to measure, chalk the lanes for the runners, pick up and move large rocks, dig a large hole for the long and triple jump. The best part about getting the long and triple jump pit ready was going to a local saw mill with other Ghanaians and bringing the saw dust back on our bicycles. The day of the event was filled with hundreds of people from the local community, and the local college. The telecom company MTN, sponsored the event by giving the winners of each event shirts, trophies, and hats. A very memorable event that I will never forget!

I really appreciate UVolunteer for being organized and providing the volunteers with such a nice environment to live in. Great showers, kitchen, food, staff and a clean house with comfortable beds. Koforidua is surrounded by mountains, so it's a great place to have weekends off. It's close to waterfalls, hiking in the mountains, bicycle riding, local villages,and easy access to festivals in the Eastern Region. Only a quick ride to Accra to see any major attractions in Ghana's capital city.

I really enjoyed the Ghana experience.

My first time travelling outside North America, to Costa Rica, reached and exceeded all my expectations. A friend and I got bored at home and decided to travel, after deciding on Costa Rica and a quick google search, it appeared that the uVolunteer program would be a perfect match for us. uVolunteer helped us organize our travel info, and were very helpful in letting us know what was and wasn't necessary to pack.

Im very grateful that I was allowed to do this program on such short notice, as many other programs wouldn't have let two guys zip down to costa rica on 10 days notice.

Upon arrival, we were greeted with hugs and smiles at the airport and although it had been 24 hours without sleep, their energy was infectious!! Arriving at the dorms was shocking. I assumed in my head

that we would be living in cabins or tents, but the house is closer to a hotel. Hot water, comfortable beds, wifi, 2 meals a day and laundry have made the time spend here incredible!

On our first day we were given a tour of beautiful San Ramon, perfect weather, even better people, and a tight nit community made us all feel welcome. The fruit market is a must see, with produce I havenever heard of in my life including dragonfruit, and guanabana ( a watermelon looking fruit that it white instead of pink, slightly creamy, and ten times as sweet).

After the tour of the city we were taken to Bajo (the village where most of the children from the community center live), which was easily the most eye opening experience of Costa Rica. There homes were little more that glorified shacks, with a single light bulb and no beds, however I have never met happier people in my life. They were all very welcoming and friendly and wanted to share what little they had with us.

I cant believe my time here is over already but I can honestly say that these were the best three weeks of my life!

I chose UVolunteer for several different reasons. The organization seemed be a very ethical one, emphasizing working through organizations in the community. Programs offered were interesting and varied. I had a hard time picking out which one I wanted to do. I chose community center type projects each time because I felt like I was qualified for them and that I could make a difference. Each time that I volunteered I had a person who picked me up at the airport, gave me a detailed orientation, and also gave me a tour of the community. Throughout the program they offered continued support and checked in frequently to see what I was doing.

At the community center at Bajo Tejares I played several different roles. The community center was located in a community that one could see really needed such a place to exist. We were given a tour of the neighborhood which was a little shocking. The houses were really tiny and a few of them just had a lot of trash around them. Drug use and teen pregnancy were big problems in the neighborhood, and the community center gave the kids a viable alternative to this as well as positive attention from adults. The educational component was a big part of what they did. We got to help out with English classes for adults and teenagers in the community. Two other volunteers and I worked with the adult women's class. It was a little challenging, because the women all had different levels and attendance seemed to be directly related to the weather. We had to go really slow, slower than I had thought because pronunciation was really difficult for them and a lot of times they were scared to even talk. One thing was certain though, the classes were always fun! The women made it seem more like a club than a class. The ones that did know more really helped each other out. I really wished we could have made the class a permanent thing, but because of the school schedule starting again, it wasn't possible.

At night I got to help teaching the English class at the college in San Ramon. I had so much fun with them. Getting to work with adults was cool because it made you feel more a part of the community. The learners were all really motivated and seemed to want to be there. Since one of the most important parts of a language is talking ,the classes were conversation based. This made it really fun and I felt like it was a good way for the students to learn.

I would recommend getting involved in this to anyone who does uVolunteer. It feels like you help them so much, and they get to help you as well.

Jennifer

Arriving in Ghana for my volunteer trip to work in an orphanage, I learned one thing right away, never expect things to go the way you had intended. This is an important lesson in life, and has always been very hard for me. So on the first day right away I was challenged with things not going the way I had imagined them to go.

One memorable moment I remember is when I was trying to teach the children about gentle touch, and patting or rubbing the shoulder to get my attention, instead of hitting or pulling aggressively.

One memorable moment I remember is when I was trying to teach the children about gentle touch, and patting or rubbing the shoulder to get my attention, instead of hitting or pulling aggressively. This was a hard lesson for them, as in their culture they are used to rough handling and gentle touch does not really exist. As I explained to them how to do it, and that I like it better than being pulled on very hardly, they really understood and started helping each other out by reminding each other and demonstrating it on me. It was really sweet to see how one girl showed another one what a " gentle touch" was and how quickly she responded and started doing it that way.

Overall my experience at the orphanage was truly wonderful, and I would not trade it for anything, despite its challenges and obstacles. It was an experience I put myself into and I think it has made me a stronger, more adaptable person because of it. I am glad to have been able to share something with the children and hope that the time I spent with them will leave some kind of impression or memory in there minds to carry with them for the rest of there lives. Ghana is an amazing country, rich with culture, flavor and excitement. There was never a dull moment in Ghana and my time here has enriched my life in a very positive way.

As soon as I arrived, I was greeted with the love and warmth of Jack and his relatives. On most evenings, myself, Alex, & Sarah would eat a whole variety of delicacies with all of Jack's, Aunts, Uncles and cousins at his Grandfather's house. This house is no ordinary house!!! With over 3 generations dining on one floor, from baby Sanchai to Grandfather Boontrong, this house is full of laughter, love and great food of course!!

Staying here changed my whole perspective on travelling. Most people who travel to Thailand overlook the Isaan region, for it's lack of tourist sites. But for myself, it is the true face of Thailand. Whilst slowly devouring my favourite Cappaccino Ice Cream at the riverside Milk Cafe, I remember the scores of children playing fun and games in the late afternoon sun, monks in their rich orange robes gathering in the temple courtyard, and locals finishing their daily duties, getting ready for the most important meal of the day. I spent most of my afternoons by that riverside cafe, watching the world go by, enjoying an occasional conversation with a curious Thai, while the crimson sun set descended beautifully over the peaceful town and the winding river.

By day, I was an assistant teacher at the local secondary school. Here, I would help Ajan (Teacher) Phusita in class, in a number of ways such as pronunucation, grammar and spelling. Again my role went beyond that, as gradually I realised that all of the above were secondary. The students wanted to know more about myself and the culture that I represented. Furthermore, many seemed to be very interested on my thoughts of Thai culture. Hence, teaching in Phonphisai enabled the opportunity for myself as a teacher, and the students, to teach English through the means of sharing both cultures. The phrase 'time of your life' is used too easily in this day in age. I do believe that my stay with Jack, and his family in Phonphisai, was the best time of my life. I discovered so much about the world and myself. Yet, there seems tobe something in my heart which urges me to return there one day in the future to rediscover the adventurous Joe, and to rekindle the friendships which I forged. The true Thailand awaits to those who are adventurous enough to seek it.

Let me start by saying that up to this day, my trip to Costa Rica with uVolunteer has been my BEST trip. Lost among the Ticos who awaited for friends, family and clients at the airport. When we arrived at the dorm with two other volunteers (who are now family to me), it didn't take long at all to already feel at home.

The orientation the next morning around San Ramon was a great way to see what San Ramon is really like and definitely helped me to get around later by myself. This 12-block city is extremely friendly and contains everything that you could ever need. After bungee jumping and doing white water rafting during my first weekend, I was definitely set to start working on Monday ;)

My project was located at the community center in San Ramon, a community where poverty overtakes most people's life. On our first day, we went around the houses of Bajo to see what people lived in, which were definitely very small houses that could barely fit an entire family. However, this tour was very helpful in understanding the daily lives of the kids we would be working with in the community center.

Lastly, the option of teaching classes of different levels to adults at the university was another wonderful experience. Although it made our days a bit longer, seeing all the students motivated to learn each night made it all worthwhile. Teaching English to young adults and older ones definitely opens many doors for them in their lives and careers. Therefore it was my biggest pleasure to share my knowledge of English with them.

I can't describe enough how wonderful this experience has been and how much I'm grateful for it. I have now made many wonderful relationships with the people of uVolunteer and many other volunteers, which I will be sure to maintain forever. I know that we will all for sure meet again. But for now, I'm not sad because it ended. I'm more than grateful that it happened

The little expectations I did have were definitely exceeded when I arrived and met the staff and settled in. Everyone was extremely warm and friendly from the moment I was picked up at the airport. The weekend was busy exploring Koforidua and getting familiar with the Ghanaian food and culture .After seeing how people lived in the town I was relieved to find our dorms very comfortable and clean.

Before we began camp at the Orphanage, we were brought to the orphanage to meet the staff and children. Sunday night we spent planning how we would execute the English and Sports camp for the next two weeks. I was glad to find that Nat and the team had already done some basic lesson planning for the week so I felt prepared. Mon-Thurs we worked from about 9am-3pm at the orphanage. The days were well organized and it was comforting to have local staff and teachers there to help us as well. I was pleased that there were other volunteers with me during the program so I could not only make new friends but also have co-teachers to plan with. Even though I am a teacher, the work was challenging but extremely fun. Coming from teaching in West Philadelphia, I was blown away by how well behaved, well-mannered and respectful the children were. They were eager to learn and try new things and their excitement for us being there was incredibly rewarding.

On the weekend, Nat accompanied our group on a trip to the Cape Coast and was an excellent tour guide. At the end of the two weeks, I could have never imagined how upset I would be to leave the children. The children are amazing and really make everything about working at the camp completely worthwhile, in just two weeks I felt a developed a really strong bond with my entire group of kids.

Overall, my experience is exactly what I was looking for in a volunteer program. I made sure to stay open-minded and patient the entire trip. At times, when I wanted to feel frustrated with some of the ways of the culture, I reminded myself that it was part of the whole learning experience. I would not have done anything differently and I am completely satisfied with the program. I felt by having the opportunity to immerse myself in the culture I was able to come away with a life changing experience that I will surely never forget.