For the majority of people who come to South America from Europe or the USA, their trip is temporary, whether ten days, or ten months. They go in knowing they’re going to leave, and they spend their time as such- traveling, making friends, exploring town- all with a sense of needing to pack in as much experience as they can into a short amount of time. When I first came here, and even now when I backpack from place to place, I’m definitely in exactly such a mindset.

Walking a bridge at Iguazu

But at the moment, my stay here is starting to look pretty indefinite. I’m going back home to visit for a month, but then the plan is to come back, start a job that could last a couple of years, and for a while at least, settle down. That’s how I’ve lived the last few months here in Buenos Aires / La Plata (a city about an hour away), and it’s a completely different experience.

I don’t think about taking a 18-hour bus ride to see Iguazu Falls for one day and going straight back, like I did my first week here. I spent today (the day before my trip back home) fishing, drinking mate, and playing bingo at a local casino, and I plan to spend tomorrow making vareniki, a traditional Russian food; the stuff of daily life.

There’s definitely a difference between seeing all the sights in a country, and experiencing life there like a local. I’m looking forward to doing a lot of the latter when I come back.

Luba Guzei just ended her work as an English teacher with Langrow in Lima, Peru and is searching out new opportunities in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The world is a big place!

I try to help out as much as I can. Listed below are the most important things you can do to get them started with a volunteer experience abroad:

1. Be upfront about costs. While not impossible, it can be difficult to find an organization that will pay for your housing and/or cost of living. People say, “Hey, well I want to do it but I don’t have the money.” They need to know this is an obstacle and that saving a lump sum of money beforehand may be required. Not an insurmountable obstacle: there are sites such as CouchSurfing that can help with free lodging.

2. Lend your English skills. A lot of organizations, as well as sites that locate volunteer opportunities, have the majority of their volunteer positions listed in English. Be a translator, and help them articulate what they want and what they can offer an organization via phone and/or email.

3. Assist with researching visa requirements. Getting a visa can be extremely difficult (especially for Colombians). Make sure they can find all the information they need regarding forms, ID’s, etc…

Did I miss anything? If anyone has any additional tips, please post them in the comments.