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Calling All Gen X: Volunteering Abroad for Adults

For 30-Somethings

<h4>What inspired you to go abroad?</h4>
<p>I knew that Alaska was a place I'd wanted to visit—and visit meaningfully. I saw this opportunity, and it seemed like it was the perfect time and place to do it.</p>
<p>I wanted to take time off after graduating to figure out my life goals. I was burnt out from school and seeking a life-changing experience—all of these things I achieved.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1760497927/images2/interviews/trg8kcRVpk8CBP4ibupQGeRtFgECAAlacy2nwTRD.jpg" alt="campers by the lake with mountains in the background"><div class="caption"><p>Setting up camp at McBride</p></div></div>
<h4>Why did you choose <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/tidelines-institute rel="" target="_self" class="link"><ins>Tidelines Institute</ins></a>?</h4>
<p>I was interested in getting a substantial outdoors experience, a close-knit community, and an intellectually thriving curriculum.</p>
<p>I knew I wanted it to be in a remote place, but I didn't want to leave the country, which led me to Alaska. I had been there before, but I'd heard that Southeast was a beauty of its own, and I wanted to experience the national park.</p>
<h4>What was your favorite part about Alaska?</h4>
<p>Gustavus is a small town with rural life in a beautiful place unmarred by the ugliness of civilization.</p>
<p>The Inian Islands are even more rugged, and they truly serve as a last frontier left in the US. Southeast is about as different from Interior Alaska as California is from Washington, so even if you've been to Alaska before, Southeast is a whole new experience: it's a temperate rainforest, so the weather is not as extreme, and the environment is most similar to the Pacific Northwest.</p>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned wrap-mobile" ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1760498441/images2/interviews/IF2yU9gryq0btUIKbtgHmHt8faMJPdJkMKNeXchW.jpg" alt="Green and pink Aurora Borealis over silhouetted trees"><div class="caption"><p>Aurora Borealis</p></div></div>
<h4>What made your experience abroad extraordinary?</h4>
<p>The sheer amount of out-of-body experiences: with wildlife, with the landscape, with like-minded people.</p>
<p>It feels like you're transcending, and your pores are cleansing, and all this happens on any given Tuesday. It puts you in a reflective mood—a creative and enlightening one. It's hard to describe, but you might just have to try it to understand.</p>
<h4>How did local staff support you throughout your program?</h4>
<p>Staff wear many hats: from teachers to faculty to program directors, to campus managers, kooks, gardeners, and on top of all that, people to look up to and confide in.</p>
<p>Many of the staff became personal idols and mentors, people who know you best, and at the very least, someone to write the most personalized and sincere recommendation letter.</p>
<h4>What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?</h4>
<p>I wish I'd spent more time out in the backcountry; the pristine protected lands are just a short walk/drive outside of campus. Being in Alaska means no need for a permit; just hitch a tent, and enjoy.</p>
<p>Being at the gateway of Glacier Bay National Park means that you get picturesque sunsets and rosy dusks, with oceans teeming with life and skies loud with bird cries.</p>
<h4>Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.</h4>
<p>Wake up around 8, have breakfast with the community and your teachers, class from 9-12 with your cohort, lunch with the community, labor projects from 1-3, downtime/homework until dinner at 6, and unwind until nighttime.</p>
<p>On weekends, you can venture into town and participate in town festivities, or simply unwind by reading a book by the fireplace and cooking meals with friends.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1760498443/images2/interviews/xdC4R9h1oUbLUhkLAXlhXYVuHWKGKUbhokA6BX1F.jpg" alt="top view of green mountains with snow patches, and a lake"><div class="caption"><p>Up on top of the Ridge</p></div></div>
<h4>What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?</h4>
<p>I loved going into town, stopping by the community center for a dancing event, going to the thrift store for some unique and cheap finds, biking down to the beach for views of the Fairweather Mountain range, having a fireside bonfire chat at night, and visiting the neighbors and hearing about their life stories.</p>
<h4>What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?</h4>
<p>I stayed in the student housing cabin, which was a very Alaska log cabin—an experience I'd always craved to try for myself.</p>
<p>I loved lighting the wood stove for cold nights and hearing the pitter-patter of the rain on the roof in early mornings. I loved the bunk bed format, which allowed me to be close to my cohort.</p>
<h4>What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?</h4>
<p>They should know that it is a unique opportunity to shatter your worldview, embrace the smaller things in life, live in a slow and fulfilling way, and that this experience will change your life for the better.</p>
<p>It's important to know that this program is what you make of it, and that you will feel like the main character of your own journey and be able to set your own limits to what you can accomplish.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1760498443/images2/interviews/pQyTaSIlwnHEHil4F2HhaHDoqipnnjFie0rsuaEf.jpg" alt="woman drinking fresh glacier water by a lake"><div class="caption"><p>Drinking Glacier Water</p></div></div>
<h4>Would you recommend <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/tidelines-institute/programs/the-glacier-bay-year-an-alaskan-adventure-for-young-leaders-188591 rel="" target="_self" class="link"><ins>The Glacier Bay Semester in Civic &amp; Environmental Leadership</ins></a>? Why?</h4>
<p>I would recommend this program to anyone who shows interest after hearing about the criteria, but particularly for people who feel like their life is on a predetermined path that they need a side quest from.</p>
<p>This is the single best decision I could make for my personal development after graduating from college, and so many others who miss out on it will never get the time/space to be young and free and do something like this, which they will greatly regret later in life.</p>
<h4>What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?</h4>
<p>For me, it was the opportunity to grow as an individual.</p>
<p>To learn what my own conflict style is and how to resolve that, to learn how to live with others and be less selfish, to learn how to grow something from farm to table, and to appreciate the things you have to live without in a place as remote as this.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1760498445/images2/interviews/uuuMhs6ZBsV1OndggpHkGsgsfgqvwUoM8Cito4bd.jpg" alt="a brown bear by the shoreline"><div class="caption"><p>Brown bear (hump) walking on beach</p></div></div>
<h4>Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?</h4>
<p>I am much more thoughtful about how I choose to spend my time: where I want to work, the types of people I want to surround myself with, what my ideal future looks like, and where I want to live.</p>
<p>Every new experience I have is being compared to and mapped onto my experience in Alaska. I'm constantly reminded of how it transformed me as a person in fundamental ways.</p>
<h4>What does meaningful travel mean to you?</h4>
<p>It's about getting to know a place—to really know it—and the people and animals who live there, the landscape, and the names of the plants. That type of familiarity with place is lost on us as modern humans; we don't know even the most basic things about the places we come from.</p>
<p>But through travel, through seeing other ways of living and contrasting them to your own, you can really gain an appreciation for the place you come from.</p>


Alisa Regassa

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Alisa Regassa who participated in Tidelines Institute program.

Alisa Regassa | Tidelines Institute Alumni Interview

Tidelines Institute Alumni Interview with Alisa Regassa

<h4>What inspired you to go abroad?</h4>
<p>I’ve always been eager to do an internship abroad because I’m an open-minded and enthusiastic person. The thought of learning new things in a completely foreign country while working with people from different nations and cultures without relying on my native language truly inspired me.</p>
<p>Even though people said it would be difficult to be on my own and learn new things in a foreign country where I didn’t even know the language, I wanted to prove to myself that I could achieve something independently, even as a foreigner.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1760507500/images2/interviews/Rk5qVRUJZYhTVP1zuxEbFkyjBlnYTA6Azwo7ouCM.jpg" alt="a woman feeding chickens and turkeys"><div class="caption"><p>The birds were always so hungry, whether in the morning or in the evening.</p></div></div>
<h4>Why did you choose <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/roots-interns/programs/veterinary-internship-in-portugal-191396 rel="" target="_self" class="link"><ins>Veterinary Internship in Portugal</ins></a>?</h4>
<p>I chose the veterinary internship program because I had to complete my compulsory internship in 2025 in order to graduate in 2026. It was a requirement.</p>
<p>I chose <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/roots-interns rel="" target="_self" class="link"><ins>Roots Interns</ins></a> because all of the team members were extremely polite, knowledgeable, and professional. They all replied to my emails promptly, patiently, and thoughtfully. I’m truly glad that I did my internship with Roots Interns.</p>
<p>If I ever want to take part in another internship or volunteer program in the future, I will definitely find one through Roots Interns.</p>
<h4>What was your favorite part about Portugal?</h4>
<p>I had the opportunity to work in three different veterinary clinics in my city, but I was never completely satisfied with those experiences, as the supervisors were not as kind or supportive as I had hoped.</p>
<p>In Portugal, however, my supervisor was truly exceptional. She constantly encouraged me to approach every situation with compassion, and thanks to her guidance, I gained a broader and more meaningful perspective on my profession. She made me love my profession.</p>
<p>Moreover, the Portuguese people were even more welcoming than I had imagined. Whenever I needed help, everyone showed understanding and kindness. I never once felt alone.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1760507500/images2/interviews/5nid738nGG1CJlktRSYCLJ9EQd7MQosro5QdiwvA.jpg" alt="a woman petting a light brown sheep."><div class="caption"><p>The sheep was very shy at the beginning, but we ended up being friends.</p></div></div>
<h4>What made your experience abroad extraordinary?</h4>
<p>I did my internship at an animal sanctuary that welcomed a wide variety of animals, including chickens, turkeys, ducks, rabbits, pigs, pigeons, chinchillas, goats, sheep,mares, and bulls.</p>
<p>One day, we noticed signs of an epidemic among the pigeons—at least one was dying each day. I reported the situation to my supervisor, and under her guidance, I injected some of the pigeons and prepared an antibiotic solution for them daily. I also informed the other interns about the situation. Toward the end of my internship, the deaths stopped completely—we had successfully saved the pigeons.</p>
<p>I’ll never forget this experience. Pigeons are often neglected animals that we see every day but rarely pay attention to. Even as a veterinary student, I realised that I hadn’t been giving them the attention they deserved.</p>
<p>This experience reminded me that every life, no matter how small or ordinary it may seem, is precious. We must exist to protect all living beings.</p>
<h4>How did local staff support you throughout your program?</h4>
<p>The staff were incredibly polite and supportive. They were always there to help whenever we needed assistance. At times, I made mistakes or didn’t know how to use certain appliances in the sanctuary, but they always corrected me kindly and patiently guided me.</p>
<p>Since the sanctuary was located far from public transportation, the staff kindly took us to the supermarket whenever we needed to go and even helped us carry our groceries. They were also responsible for maintaining cleanliness and order throughout the sanctuary.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1760507501/images2/interviews/CDnYZyTmt448Pf5cRfUq8sq20S1j5bibbehFFQG8.jpg" alt="a woman smiling for a selfie, carrying a chicken"><div class="caption"><p> It was the first time I had ever seen a chicken that actually enjoys being picked up by people.</p></div></div>
<p>The two staff members and the other fellow intern felt like family to me for a month. I’m still in touch with one of the staff members. It was an emotional moment when he bid me farewell as I returned home. I still remember the moment he said, “See you later. Maybe.”</p>
<h4>What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?</h4>
<p>I played an active role in saving the pigeons, but I wish I could have helped even more animals. I would have liked to take on more responsibilities. I’m truly pleased to have completed a veterinary internship in Portugal and to have chosen Roots Interns.</p>
<p>My only regret is that I stayed at the sanctuary for only a month—I wish I had stayed for two months. I also believe that having interns/volunteers who are studying veterinary medicine/animal science or related fields would be more beneficial for both the sanctuary and the interns/volunteers themselves.</p>
<h4>Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.</h4>
<p>I woke up at 6:50 a.m. every day. I prepared myself for the tasks at the sanctuary and had breakfast.</p>
<p>I completed the tasks at the sanctuary with other fellow interns. We carried out the tasks while enjoying our time with various animals.</p>
<p>In the afternoons, we had free time—some of us rested, some went to the pool, and others took the opportunity to explore Portugal.</p>
<h4>What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?</h4>
<p>During my free time, I explored Santarém, Lisbon, and Porto, visiting museums, trying traditional Portuguese cuisine, and shopping for souvenirs.</p>
<p>Sometimes, I stayed at the sanctuary and enjoyed rural Portugal while listening to the sounds of nature. The sanctuary had a truly idyllic atmosphere. Sitting in the garden in the evenings was incredibly relaxing.</p>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned wrap-mobile" ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1760507502/images2/interviews/HECz0BpF7hMsqxwxnV4Lpw2GITatenVe7BfHP4e4.jpg" alt="woman posing for a photo on a museum staircase with a painting"><div class="caption"><p> I took photos at a museum I visited in Lisbon.</p></div></div>
<h4>What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?</h4>
<p>I stayed in a single room with an ensuite, which suited me perfectly as an introverted person. I appreciated having my own space, and everyone—both the staff and fellow interns—was respectful.</p>
<p>I felt completely safe throughout my stay, and I was very satisfied with the accommodation. If I participate in another internship or volunteer program in the future, I would prefer to stay in a similar room.</p>
<h4>What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?</h4>
<p>The sanctuary is located far from public transportation. I recommend that future participants set aside a budget for taxi fares.</p>
<p>Even though I did my internship in July and August, the nights were cold. It would be a good idea to bring some warm clothes, just in case.</p>
<p>Finally, I would advise future participants to treat every animal in the sanctuary with equal care and attention. Every life, no matter how small or ordinary it may seem, is precious.</p>
<h4>Would you recommend Roots Interns to others? Why?</h4>
<p>I wholeheartedly recommend Roots Interns and would like to participate in another internship or volunteer program with them in the future, as every team member was professional and always responded to emails promptly and patiently.</p>
<p>I also recommend the program to everyone who is a current or future student of veterinary medicine, animal science, or a related field.</p>
<h4>What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?</h4>
<p>One of the greatest benefits of doing an internship abroad is learning new things in a completely foreign country while collaborating with people from diverse nations and cultures.</p>
<p>The experience of proving to yourself that you can accomplish something independently, even as a foreigner, is incredibly inspiring. I've successfully completed my veterinary internship in Portugal, and I'm now more confident that there is nothing I cannot succeed at.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1760507503/images2/interviews/y2weo0K1MSIbRHHraeFYfDiFvMjREjoBHitJs5cT.jpg" alt="a woman smiling for a selfie, holding a grey chinchilla"><div class="caption"><p>It was my first encounter with a chinchilla.</p></div></div>
<h4>Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?</h4>
<p>My supervisor was truly inspirational, and she encouraged me to approach every situation with compassion. Thanks to her guidance, I gained a broader perspective on my profession. She taught me that even the smallest life is precious.</p>
<p>Since successfully completing my veterinary internship abroad, I'm now more confident in myself. There is no doubt that I can succeed at anything if I give my best effort.</p>
<h4>What does meaningful travel mean to you?</h4>
<p>I believe that meaningful travel is one that respects and cherishes even the smallest and most ordinary forms of life while providing a broader perspective.</p>
<p>Collaborating with people from different nations and cultures also teaches us that every life is valuable and deserves our respect. It is these values that truly make us human.</p>


Didar Sevval Sencan

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Didar Sevval Sencan who participated in Roots Interns program.

Didar Sevval Sencan | Roots Interns Alumni Interview

Roots Interns Alumni Interview with Didar Sevval Sencan

<h4>&nbsp;What inspired you to go abroad?</h4>
<p>I was inspired to go abroad in pursuit of opportunities that would advance my career. As everyone knows, landing even an entry-level role often requires internship experience.</p>
<p>With a strong desire to change my scenery, I set my sights on one of the world’s creative capitals, New York City, to pursue those opportunities.</p>
<h4>Why did you choose <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/artbound-initiative rel="" target="_self" class="link"><ins>ArtBound Initiative</ins></a>?</h4>
<p>I chose ArtBound Initiative because of its comprehensive program offerings, including <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/artbound-initiative/programs/creative-internships-in-new-york-154464 rel="" target="_self" class="link"><ins>guaranteed internship placement</ins></a>, creative network building, professional development, and dedicated team support.</p>
<p>It’s a well-rounded program that not only prepares you for the workforce but also ensures meaningful, hands-on experience in your chosen field.</p>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned wrap-mobile" ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1761104540/images2/interviews/BckDU4BnamazQNLjokJ4y8zYGVCfGSAaTnJvHM9g.jpg" alt="Busy city street with people walking and tall buildings"><div class="caption"><p>Union Square</p></div></div>
<h4>What was your favorite part about New York City?</h4>
<p>My favorite part about New York City is the energy of its people. So many inspiring, hardworking, and effortlessly fashionable individuals in one place. Walking through the streets often felt like watching a live fashion runway, with everyone moving confidently toward their own goals at the top of the corporate ladder.</p>
<p>Nearly everyone has multiple hustles, and it’s motivating to witness so many people actively chasing their dream life in one city.</p>
<h4>What made your experience abroad extraordinary?</h4>
<p>My experience was extraordinary because, for the first time, I was doing work I genuinely wanted to pursue. Each day felt exciting—a chance to put my creativity to use in a meaningful way.</p>
<p>It was deeply fulfilling to contribute to projects that aligned with my career path, and I truly enjoyed both the work and the company culture. I could easily see myself working there full-time beyond the internship.</p>
<h4>How did local staff support you throughout your program?</h4>
<p>The ABI local staff supported me throughout the program, beginning with an orientation that brought together other participants who were also new to the city. It was a great chance to ask questions, feel supported, and start building friendships.</p>
<p>I also connected with peers through in-person events organized for us, including a short film watch party followed by networking and a picnic in Central Park. Sasha, in particular, was incredibly friendly and welcoming—she went out of her way to make sure we all felt supported and at home in NYC.</p>
<h4>What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?</h4>
<p>One thing I wish I had done differently was to save more money before going abroad. If I hadn’t needed to work so much in my free time, I would have had more energy and opportunities to fully enjoy the experience.</p>
<p>While I made the most of my time, the cost of living in NYC—between rent, food, travel, and even basic leisure—adds up quickly. Coming in with larger savings would have eased the financial pressure and allowed me to focus more on both my internship and my personal growth outside of it.</p>
<h4>Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.</h4>
<p>A typical day in my life abroad looked like this: I would wake up at 7 a.m., get ready, and leave by 8:15 a.m. to catch the bus and train, then walk to the office, arriving by 9 a.m.</p>
<p>Once there, I usually made coffee or a light breakfast in the kitchen before checking in with my team to review the day’s agenda and start on tasks. Around 1 p.m., I had a one-hour lunch break, which I often spent either sitting on the rooftop or grabbing lunch nearby. After lunch, it was back to work until 6 p.m.</p>
<p>I’d then take the train home, usually arriving by 6:45, unwind for a bit, make dinner, and get ready to do it all again the next day.</p>
<h4>What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?</h4>
<p>During my free time in NYC, I truly enjoyed going out and exploring the city with new friends.</p>
<p>I did consume a lot of my time working a second job outside of my internship for financial stability; however, I did prioritize work-life balance.</p>
<p>I enjoyed trying new coffee shops, restaurants, and thrift stores in Manhattan and Brooklyn.</p>
<h4>What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?</h4>
<p>I had a single room in a shared apartment. I found my own accommodation through Facebook housing groups for young females searching for roommates.</p>
<p>I had a few requirements for my housing accommodations, including an open kitchen, big windows for natural light, enough closet/storage space, and my own room and bathroom.</p>
<p>I like best that my place ticks off all the boxes, making for a comfortable living space.</p>
<h4>What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?</h4>
<p>One thing every future participant should know about the program before beginning is that you must hustle. Not only was I working extra hard during my (unpaid) internship, I also had to pick up a second job to make sure I was financially stable at the time being.</p>
<p>It did take a toll on my body physically, exhausting me. However, I was determined to finish strong and put my best face forward for work every day.</p>
<div class="awesome-image left-aligned wrap-mobile" ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1761104541/images2/interviews/NwMgTYs22MIL37Foftkg6NqHbNwTucKoBADqN21M.jpg" alt="The Statue of Liberty silhouetted against a sunset with a boat."><div class="caption"><p>The Statue of Liberty </p></div></div>
<h4>Would you recommend ArtBound Initiative to others? Why?</h4>
<p>I would and have recommended ArtBound Initiative to others every chance I get. Without this program, I would have continued to struggle with landing an opportunity to gain agency experience in my field.</p>
<p>Creative industry jobs are not about what you know but more about who you know. Having connections is vital to your advancement and success. I'm grateful for the new community and network I've built through ABI and the ability to leverage those connections with their partner companies for an internship experience.</p>
<h4>What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?</h4>
<p>I think the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is the self-actualization that comes with it. I was able to envision myself in a career and lifestyle beyond my hometown, which helped me realize just how big the world is and how many opportunities exist globally.</p>
<p>Getting a taste of this career pathway gave me both clarity and motivation to keep pursuing it.</p>
<h4>Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?</h4>
<p>Technically, I relocated to NYC and made it my new home. The move has impacted my life tremendously, as nearly every aspect of my life has changed since then.</p>
<p>I now have an updated resume with agency experience that I’m confident will open doors to future opportunities. Just as importantly, I’ve built new friendships, found mentors, and made valuable connections that will continue to support my growth.</p>
<h4>What does meaningful travel mean to you?</h4>
<p>Meaningful travel, to me, is traveling with intention and purpose. It means taking a trip with a clear goal or outcome in mind.</p>
<p>That could mean immersing yourself in another culture, gaining new skills and perspectives, pursuing a business opportunity, or visiting loved ones who are important to you.</p>


Jocelynn Leigh-Cabrera

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Jocelynn Leigh-Cabrera who participated in ArtBound Initiative  program.

Jocelynn Leigh-Cabrera | ArtBound Initiative  Alumni Interview

ArtBound Initiative  Alumni Interview with Jocelynn Leigh-Cabrera

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