Nik in Costa Rica

My story

Together with Jurre, I went to Costa Rica for twelve weeks. Beforehand I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but in the end I had an even more fun and special time than I’d ever imagined. It was an experience in which I learnt a lot, not only about another country and another culture, but also about myself.

During our stay we did our internship at various places. We regularly went to the poor neighbourhood of Esparzol, where we supported the local community and did activities with the children. We also taught at a secondary school. No two days were the same, so the work stayed varied and challenging. It was exactly that variety that made it extra fun and meant that every day brought new experiences.

The language took some getting used to at first. I had chosen not to take a language course, so communicating was sometimes quite tricky. Still, I noticed that I picked up more and more Spanish as the weeks went by. Although there were misunderstandings now and then, we could often laugh about them together. Those moments actually made the experience even more fun and helped me grow more and more confident speaking the language.

Alongside the internship, there was also plenty of time to discover Costa Rica. The country has stunning nature, friendly people and a relaxed atmosphere. I enjoyed everything I experienced and made lots of wonderful memories that I will never forget.

So I would recommend this experience to everyone. It’s a unique chance to get to know another culture, meet new people and grow on a personal level. This trip made a big impression on me and is an experience I will treasure for the rest of my life.

What advice would you like to give future interns and volunteers?

My advice to future volunteers/interns is to go in with a positive attitude, especially in the first few weeks. It may all take some getting used to, but if you really do your best it becomes 10 times more fun!