It would be hard to put into words how good my experience in Buenos Aires was. I arrived in the city feeling scared and not sure what would happen, and upon coming back, I feel more confident and able to tackle any obstacle. After all, I survived three months in a country that was thousands of miles away from my comfort zone and from anyone I knew. I was in luck that the support I received from my coordinator helped me the first few weeks (and throughout the trip) to adjust to my new surroundings and to feel more comfortable in my new home. Once I started to meet more people in the city and create new friendships, I felt like I was actually from the city Buenos Aires. Having met so many great people gave me the ability to move around the city without fear, experience the wonderful “boliches” (clubs), and experience all there is to the great nightlife in Buenos Aires. Aside from the excellent social life I had in Buenos Aires, my volunteer job added even more to my positive experience. Aside from gaining new friendships on the worksite, I was able to experience what it is like to live in Buenos Aires and have a work routine. Every day I would see the same people walking to the bus stop, and every day I would take the same bus route to work. After a few weeks at work, I started feeling more comfortable and felt more accepted by the children and bosses. It is really rewarding to feel that you are doing a good thing and helping people out, and at the same time to feel that you are wanted by so many people. On the last day of work, I remember riding away on the “colectivo” (bus) and the children waving anxiously to me outside. I will never forget this image- indeed, I left an impact in the lives of these children by spending time with them everyday and becoming their good friend. In return, Buenos Aires left an impact in me; coming back to the United States, I feel like a much stronger person having been able to move around a place away from my home, and to have created a new life in that place. Now, I feel at ease to know that I have a lovely second home to return to some day.
-Robin Solomon, Volunteer in Argentina
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 I can only encourage every single one of you to go out and do something similar, find some way to expand your view of life and do it. There truly is a whole other world out there just waiting to be discovered. I never could have imagined two months could pass so quickly and yet be filled with so much. Not a day has gone by since I've been home that I haven't thought of los ninos y las tias de Koinomadelfia, the genuine people of Chile, or the beauty in South America as a whole. I brought back a heartful of memories and faces I will never forget, unbreakable friendships, and experiences that neither words or photos could ever describe. In exchange, I left a piece of my heart in the beautiful country that I grew to call home. This truly was a chapter in my life that I will carry with me until the end of time, one that I will forever be grateful for...I owe you a really big thanks, you were so incredibly helpful during my preparation and everything, I couldn't have done it without you. So thanks! I really hope that some day in the next couple of years we can be in contact and get me out on another program again.
-Janna Elwell, Volunteer in Chile - Read Janna's Blog!
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La Fortuna was wonderful! It is such an odd city but we loved it. Our family brought us to see the volcano at night, that was sooo cool! Speaking of which, our family was INCREDIBLE!! They were the sweetest people. I really enjoyed spending time with them. The high school kids were MAJOR city people and a bit younger but it was nice to meet them and they were fun to be around. We went on a tour around the volcano with them one afternoon and that was really cool.
In addition to the project, we also went to Amureci and to the school, both were very cool experiences. The school was especially fun. The kids were very nice. We spent the morning in classes and the entire afternoon playing games with them outside. Anyways, it was a wonderful trip and we all had a wonderful time!! Thank you so much. Again, the family was definitely what made it absolutely wonderful. They are great!! We will definitely miss them.
-Angela Fuller, Teen Volunteer in Costa Rica
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The trip was super awesome and I couldn't have asked for a better host family. Thank you again for your help with everything! - Lily Ige, Volunteer in Costa Rica
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I had a fabulous time in Ecuador!! My host family was so caring and loving and they were like second parents to all of us. We even played cards with them and they had family over a few times so we felt right at home. All of the other exchange students and myself grew very close. They were all very nice and Sarah Otis is even coming up this weekend to visit Josie and I!!! We are both very excited to see her! Cuenca was the perfect size, it wasn't overwhelmingly big but at the same time there was always something to do. When we were in Quito before we returned home, Josie and I both agreed we would have much rather stayed in Cuenca then Quito. Thank you so much for everything, my time in Ecuador was life changing and I will never forget the children or the time spent in Cuenca.
-Zoe Hemenway, Volunteer in Ecuador
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I loved this program; I've never been traveling alone before but with Greenheart Travel I felt safe and not completely on my own. Everyone I've worked with has been completely accomodating and very helpful. I love that there is an option to travel without a group of people and a chaperone and feel that this program really allowed me to experience the culture of Ecuador in a way that I wouldn't have been able to do with a different sort of organization. All of my questions were answered promptly and thoroughly and the orientation packet really prepared me with relevant information. My host family was very friendly and helpful and I feel like the orphanage was a great option on volunteer choices because the girls really liked the company of the volunteers and were eager to learn English and compare cultures.
-Adriana Heffley, Volunteer in Ecuador
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As I have been a student in Spanish for the past few years, I thought it would be fitting for me to embark on a mission somewhere I would have the opportunity to improve my Spanish. I also knew that I wanted to volunteer while away. With that in mind, and an experience in Europe behind me, I figured that the amazing land that is South America would be my calling for the summer. I stumbled on CCI on the internet. They walked me through the entire process, doing their best to make sure my trip went smoothly. I could not have asked for a nicer correspondence person for this trip. When it was all set in stone I was filled with excitement. My flight arrived at around 9 at night, providing me the breathtaking view of Ecuador's capital city, Quito, at night. That night I got acquainted with my host family, who made me feel right at home. From that point on my time in Ecaudor was filled with events and occurrences I will never forget. From the kids at the orphanage leeching onto me the entire time I was there, to watching a Quito soccer game (number one in South America I heard) to meandering my way through the brightly colored streets of Old Town, to white water rafting in the Amazon, to zip lining in the canopy, to paying only 20 cents for a bottle of water, my experience in Ecuador was truly a life-changing one. You don't appreciate things in your life until you visit a society where these things are seldom heard of. So take the time to travel. Your home town doesn't represent the world.
-Steve Montera, Volunteer in Ecuador
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My experience with Greenheart Travel was that they were there for me every step of the way, and I knew exactly what to expect. They called me before I left, sent detailed itineraries, picked me up at the airport, arranged everything, and called me at my host family to make sure everything was okay. I have traveled a lot, and I have never felt so taken care of by an agency.
-Joy Bautista, Volunteer in Ecuador
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I had a great time in Ecuador and Tonsupa. It was probably one of the best experiences of my life thus far. I fell in love with the kids at the school and I also enjoyed translating for the doctor who was there volunteering. Although it was difficult adjusting to the environment and the conditions I had a wonderful time.
-Mabel Padilla, Volunteer in Ecuador
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 "I can't even begin to describe how difficult it was for me to choose a picture that would somehow sum up my entire experience in India. Though a picture says a thousand words I still have more to show. But after adventuring to exotic places I can honestly say that the most priceless knowledge I came back with was what the children and people taught me in broken English and bright smiles. I will always keep their spirit and lessons with me, the culture, traditions and people of India are so uniquely beautiful."
-Anna Ungerman, Volunteer in India
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Hi!! Things are wonderful here - Jambo Volunteers is so great and the other volunteers I am staying with are so friendly and we are having a lot of fun. I have been spending most of my time at the pre school and it is so much fun, and so exhausting, but i have also been at the womens' group and the rescue house, so I am definitely making the most of my time here.
-Marissa Reimer, Volunteer in Kenya
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I had the exciting opportunity to spend Christmas 2010 in Kenya. Volunteering for Jambo Volunteers was an experience of a lifetime. We were greeted with open arms and made to feel at home upon arrival. Luis and his staff are caring, trustworthy, and knowledgable. Everyone we came in contact with was willing to answer any and all questions, complete volunteer tasks with us, and overall make sure we were comfortable at all times. While in Massailand my friend and I, both being teachers, had the extraordinary chance to help the preschools supported by the project. Painting walls and desks, buying furniture and materials for the students, and meeting with the staff of the schools were a few aspects of this project. It was an amazing experience and I will never forget the amount of joy we were able to bring to these truly kind hearted and appreciative people. Another project we were given an opportunity to be involved with was working with a women's group. These hard working and ambitious women are looking to market and sell their amazing, hand crafted, massai inspired jewerly. They listened and worked with us to create ideas that may help improve the sales of their beautiful necklaces, bracelets, earrings, etc. The women are spend hours of their time each week to create these one of a kind pieces of art. Thank you for a truly amazing and unforgettable Christmas!
-Jill Good, Volunteer in Kenya
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As an educator, helping people is an innate quality that I feel I possess. My reasoning for traveling to Kenya was twofold, I initially felt compelled to help and also wanted to experience a unique part of the world. I feel as though my reasoning was fulfilled and then some. Kenya, specifically Maasailand, is a community of welcoming people. I felt included in the Maasai's customs, practices and everyday way of life. I experienced the Sakuri Medical Center, helping build a chicken coop in order to provide eggs for community members. I also was involved with the Nashiluni Womens Group, assisting them on marketing their unique jewelry and other artifacts. Additionally, I assisted with the aesthetic improvement of Kimuka Preschool and also provided the preschool with additional resources and furniture. As an early childhood educator, I understand the importance of quality education in our young students and plan to remain connected to Maasailand education, providing any resources or supplements that I maybe able to offer in the future. Maasailand is community rich with wildlife as well. It's breathtaking to wake up on numerous occasions and see a herd of giraffes outside of the front door! I will always remember my first experience in Maasailand and know that it will not be my last. I hope to remain involved in a community so dedicated to its people and natural resources.
-Colleen Incandela, Volunteer in Kenya
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I just went on a volunteer trip to New Zealand to help with the Department of Conservation there. I had a fantastic time there and just wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for being a very important part of my journey over there. I also realized how well prepared I was. Not only was I given all the important information regarding the program like the cancellation policy even before I had committed to the program, but I was also given nonessential things like the book on New Zealand customs and etiquette. The other volunteers were very impressed with how prepared I was before the trip over. I had a great time in New Zealand and the trip lived up to and surpassed all my expectations. I'm very grateful to Greenheart Travel for all their help in making the process extremely painless. I'll definitely be passing on your name to any others who are looking for an opportunity like this.
-Ellyn WIlliams, Volunteer in New Zealand
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 My trip to South Africa was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. First of all, Greenheart Travel made the planning process so easy. And once in South Africa, not only did I spend time on the wildlife conservation project, but I also was able to travel on the weekends and explore the area independently! However, the conservation project was thrilling enough on its own. I never imagined in my entire life that I would one day chase a giraffe through the African bush. I can't wait to return.
-Hannah Supplee, Volunteer in South Africa
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