A question I get asked a lot by my friends these days is “where are you off to next then?”
I have developed the reputation for being the traveller of
the group, the one who will only stay in the same place for a short amount of
time. The one who always has the next destination booked, or the next adventure
planned (Berlin, in case you were wondering!)
This is in no small part due to my volunteering with
Concordia International Volunteers. I’ve volunteered with this organisation
since 2009, and they still manage to find me new adventures to go on! I have
participated in a Spanish work camp, attended workshops and seminars across
Europe, helped to deliver training weekends in the UK, co-ordinated UK
volunteer projects, contributed to the writing of educational resources, and
most recently, visited Asia twice to lead on their group volunteering
programme.
The group volunteering programme sends groups from the UK to
participate on international volunteer projects. I travelled to Vietnam in 2015
and South Korea in 2016, both times with groups of Girl Guides from London and
the South East Region.
To say that these trips were challenging is putting it
mildly! From non-stop rain for most of our time in Vietnam and living in leaky
rooms, to finding a variety of gluten free food in Korea (difficult to find
much that wasn’t rice and plain steamed vegetables!). From lost luggage in
Hanoi, to an (almost!) lost passport in Busan. Hospital trips, cactus stings,
sore hips and knees. Bad stomachs and squat toilets! Early mornings, late
nights, hot sun, crowded bedrooms. Eating rice three times a day...
But for every challenge, there was a reward. Moments such as
early morning Tai Chi on our junk boat in Halong Bay, or even earlier morning
meditation with a Korean monk at a templestay. Finally seeing blue sky after 10
days of rain in Vietnam! Meeting local residents in Busan and being given free
ice cream while we painted steps in 35 degree heat. Watching friendships
develop between UK and Korean teenagers, who may live 5000 miles apart but
share the same appreciation for the High School Musical soundtrack and photos
of Zac Efron!
Then there is the personal growth. Sitting in a rooftop
restaurant and listening to the youngest member of your group describe so
eloquently how the trip has changed how she views the world is a moment that
has stuck with me, and is my reason for forgetting all the difficulties and hard
times and coming back to Concordia for more.
Nicola
Eternal part of the Concordia Family
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