Alison Tarnoff, Volunteer in Ecuador

Alison Tarnoff, 24 years old, Volunteer in 2011

What did you enjoy most about your Quest experience?

Most of all, I enjoyed having full support while in the country, living with a family (total cultural immersion), volunteering with the deaf and blind children, and the weekend trips offered.

What was most challenging about your Quest experience?

The most challenging thing about my quest was having limited communication with my friends/family in the United States.

Describe your volunteer work experience.

For two weeks I volunteered in a day care for children from poor families. I spent time in the classroom with the 1-3 year olds, helping the teacher to organize activities, feed and care for the children.

During my next two weeks I volunteered in a school for deaf and blind children. While working in the classroom with deaf children I helped them with math and vocabulary, as well as with word pronunciation. While working in the classroom with blind children I helped them enhance their sense of touch and hearing.

Please provide a testimonial of your experience with as much detail as possible.

I really enjoyed my experience with United Planet. They take good care of their volunteers and provide cultural immersion in many ways.

My host family was welcoming and accepting of me in their household. I loved having my Spanish classes 1 on 1 with the professors. The salsa and cooking classes were fun. My favorite times were going on the trips around Ecuador with my guide and group, such as to Otavalo, Lake Cuicocha, Cotopaxi, Mindo and la Mitad del Mundo. The guides were flexible with the activities when our group wanted to change something in the itinerary.

I loved working with my project in the morning and then having the afternoons and weekends to get to know various parts of Ecuador!