Puck in Saint Lucia
Participant
Puck
Programme
Internship
Country
🇱🇨 Saint Lucia
Duration
4 months
Short bio
Hi, my name is Puck and I’m 18 years old. I went to Saint Lucia for 4 months for my graduation internship. This was for my movement therapy course. My sports are football, hockey and fitness. I also give swimming lessons.
How satisfied were you with the support from Holland?
The support was really pleasant. Whenever there were questions Ruben always responded quickly, and he also puts you in touch with other interns who have already been or who will be on location during your period.
My story
“I’d love to do it again, and I’d recommend all of you to go there. Sun, sea, beach and incredibly cheerful and lovely people. Four months to look back on with a big smile!”
Puck · internship in Saint Lucia
My 4 months were really varied in terms of sport. 1 of the most important tasks I had was leading the other volunteers. I already had a bit more teaching experience, so I helped them to lead the group better. I also worked a lot 1 to 1 with autistic children because of my course. The sports I did with them varied enormously. I also gave swimming lessons, football training at a club and a few netball training sessions. Netball is a kind of combination of handball and korfball.
Children.
The kids are every one of them incredibly cheerful and enthusiastic. They’re eager to learn and love PE lessons and other training sessions. These little cuties have a very different upbringing from ours, and that can sometimes take some getting used to. In the end I was able to build a wonderful bond with all the kids, and that’s probably what I enjoyed most here.
Housemates.
During your stay you live in a house with other interns or volunteers. In my case, for the first 1.5 months I was the only Dutch person and lived with 8 English people. Those 1.5 months were probably the best period in terms of housemates. Despite missing a bit of Dutch chatter, my English improved enormously, and I was lucky that they were all really lovely people. On outings we all had a huge laugh together. I still talk to several of these people, so friends for life!
Outings & parties.
During your stay in Saint Lucia, every Friday is set aside for an organised trip. The activities vary from ziplining and hiking to boat parties. Every week a new outing is planned, so you get the chance to see or do something new. My favourite outings were climbing the Pitons, Pigeon Island and of course the boat parties, because that’s something you’d never do back home in Holland.
Locals.
The locals are also very special and lovely people. So I’d definitely recommend chatting with the locals. For example, parents of kids during training sessions, the heads of a school or the players of a cricket team.
That way you really see another side of the culture. Really fun and interesting.
All in all I had 4 amazing months, with incredibly lovely people and incredibly cool experiences. I’d love to do it again, and I’d recommend all of you to go there. Sun, sea, beach and incredibly cheerful and lovely people. Four months to look back on with a big smile!
What advice would you like to give future interns and volunteers?
Enjoy it! Put your phone away and enjoy the happy faces, the music, the beautiful sea and the delicious food.
Bring plenty of mosquito spray, and once again, enjoy it. Everything is beautiful, so try to see and try as many things as possible. This is an amazing island that you might not get back to any time soon.
Puck’s photos
