Now that I’m back home in Oregon after two weeks of volunteering with elephants in Sri Lanka, what I’ve just done hardly feels real. It was such a difficult, fun, life changing, and eye opening adventure, and now that I’m home it’s hard to comprehend that everything that I’ve just done is over. It’s strange to think that the trip I worked towards for so long was over in just two short weeks, but all the things I learned from it makes those two weeks very special to me.
Volunteering with the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society gave me the incredible opportunity to see and work around wild elephants. I was able to see the way a different part of the world lives. I was exposed to a different way of life and a very real problem that many people face. I didn’t realize the reality for many people living in Sri Lanka is living in fear that their homes or crops could easily be destroyed by elephants. It was such a meaningful experience to be able to meet and spend time with the farmers and local people, while also doing work and research with the program.
Jessica watching for elephants.
Living in the Fieldhouse gave me the opportunity to meet a whole variety of people. I learned a lot about the staff who live and work at and around the Fieldhouse. It was interesting to see how the lifestyle there was so different than my own at home. It was amazing to experience all the local people’s hospitality and kindness. All the people in Sri Lanka were incredibly friendly and welcoming and really made you feel at home. Getting to meet all the different volunteers at the Fieldhouse was a really cool experience. I hadn’t expected the diverse range of countries that everyone was from to be so broad. There were people from all over the world! It was fun to meet people from different countries and hear about their lives.
On safari in Wasgamuwa National Park with Melina, Sasha, Jessica, Rosie, and Emma.
I not only learned about the people and the country while I was in Sri Lanka, but I also learned a lot about myself. It was a very different experience from anything that I’ve ever done before. I realized from traveling so far from home alone, that I am capable of doing more things on my own than I first thought and I am able to problem solve on my own. I learned that I really enjoy hands on experiences and I loved always being outside. I also learned that I love a simple living style. I realized that even though it’s scary to put yourself out there and be outgoing, it’s worth it and more fun. This trip has changed me in a lot of ways, it helped me become more independent and responsible for myself. I’ve realized that the world around me is more vast than I could ever imagine and I want to experience as much of it as I can. I definitely pushed myself out of my comfort zone on this trip and I’m glad I did because I grew a lot from it.
Over 50 elephants were found by the lake near the Fieldhouse this day!
Being back home in the US after two weeks of outdoor volunteer work in Sri Lanka is a big switch. It’s hard to go from doing field research on elephants to sitting in front of a desk trying to write a history essay. This trip made me realize that I have complete control over what I want to do in the future and I hope to continue having more experiences like this. Volunteering with the program gave me a more clear idea of what I may want to do in the future. Adjusting to being home is strange, but I hope to take everything that I’ve learned from this trip and apply it in my daily life.
Jessica’s name and handprint on the Fieldhouse wall. All the volunteers get to paint something before they leave.
Traveling to Sri Lanka to volunteer with wild elephants has been an unforgettable experience and I’m so glad that I was brave enough to take this trip. Traveling abroad is such a life changing experience and volunteering can give such an insight into a different lifestyle and culture. It’s an experience that I would recommend to anyone!
This week on the blog we are featuring Greenheart Travel alumni and telling the stories of “Where Are They Now?”. We handpicked alumni that are doing great things back home following their programs, and whose time abroad has shaped what they’re up to now. Hannah Patzer is a two-time Greenheart Travel alumni! Read on for more about what Hannah is up to now and how her time abroad has shaped her career goals.
What Greenheart Travel program did you do and what was your favorite part about living in that country?
One of my favorite parts about living in Sweden was how much everyone loved the outdoors. On a sunny day, no matter if during the week or on a weekend, the streets were flooded with people enjoying the beautiful weather. The running trails were plentiful and weekends were often spent down by the beach with friends. Swedes take great pride in their environmental sustainability and it shows. You are hard pressed to see a piece of garbage on the ground or to find yourself where a recycling bin is not within a 20-meter radius. Besides the outdoors, I also adored the Swedish tradition of “fika” which involves a break in the day to chat with friends over a pastry in coffee. The Swedish people are very good at work life balance and living in the country taught me to slow down and live in the moment more – something I think all Americans can benefit from.
Sri Lanka was the opposite of Sweden, but I still feel in love with the country all the same. To me, Sri Lanka’s charm was in the people and food which filled the country. Throughout my stay working on the elephant camp, I never once had a single bad encounter with the locals. Everyone I met went out of their way to be nice to me. I spoke to people who wanted to practice their English, who wanted to learn about my culture and tell me about theirs, and to thank me for our aide we provided the country in the tsunami many years ago. When I went into local restaurants people helped me order and insisted I try just about everything on the menu. One of my fondest memories came from a weakened trip I took with another volunteer to Gale. We stumbled upon a small local carnival and all of the food stands let us eat for free because they wanted the foreigners to truly experience their culture and generosity. For people who had so little to still give so much was something that will stick with me and forever inspire me to treat strangers with kindness. In addition, the food in Sri Lanka is to die for. Endless curries, coconut balls, and roti. I practically had to roll myself onto the plane when it was time to leave, but it was worth every bite!
What are you up to now?
I recently returned from a year abroad where I spent 6 months working for the Department of Commerce in the United States Consulate in Sydney, Australia. From there I moved to Denmark to study at the Copenhagen Business School for a semester before returning to the states in June to work as a research analyst for the State of Wisconsin Investment Board. I plan to continue my work here while finishing up my bachelor’s degree in finance at the University of Wisconsin Madison and graduate in May 2019.
Working at the US consulate in Sydney, Australia.
How did studying and volunteering abroad have an effect on what you’re doing now?
As corny as it is to say, studying abroad truly did change my life. Without taking the plunge and moving to Sweden at such a young age, I would not be the same person. I would not have lived with elephants for 2 months in a country I never knew existed waking up at sunrise and eating every meal with my hands. I would not have gone to Colombia and climbed the Cuidad to Perdida and I certainly would not have had the guts to buy a round trip ticket into Lisbon, Portugal and out of Reykivaik, Iceland with three months of solo travel in between. I also believe that my diverse travels and experiences living abroad helped me land the position at the consulate in Sydney which eventually lead to my current position at the State of Wisconsin Investment Board.
Volunteering in Sri Lanka
Do you think that your program abroad helped you develop skills you use back home now?
Besides the experiences I gained from traveling, I also have grown immensely as a person. I can easily adapt into new environments whether it be a new country, school, or job.
Traveling has taught me how to mold myself into new and better versions of myself depending on the situation.
More than that it has taught me how to hold a conversation and converse with strangers – a skill often lost in the new social media run world. In Sri Lanka we had no phones or wifi. The volunteers would get together every night and we would talk about anything and everything. These are some of my favorite memories from the Volunteer program.
I did not speak a word of Swedish when I arrived in Sweden. I had to get over my fears and learn to communicate with others overcoming language barriers and self-doubt. Most importantly, my experiences abroad have provided me with self-confidence. Whether it be moving to a foreign country alone or living completely off the grid for an extended period of time. I survived both of those experiences through the ups and down and learned that I can do anything I put my mind too.
If someone was nervous about traveling abroad because it might negatively affect their career goals or getting into college, what would you tell them?
To all the “what-if” people out there, my only words of advice are to just do it. Nothing in life is permanent and there is no opportunity like the present. So often people are focused on the what if I don’t graduate in time, what if I don’t like it, what if I get homesick, what if, what if, what if. One thought that really helped motivate me the first time to go abroad was that I knew if a year from now I had not gone I would have been sitting in a classroom thinking to myself that I should be in Sweden right now. Knowing I would regret it was enough to push me to just go.
Don’t be so worried about the future that you forget to live in the now. So, you are worried about getting into college? Landing that perfect job? You want to go abroad but are worried it will mess up your future? Going abroad will set you apart from your peers. In every single job interview I have had I have been questioned about my time abroad in positive ways. In a world where so many people are similar, going abroad is one great thing you can do to set you apart.
For a little over a week I’ve been volunteering in Sri Lanka with the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society and it has been one of the best experiences that I’ve ever had. With less than a week left I feel well adjusted to life at the Fieldhouse. I’ve loved seeing elephants, volunteering with the program, and meeting such amazing people.
Watching elephants.
Before traveling halfway across the world alone, I didn’t really realize how alone I would truly feel. The moment that I stepped off the plane for my layover in the Seoul airport was when it set in how far away from home I actually was. I think the scariest part for me was not having anyone I could directly talk to. Traveling alone also showed me that I am more capable of doing things on my own than I first thought. Having to travel without a group forced me to become more independent and I was able to learn to solve problems by myself.
At first I found it difficult to adjust to living with a bunch of other young adults in an open air Fieldhouse. I missed my family a lot and I was nervous to try to talk to such a big group of people. Once I was able to immerse myself in the projects and get to know the people I was surrounded by, the Fieldhouse felt a lot more like a family. It was difficult at first, being younger than everyone else there I felt like I had a lot less experience; but, through lots of card games, shared interests, long truck rides, communal meals, and working together I was able to make some very good friends.
Jessica and friends (Vika and Melina) on Snake Rock by the Fieldhouse.
Volunteering with the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society has been one of the best things that I’ve ever gotten to do. Each morning we wake up in the open air Fieldhouse to the sounds of birds, singing voices echoing off the mountains, and the breeze blowing in. After breakfast, we split up to do different projects like checking camera and sand traps, monitoring elephant fences, gardening and helping farmers, analyzing dung, and looking for footprints. The heat and humidity makes the work difficult, but getting to volunteer in such a special place is worth it. During the hottest part of the day we have lunch, enter data to the computer, and have a nice break. In the late afternoon we go to different locations like tree huts or lakesides to watch for elephants and record information about them. You don’t always get to see an elephant, but when you do it feels so special. One of the most surreal feelings is getting to look into the eyes of an elephant that is less than 100 feet away from where you’re standing. The evenings are filled with fun, everyone talks about the day, eats dinner, and plays a lot of card games.
Taking footprint measurements of small cats.
The people of Sri Lanka are incredibly friendly, driving down any road you’re bound to see people out and about, smiling and laughing with one another. Everyone greets each other with a smile and wave, and everyday that we drive by a school tons of small children come rushing outside just to wave at the land rovers driving by. The local people are also very welcoming of any projects the organization is working on and they are extremely generous to all of the volunteers. After projects we would be invited in to the house for biscuits, fruit, and sweet tea. It was as so meaningful to get to meet all these people and be privileged enough to be invited to their homes.
View from a treehut while waiting for elephants.
With my last few days in Sri Lanka I hope that I’ll be able to see even more elephants. We’ve seen so many already which is very lucky considering some days you don’t get to see any at all. I want to try to reach out to even more people and be the one to start conversations with other volunteers. I love learning about different people and all their thoughts and goals. Everyone here has a common interest but are all from so many different backgrounds and countries you can never get bored talking to everyone. I am also going to live more in the moment these last few days, I want to appreciate where I am and not let my thoughts wander home.
An elephant in Wasgamuwa National Park.
Getting to travel to Sri Lanka to volunteer with elephants at the age of 16 is such a crazy experience. It’s one of the hardest things that I’ve ever done, but also one of the most rewarding. Life at the Fieldhouse feels so normal now, it’s going to be weird going home so I hope to continue living in the moment and making the most of these last few days.
Sometimes life can get too comfortable. Things can become stagnant and everything you do can feel mediocre and unimportant. It can take an act of spontaneity to keep life exciting and start new adventures. I’ve always enjoyed volunteering, traveling, and spending time outside so when I found the opportunity to volunteer with the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society through Greenheart Travel, it was the perfect opportunity. After so much anticipation, the thought that I’ll be traveling across the world alone to Sri Lanka, still hasn’t sunk in.
Preparing, and packing for my trip to Sri Lanka feels surreal. It’s difficult to comprehend an idea so foreign, and a trip that I’ve anticipated for so long to actually be happening. To prepare I researched online about Sri Lankan culture, customs, and the way people live. I looked into what the human elephant conflict is and got a brief summary of what to expect. I don’t want to be too expectant of seeing anything or expecting something to be a certain way. I was able to get advice from my mom’s friend who grew up there. Having met someone who lived half their life halfway around the world has made the idea of traveling to Sri Lanka much less foreign to me.
Going from living in the suburbs of a small town where everything is within biking distance of itself, to the middle of a national park in a small field house in another country is a pretty big shift. I think one of the hardest things that I will need to adjust to is the climate. I’m so used to a temperate climate and moderate temperatures that going somewhere so hot and humid will be a big change. I think it may be difficult to connect and live with a group of people that I’ve never met, but I hope that our shared interests and working together will help break the ice. I’m anticipating a little culture shock due to the apparent difference of my home in Oregon to Sri Lanka, but I think that as long as I live in the moment and keep busy I won’t be affected much.
As a volunteer working on the Wasgamuwa National Park I am nervous about working in a completely new environment. When working on the project I’m a little worried that I won’t be doing something correctly or that I’ll be unsure on how to accomplish something. I’m also a little scared to be flying alone for the first time. However, I hope that by asking lots of questions and keeping busy I won’t be nervous. It’s such a unique opportunity to be able to do this so I don’t want to waste time thinking about anything that could go wrong!
When I’m volunteering I hope that I’ll be able to learn a lot about the human elephant conflict in Sri Lanka and how people react and live with it. I hope that I’ll be able to learn a lot about elephants. And I’m curious to see what type of research we’ll be conducting. I want to be able to work well with the other volunteer and people that live and work at the field house. I hope that I’ll be able to learn more about everyone that I’m with and learn more about theirs lives.
I’m looking forward to looking at how a different culture other than my own lives. I’m curious to see the way that people live, and how they react to how the elephant issue affects them, their homes, and families. I hope to understand the people’s actions as well and to be able to see things from their points of view. I’m excited to see how long term staff and volunteers live and work at the field house and I’m also looking forward to trying all the different cuisine!
What Jessica can look forward to experiencing in Sri Lanka!
It still doesn’t feel quite real that in less than 24 hours I’ll be alone on a flight, traveling halfway across the world. As I pack it truly begins to set in. That this trip that I’ve thought about so much over the past year is actually about to happen. I’m scared but also extremely excited to be starting this new adventure!
At Greenheart Travel, we encourage everyone to follow their travel aspirations, despite obstacles that may inhibit these goals, and we strive to make travel more accessible. As fellow adventure enthusiasts, we firmly believe when you study, teach, or volunteer abroad, you’re embarking on a journey that will significantly impact your global perspective.
This year we chose to focus on providing scholarship grants to individuals who are “first time travelers” and have a desire for cultural immersion. We’re thrilled about this diverse group of ‘first time travelers’ from all over North America, who will represent a wide array of program opportunities we have to offer throughout 2018.
From small-town America to Montreal, Canada, read on to learn more about our 11 outstanding “First Time Traveler Scholarship” recipients for 2018:
Alvaro Zumaran, Greenheart Travel First Time Traveler Scholarship recipient
Desiring to Make a Lasting Impression in Vietnam: Meet Alvaro Zumaran
Alvaro considers White Plains, New York, to be home. He plans to gain his TESOL certification and teach English in Vietnam this summer with Greenheart Travel. To Alvaro, traveling for a change means immersing in a different culture with the goal of making an impact.
He continues, “It means foregoing staying at a fancy resort, only interacting with the people you’re traveling with, and avoiding spending too much time on social media…”
Alvaro hopes to learn more about himself by teaching English in Vietnam. He’s at a point in his life where he’s seeking clarity. He also desires to leave a lasting impression of compassion, kindness and appreciation.
Danielle Churchill, Greenheart Travel First Time Traveler Scholarship recipient
Leaving Everything She Knows to Travel to the Country of Her Dreams: Meet Danielle Churchill
Danielle has worked in higher education since graduating college. The next journey she’s embarking on, though, will take her to the country of her dreams – Thailand! From Atlanta, Georgia, Danielle is leaving everything she knows to depart for the unknown as an English teacher in Thailand starting in September.
“Teaching abroad has long been a dream of mine, but also taps into my passion to educate,” she says, “It’s a scary decision because I realize I’ll be leaving everything I know… But, I also realize it’s important to leave everything I know.”
Danielle believes traveling for change embraces this concept at the core – that learning about other cultures makes you a better, well-rounded person.
“I have no doubt this travel experience will change my life forever,” she admits, “Not only because this is something I’ve never done before, but I’m also the first in my family to do anything like this…”
As an African- American woman, she hopes to show those she’ll encounter abroad that she’s more than the stereotypes and images mass media portrays.
“I’m educated, passionate about change, and capable of inspiring the world to be a better place.”
And as a citizen of the United States, Danielle wants to represent the good she knows many in this country still possess.
James DuVal, Greenheart Travel First Time Traveler Scholarship recipient
Conquering the Fear of Traveling Alone: Meet James DuVal
James “Joseph” DuVal is a rising ninth grader from New Kent County, Virginia. He’ll be heading to Salamanca, Spain, for six weeks in June as part of the Greenheart Travel Teen Summer Language Camp program. For James, traveling for a change is the opportunity to learn a new language and culture while being part of another community and family.
“This first time travel experience will help me conquer the fear of traveling alone,” he shares, “This experience will also help me have confidence that I can handle whatever comes my way.”
James looks forward to going back to Virginia and sharing his adventures and experiences from a different perspective and culture. Making a positive difference in the lives of those he meets along the way is something James hopes for as well.
Fiona MacDonald, Greenheart Travel First Time Traveler Scholarship recipient
Fiona is currently a junior at high school in Cantwell, Alaska. Beginning in August, she’s going to study in Sweden with Greenheart Travel as an exchange student. The chance to travel for a change is the reason Fiona is going to attend high school in another country.
“I’m not just traveling to change myself,” she reveals, “I also want to take what I experience and share it with young girls in my small town.”
Fiona strongly believes the opportunity to travel at a young age and experience other cultures and ways of life can open a person’s eyes to world, and the biggest takeaway she wants others to learn from her example is that where you come from doesn’t define where you can go.
Georgia Gazette, Greenheart Travel First Time Traveler Scholarship recipient
Creating a Sense of Independence Abroad: Meet Georgia Gazette
Originally raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, Georgia’s current residence of Fayetteville has felt more like a home over the last four years than the urban epicenter of her childhood.
In the insulated heart of the Ozark Mountains, Georgia works as the administrative coordinator for the Office for Sustainability. In this role, she’s helped promote environmental understanding, advocate for parks and trails, and seeks out an interconnection between community and city.
“I hope to gain a new awareness of myself and how I can contribute to the world at large,” she informs, “It’s important for me to create a sense of independence and to marry this independence with change.”
Georgia hopes she’ll incite the same sense of motivation and strength with those she meets along the way!
Jessica Hovermale, Greenheart Travel First Time Traveler Scholarship recipient
Seeking to Bring a New Perspective and a Fresh View in Sri Lanka: Meet Jessica Hovermale
Jessica is a high school sophomore in Corvallis, Oregon. She loves to dance, draw and volunteer in her free time. This summer she’ll be venturing to Sri Lanka for the Elephant Conservation Volunteer Project with Greenheart Travel. To Jessica, traveling for a change means traveling for a reason other than a vacation to relax.
“It means traveling with an open mind to learn something new,” she states, “It means being able to see things from a new perspective and taking newfound knowledge and implementing that mindset into daily life at home.”
Jessica believes she’ll have the opportunity to learn about the ways other people live by traveling to a new place very different from where she’s from. She also hopes she can bring a new perspective and fresh view to those around her in Sri Lanka.
Katie Gentile, Greenheart Travel First Time Traveler Scholarship recipient
Hoping to Gain Confidence as a Young Woman Traveling Solo: Meet Katie Gentile
Katie teaches second grade for Eastern Lancaster County School District in Ephrata, Pennsylvania. Outside of teaching, she coaches a program called “Girls on the Run”, which she affirms has been super beneficial for the young women involved. Once the school year wraps up, she’s going to Thailand to teach English.
“While in Thailand, I’m hoping to grow both personally and professionally,” she remarks, “I’d like to gain confidence in myself as a young woman traveling alone for the first time and experience all that Thailand has to offer.”
Katie wants to bring back as much as she can to share with her home school district, one she’s taught in for five years, to make that global connection. She also thinks connecting with others and sharing her own life experiences while in Thailand will be impactful.
Nini Vo, Greenheart Travel First Time Traveler Scholarship recipient
Aiming to Inspire Others to Explore: Meet Nini Vo
Home for Nini is anywhere that comforts and provides loving arms. When she imagines home, she doesn’t just see a place or a bed; she sees warmth and embrace. At the moment, Nini is a senior at a high school in Houston. She’ll be leaving in the fall to teach English to a host family in Spain.
For Nini, “Traveling for a change means stepping out of that conformity, taking a risk to learn about something you can’t try to understand by listening and reading for it, rather than living in it.”
Nini hopes her first travel experience will only be the beginning of many journeys.
“I want it be an experience that will help me gain confidence, appreciation, and to become more aware of different lifestyles and the stories behind all of them.”
Nini is also optimistic she’ll be able to share her stories with those she meets abroad – in exchange for theirs – with the aim to inspire others to take the leap and begin to explore for themselves.
Kristen Andersen, Greenheart Travel First Time Traveler Scholarship recipient
Aspiring to Share Her Culture and Educational Expertise in Thailand: Meet Kristen Andersen
Home is many places for Kristen – especially when she’s with family and friends. But, as far as states go, she calls California home. She’s a recent doctoral graduate with her Doctorate of Education, and is currently questing for a full-time professional position in education and other fields. Simultaneously, Kristen is co-authoring several books, compiling an ESL through ASL textbook, and creating meditation and rhythmic music among other hobbies. Through Greenheart Travel, she’ll be teaching in Thailand for seven weeks this summer.
“To me, traveling for a change means stepping out of the comfort zone I call home and exploring the environments and cultures of other people,” Kristen adds,” The change will occur externally and internally as I embark on a new journey into the unknowns of Thailand.”
Kristen knows change is something that happens socially, professionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually among other facets of life.
“Traveling will influence these changes and self-evolution will transform me and the students I instruct. Becoming more self-aware and conscious of others will enrich the travel for change experience and connections made with the Thai people.”
Kristen hopes this experience will eliminate her irrational internal fears of the unknown, expand her cultural perspective on living another way of life, and grow her network of educational knowledge of curricular design and instruction. She also aspires to impact those she encounters in Thailand by sharing the positivity of Californian culture and delivering her educational expertise.
Michelle Caron-Pawlowsky, Greenheart Travel First Time Traveler Scholarship recipient
Getting Ready to Share the Love with Stray Dogs in Thailand: Meet Michelle Caron-Pawlowsky
Michelle is currently studying for her Bachelor’s in Photography at Concordia in Montreal, Canada. In November, she’s heading to Thailand to do a three-month internship at Greenheart Travel’s stray dog rescue project in Hua Hin.
According to Michelle, “Traveling for a change means traveling with the purpose of engaging with the culture and community, aiming to give back to those in need… It’s the difference between passively moving through a country and traveling with the intent of contributing, collaborating, and participating in the social fabric of the society.”
Michelle hopes her first travel experience will give her a broader and more comprehensive understanding of the world. Having never really gone outside of North America, she knows no matter how much she reads or tries to understand things about other parts of the world, she can only really get to know them through experience.
“I’d like to make a positive impact on those I encounter in any way possible,” she exclaims, “But, mostly I hope to kiss a lot of dogs on the nose.”
Emily Pipkin, Greenheart Travel First Time Traveler Scholarship recipient
Dreaming of Living in Japan and Learning Japanese: Meet Emily Pipkin
Emily feels like home is where she can be loved and learn, and she believes love is an important part of any home. She lives in the small town of Moro and attends high school in the Village of Bethalto, Illinois. Emily stays active at school by participating in jazz band, the National Honor Society, theatrical performances and the like. She’s getting excited to attend Greenheart Travel’s Summer Language Camp in Fukuoka, Japan.
For Emily, to travel for a change means she can travel while making a difference in her life and the lives of others.
“It isn’t only changing my environment but, when I leave my host country, I hope to have changed the way I think about the world around me.”
Emily goes on to say, “Traveling for a change also impacts others because of all the stories I’ll have to tell when I get home. I want to provide information on my experience so others can think about traveling and learning new languages as well.”
Living in Japan has been a dream of Emily’s for a long time, and she’s been studying Japanese for six years. She wants to visit Japan before she makes the decision to continue to study Japanese.
“Living in Fukuoka won’t only bring me new knowledge, but it’ll help me understand a different culture and decide if I want to eventually live in Japan.”
I must say that before I left I had a hard time figuring out what I needed to be able to travel by backpack and volunteer for a month in Sri Lanka. With previous travel experience, I simply guessed at what would work. I packed pretty light, but as soon as I showed up I knew I even still had too much. Here’s what I would recommend.
Pack everything into a backpack. Really. I’ve seen quite a few people around the country with suitcases, and it’s just so much easier to pack into a backpack. You’ll be able to travel around easier and you shouldn’t need more than what fits into a backpack anyways.
Tips for Packing:
A day-pack is great. For weekend trips you can pack into the smaller pack so you can leave the majority of your things at the field house.
Bring a few outfits of clothes you don’t really care about. Don’t bring anything white. You can do laundry if you need to and you’ll probably pick up some clothes along the way.
Minimize toiletries. Bring travel sized things and if you need to buy more then do so along the way.
Bring a bandanna or a scarf to cover your mouth and nose as you drive around, it gets quite dusty.
Cards and other small games are always good, we play a lot of cards in the evenings after dinner.
Bring a lot of books! There are two activities a day at the project and there is a lot of down time. It’s a great opportunity to catch up on that list of books you’ve been meaning to read.
A journal and pen is nice to write about your adventures along the way.
A swimsuit. This may or may not seem obvious, but it’s worth noting. You can spend weekends at the beach.
Bring a wrist watch! It’s so helpful to have the time easily accessible.
Binoculars are very helpful to see elephants up close. Most of the time you are a fair distance from them, and it’s cool to see them better.
A hard plastic water bottle has also been very handy and much better than a refilling a small plastic bottle of water from the store all the time.
I brought two pairs of shoes and that really is all you need. For this particular project, I think hiking boots are heavy, hot and unnecessary. I brought simple running shoes and they do just fine.
I’m very happy I bought a pair of athletic sandals, because they are what I have worn the majority of my time here. They dry quickly, are durable, and are comfortable in the heat.
Snacks are always nice for long bus rides or times when the meals aren’t enough. Don’t bring many electronics. You’re going to a very isolated place and you don’t need to be connected.
I found a phone and a camera to be the main things I’ve used. Many people get a SIM card upon arrival. A phone comes in handy while traveling on the weekend as it can help you to reserve hotels, find train times, etc.
Lastly, bring a good guide book. I’ve never used one before on any of my trips, but I got one this time and it is very useful for a wide variety of things.
The Sri Lanka Elephant Conservation project was another nominee for the Greenheart Travel “Give Back” Award. Although it didn’t get the most votes, Greenheart Travel decided to donate $500 to support their ongoing projects.
Greenheart Travel’s volunteer project in Sri Lanka works directly with the human-elephant conflict in the country, trying to alleviate one of the leading threats to the local elephant population. This problem is an ongoing conflict with Sri Lankan farmers encroaching on elephants’ territory and in return, elephants destroy farmers’ livelihoods. The project is committed to finding practical solutions to this conflict using a multifaceted approach. The project hopes to create a peaceful co-existence for farmers and elephants in Sri Lanka’s rural areas.
After years of research, the project has determined where regular elephant herds travel, and have developed a keen understanding of elephants’ diet. Through this research, they have discovered that elephants have a very adverse reaction to the taste and smell of citrus. With this knowledge, local staff members and volunteers are teaching and training farmers about citrus plants, and helping to create a barrier of citrus trees around rice crops.
This serves as a win-win solution because the elephants stay out of the fields (but are not harmed by electric fences or guns), and the farmers are able to sell the citrus crops for a little bit of extra income. By creating natural barriers, this volunteer project has developed a sustainable solution to elephant and human encroachment. Greenheart Travel’s donation will go towards the ongoing expansion of citrus groves.
Today, we are happy to share a progress report of how the project is coming along!
Since receiving the $500 donation from Greenheart Travel, the project has created Project Orange Elephant (POE), specifically designated for expanding this initiative of citrus planting. The project envisions the resolution of the human-elephant conflict through sustainable land use practices. It is expected to secure alternative income for farmers, increase earnings and benefits from environmentally sustainable farming practices, decrease dependency on mono-cultivations, help farmers practice more tolerance of elephants, and educate communities to adapt sustainable, alternative livelihoods and land use practices.
POE selected a village called Jayavijaya Devagiriya to focus on. Following careful research it was detected that there is a high possibility of constant interactions between humans and elephants in this area, and POE found that planting these orange trees was a very workable solution. The technical Officer of the Divisional Secretariat of Wilgamuwa decided to separate the 25 houses into four different plots, and made a plan to plant orange trees to protect the houses and crops.
So far, the orange plant cultivation has been completed, and the planting of the orange trees plot-wise was carried out. Currently, there are eighteen households with 250 plants to be planted in the separate plots of land. The volunteers and staff are now conducting a survey to identify the growth of the plants distributed, and the further support required by the families in order to successfully cultivate the given plant. After being requested by the government, they will distribute lime plants to cultivate alongside the current electric fence, creating a bio fence as a live deterrent.
Greenheart Travel is thrilled about the potential the Sri Lanka Elephant Conservation project has to continue making a positive impact on the human-elephant conflict in Sri Lanka. It is an honor to be able to give back to our overseas partners in this way. We are grateful to all of our Greenheart Travel volunteers for working together to help improve communities abroad through such important initiatives. These efforts would not be possible without an attitude of service and dedication.
Ready to explore new places and travel for a change?
Annually on August 12th, there is an entire day dedicated to elephants — World Elephant Day! According to the international website, the goal of #worldelephantday is “to experience elephants in non-exploitative and sustainable environments where elephants can thrive under care and protection. On World Elephant Day, express your concern, share your knowledge and support solutions for the better care of captive and wild elephants alike.”
Here at Greenheart Travel, we are proud to offer a volunteer project that sends volunteers abroad to help preserve the environment, livelihood and sustainable development of people and elephants in Sri Lanka by offering solutions to human-elephant conflict. What better way to celebrate elephants than to share some recent photos from our volunteer project!
DISCLAIMER: Your day will be brightened by these photos below of happy wild elephants 🙂
Are you inspired by World Elephant Day? Find out more about how you can get involved with our volunteer project below.
Shannon Schroeder is a two-time Greenheart Travel Alumna from DePaul University. She participated in our Thailand Internship program as well as our volunteer abroad program in Sri Lanka, and she even interned at Greenheart Travel’s office in Chicago. Her experiences abroad have deeply shaped her academic career as well as her life goals, and Shannon believes in the transformative power of experiential learning. Below she shares some of her reflections on her recent program in Sri Lanka and how it affected her upon returning back to the US.
What was it like living out in the middle of a national park?
Going into the program, I was nervous about the accommodations. I had never really lived “off-the-grid” like that before, and I am so used to having my smart phone, internet and cable TV. We’re always connected in the US, but in Sri Lanka, you’re kind of in the middle of nowhere. You’re disconnected from those interruptions, and for me, it was a wakeup call. It made me appreciate how life used to be, before all of the modern technologies. You spend your time more wisely without the distraction of technology. Most of my free time was spent reading, enjoying the outdoors, and seeing the Milky Way every night. You are really aware of your surroundings which more deeply enhanced my experience. I was able to connect with my fellow volunteers better, and I was able to create better memories with them.
Did you experience any culture shock?
Yes, definitely. You’re living how the locals live and you are completely immersed in the lifestyle. It’s going to be different, and even though I felt prepared by Greenheart Travel ahead of time, I still didn’t really have an image in my mind of how it would feel to be there. And then you see it, you live it yourself. You realize that there are people out there who have never known what it’s like to have a hot shower or who’ve never eaten pizza, things that in the US come so easily to us. It’s hard because you’re out of your comfort zone and not privileged with the normal amenities you’re used to. And it was a shock at first. But living in that discomfort helped me immerse myself even deeper, and I learned so much more because of it. I couldn’t talk to people about what I would normally talk about like movies or music, but I was able to ask them about the birds they see every day or what their daily routines are like. I was able to life as they were living, which brought us together because I was personally able to relate to their lifestyle.
Can you describe what your average day on the program looked like?
Living out in the rustic conditions of the field house seemed to make a big impact on you. Can you talk about that?
It was great to escape to a more basic lifestyle because people are much more genuine and appreciative of the world and wildlife around them. The limited amenities will help you get so much more out of the experience because you’ll give yourself the space to reflect on why you’re there and the impact that you’re making. The world is a big place and traveling to Sri Lanka helped me realize how different people live their lives around the world, and yet how the same we are. I’m trying to practice a more intentional life now, where I take right action or right speech, which are taught in Buddhism and Buddhist teachings. I want to be in the moment. I want to be there to make a difference.
Why is a program like this important for your professional development? And how has it influenced your career path?
I’ve learned so much more than I did in a classroom setting and it’s been really great for my education & career. I am an environmental studies major in college, so I had studied about the issues facing the community before leaving for the program. But actually being immersed in it, you have a totally different understanding of what the human elephant conflict is. Actually going out into the field and looking at elephant dung (poop) and dissecting it to see what they ate, I got to practice conservation research in action. I recorded the data, documented their movements, and observed their behavior. It’s so much different than reading about the results in an academic research paper. I now know that in-the-field conservation work is a direction I want to take in my career.
Did doing research in the field change your perception of the human elephant conflict?
Now, I feel much more responsible for how the elephant-human conflict will turn out. Before I went on the program, I would read about HEC and feel sad, and think “oh that’s so unfortunate.” But now that I’ve been immersed in it and experienced it, I am more connected and apt to take action on it. I want to be a part of the solution. I’ve connected to it on a personal level, not just an academic level. I find myself talking about my research with other people and getting them educated on the issues facing Sri Lankan communities and the elephant population. I just have a much more holistic and well-rounded understanding than I did before.
Do you have any advice you would give to people planning to enroll in this program?
Has this experience inspired you in other ways?
I’ve always loved cats and animals, but this trip made me I realize just how important their lives are to me. I am committed to making animals’ lives better around the world. It actually inspired me to start my own veterinary initiative. You can learn more about it here.
What are some of the lessons that you learned from living in Sri Lanka?
One of the biggest things I learned is to not take anything for granted. Some of the farmers I met lost everything they owned and worked for in one night when an elephant stormed into their property and destroyed their crops. In a developing country like Sri Lanka, resources are scarcer and infrastructure isn’t as developed, so people can’t just start over. They’ve lost everything. You realize just how much we have in the US and how much we feel entitled to have. I want to better appreciate my surroundings at home and just practice gratefulness.
How do you feel like this program changed you?
It changed me in more ways that I expected it to. I’ve only processed some of these changes and there are definitely some things that I’m still trying to figure out. I have a whole new perspective on everyday life and privilege. Coming back to a big city like Chicago, I am grateful for everything that I have now and have had in the past. I am more appreciative of the ease of everyday life. I am much more aware of how my actions and behaviors affect other people around me. I also feel much more independent than I was before. I am confident in my ability to adjust and adapt to new situations. I can approach people so much better now and I am comfortable talking to people from different backgrounds in a way I wasn’t before.
Are you inspired by Shannon’s story in Sri Lanka? Find out more about how you can get involved below.
