UBELONG volunteers offer feedback on their experience

Devon Albert, USA • Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Immersion, caring for orphans, 2 weeks (Spring 2011)
"Working with UBELONG was by far the best decision when I wanted to adventure across the world to help others and learn about another culture. The affordability of the projects made it possible to explore this opportunity and then Cedric and Raul helped me choose a project that was going to fit with my skill set and time-frame of travel. Even traveling solo, I felt extremely safe and prepared from my safety briefing and knowing that UBELONG has strong partnerships and makes frequent visits to their placements. UBELONG's passion for helping others, knowledge of travel and development, and care for their volunteers is truly an inspiration for me to continue learning and to strive to make an impact on people across the world.

Van Tran Hi, Vietnam • Vang Vieng, Laos
Immersion, business development, 3 weeks (Winter 2011)
Among many options, I chose Ubelong mainly for its wide range of interesting programs. esp. business development and training programs. To me, these well selected programs can truly tackle the cause and provide a long-term and sustainable impact on people of a particular community. I placed my trust in Ubelong because of impressive experience and knowledge in the field as well as their deep dedication to international volunteering. The trip was beyond my expectations!!! I would not be this compassionate, independent and determined without my volunteer journey in Laos. Once again, thanks!!!

Sarah Pagenstecher, USA • Quito, Ecuador
Immersion, family social work, 4 weeks (Spring 2011)
For me, service is two-fold. Providing the skills that I have been blessed enough to either hold or obtain to help those in need is without doubt an empowering aspect of service. On the other hand, taking oneself to such a vulnerable and raw level provides an astounding opportunity for self-growth and development. In turn, by further understanding yourself and learning to open your eyes to different cultures, lifestyles, traditions and experiences; you become better equipped to act as a positive servant, bringing the whole process full circle. (After making this realization, I also knew that it was time for me to start acting and was thankfully contacted by a professor about UBELONG. After a few days of research and excessive exploration of the website, I decided to apply on a whim without telling anyone about my application, doubting that anything would actually materialize. Just a few days later, I got an email back that I had been accepted to the program I had applied to, which was the child care-giving in a public market and the family social work program. After talking with my parents, I decided that this was something I really wanted to do. After accepting my placement, Cedric, the co-founder of UBELONG, and I opened up a line of communication. We emailed frequently and had a Skype meeting before my departure. He was always available to answer my questions in addition to being very supportive. (A few months later, I landed in Quito, Ecuador and my journey began. I got to work alongside some of the most incredible, passionate and dedicated people I have ever met. Together, we offered the children we were working with a chance to have a childhood, to escape the hardships that inhibit them at home. Additionally, I worked with a local social worker to help place children into the education system as well as grant them access to health care, a truly unique opportunity to help break the vicious cycle of poverty. My time serving in Ecuador solidified my commitment to a life of a social work, one of the purposes I was most hoping the trip would serve. (Further, on the weekends I got to travel within the country with the other volunteers. I got to go to the Amazon, play with monkeys, climb waterfalls, jump off a bridge, canyon down waterfalls, visit the coast, white-water raft and thoroughly enjoy the unique and vibrant culture of Ecuador.(My praises for UBELONG come with high confidence. Not only was the program unbelievably affordable, but the support from the UBELONG staff instilled me with a sense of confidence and comfort, even when everything around me was different and unknown. UBELONG places such emphasis on their volunteers, ensuring that we volunteers will be satisfied with our experience. I can say with confidence that my time in Ecuador exceeded my expectations and that is certainly due to the fact that I chose UBELONG.

Christian Petroske, USA • Coastal Forest, Ecuador
Immersion, forest and marine conservation, 10 weeks (Fall 2010)
My trip to Ecuador, arranged through this wonderful volunteer organization, was my very first major excursion of this sort, and so I was pretty nervous to begin with. But with the extraordinary service and personal guidance given to me by my UBELONG mentor, I arrived at my placement - I'm convinced - more prepared than I ever would have been had I gone through a more expensive organization. And the perks of volunteering through UBELONG didn't end there: while I was in school teaching English or helping to clean up Ecuador's beautiful beaches (thus unable, at times, to get to the phone), my mentor was personally taking calls from my worried mother and reassuring her that yes, I was safe and doing fine. Plus, our conversations that took place both during and subsequent to my placement really helped me make sense of this complex, wonderful experience and place it in context both globally and personally. On the whole, I would say that my experience working with UBELONG was completely, totally, overwhelmingly positive; I sincerely recommend them to the prospective volunteer, and I hope that their success continues to allow them to offer amazing experiences to new generations of volunteers and world-changers.

Joao Sigora, Brazil • Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Immersion, NGO support, 5 weeks (Winter 2011)
I couldn't be happier with my decision of volunteering in Cambodia through UBELONG. When you decide to undertake such a journey, you want to feel you're dealing with people who know what they are doing. And UBELONG does. They provided me with the necessary support, advice and enthusiasm during both pre- and post-departure process, allowing me to make the most of my volunteer experience. Before departure, I received a comprehensive Preparation Briefing and had a safety meeting with my mentor, which really helped me prepare for the trip. None of the volunteers from other organizations I met had anything remotely similar to that. I especially like the fact that UBELONG has a philosophy behind its programs. They talk not only about helping others, but also about stepping out of your comfort zone, building emotional strength and achieving personal growth. I think that helped me keep my mind always open and watch out for the changes that this volunteer experience was operating in myself -- when maybe the natural reaction would be staying on the defensive side.

Contact

For more information please call +1 202 250 3706, e-mail: programs@ubelong.org or view the profiles below.