I loved being able to have an experience in a different national context. The organization itself was also truly incredible. Everyone volunteering and working for Niñas Sin Miedo were very passionate and dedicated to the work. They were also very welcoming to the group of interns from Oberlin and arranged different "cultural events" for us to attend for us to get to know Bogotá and Colombia better. I also got to participate in a wide variety of work such as teaching and grant writing. Overall it was a really great way to experience activist work in another country.
What I wish was different
I think that since I was not only part of the first group of career community Oberlin students but also the first group of Oberlin Interns with the organization I felt like I was definitely part of a test run throughout the experience. A lot of what happened was trial and error so it could be done better in the future. That being said I didn't feel that it was significantly impacted my experience in a negative way. It was more so periodic moments of frustration. I also made a point to be conscious of the value of being part of something new and paving the way for others.
Advice
My one piece of advice would be for people thinking about doing work internationally, especially in a "developing" or extorted country, is to educate yourself on the historical context of that country and how justice work manifests itself given the different social, political, and economic context. This also means understanding the problem of voluntourism and how you intend to avoid participating in voluntourism or dismantling it entirely. It can potentially be very harmful if people from a different context, especially from the United States, to come to "help" others. It's essential to have conversations before, during, and after the experience about voluntourism as well as reading and self-educating.
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English
June - August 2019 • Bogotá, Colombia
What I liked
I loved working with the young girls. It was an inspiring experience, fulfilling in many unexpected ways, and so fun. I love that the organization was attentive to dynamics of foreigners coming into their communities to teach. I also appreciate that the girl's families were excited and supportive of us as their daughters' teachers.
What I wish was different
Advice
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English Curriculum Developer
June - August 2019 • Bogotá, Colombia
What I liked
I loved teaching English classes and getting to know the wonderful and inspiring children that attended.
What I wish was different
I wish that I (and the other three interns I was living and working with) had been incorporated more into the organization. It did not feel like we were working with the organization, but more like we were working for it. Although we were providing extremely important programming (English classes twice a week), we met twice or three times with our boss, and rarely met other volunteers at the organization.
Advice
I would advise other people considering coming here that they will need to work proactively and purposefully to meet people in Bogotá, and to get to know people there. It is very easy, when mostly living and working with people from the U.S., to become relatively isolated.
