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These testimonials are from members of an Alternative Spring Break group from Indiana University that volunteered in a school and orphanage in Costa Rica in March 2008 with AIDE.
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What was your favorite memory or experience during your time in Costa Rica?
My favorite experience of the Costa Rica trip is the bonding with the kids at the school. Even though I spoke very little Spanish, it was easy to bond with the kids because all they want is a little attention and to be entertained.
How was your experience living with a host family?
Our host mom was one of the nicest people I have ever met. The meals were good and the amenities were fitting to the culture. The homestay aided my development by helping me grow in the culture of Costa Rica.
Would you recommend this Spring Break trip to others?
Yes, because it was awesome! It was everything I expected and it really changed my life.
How do you feel about the support AIDE provided?
We would have been lost without our AIDE representative. She was an awesome trip coordinator and it was very nice to have her come along with us on our journey.
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What was your favorite memory or experience during your time in Costa Rica?
My favorite part of the trip was learning about another culture firsthand through staying with host families and playing with the children. Specifically, I enjoyed learning Spanish for the first time through talking with host families for hours at the dinner table.
How was your experience living with a host family?
It was the best part of the trip. They were very friendly and made great food. We learned a lot about the community and their culture, and some Spanish too.
Would you recommend this Spring Break trip to others?
This program has changed my life – I would recommend it to anyone.
How do you feel about the support AIDE provided?
I did not have any doubts about the trip. Our AIDE coordinator was very helpful in guiding us through the beginning of the trip to show us around and did a great job telling us about what would be doing.
Any recommendations for future volunteers?
Be discreet with your camera when taking pictures in public places.
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What was your favorite memory or experience during your time in Costa Rica?
We had been painting the dining area of the school for a couple days and we were less energetic than when we started. And then Silvia, the school's cook, came out of the kitchen and told us the paint looked very good. She said that the painting would serve as a “recuerdo” (memory) of our time there, something that the kids could remember us by. So even though we were tired and dirty, she made us realize that our work we did would have an impact that would last long after we had left. In painting there dining area, we had saved the extra time and energy the students' parents would have devoted to the task.
How was your experience living with a host family?
Our family was fantastic- very caring and helpful.
Do you think that your time in Costa Rica changed your life in some way?
Yes, I met amazing Costa Ricans!
Would you recommend this Spring Break trip to others?
Yes, it was a wonderful way to learn about a culture and help other people at the same time.
How do you feel about the support AIDE provided?
Our AIDE coordinator was very helpful to have in Costa Rica. It was nice to have someone familiar with Alternative Spring Break and someone from the USA with us. Also, before we came to Costa Rica we had a lot of information on the trip and it was very organized.
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What was your favorite memory or experience during your time in Costa Rica?
One of my favorite moments was realizing first hand that there are many channels of communication. Yes, for some, there was a language barrier with English and Spanish. Yet, we were all able to still communicate in a meaningful way to some extent. Hand gestures, a smile, kind actions, music. All universal ways of communicating that transcend the English-Spanish barrier.
How was your experience living with a host family?
We had a wonderful time. The family was amazing and very helpful. I felt spoiled! Communicating was frustrating yet manageable, even though I only spoke a little Spanish.
Do you think that your time in Costa Rica changed your life in some way?
Definitely. I see things so much differently now. This experience helped me grow so much.
How do you feel about the support AIDE provided?
The AIDE coordinator did an amazing job. She had everything well-organized and made our trip run so smoothly. Having her help us was such a relief – plus, having her send emails and meeting us in Costa Rica made me feel much more comfortable.
Would you recommend this Spring Break trip to others?
Yes, it was very well organized.
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Do you feel like you made a positive impact on the community where you volunteered?
Definitely – I think we made connections with the children at the orphanage and started a project (painting the fence) that will benefit the orphanage for a long time.
How was your experience living with a host family?
This was the most AMAZING part of my whole experience. They were accommodating and welcoming in everyway, even learning new recipes since we were both vegetarians. Great people- I will miss them a lot.
Do you think that your time in Costa Rica changed your life in some way?
I will never forget the people I met while there. I know hope to spend some months traveling or volunteering abroad after I graduate.
Would you recommend this Spring Break trip to others?
Of course!
How do you feel about the support AIDE provided?
As the group leader, I was very glad that the AIDE coordinator was here to help get things figured out at the start. She was a huge help throughout the entire process and truly was an integral part of crafting such a rewarding experience.
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What was your favorite memory or experience during your time in Costa Rica?
I loved getting to see the group before and after they had completed their projects. I could tell at the end that they really had bonded and enjoyed themselves in Costa Rica.
How was your experience living with a host family?
Awesome! My host mom and dad were so welcoming and went out of their way to make sure that I got around town safely. I will definitely visit them on my next trip to Costa Rica.
Do you think that your time in Costa Rica changed your life in some way?
Without a doubt! I had visited before as a tourist, but this time I got to see the “real” Costa Rica and don’t think I can ever take a traditional vacation again! It was so wonderful to visit all of our volunteer sites and see first-hand the impact that each volunteer has on the community. I was also very excited to do some volunteering of my own on an organic farm!
How do you feel about the support AIDE provided?
I am very pleased with how smoothly the trip went. A lot of hard work went into planning everything, but it was definitely worth it in the end when I saw how much everyone enjoyed themselves!
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Contact Skylar at 512-904-1137 or skylar@aideabroad.org for details. Click here for more info.
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