Project Overview
Want to have fun and improve your career?
Officially the most fun way to boost your CV, getting work experience abroad has understandably become a popular idea. As well as enjoying another country it also proves to prospective employers that you are passionate about an industry and have experience in living and working abroad. Your assignments may include reporting on politics, travel and current affairs, or researching out in the field. You might even be required to help with translations, proof-reading and editing alongside the newspaper's other staff members. Honduras is a country with plenty to attract those with an eye for a story; a former banana republic with a turbulent political history, Honduras has been largely ignored by the west, making it the perfect journey of discovery.
We work with Honduras' only English language newspaper, which has subscribers in 76 countries and has won many awards. It is a favourite among tourists and the local ex pat community.
There are only around four permanent staff at the newspaper, so volunteers can make a vital contribution on a project where their efforts will be really valued!
As the locals do not speak that much English, you'll get more from your experience by learning some Spanish before you start your project. Recommended level: Intermediate. In addition you need to be proactive, independent and be able to work on your own initiative.
You will be researching and writing articles which will then be submitted to the editor. The subject matter could range from travel to political events etc. If you have any specific skills ( eg photography ) then you may well be able to concentrate more on these areas, depending on the demands of the project.
The project is based Tegucigalpa, ( pop approx 1 million ), which is the capital of Honduras. Tegus, as it is commonly known by Hondurans, has a fresh and pleasant climate due to its high altitude. It is a bustling, noisy city that became the capital of Honduras in 1880. The name Tegucigalpa means 'silver hill' in the original local Nahuatl dialect.
Accommodation is in very basic homestays with local families.
You will need to arrive into Tegucigalpa (TGU) on the specified arrival date.
Stories
Alex Jones gives this project 10/10
Here is what Alex had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
Honduras is amazing! Diving on the beautiful coast was great, as are the local delicacies, semitas and baleadas! The surrouding montains are absolutely beautfiul too!
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
Working on the paper is a great way to learn about the local culture and was certainly a life-changing experience. Sometimes i can't believe the things that happen here!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
Honduras is an amazing place with amazing things to do.
Laura Stray gives this project 10/10
Here is what Laura had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
The highlights where my trip to La Moskitia, it was incredible. It was so differnet seeing how they lived, and how primitive there lives where.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
When i wrote a story about street children, I spoke to some of the children that used to live on the streets, and had been helped, and it was really sad to realise how many people live in such extreme poverty, and it made me realise that a lot of people in the country need help to try and live a better life.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
1. Bring a raincoat.
2. Enjoy yourself
3. Make the most of the trip.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
Absolutely brilliant experience, i dont want to go home!
Sophie Cross gives this project 8/10
Here is what Sophie had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
I got to gain work experience I could only dream of obtaining in England and in a fantastic, inspiring and comfortable setting!
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
It really helped to develop my journalism skills in an amazing country!
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
I would definitely recommend i-to-i to my friends as a reliable and trustworthy organisation.
My project went by seamlessly and the support and advice I have since received from the in-country coordinator has been fantastic! As a result, I decided to stay on for a bit longer in the country.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
Overall my experience at the paper was fantastic and very worthwhile!
David Melling gives this project 8/10
Here is what David had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
Meeting my host family was awesome. They are all super nice to me and I love living with them.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
It simply makes you realize that the United States is not the center of the universe. There are people around the world who are just as gifted and unique as in America.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
1. If in La Esperanza, bring clothes for cooler weather!
2. Practice Spanish as much as you can.
3. Read up about the history and some facts about where you are going to be staying.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
Good times!
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
Knowing more Spanish would have been a huge help, because then I would have been able to get more involved at the hospital.
Carly Green gives this project 7/10
Here is what Carly had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
The highlight of my trip so far has been my weekend at Lake Yojoa. Early Saturday morning we took a birdwatching tour on the lake,spotted rare species and relaxed in magical surroundings. Later that day we visited the Pulhapanzak waterfall, where a guide took us under the falls to see caves at the back.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
During my first week at the newspaper I attended a lunch hosted by a local NGO, along with other Honduran journalists and indutry representatives. The purpose of the lunch was to bring together organizaations concerned about the free trade agreement between Central America and Europe. Attending the lunch gave me the extra motivation to improve my Spanish language skills, which would enable me to make more contacts for stories/research.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Learn as much Spanish as you can before coming
Think about what you want to get out of the project-if at the journalism project think about what you may like to write about
Make time to travel after your project
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
A good way to learn about a country from the inside.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
Perhaps if it was possible to combine projects-at low cost.
Also a bit more information about the project I was working at before coming. i.e the nature of reporting/writing at the newspaper-conservative or liberal
Australia
Austria
China
Denmark
Dubai/UAE
Germany
Hungary
Japan
Latvia
Malaysia
New Zealand
Norway
Philippines
Singapore
South Africa
