Before coming to Cardiff University, I had always planned to spend part of my degree abroad. 

Like many students, I’ve always wanted to travel the world and immerse myself in new cultures whilst engaging in meaningful experiences. However, this is both expensive and takes time away from my degree; leading me to wonder whether this dream would have to be put on hold until after I graduate.

That was until I discovered the perfect opportunity: a four-week volunteering programme in Sri Lanka during the summer.

I volunteered with Travelteer alongside other university students across the UK. The project supported children’s English language development, working with students ranging from 4-16 years old. Cardiff University generously granted funds towards the costs of the trip, which made it feel much more financially achievable.

I made friends with so many other students volunteering in the country. Whether it was in marine conservation, agriculture, sports or working with children with special needs, we all connected over our purpose. This four-week trip gave me everything I was looking for; I developed practical skills in something I am passionate about, whilst experiencing everyday life in a new city.

I took away so much more than I could have imagined from this experience. I gave it my all every day and made relationships with both students and teachers that will stay with me forever. Whether it was high-fiving students after they constructed an impressive sentence or chasing them during a game of duck duck goose, I always left the classroom feeling so rewarded.

Volunteers were also tasked with planning lessons prior to seeing the students. This involved research on suitable worksheets for different age groups and adapting existing lesson plans to cater to specific abilities whilst maintaining lessons that were interactive and enriching whilst being worth-while and educational.

During the first week of my trip, I got the opportunity to take part in a Coast 2 Coast tour, exploring the most remarkable spots in Sri Lanka. This helped balance the volunteering and tourist travelling experience, allowing me to see what this beautiful South-East Asian country has to offer before joining the volunteering projects in Hikkaduwa.

We started by travelling north from Colombo to Sigiriya, to see what many people call the eighth wonder of the world. The Sigiriya rock and fortress is a forty-five-minute hike rewarded with breathtaking scenery. The following day was the highlight of the whole trip for me, snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters surrounding Pigeon Island, where I completed my lifelong dream of swimming with sharks. The water was filled with turtles, tropical fish and juvenile blacktip reef sharks. Later, we travelled to feed wild deer and then visit a beautiful Hindu temple.

The rest of the tour included visiting the famous Buddhist ‘Temple of the Tooth’, the Royal Botanical Gardens, a tea plantation in Kandy and testing my surfing abilities at Weligama Beach. We also had a private jeep tour of Udawalawe national park- getting up close to Asian elephants, water buffalo and more! The Coast 2 Coast tour was the ideal introduction to Sri Lanka and made the rest of the experience feel even more rewarding.

Whilst I had always imagined spending a year studying abroad, this programme offered me an experience that combined travelling, volunteering and immersing myself in a new culture. I really felt as though I was making a difference, seeing the confidence of children grow over a short period of time and their communication skills improve.

There are so many opportunities available to students that are simply not visible enough. Don’t get me wrong, a traditional year abroad is an amazing opportunity, but it does not work for everyone.

For students considering doing something similar, I urge you to explore the funding opportunities available. This four-week programme truly makes overseas opportunities so much more financially feasible. Research the organisation, and the type of volunteering you want to take part in and consider what you want to gain from the experience.

Sometimes the most incredible opportunities come from being willing to scrap plan A. I returned home with a newfound appreciation for language and communication, as well as more respect than ever for volunteers. Most significantly, an admiration for Sri Lanka’s landscape, culture and people.

Words by Hannah Pearce

Photo by Hannah Pearce