Caroline Baggot is a United Planet intern and student at the University of Pittsburgh where she is studying Civil and Environmental Engineering. As a previous United Planet volunteer, she acts as a resource for local students interested in volunteering abroad through United Planet. She acts as a valuable guide for information on the volunteering process and experience altogether. We asked her to write a reflection on her internship with United Planet and volunteering, and here’s what she had to say!
Two summers ago I realized that I would have about two weeks of free time with nothing to do. The thought of volunteering abroad came to mind, so I did some research. I did not personally know anyone who had volunteered abroad, so I really started my research from scratch and found United Planet through a basic Google search!
United Planet offered two-week quests in Africa working with children, which is what I thought I wanted. Unlike a lot of other organizations I came across, United Planet was accredited. I talked to real people, they had a real office in Boston, and Hilary Swank volunteered with them for goodness sake! So I applied for my short-term Quest with United Planet for August 2012. That was my first good decision in a series of good decisions that changed my life forever.
When I applied for my Quest, I requested to work at a school in Ghana. However, during my phone interview with United Planet, I was informed that school would not be in session during the time I was there. The woman suggested that I switch to a new Quest that involved working and living in an orphanage in Ghana, so I did. That was the second good decision I made in this process.
Working at the orphanage in Ghana those two weeks was the most impactful thing to have ever happened to me. It was a period filled with highs and lows. I was nervous, tired, frustrated, hungry, and angry at times, that is for sure, but I was also inspired, motivated, grateful, overjoyed, and so filled with love. Before my two weeks were even over, I had decided to return to the orphanage the following summer with United Planet. If you can believe it, that experience was even better than the first!
Not a day goes by that I do not think about those children. They impact every decision I make even though I rarely see or speak with them. No exaggeration, volunteering with United Planet Ghana was the greatest decision I’ve made in my life so far.
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.
