We caught up with Hugh, a volunteer who recently returned from a United Planet Quest to Chile. Hugh taught English to schoolchildren on his 2 week United Planet Quest; he met new friends, learned a lot about the wonderful culture of Chile, and he made a positive impact on the kids that he taught.
Read on to hear more about his trip!
Most high school students spend their school vacations relaxing or working at their summer jobs. Hugh, a 16 year old Cleveland native, took a different approach to occupying the time he had off from school. He gave two gratifying weeks of his summer to volunteer in Chile with other teens his age; he traveled to a country he had never been to, stayed with people he had never met – all in the hopes of helping out complete strangers.
Hugh’s daily routine started around 8 a.m. when he would arrive at the school which was filled with 1st through 8th graders. He worked with four different teachers and would rotate between the four different classrooms to aid the students in their English language studies. The schoolteachers stressed the importance of correct pronunciation, so as a native English speaker, Hugh played a major role in the classroom.
Hugh with other United Planet volunteers
While in Chile, Hugh made friends with another United Planet volunteer, Seth. “We [Hugh and Seth] went and taught at the same school and stayed in the same house. We became close friends and would talk to each other and share our experiences,” said Hugh. He explained that having another volunteer his age that he could relate to made for an easier transition into the culture and a more enriching experience all around.
“I honestly think I would’ve had a completely different experience. Having Seth there, we could talk. We just made more of a connection.”
Hugh hanging out with the students he worked with!
Hugh didn’t know what to expect when he went to Chile, and while the transition to a completely foreign environment was a bit of a culture shock for him, Hugh commented, “My Quest definitely changed how I view culture, and how I view the world. Santiago gave me an experience that was unique and unforgettable.” He was also pleased to find that Chileans were more approachable–easier to talk to and more open with their culture than people from the United States tend to be.
Hugh’s United Planet Quest was a great success. He learned a lot–not only about Chile and the beautiful culture there, but also about himself. Hugh’s experience of being an outsider coming into a foreign environment and different culture was positively influential, for both himself and for the students he worked with.
To learn more about how you can teach school children or volunteer in Chile please visit our website for more information!
ABOUT UNITED PLANET
United Planet is a non-profit organization with a mission to create a global community, one relationship at a time. Established in 2001, United Planet offers volunteer abroad, virtual internships, internships abroad, gap year volunteering, and global virtual exchange in more than 40 countries.
