Claudia has just spent 2 months in Zanzibar. It was the first time that she'd travelled to Africa and she found the experience rewarding and life-changing. Claudia stayed at the volunteer accommodation at Heroes Community Academy, which is situated in an area where it's very rare to find a foreigner. Here Claudia answers some questions about her experience.
How did you hear about ZL4LF? A trusted contact who'd visited ZL4LF told me about the opportunity. I was really pleased not to travel through a commercial volunteer program as it made the experience more personal.
What did you enjoy about the experience? It was great to apply my knowledge of educational management in a place where it was so appreciated. Although I went with the intention of helping others, the insights I gained will help me in the future too. I enjoyed being around people who wanted to explore ideas with me and see how educational theories could work in such a different environment. I also found it particularly rewarding when students remembered what I'd taught them.
What did you enjoy least about being in Zanzibar? Where I stayed was a long way to the beach and the sightseeing highlights.
What did you get from the experience/how has it changed you? I've learnt that you need to strike out and push your boundaries to get what you want in life. What I've seen in my life already is 100 times more that what some people in Zanzibar can imagine and probably will ever experience. So, don't boast and remain humble in conversations and interactions with others.
What would you say to other people who are considering volunteering in Zanzibar? The heat will change you both physically and mentally. So take it easy and cool off/ drink even more water than usual. Go out and explore on your own or with another local or friend from town. If you only stay at the school, you won't discover the many aspects of Zanzibar culture. And remember, it's island life, so slow down and go with the flow!