Raleigh International - Costa Rica and Nicaragua 2007

Ayesha Khan had always wanted to take time to travel and volunteer. Having finished school, she wanted a break before starting university and it was the perfect time for her to join the Costa Rica and Nicaragua 2007 expedition.

I chose Raleigh International for my gap year as I preferred the time scale; three months volunteering suited my plans better than six months to a year that many other organisations offer. Raleigh also seemed to provide a strong safety net, so I could ease in gently to travelling alone.

On expedition, in Barva, we worked on a building a path to the lagoon in the crater of the Volcano. The project involved lots of hard work, carrying materials to the site, clearing vegetation, building steps etc. The aim was to improve access and increase tourism, which would help fund the park.
On the Corcovado trek, we started off high in Progresso, then we worked our way over a variety of terrain, through the jungle, rivers, over hills, down through Corcovado National Park and finally to the sea. The biodiversity was truly amazing. An absolutely unforgettable experience - every blister was worth it!

In Conte Burika, we were working and living with an indigenous community near the border of Panama. We helped construct a community centre in the secluded village of Carona, which could only be reached via a 20km walk along the beach. The people were hugely welcoming, warm and friendly and everybody was truly sad when it came to leaving. It was a wonderfully rare and unbelievable experience.

Having the chance to live and work in an area and really integrate with the place and people. Meeting so many new people from around the world and making loads of new friends have been my highlights from expedition. I have learnt that people are the same wherever they come from and you don't necessarily need to speak the language to make a new friend.

I have learnt that I am a lot more confident than I thought. Also not to rely on my first impressions of people as you can get on with anyone if you give them a chance.

Click here to visit their homepage

go back