/ Stories from our volunteers overseas /
I have learned all kinds of skills during my time here and had all kinds of incredible and valuable life experiences. However I think the main skill I have developed here is communication. Learning Japanese by being constantly surrounded by native speakers is amazing. It is very different and more effective than formal lessons and much more interactive.
I’ve learned so much by living and working in Fiji for 11 months, the type of education I could never have hoped to have back home and it has certainly made me think much more about what’s truly important in life. You come to appreciate the importance of community and sharing and realise just how materialistic our society is back home.
I really admire the teachers who take these classes as they are so patient and organised. The kids are really cute though and it is common for at least one of them to run up to me in the hallways and give me a big hug. Whenever I walk into the room I am greeted with a loud ‘Hello’, or ‘Good morning/afternoon’ which always brings a smile to my face.
I really underestimated the effect that my friendships with the other volunteers would have on my own experience. All of us Lattitude volunteers placed in Argentina bonded unbelievably quick, and being part of such a close and supportive unit has totally enhanced my already awesome Lattitude experience. I know that these guys are my friends for life and that we will all continue to travel together in the future!
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Spain was a major draw card for me because it was a country overflowing with history and beauty. Spanish food was also something that attracted to me, famous for their tapas and sangria; I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed. I loved the idea of fully immersing myself in a foreign culture in one of the most beautiful and historic countries in the world.
I figured that by the time I reached high school I would have it sussed… Or at least by the time I reached year 12. But time flew by, and before I knew it, I was half-way through year 12. I attended all the university presentations, thinking that a career would simply call my name. As you can figure, it didn’t.
