Conservation Volunteer Stories, Mexico

Conservation in Mexico - Melanie Anderson One day at the beginning of my summer holiday, my mom suggested I try doing some volunteer work during the break. I started to look online and I found the Projects Abroad website. I read up on all the projects and was really interested in the two-week Conservation and Spanish program in Mexico. Just a few weeks later, there I was standing at Toronto airport waiting to embark on a 9 hour plane journey to Guadalajara, having no idea what experiences were to come.

Conservation in Mexico - Joanna Burgess Looking back on Mexico now, I can’t quite believe that a spur of the moment thing could have been quite so life changing! I mean I knew that I wanted to experience another culture and do something worthwhile with my summer other than mindlessly working! My aunt showed me a brochure from Projects Abroad and I just knew I had to do it! With my love of biology and sea animals I decided that Mexico and the Conservation project, including working with turtles, was a match made in heaven! .

Conservation in Mexico - Zoe Carrol 3.30am. A beach somewhere on the west coast of Mexico. The pitch dark of the night is punctuated by stroboscopic flashes of lightening, and rent by deafening peals of thunder. Winds which would not be out of place in a hurricane hurl rain and sand with enough force to sting my skin as I crouch in the comparatively feeble glow of the quad bike lights, digging elbow-deep next to a turtle who shuffles and stamps mechanically on, oblivious to it all. Nights like this are hard work. It is high season - the worse the weather conditions, when more female turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. It is close to dawn as I finally stagger back to the tent I call home; tired, cold, soaked to the skin and covered in sand from head to foot in spite of my waterproof clothing. But I love every minute of it. It is why I am here.

Conservation in Mexico - Charlotte Forsdick Looking back now I couldn't explain why I chose to go to Mexico and do the conservation project. I guess I just thought it would be fun, and I was right. As soon as you step out of the airport you just know you're in a different country. The atmosphere is different, the buildings, the people, the plants are all unlike what we are used to. Even the colours and smells are different, more alive, and more vibrant. It scared me quite a lot when I looked up and realised the stars where different and the moon the wrong way around.

Conservation in Mexico - Jim Kelly When I first arrived in Mexico, I firstly noticed the people. One thing I hadn't expected was for everyone to be so friendly. No matter how silly my questions, or how bad my Spanish, I was always met with a smile. As far as first-impressions can be trusted, I was sure of a good time ahead. I was met promptly in Guadalajara Airport by Carlos from the Projects Abroad office which was a relief, 26 hours and I've finally found someone that speaks English! My Spanish being somewhat rusty. We went straight to my host family where I was welcomed by my host mother and introduced to the family. Soon the other volunteer who was staying with me came back from his placement and showed me around the house and told me...

Conservation in Mexico - Sophie Woodard I really did have the time of my life and learnt a lot, ranging from how to spot a turtle's nest, and also a bit of Spanish, to quite different things, such as independence, how to adapt to whole new situations, and that I actually can cope with challenges I wasn't sure I could. I met a wide range of people, all of which quickly became my friends, and all the staff at Projects Abroad were always constantly friendly, and lots of fun! Mexico, and the Conservation Project brought out the best in me, and my time there gave me some invaluable life experience that I will never forget!