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Hear about what some of our volunteers have to say about their experiences volunteering in Russia or Kenya.
Volunteer Testimonials
I gained some long lasting friendships! And I got to understand rural Russian life. My language skills improved for sure. Through living with and getting on with local people every day, my perception of Russia became more comprehensive.
Qiyang Niu - Yale University, Volunteer in Russia, 2016
I had a really great experience. The help with preparations leading up to the trip was fantastic and once I got there I was made to feel very welcome. My Russian has vastly improved, thanks to living with a family and playing with children who speak very quickly! I have learned about Russian family life and culture, and about the lives of young Russians in a unique way that is not possible to learn about simply by staying in Moscow for a while. The community is a unique and very special place – I would recommend it to anyone!
Sophie Roberts - Durham University, Volunteer in Russia, Summer 2016
Plunge in. Don’t worry about the way of life, you will fit in whether you’re extroverted or introverted with Russian language or not. I have done a fair share of volunteering and this is one for the daring and the first timers. It is a greater investment in your own life and in those at the community, than any possible investment you will find in the FTSE and any placement I have been on in the volunteering world!
Michael N - Volunteer in Russia, 2016
My main purpose of coming to Meru, Kenya was to learn from this wonderful and courageous woman Dr. Karambu Ringera, who believes that problems are opportunities in order for people to grow and move forward with their dreams. The children here are amazing and the people very hospitable. It’s true that my educational background gave me the information I needed to understand the process of development, but being here has helped me to better understand and participate in development on the ground. And it’s a better feeling.
Rita Togba - SOAS, University College London, Volunteer in Kenya, 2015
With every potato I peel, every floor I clean I free up time for one of the adults to work with the children, or deal with the more pressing tasks of the daily running of the community. With every English lesson I teach, I give the students an opportunity to speak with a native speaker and reduce some of the pressure on teachers and resources. And in return, I have received not just an incredible insight into Russian culture and countless language lessons, but, as clichéd as it sounds, I have also learnt a lot more about life and myself.
Jess Fitch-Bunce - University of Cambridge, Volunteer in Russia, 2015
The parents and at the same time teachers of Orion are doing amazing work. I’m proud to call these people my friends and I am also really thankful for the warmth I’ve received in Orion. It would be wrong to say that it was always easy. I had a lot of difficulties at the beginning as Russian culture differs a lot from Swiss culture. But now looking back, I think that going to Orion was one of my best decisions. Orion has taught me how to be honest and openhearted and it has showed me the beauty of Russian friendship.
Nina Bischel - Volunteer in Russia, 2015
Cost-wise Ecologia’s volunteer programme was brilliant because it was inexpensive compared with other language courses… My Russian improved very quickly in such a short space of time, which prepared me massively for the next part of my year abroad. If you are looking to improve your language skills then this is definitely the place. I am still in awe of how much more confidently I am speaking Russian now than when I first arrived.
Amy Bretton - University of Cambridge, Volunteer in Russia, 2015
Orion was a life changing three months – I matured, became more selfless and learnt so much more than I ever thought possible. I would recommend absolutely everyone to go to Orion because it is such a little treasure island in such a huge country, with the loveliest people and most enchanting surroundings.
Georgiana Davies - University College London, Volunteer in Russia, 2014
