Now that my time volunteering in Sri Lanka is nearly half way through, I’ve had the ability to compare and contrast my past experiences abroad with this one. While it is not fair (nor just) to compare experiences, I cannot help but feel reflective of my time interning in Thailand and how it compares to my current experience volunteering in Sri Lanka. While these two trips have been nothing but eye opening and life changing, I have come to realize that they are in fact unique in their own ways. Therefore, I am appreciative and grateful from what I have taken away from each.

Here are some realizations that I have had while traveling abroad:

Internal adjustments: I’ve realized that my time in Thailand was spent trying to adjust to my experiences. This may have gotten in the way of seeing the world around me, and causing me to view it through a tainted lens.  My time in Thailand was spent learning about myself, the world around me, how to treat others, and most importantly: how to not treat others. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as it has helped me to broaden my perspective and grow and mature as a person in a huge way. But this time, I am taking Sri Lanka as it is. I have been able to enjoy the present moment instead of worrying about the past and future, and have had great experiences and opportunities to exercise my use of being mindful of myself and others. x

Culture shock happens: It is a very real concept, and when not adequately prepared, it can take a powerful toll on you. For Thailand, Greenheart Travel prepared me but I didn’t mentally prepare myself. This time around in Sri Lanka, my experience of culture shock is less apparent. I have now experienced Asian culture before, therefore I was properly prepared before my trips’ departure. Although some sights and realities are still quite surprising, I now feel that I am a strong enough person to handle them and digest them in an acceptable way.

Quality of life: The quality of life in parts of Thailand and Sri Lanka are very minimalistic. Items are cheap to buy, yet people here know to only purchase and consume what they need. A yearly salary for a Sri Lankan farmer is about $12,000 USD, therefore money and time are spent wisely and usefully. People in Thailand and Sri Lanka have very little belongings and attachments, yet are the most friendly, happy and kind people I have ever come across in my entire life. At first these ideas were hard to wrap my head around, but after living like a local here in Sri Lanka, the answer is nothing but simple and straightforward– living life in a simplistic way without the distraction of desire will ultimately lead to the most pure form of happiness.|x

Helping others to help yourself: In Thailand, I worked with a dog rescue center that helped to improve the lives of stray animals. In Sri Lanka, I am working with a wildlife conservation project to alleviate human-elephant conflicts in the country’s agricultural sector. I have realized that by making a difference in the lives of others, I have ultimately made a difference in my own life, and how I view priorities. Often it is hard to take a step back and see the world beyond your own wants and needs, but if you are able to put the concerns and struggles of others first, you will find that your intrinsic reward will be far greater than any extrinsic one you have ever received. I have taken it upon myself to make as much change as possible in the month that I am living here, and cannot wait to see what a difference I can make.

 

Last year, I traveled to Thailand to intern with a non-profit animal rescue center through Greenheart Travel. The main objective was to increase the quality of life for stray animals throughout Thailand. This was done by feeding local strays, treating them for medical conditions at the clinic, giving out vaccinations, flea powder, treating mange, etc. They also try and arrange international adoptions for cats and dogs in order to give them a permanent and healthy  home.

I felt good about my assistance with this organization, and felt that I had made an efficient difference. I realized how many animals really needed help in the world, and ever since I have thought differently about strays.

This year, I am in Sri Lanka for a month as a Greenheart Travel volunteer with an elephant conservation program. I am staying at the onsite field house, and life here is very simplistic and pure. In the field house, there is a cat and dog that have spent about their whole lives here. The dog doesn’t really have a name, and is covered with mange, but she is spayed.

The cat is about one-and-a-half years old, and his name is Pepper. From my first night here, Pepper and I have bonded. He sleeps in my bed sometimes, and I feed him everyday with cat food I bought in town. Sri Lanka’s views on cats and dogs are polar opposite from how they are viewed and treated in the U.S. Cats and dogs are almost viewed as squirrel-type animals here, and are not fed and taken care of. So far, I have seen dying animals on the streets, animals with broken limbs, and most of all, animals that are starving.

It really breaks my heart to see these conditions here in this country, especially after my volunteering efforts in Thailand. After seeing the reality for these animals, I decided that I wanted to do something about it. Originally, I wanted to take Pepper home with me to give him a better quality life, but after going over required documentations and certificates, I quickly learned that I simply don’t have enough time. I feel that in many situations, it is often hard to decide how to give your all and help out in the best way possible. It is easy to contribute in ways that help yourself and solve problems that give yourself satisfaction, but sometimes they may not be the most beneficial to others or the community.

As I have come to this realization, I discovered that my desires to fund raise money to take Pepper to the states would only be beneficial to myself. Furthermore, I have decided that I want to make a positive change here regarding the stray cats and dogs that live in the village. I want to fund raise as much money that I can in the next week and a half, so that we can afford to send a vet here to treat nearby animals. This includes spaying/neutering, treating fleas/ticks/mange, worms, and more.

Additionally, I want to use excess funds to buy a large quantity of cat and dog food so that the animals here can be healthy and survive. My hope is to take Pepper to the States in the future, but as of now, I feel that I would like to use my power and compassion to help as many animals that I can in this community. I feel that this will make a lasting difference, that will impact many animal lives. Even if 5 animals can be spayed/neutered, this can make a huge difference in the community, as one animal can produce dozens and dozens of liters in its’ lifetime.

If you would like to contribute to this change, please email me at shannonschroeder8@gmail.com.

While volunteering on the Greenheart Travel’s Elephant Conservation program near Wasgamuwa National Park, I have greatly expanded my knowledge of one of Sri Lanka’s greatest ongoing problems. HEC, commonly known as Human Elephant Conflict, has been a sprouting issue between humans and wildlife for several centuries, but even more so within the last few decades.

In order to better understand HEC, here are 7 things you need to know:*

1. The Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society is a fully registered, voluntary social service and non-profit organization combined with the ministry of social services of Sri Lanka. It was founded in 1995, and is the first organization in the world to have made documented research on methods of human-elephant resolutions. They invented a method of using solar-powered electric fences to surround rural villages in order to protect villagers from elephants stampeding their homes and crops. Their philosophy is to help elephants by helping people, as elephants and humans have had a long history through Sri Lanka and Asia in regards to Hinduism and Buddhism.
2. Elephants are attracted to the smell of rice plants and produce, along with other fruits and vegetables. However, they do not like chile peppers or citrus crops. Often times, farmers are encouraged to try and grow these new crops as a backup strategy for income in case their rice gets destroyed. This has proven difficult though, and many families like to stick to traditions passed down for many generations.
3. Crop destruction is a life threatening issue in Sri Lanka. Elephants will go to great lengths to find food and most attacks on properties and crops happen in the late hours of the night, and can happen quickly. When homes and a years’ worth of hard work in the field are taken within the span of minutes, rates of suicide have been known to increase in the country. Damage to homes and crops has led to increased poverty as well.
4. In attempt to scare off unwanted elephants, many farmers use firecrackers, flashlights, any loud noises, and guns. The use of firearms on elephants is decreasing wild elephant populations at an exceedingly high rate. There used to be about 20,000 elephants in the hill country area of Sri Lanka, and now records show that there are only about 5,000 left.
5. A goal of the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society is to implement educational programs in nearby communities to teach kids and adolescents about elephant appreciation, new agricultural techniques that prevent elephant interference, and humanities historical connection with elephants. This way, elephants are looked at with respect and loyalty, and not just as a pest. These educational programs are implemented in hopes to further reduce HEC in future generations.
6. There is also a side project that SLWCS is working on called ‘Project Orange Elephant.’ In this project, captive elephants are used to determine what they like to eat and not eat. This is how their eating preferences were established and discovered.
7. HEC has grown exponentially in the past few decades due to the government’s plan to boost the Sri Lankan economy through agricultural practices in the dry lands (center area of the island), and establishing advanced irrigation systems.

On average, HEC kills about 225 elephants and between 60-80 people annually. Additionally, from the years 2004-2007, a total of 3,103 homes were damaged from elephant interference. Though these statistics are tragic, it is the cause and effect of this issue that seems to be the most importance and each volunteer is helping to make a positive difference for both the local communities and elephants in the region.

*Information and statistics in this post were taken from the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society Volunteer arrival orientation.

Now that I’ve been doing research as a volunteer in Sri Lanka for a week now, I feel as if I’ve gotten comfortable to the daily routine. Each day seems quite similar to the last, yet with each new day I find myself awe-inspired by something new and memorable.

Here is what our daily schedule looks like:

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8 am: Wake up, get ready for the day, put on bug spray and sunscreen, and then eat breakfast. Breakfast has included homemade string hoppers, rice and cooked vegetables, pita bread, and fresh pineapple.

9 am: Depart for morning activity, which changes daily. So far, we have done elephant transect (finding and dissecting elephant dung to determine what they have been eating), and inspecting sand traps (daily visit to 9 pre-determined sand traps and look for animal tracks).

12 pm: Break time! We find our way back to the field house to have a few hours of free time. This includes lunch time! Lunch is always a light meal, consisting of rice and veggies. This is also the hottest point in the day, and calls for some much needed shade and water. A few times this week we went swimming in the lake nearby, which is so nice because it overlooks the mountains.

3:30 pm: Depart for evening activity. The evening activity is always subject to change, but so far we have gone to the tree hut. The tree hut was built by the local staff and sits atop of a tall tree. We sit in the hut and take note of all observations of human and/or elephant activity. I have noticed that the more human traffic there is, the farther away elephants keep their distance. Many Tuk tuks (3 wheeled rickshaws), motorbikes, bicycles, and trucks drive past during the few hours of observation.

7 pm: As the sun is setting, we head back to the camp site to end our day. Dinner is served, and is always my favorite meal of the day (no matter where I am in the world). For dinner we have had noodles, rice with veggies,  fresh fish, and fresh pineapple. We have also watched this Indian soap opera that plays weekday nights at 8 pm called Jodha and Akbar. The other volunteers and I always like to play card games as well. I’ve gotten pretty good at playing “Speed!”

9:30-10:30 pm-: Time for bed! At home I’m usually a night owl, but after a long day’s work, in addition to about 90-100 degree weather, I’m exhausted! I go to sleep in my bed surrounded by a mosquito net filled with excitement for tomorrow’s agenda.

So today is the day! I’m flying 20+ hours to Colombo, Sri Lanka. My peers, co-workers, and family have all asked me if I’m ready and if I feel prepared. But then I ask myself, can you really prepare yourself for something where you have no idea what to expect? These past few weeks, I’ve been going through finals and working almost 30 hours a week, and I’ve found myself asking the same questions “Am I ready?” and “Do I feel prepared?”

As I was checking my bags in, the flight attendant looks at my itinerary and says to me, “Colombo? Interesting.”

I said, “What do you mean?” And he replies, “That’s just never somewhere I would want to go. It’s never been on my list.”

Honestly I was surprised by his bluntness, but as I think about it and am 100% honest with myself, this wasn’t a country or place that had been on my list up until 6 months ago. When I heard about Greenheart Travel’s volunteer program working with elephants and wildlife in a national park in Sri Lanka (and having had previous experience with elephants in Thailand while I participated in Greenheart Travel’s seasonal internship in Thailand), I just couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to go abroad again.

While I am nervous, exhilarated, and frankly just excited, let me tell you the top 5 reasons why I want to go to Sri Lanka:

1. Being outside: I made it a goal of mine to find something beautiful in nature everyday. I can thank my roommate for this idea, but as an environmental student at DePaul and having a infinite passion for nature and wildlife, I found it quite suiting.
2. Traveling: Ever since Thailand, I caught the travel bug. Experiencing a completely different culture is something that can’t be explained or taught. I’m looking forward to seeing more of this vast and diverse world that I call home.
3. Elephants: They are so powerful, so full of wisdom and strength. It’s inexplicable to be in their presence up close. Wasgamuwa National Park is known as the country’s largest wildlife sanctuary where large herds of elephants roam and travel.
4. My education and professional career: Opportunities such as these will give me many lessons and it will teach me more about conservation and wildlife. This trip will not only look amazing on my resume, but it will take me to a whole new level that can’t be taught in any classroom.
5. Serendipity: I have no idea what to expect, what it will look like, feel like, smell like, and how I’ll feel. The concept of serendipity is one of my favorites, as they are often the best memories in life.

So maybe I’m not ready, maybe I have no idea what to expect or what to make of it. But it’s these insecurities that I happen to find myself comforted. I learned in Thailand that the best things in life come from unplanned and unexpected situations. I’m really looking forward to my moments of serendipity in Sri Lanka.

Being able to get college credit for volunteering abroad is ideal when trying to graduate on time.  Luckily, I was able to get credit from DePaul University for my time volunteering in Sri Lanka and during my internship in Thailand and share my tips below to help you when trying to receive class credit for your next travel adventure. Let’s get started!

 

Is graduation closer than you expected and you’re running out of time to finish your remaining credits?

What if we told you that you could go abroad and get college credit at the same time?!?!

No silly muggle, it doesn’t require magic! It’s easier than you think.

By working with your school and academic advisor to get class credit for your time abroad, you can kill two birds with one stone and still graduate on time.

 Step 1: Choose a Program & Start Date

Greenheart Travel offers Volunteer Programs all over the world. Although it may seem hard to choose, picking a program that somewhat relates to your college degree will make the process a little bit easier. I chose to volunteer in Sri Lanka because it coincides with my Environmental Studies major as well as my passion for wildlife conservation. With opportunities all year round and multiple start days per month, you can customize your trip around your school’s schedule. You could even squeeze a trip in during spring or winter break!

Step 2: Apply with Greenheart Travel and send in your documents

I know what you’re thinking, another thing to put on my to do list that I’ll never get to. But, Greenheart Travel makes the application process super simple. It’s all online and only takes about 30 minutes. You could probably watch Netflix while filling out your application! Once you’ve successfully applied and sent in required travel documents, you’ll hear back about an acceptance in only a few short days.

Step 3: Visit your academic advisor to discuss getting credits for your travels

When you meet with your advisor, discuss what possibilities for credentials your volunteer work could fill. You’ll want to be prepared with the type of work you’ll be doing while abroad, what skills you’ll be learning and how this program will advance your education. In most situations, your time abroad will qualify for an independent studies course. If you selected a program that relates to your major, hopefully the credit will fit in with one of your required courses. You’ll usually be responsible for doing some work while abroad, including writing a paper about the program or documenting your research.

DePaul University does a great job working with students to fulfill their graduation requirements while abroad. Here are the phone numbers to their multiple advising offices where you can call and set up an appointment.

• College of Science and Health: (773)-325-8490
• Liberal Arts & Social Sciences: Lincoln Park: (773)- 325-7310 Loop: (312)-362-8870
• College of Education: (773)-325-4409
• College of Communications: (312)-362-8600
• Office of Academic Advising and Support: (773)-325-7431

While talking to your advisor, ask them about earning your JYEL credit (DePaul University), or the possibility of gaining credit abroad for participating in an Independent Study Project. If you choose to do so, here is some information for DePaul students:

• College of Science & Health Independent Study
• College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences Independent Study
• College of Communication Independent Study
• JYEL Information

And lastly, if you want information from DePaul’s Study Abroad Office regarding Non-DePaul Abroad Programs Click here. With a little research, confidence, and a passion for learning and experiencing life abroad, you can do anything you set your mind to!

Step 4: Travel

Traveling abroad will not only give you memorable experiences of a lifetime, but it can help to advance your education and resume. To gain credit for my time in Thailand, I followed the exact steps, and now I’m 4 credits closer to graduation. That trip definitely beat sitting in a classroom during my winter break — I got to learn and work in such a beautiful place, not to mention the perfect weather too! Learning and working abroad is one of the best experiences you can have while in school, because it will help you to stand out from your peers and help you to learn lessons that aren’t available in a classroom 

And now, I’m repeating this success with a trip to Sri Lanka. What are you waiting for!?

 

 

 

by Shannon Schroeder

During DePaul University’s 2014 winter break, I decided to travel to Thailand to complete an internship with Greenheart Travel. This experience was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and to say that I learned a lot would be an understatement. We tend to learn the most from our mistakes and experiences, and well, let’s just say I returned home very educated. Before you go on this life-changing experience yourself, here are 5 things that I wish I knew before my internship to Thailand.

 1. It is perfectly normal to find yourself being pushed to new limits.

Whether it’s trying an array of new and unfamiliar foods, or finding yourself struggling to fit into a new culture with different customs and traditions, it is completely normal to stretch the limits of your comfort zone. Traveling to a new country means discovering a new way of life, and getting the opportunity to live differently in a new environment. Traveling and living abroad can not only help you to mature and grow; but also to discover more about what you like, dislike, and what you want out of life.

Tip for Success: Don’t be afraid to try new and ‘uncomfortable’ things! Often the best and most enjoyed moments in life are the ones that completely catch you off guard, surprise you, and are entirely unexpected! If you recognize that you are out of your comfort zone, use that recognition to push yourself further out and seize upcoming opportunities.

Nothing pushed my boundaries more than adjusting to Thailand’s concept of time and scheduling. Locals prefer to take their time with tasks and duties, give estimates rather than exact times, and change schedules at the last minute. While in Thailand, this type of lifestyle made me uncomfortable and very stressed at first. However, after making a conscious effort to adjust and “go with the flow,” I ended up thoroughly enjoying the uncertainty of my changing schedule. Sometimes, the simple act of stepping out of your typical comfort zone can change your life in the most impactful ways.

2. You are not the only one who feels homesick and/or lonely.

It is completely normal to feel homesick and/or lonely while spending time abroad. Often times many people experience the same feelings of loneliness, but hesitate to talk about it with others. Don’t allow these feelings to get in the way of your happiness while abroad. After all, most of these experiences are once in a lifetime opportunities, and will only be temporary.

Tip for Success: Spend some extra time getting to know locals, other people involved in your program, trying new activities or restaurants, and soaking in some breathtaking sights. There are now many apps that allow you to get in touch with other travelers, popular restaurants in the area, or local festivities/celebrations. Getting to know your new host community doesn’t have to be so intimidating if you can listen to music or bring a book along the way either!

Here are some links to popular apps to use while abroad!

Viber  |  Whatsapp  |  Foursquare  |  Wayn  |  Tango  |  Untappd  |  Wechat

 

3. Culture shock and reverse culture shock are real and are very likely happen.

Travelling to the other side of the globe can almost guarantee you a sense of culture shock. How it will affect you is up to you. It took me almost 2 weeks to fully adjust to Thailand’s culture, sense of everyday life, and low priority for being on time. Culture shock can be an adjustment, but it also helps you to have a clearer understanding of the world you live in. It can open your eyes to new realities, change old habits and perceptions, or even drive you to change your personal life. Culture shock may be even more apparent to you once you are back in your home town, but try to remember that this cultural immersion that you have experienced has been a growing and learning experience, and that this realization (like many other things in life) take time to get used to.

Tip for success: When returning to your hometown after traveling abroad, try to get into a routine (even if it is slightly altered from your previous routine). Set goals for yourself for the next up and coming weeks/months. Catch up with people you have not seen since being abroad and return to safe and/or relaxing hobbies or activities that you have always enjoyed. Switching from polar opposite cultures/locations can be mentally and physically exhausting, so make sure to stay in the habit of a good night’s sleep.

4. There will be some moments that simply cannot be explained.

Sometimes, things happen in life that just cannot be described or explained. Whether it is feeding an elephant, watching a breathtaking sunset, meditating in a temple, or hiking through a national park to view an ancient cave; some events are meant to be lived and not told about. Thailand offers many moments like this, and it is better to know beforehand that not every moment in life needs an explanation.

Tip for success: Bringing a notebook on your trip to jot down some memorable moments in your spare time can really make a difference. Being able to read about what you saw, smelled, felt, or where you were during such an amazing moment can really help you to organize your thoughts and be able to positively reflect on them later. Taking pictures of breathtaking sights can additionally allow to you revisit a place you might not ever get the chance to see again.

While pictures can help you to revisit certain memories; they can never be equivalent to the present moment or the event that was taking place from the picture. Remember to pause and enjoy these memorable moments while they are actually happening, and not use all you focus and energy to capture the ‘perfect picture.’

5. Yes, some sights will be hard to see.

Yes, Thailand is still continuing to develop and evolve as a country. This means that their access to fresh food and clean water are limited. This also means that they struggle with poverty, environmental injustice, and resource scarcity. During my time in Thailand, I was faced with many of these struggles that this country faces on an everyday basis. This may coincide with culture shock, but can additionally be used as a trigger to work even harder to make a lasting difference. It feels good to make a difference in your local community, and it is a great way to know that your time abroad was spent in a useful and positive way.

Tip for success: Simply carrying around a bag of nutritional dog food (highly recommended) can facilitate the lives of many stray animals. Even picking up litter on the street can make a huge environmental difference! During your spare time, don’t hesitate to volunteer at local shelters, community centers, or with helpful non-profit organizations.

 

Though I wish I better understood these concepts before my internship; I wouldn’t change a thing about my time abroad and would absolutely do it again in a heartbeat. Not only did this internship add a great involvement opportunity to my resume; it gave me memories to last a lifetime. Traveling and working abroad can change every aspect imaginable about your life: your perspective, your passions, your lifestyle, and even your goals. It can inspire you to help yourself, help others, and make a lasting difference on a local and international level.

Shannon Schroeder is part of the first group of interns to go to Thailand on our new Internship in Thailand program. Although she has been there less than a week, Shannon is already making the most of her time. Below is an email she sent to friends and family (and Greenheart!) and we thought it was worth sharing.

“I’m currently in Hua Hin, Thailand completing an internship through a company called Greenheart Travel. They partner with many worldwide organizations to help conjoin and integrate many cultures and cultural boundaries. One of their partners, XploreAsia, started a non-profit organization called Rescue Paws. Rescue Paws works to facilitate the lives of many stray dogs, cats, goats, and even turtles around Thailand. They feed stray animals, spay & neuter them, perform surgeries, and administer vaccinations and medications. Stray animals don’t live easy lives here. Many are hit by motor vehicles, starve to death, are struck with disease, are physically and emotionally abused, and are pretty much treated as livestock. Population densities have skyrocketed, and most of these animals haven’t lived to see the age of 5. I’ve been in Thailand for a total of 4 days so far, and I can’t even tell you the amount of strays I’ve seen. They’re everywhere. I can’t reiterate how heartbreaking it is to see. There’s just too many, and it’s a huge problem in this country.

So one of the main tasks of my internship is to raise awareness and assist in the expansion of this nonprofit called Rescue Paws. The organization is relatively new (about a year) and although they’ve saved hundreds of animal lives, they need a lot of assistance. I’m asking anyone who reads this to help me out and more importantly, help this organization out in any way that you can.

Here’s what you can do to make a difference:

1.  You can visit and like their Facebook page

2.  You can click on their website and learn more about this company, how they’ve helped animals in Thailand, and how they want to help further.

3. You could click on the donation button and donate anything possible. The donation PayPal account accepts US dollars, and then is converted to Thai Baht. (Let me add here that vaccinations, food, and spay/neutering doesn’t cost too much in Thailand. For example:  spay/neuter procedures in Thailand cost about 300-500 baht which converts to like 10-15 US Dollars….so don’t assume that I’m asking for your entire month’s salary here-ANYTHING can make a difference)

4. If you or anyone you know has access to medical supplies (this includes gauze, gloves, containers, anything) you can send them directly to Rescue Paws.

5. You can share this post and the reasoning behind Rescue Paws to all  your Facebook friends, your friends that you see in real life, your family, coworkers, anyone/everyone.

I would really appreciate any help that I could get. This company really is making a difference; I’ve seen it first hand, and these animals could use some love. Christmas is approaching, and now is the perfect time to do some good in the world. Let’s all make a difference.”

Interested in following in Shannon’s footsteps? Check out our summer dates for this internship!