MAXIMO NIVEL

Volunteer

June - July 2018 • San José, San José

What I liked

One thing that I enjoyed about this volunteer experience is putting smiles on the kids faces. We brought 50 pounds of toys, games, and essential supplies and handed it out in the poorest areas of Costa Rica.

What I wish was different

I wish I was able to spend more time and bring more donations to the city.

Advice

Appreciate everything you have And never take anything for granted.

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Adult English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher

June - July 2019 • Antigua Guatemala, Sacatepéquez

What I liked

I enjoyed having the opportunity to gain real classroom experience.

What I wish was different

I wish I could have stayed longer.

Advice

Don’t be afraid to intern abroad!!!!

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Volunteer

June - July 2019 • Antigua Guatemala, Sacatepéquez Department

What I liked

Flexible with academic and work calendar to make your volunteer trip possible. A variety of volunteer opportunities that fit your career goals, such as in the health field or ecological sustainability. Scholarships provided to some. The hostel families in Guatemala are the most humble and loving people you will ever meet.

What I wish was different

More transparency about their business or payments with other entities who work with the program. The Spanish classes available are not worth the payment.

Advice

Ask many questions about each and volunteer or internship program available to find the best choice for you & the in-country fees that are not covered &/or not brought up my program when making payments before the trip.

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Nursing Volunteer

August 2019 • Cusco, Cusco Región

What I liked

I loved the chance to put my Spanish skills to use in a medical setting that applies to my nursing career! I learned so much and gained fluency in medical Spanish.

What I wish was different

The volunteer time was not as structured as I would have liked, and I feel like it could have been put to better use.

Advice

Maximo Nivel volunteering is a great opportunity for those who are very independent and comfortable with doing things by themselves in a new culture with a new language! It was daunting and intimidating at time, but it was a great opportunity to learn in an entirely differently setting. You will gain very unique skills by volunteering with them!

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Teaching English

July 2019 • Antigua Guatemala, Sacatepéquez Department

What I liked

The students I was working with. The work was very rewarding and heart-warming to do.

What I wish was different

Advice

Do something that makes your heart happy.

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Sea Turtle Conservation Refuge Volunteer

June 2019 • San José, San José Province

What I liked

I loved being able to learn about the Sea Turtles present in Costa Rica and learn about how to protect them and insure their future survival. In addition, I enjoyed being able to participate in data collection proceses during egg laying periods of the Sea Turtles throughout the nights.

What I wish was different

Absolutely nothing, It was an amazing experience!

Advice

Do research about the topic before just signing up because it can get to be a lot of work. If it something that you are interested in though, the work can be very rewarding and can prove to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

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Medical Volunteer

June - August 2018 • Cusco, Cusco Region

What I liked

I liked the companies welcoming attitude and handson guidance throughout the entire program. It was an amazing experience I will never forget and will forever cherish!

What I wish was different

I wish that I had studied more Spanish before going, but other than that I wouldn’t change a thing!

Advice

Be assertive and don’t be afraid to jump right in. I was able to do so much more when I was willing to speak up and asked to help out with the doctors.

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Volunteering with children and local business owners

July 2018 • Antigua Guatemala, Sacatepéquez

What I liked

I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to be able to work/volunteer in a country where I am not familiar with the native language. This not only significantly impacted my global perspective and understanding, it also challenged my ability to override language and cultural blockades that I was presented with. I learned how to effectively communicate under circumstances where the first line of communication (speaking) was unattainable. This taught me how to become more accommodating and interactive in the way that I work with others and with diverse communities.

What I wish was different

Advice

The only piece of advice I would share about this wonderful experience is to approach it with an open mind and heart, and to be patient. If you are entering a foreign country that you are mostly unfamiliar with (in terms of the language, culture, and people), you must present with a respectful front when interacting with your co-workers and others. Do not assume certain things, be curious and ask. When someone is in need of your help but cannot communicate with you, harness your intuition, jump in and try the best you can. Most importantly, pay careful attention and listen to the locals when they speak, even if you are struggling to understand them, exercise your patience and collaborate with them to come to a mutual consensus.

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Dental Lab Intern

July - August 2018 • Cusco, Cusco Region

What I liked

I really enjoyed the fact that I was able to stay with a host family. This allowed me to truly immerse myself in the culture and experience what life in Peru entailed.

What I wish was different

I wish I had more volunteers working in my clinic as it was only me and one other dentist in a single room for eight hours a day.

Advice

One piece of advice that I would share about this experience is how important it is to have a solid grasp of the language spoken there. Without this crucial element it is hard to stay connected with the community and people may treat you differently.

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Volunteer English Teacher

July - August 2018 • San José, San José Province

What I liked

I enjoyed working with students and meeting peers from around the world.

What I wish was different

I was not prepared for the poverty I experienced.

Advice

Keep an open mind and be bold in the face of new experiences. There are so many individuals who need help and you will be given huge amounts of gratitude if you are willing to give some time.

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Working in a local hospital clinic in Cusco, Peru

May 2018 • Cusco, Cusco Region

What I liked

Eye opening experience in a different culture and environment. Enabled me to get hands on opportunitues such as drawing blood and taking vital signs even without any past clinical experiences.