The trip has changed me. I now know what I want to do in my life and what things are important to me. I have completely changed my view of my own life and am now definitely more self-confident and have been able to get to know myself better.
Peru, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Mexico: Franka explores Latin America! Franka started her adventure in spring 2022. She started with the Horse Ranch in Peru. She then supported the national park project in Costa Rica and ended her trip in Mexico with surfing on a dream beach. In addition to the programs, she explored the countries on her own during her free travel time and has countless experiences to share.
I had wanted to go to Latin America for six months after graduating from high school for a very long time. I have always been interested and enthusiastic about the cultures, the language and the way of life of the people there. So I wanted to see the countries for myself. I started planning my trip three months before my departure, which was definitely enough time. I felt well prepared by WanderWorld and am very grateful for the support. There was a lot to plan and think about. This would have been much more time-consuming and difficult without WanderWorld. It helped that WanderWorld provided me with packing lists, overviews of entry requirements and travel route recommendations and also took care of booking my flights.
The first place I visited was Peru. I remember the first two days with a huge culture shock. There are just so many new impressions! I could only speak the language a little, then there's a different currency and the climate is different. I'd also never been to a city like Lima before. It's huge, loud, hectic and crowded. Fortunately, I wasn't there alone, but with another WanderWorld participant. The two of us slowly got to know the city, went to the introductory event together and then flew on together to our project at the Horse Ranch. We spent the first few days at the project getting used to the new surroundings and, above all, the new, high temperatures. We were 5 volunteers from the start and became more and more as time went on. We settled in quickly and moved around the ranch independently and on our own responsibility right from the start.
In the Horse Ranch project, we looked after the animals there every day. We groomed and exercised the horses, trained the foals and fed the ducks, chickens, cats and dogs. The rides through the Peruvian countryside were always the highlight of the week and were the most fun. On the ranch, we could do whatever we wanted as long as we fulfilled our fixed tasks. We all learned a lot about living together with nature and animals and had the opportunity to get to know a completely different way of life. The owner of the ranch spoke German, so communication was easy.
We often went to the nearby swimming pool and the village of Pacora. We were also able to visit the pyramids of Tucume just a village away. There we learned a lot about the history, development and culture of the region. We also went to Mancora in the north of Peru for a weekend. The small surfer town is located on the Pacific Ocean and we had a great time there. It doesn't take long on the night bus and the buses aren't expensive either.
I have always felt welcome in Peru and in all other countries! Every new culture I got to know fascinated me and showed me new ways of looking at life. I have learned a lot about spirituality and faith and in the process a new world has opened up to me that I didn't know before. The people from Latin America have taught me to enjoy and appreciate life more and to approach everything with a certain serenity.
Latin America is a place of open hearts. The people are helpful, friendly and hospitable. No matter where you go, you receive a warm and friendly welcome and feel right at home. I found it hard to leave and I'm sure I'll go back again. I can recommend WanderWorld, especially if it's your first long trip abroad on your own. It helped that I always had a contact person and always knew that someone would be able to help me if I ran into difficulties or something didn't work out.
The trip has changed me. I now know what I want to do in my life and what things are important to me. I have completely changed my view of my own life and am now definitely more self-confident and have been able to get to know myself better.
I can recommend a stay abroad in Latin America to anyone! It broadens your horizons because you get to know lots of new things and can simply look at life from a different perspective. I visited Peru, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Mexico and was amazed by the cultures, the landscapes and, above all, the warmth of the people. I will definitely go back to Mexico and would also like to visit Colombia, Guatemala, Argentina, Chile and Cuba.
You should be open to new experiences and simply embrace the adventure and the new culture. It's clear that it takes a while to settle in, so you shouldn't put yourself under pressure if you don't get on well in the first few weeks. Otherwise, I would try to make as many experiences and memories as possible and take them with you. The most important thing is to approach the trip with an open mind and without expectations and then let things surprise you.
Sophia, founder of Wanderworld Travel
Lisa, Coordinator & Participant Support
Amanda, Support and advice before departure
Here we can plan your trip together and talk about your ideas.
Sign up now for our WanderWorld consultation. We look forward seeing you!
All without obligation and free of charge.
MO - FR 09:00-18:00
Or apply here for a consultation appointment by phone or Zoom.