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Do not come with pre-conceived notions of what your experience will be like or what Instagram photos you will be able to upload. Do your research and come prepared and plan to maintain your health (both mentally and physically). No matter how well the program looks out for its volunteers, diving into a new culture will always come with frustrations, anxieties, and home-sickness. I’ll be honest that I made a lot of mistakes while volunteering, so I’ll offer the following advice: Keep in mind that this experience is ultimately what you make it, that it will be stressful and overwhelming at times, and that you need to be sure you are taking care of yourself. Regardless, Honduras always felt safe to me, whether we were walking around Juticalpa, backpacking to Lake Yajoa, or taking the chicken bus to Trujillo. I knew that if I ever called or texted someone from the Foundation, they'd be right there with anything I needed. We were trained well and provided with cell phones. I can say honestly that I always felt very, very safe. Before volunteering, I had never been to Honduras before (or Central America), and I was concerned about safety. It's a small, quaint town, and people like having teachers from the US (Notice I don't say "American"-Central Americans are also "Americans"). Though being in the classroom was "sink or swim" and could be overwhelming, I learned a lot and my experiences have greatly contributed to my current career. In addition, you did not have to have teaching experience.
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I know they've made some changes with requirements and benefits, but when I volunteered, they paid a wage you could live on and save with. The people are fantastic, and the opportunity really is one of the best out there.
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I was in Juticalpa for two years, and it quickly became a second home. I loved volunteering for the Olancho Aid Foundation.