Volunteer Vacation Testimonials
Costa Rica Rainforest Testimonials
I feel so fortunate to have come into contact with Globe Aware and El Sur. I had the most wonderful trip, this was definitely one of the best experiences I've had in El Sur (which is difficult to say because every time is amazing). I'm already itching to go back. I'm sure it will be no time at all before I'm emailing with you again to plan it. I really love everything Globe Aware does and I can't wait to work with you all again. - Sophie Marsh, January 2013 (after her fourth Costa Rica Rainforest program)
The people in the community seem to not have problems like we have back home. Not much stress, they work together and enjoy everyone's company. The hospitality is great. I am amazed most kids undestand and speak some basic English. I enjoyed my volunteer vacation. The coordinator is very nice and friendly. She makes you feel safe and feel like at home. She understands and speaks well in English. All the people involved are vwey nice and happy to spend time with and very proud to show how they make their food and their small creative business. They are hardworking poeple, enjoy and love their small community. - Cathy Toribio, August 2012
"It was absolutely perfect. I was seeking a meaningful, cultural experience for my pre-teen daughter and this was exactly what I wanted. The people in El Sur were incredible, gracious, patient, I cannot say enough. We were welcomed with open arms by all the families. Gilda, Mario, Ronald and their families were particularly amazing." - James Quackenbush, August 2012
I vividly remember how I felt leaving for Costa Rica in April 2011. Nobody in my class could stop talking about how excited they were - excitement to leave the country for the first time, to travel without their parents, to get out of a couple days of school. I didn't have many feelings. I wasn't dreading the trip, but I wasn't particularly looking forward to it. I didn't know what to expect. I definitely didn’t expect my feelings – or lack thereof - to change so quickly. In five days, the village of El Sur, Costa Rica stole my heart. Two weeks after returning home I searched for ways to return, and through fundraising and long hours of work, in July 2011 I went back for two weeks - completely alone, not speaking a word of Spanish. Those two weeks were inspiring, rewarding and a major turning point in my life. Junior year of high school soon took over and didn’t allow a moment to think about anything except schoolwork and SATs, let alone leaving thecountry, but this summer I had the opportunity to return for a week, and January 2013 I’ll be back for two more. - Sophie Marsh, July 2012
I could tell that the work that I put into the project meant a lot to the whole community. Seeing how thankful they are for the bit I was able to help and their happiness with the final product makes me feel that it is indeed meaningful. Normally I would work and/or do activities for most of the morning. Afterwards I would have some down time during the heat of the day after lunch. Then I would work some more, and then by 4 I would have the rest of the evening to play soccer, relax, hang out with locals, etc. I felt that it was the perfect blend of work/play. The food was beyond delicious. Although I eat hardly anything while I'm there (my guess is due to climate), they wanted to feed me all day, every day. The families opened up their homes and made more than enough food for me, delicious food that I've been constantly craving since my return.
I could write for days and days about the effect El Sur and Costa Rica have had on my views towards my culture, their culture and life in general. They live so simply, yet they have the most beautiful culture I've ever witnessed. They are happy and accommodating and loving to no end. It amazes me how Costa Ricans treat everyone like family and really care about their community. Getting to work with the community is really wonderful. Getting away from internet and computers and being surrounded by wonderful, happy people is a novel experience for me. I wish it was more like this in America. I also understand Costa Rican culture a lot more now, as well as the Spanish language. I've really fallen in love with the people of El Sur and their beautiful community. The Globe Aware program is incredible and has really impacted my life. I am already saving up money and planning for the next possible chance to get to Costa Rica. No doubt that I will be returning back there for the rest of my life. - Volunteer, July 2012
One of the, if not the most, best experiences I've ever had. I couldn't be more grateful to have this opportunity. Also Federico (volunteer coordinator) is one of the nicest people I've ever met. He made my experience so much more enjoyable and I thought he handled everything very well. Thank you Globe Aware, Federico, my class that I got to work with, and the people of El Sur. You guys are awesome. - Julia Jones, June 2012
I changed my views on happiness. The people of El Sur were some of the happiest people I've every met, but they weren't always as fortunate as us. I learned in a week, and experienced, a new type of happiness. I hope I can take this happiness into my own culture, now knowing how very loosely connected happiness and fortunes are.
If I were to go on another volunteer vacation work experience, I would love to go with Globe Aware and go back to Costa Rica! My friend asked my how my trip was. Here is my response: It was life-changing. I feel like it could have done nothing (in terms of happiness and realization) had I not tried, but I tried to enjoy everything, so it was amazing! - Natalie Jones, June 2012
It was meaningful because we were able to hep the people of the town build a bridge for the students to get to school and to cross the river.
Everyone was very hospitable and they were easy to understand although they didn't speak much english. They all really tried to make you feel welcomed into their community. - Volunteer, June 2012
We were working on building a bridge so that the villagers in El Sur could cross the river. It was meaningful because we could see directly how we were building something for the community. We could look at our work and know it would make a difference. There was plenty of free time, and the villagers had activities planned for us in it. We got to do so many different cool things such as horseback riding and the trapiche. It was so amazing to experience the life of a local Costa Rican. They were all so gracious and generous, spending their time with us and showing us around. (What I liked best was) being immersed in the culture. Listening to Ronald play his guitar in his home, singing with his daughters was the highlight of the trip. - Alana Crumley, June 2012
Our experience there was so wonderful between the work that we did and the various other experiences that we had, that we were thrilled. It was the first trip for our granddaughter out of the country and she loved every moment.
We have been lucky enough to have been in a number of different cultures, so that change in how we view our own culture happened a long time ago. But for our granddaughter, it certainly was an eye opening experience. I think she now has a different view of other cultures and I also think she understands more now about the value of less trappings. But that is just what I observed while with her during our time together.
This was probably one of the best trips we have taken. We have done a number of volunteer trips as well as those with active tour groups. We thoroughly enjoyed being directly involved with the people in the community. They are wonderfully kind and welcoming. Gilda is the most incredible coordinator. She is very well organized, very caring and fun to be with! She thinks of everything. Our time with her couldn't have been better. Mario, too, is wonderful. He is extremely knowledgeable and thorough. Our work was well explained and he worked right along with us. We are very impressed with their commitment to the program and the enthusiasm with which they carried out their responsibilities. - Michelle Maloney, March 2012