Michelle N.

Social Work & Services Volunteer

San Jose, Costa Rica

Over a year ago, I began to plan a trip abroad. My goal was to experience life in a different country but also to serve the community in some way. Through internet searches, I came across the InterExchange Foundation Work Abroad Program. I found that my values were very much the same as those of the InterExchange Foundation, which focused on global citizenship, community service and mutual respect. As a student in San Francisco State University’s Masters in Social Work Program, I also saw an opportunity to take classes in Spanish which would greatly help me in my career as a Social Worker in California. The InterExchange Working Abroad Program fulfilled all of my goals and expectations for my trip abroad and also provided me with support and guidance in a professional but friendly manner. Most importantly, through InterExchange, I was able to apply for and receive a Working Abroad Grant which made it possible for me to make the most of my travel abroad experience.

With the financial support from the Working Abroad Grant I was able to spend eight weeks in Costa Rica. InterExchange set me up with a wonderful host family in the capital city, San Jose, and I attended classes at the Costa Rica Spanish Institute (COSI), also located in San Jose. After completing four weeks of intensive Spanish classes, I had developed an adequate foundation to begin my volunteer work abroad. I selected the foundation CEPPA (Centro de Estudias Para la Paz), a peace foundation providing multiple programs and services to the community including language classes, psychological services, cooperation and communication workshops, as well as programs for teens and youth. I spent four weeks working closely with the staff of CEPPA and several other volunteers. We developed a program evaluation which included background research and the creation of tools for measurement (surveys and interviews). We were then able to go into one of the local high schools (Colegio Mexico) to retrieve information on the effectiveness of the programs provided by CEPPA. Following this project, I also worked with the staff at CEPPA to develop a risk assessment for Foster Youth in Costa Rica and on the construction of brochures to inform the community about the services offered by the foundation.

The InterExchange Working Abroad Grant allowed me to spend more time in Costa Rica and to participate in serving the international community. Through this experience I was able to practice my Spanish and to work alongside the locals in serving the community. I discovered that many of the challenges that I face in my work in California are similar to the challenges facing Costa Ricans. Though we are far apart, we are all working to curb community violence, to increase community involvement in change and to raise happy and productive future generations. I was able to teach and learn strategies to increase community support, empowerment, mutual respect and appreciation. This experience has inspired me to continue to travel and to work abroad. I feel more connected to the global community and plan on continuing to serve communities in need worldwide.

I am eternally grateful to InterExchange and for the Working Abroad Grant. My experience in Costa Rica was life-changing; I gained confidence in myself, solidified my career choice and met incredible people from all over the world who will surely be lifelong friends. I also want to close by giving my sincere thanks to Myisha Battle. Every correspondence with her was conducted with complete professionalism and respect. All requests on my part were answered in a timely manner and instructions were clear and organized. This eliminated a lot of the stress that often comes with travel abroad and finances! I would be delighted to work with InterExchange in the future.