GVI Intern Ecuador

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Cecellia Olsson

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Cecellia Olsson - Ecuador

Why GVI?

Based on the homepage GVI seemed like a really good organization with many interesting projects. Unlike many other organizations GVI had a plan for their volunteers, by that I mean that they had a great support for the volunteers from the word go, training in safety, contact people, follow-ups and so on.

Why Ecuador?

I have always wanted to experience the Amazon rainforest and South America with it’s fascinating history and culture. The expedition in Ecuador had interesting projects running and spending time there learning the relevant skills, they could then be taken away with me and applied at home or elsewhere. My graduate paper focused on frogs and I really wanted to learn how to survey with pitfalls first-hand, with the hope that I could use the technique for further studies in Sweden. The experience gained through working on the butterfly and bird projects can also be applied in Sweden.

Why Volunteer?

I wanted to do something worthwhile, gain field experience in order to improve my chances at getting a job, travel and experience a new place and new people. On top of all that I wanted to grow in my own personal confidence, improve my English and hopefully learn some Spanish and to practice photography.

Why Internship, instead of five or ten weeks?

I know how to look after myself, but I wanted to learn how to deal with greater responsibility. When it comes to teaching, whether in English or in conservation, I realize my weaknesses, as I’m a shy person and English is my second language and I realize at times that my speaking skills need some improvement. However, I hope that with the opportunity to teach, I can grow and improve on those skills, but it’s the research that I look forward to the most.

I thought that in five weeks I wouldn’t learn enough about the projects to be able to participate properly and with a full understanding. Having the opportunity to stay six months instead of ten weeks I hope will allow me to learn even more and as a bonus I escape the whole Swedish winter. As the internship also includes two weeks of Spanish, living with a host family was a big bonus. All these new experiences mean even more personal growth.

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