What inspired you to go abroad?
So, I was looking for a two-week experience to do in September, and I wanted to do something different. I've never been to Latin America, but Brazil seems like a very nice country, and I ended up here looking at the volunteer world site.
So I called Jasper, and he said I could come for two weeks, which was no problem. So, I ended up here.
Volunteers and me.
Why did you choose Bioconstruction & Permaculture in Rio?
I don't know exactly, but bioconstruction is maybe something for me.
Maybe I didn't know agriculture very well, but the bioconstruction work was the thing I wanted to do because there were also options to teach English, or go to a natural park, or do something to take care of animals.
But the bioconstruction, I think, suits me best.
What was your favorite part about Brazil?
The city, yeah, like Nova Friburgo, we went there one time, so I can't say a lot about that. Rio, I didn't really get to visit, but the farm is very beautiful. And like the social nights on Thursday, I liked it very much.
Also, the Casa tres, the people there were very nice, always had a nice dinner, and were very kind. So yeah, it was very nice.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
Maybe meeting new people and stepping out of my comfort zone. Just seeing people from all around the world, getting to know each other, and yeah, eventually, that ends up like almost always good.
In the beginning, you don't know Portuguese, and you're like, “What am I going to do there?” But after two or three days, you start talking to people, and that's when you get to know everyone, and it's a really good experience.
Barn
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
They are always very kind and they have a lot of experience. They show me how it's done. It's essential to do it their way because otherwise, you're of no use.
Like Jasper, on the first day at the bio-construction with the material on the wall, he said, "Okay, you have to do it like this." And then you ask him, “Is this good?” And he says, "No, it's better like this." So, yeah, you have to ask them, then it will be all good.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
Maybe stay a bit longer and visit more of Rio. It's a bit too bad, I think that I just came here and I didn't see much in Rio.
So that's my advice for other people who come. Maybe the first two days or the last two days, keep them free to also visit Rio because you're here on the farm, and it's beautiful here, but you also want to see Rio while you're here.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
On the workday, we get up early, get a coffee, and then start working. The morning is always very productive when you start the day. Then we have lunch, work a couple of hours in the afternoon until 16:00 to 16:30, and at 17:00, we’re back at the Casa 3, and then you really relax because it was a hard day.
You make a snack, after that you make dinner, and maybe there's a social night or you guys watch a movie. Still, yeah, everyone needs to relax because everyone works hard, so that's necessary, and like on Thursday, Eco Caminhos sometimes organizes a hike or an activity around town. Afterwards, you can also relax or work on something for yourself.
Bioconstruction site
What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?
What I enjoyed most was being able to work for a good cause, meeting new people, and doing something completely different from what I normally do.
I also learned a lot, from practical hands-on skills to new insights about sustainability and community life, and I really value the experience of stepping out of my comfort zone in such a positive environment.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
House three was good. I think the best one of the others. Everything was fine for me. The shower was a bit strange, like it's not super luxurious, but you don't need that here.
I had a roommate in my first week there, Kyle. He was super nice. So, for me, everything was fine for accommodation.
Entrance to biocosntruction site
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
That's a difficult question, I don't know.
Actually, bring a book or a laptop. I forgot my laptop, and I also didn't bring a book. I say this because, on Sunday, everyone is very quiet, so you also need to have something to do.
So bring a book or have a project that you're working on that you can do in your free time, and yeah, for the rest, just come with an open-minded attitude, and it's going to be very nice.
Would you recommend Bioconstruction & Permaculture in Rio? Why?
Yeah, for sure. Just because it's a way to step out of your comfort zone to meet new people, and like in my world at university, we're all always with the same people, always with a lot of friends, and we do the same kind of stuff.
It's good to sometimes go out of that circle and do something new, and programs like this are ideal for that.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
Like I said, really, it's the new people you meet and being social.
I think in the future, when you also enter a company as an intern, you don't know how to meet new people and be social. It's so difficult, but if you like it yearly or not, like just a few times in your life, do this and go away and meet new people.
House 3- Volunteers’ Accommodation
Then you’ll learn that kind of skill, and it's like a tool you have for life. It's very good and very handy for the future.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I only stayed for two weeks, so it was a very short time, but just the experience itself was great.
Thinking about my grades, sometimes it was a little bit difficult at university, but here, you think about that less and realize it's special. It's different from just being in Belgium, and it's like having a discussion with your parents about it.
Here, you can think about it and maybe talk with other people about it. For the rest, like I said, open-mindedness and being social have a really good impact.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
That you have a goal, that you visit something fun, something cultural, do a project, go volunteer work, or do any other kind of work. You just have a goal in mind.
Just not like going out traveling and just partying, like, you also should do that. I'm not saying that's bad, but you need to have a balance.
Like you can do a one-time vacation with friends and go party and have a lot of fun, but you can also make time free for other kinds of traveling, like visiting calmer places or volunteer work.
