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Yearoutindia really went above and beyond my expectations
so many times throughout my volunteer experience. I
was put in contact with a few former volunteers so that
helped me understand what to expect from Yearoutindia.
From the moment I arrived in India I felt at home with
this small organization. All the organizers and staff
are so incredibly helpful with everything that it really
allows the volunteer to focus on the real reason they
come to India whether it is to teach English, or build
a house in a village. In my preparations for India I
was notified what things were essential and what things
weren’t needed. Navin picked me up at the airport and
all transportation was coordinated and organized. Every
question I had was answered and I felt very comforatbale
with all the preparations YOI gave me before my trip.
The orientation was very good for helping me to prepare
for Kanthaloor. I like the laid back feel and the open
atmosphere to ask any question about anything. During
my orientation period I came up with the project idea
of the school magazine and that was with the help of
all the YOI staff. They gave me a good idea of what
to expect and what my prospective duties might be on
arrival in Kanthaloor.
The accommodations in Kanthaloor were excellent. I lived
two minutes from the school I was volunteering at, so
it was very convenient. I also had great interactions
with my host family who was living connected to my house.
It was great to live so close with a family from the
village so I could really see how they lived on a daily
basis. The house was always clean, very comfortable,
and their wasn't one time during the whole volunteer
experience when I felt unsafe. The food prepared for
by the staff on the program was exceptional. Not only
was it authentic Indian food but the staff helps you
learn how to make the food. The hygiene levels were
above satisfaction for me, never had any problems relating
to hygiene standards. The transportation was exceptional
as well. Taking public transportation was a great experience
and often times an adventure. Many times Nitin would
use his own personal SUV to transport myself and the
staff. It was great to travel with Nitin every time
the occasion came. The transportation provided by YOI
was truly first class in India.
The staff went above and beyond expectations to make
sure I was comfortable and enjoying myself. Subeesh,
Amba, and Ramen did whatever was in their power to make
my experience the best it could possibly be. They also
invited me to get involved in their life on a personal
level by inviting me to experience their home life and
meet their families. Going to a different country and
culture is hard and they helped me understand everything
that was going on. It was a great learning experience
because of Navin, Nitin, Subeesh, Amba, and Ramen.
My experience was excellent. I immediately was able
to work directly with the children of the village in
and out of the classroom. It was exactly what I was
looking for. The staff made it very easy for me to focus
on my teaching and interactions with the kids. They
arranged all the supplies and details for all the meals
so I could focus on the work I had to do for the children.
Living in the village was the best experience from my
entire India trip. Really living somewhere and getting
to know the people and surroundings is incredible. You
really learn what life is like there and the culture
and personalities of the people living there. It was
an unbelievable experience I will remember the rest
of my life.
Even
when I went to travel after I was done volunteering
with Yearoutindia they went out of their way to make
sure I was safe, and enjoying myself. I can’t say thanks
enough for the effort and time spent by Navin and Nitin
to make this experience so special for me. They constantly
went above and beyond expectations to make sure my experience
in India was as positive as possibly. I consider myself
lucky to have even met these two people and I hope in
the future I have many more opportunities to volunteer
in this organization. Yearoutindia is a great program
and I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to work
with this organization.
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