The students say!
published: Saturday | April 22, 2006

Three girls from Portland, benefiting from the 'Voluntourism' programme administered by the State University of New York, Fredonia, tinker on a laptop computer at Great Hut eco-tourism resort in Boston, Portland.

"I AM very excited about the trip. I'm looking forward to working and learning in a culture which is different from my own. I am not nervous about travelling to Jamaica, but I am nervous about being able to be a good and effective teacher."

- Tina Dosch

"I am excited to go to Jamaica. It is going to be a great learning experience just to immerse myself in another culture. I hope everyone takes to us well."

- Christine LaValle

How are they expecting to benefit?

"The biggest benefit I expect to gain from this trip, as with most other trips I take, is to expand my knowledge and familiarity with other cultures. I love learning and comparing the similarities and differences between my culture and other cultures around the world. I found that it makes me appreciate what I have, in addition to learning how much we as Americans need to learn about the world and maybe that, 'we don't have everything right'!"

- Brad Carson

"I would like to learn as much as possible about culture and daily life while I'm in Jamaica. I'm really hoping to learn how to teach students that are unlike myself, I'd like to break through some cultural barriers and really get to know what being Jamaican means to Jamaicans. I also appreciate the opportunity to help Jamaicans understand what it's like to be American."

- Christine LaValle

Is this their first experience of voluntourism?

"I have taught as a volunteer on a regular basis, teaching and caring for children, but this is definitely the first week-long trip I have taken to help others."

- Christine LaValle