A trip that changes you forever
There are experiences that cannot be told without getting emotional. Moments that not only fill your memory with photographs and anecdotes, but also transform the way you look at the world. For many people, their first volunteer experience is exactly that: a before and after in their lives.
At Cooperating Volunteers, we accompany people every week who are taking this step for the first time in their lives. And although each story is unique, there are emotions, lessons and discoveries that repeat themselves, creating an invisible thread that connects everyone who participates.
Today we want to share what it really means to live that first solidarity trip and how it can become one of the most important and transformative decisions of your life.
The moments before: excitement, nerves and many questions
Before getting on the plane, it’s normal to feel a mix of emotions. The excitement of arriving, the nerves of the unknown, the curiosity about what you will find, and of course, the question that goes through everyone’s mind:
“Will I be up to it?”
The answer is always yes.
Because this trip is not about being perfect, but about being human. About being present, willing to learn and contribute, and allowing the exchange to be mutual.
In this initial stage, the support from the local team is key. Knowing that someone is waiting for you on the other side of the world, that there is a real project working every day and that your help matters gives you the peace of mind you need to take the leap.
The first impact: arriving in a different world
The moment you reach your destination is usually one of the most intense of the trip.
New sounds, new smells, different landscapes, people welcoming you with smiles and curiosity… everything feels more alive.
For many people, this first contact is an emotional shock. Not necessarily negative, but a reminder that the world is much bigger than what we see in our daily lives.
And suddenly, you understand why you are there.
The first day at the project: when you begin to belong
The first morning at the project usually leaves an unforgettable mark.
It doesn’t matter if you are in an educational, medical, environmental conservation or community program. That first encounter with the local team and the people you will be supporting marks the beginning of a bond that will accompany you throughout the trip.
Within a few hours, you stop being “the new person” and become part of the project. They teach you, guide you, help you integrate, and you discover that although you come from far away, you all share the same thing: the desire to do things with heart.
The days that change you: what you never experience on a traditional trip
Each day is full of small experiences that make it so special:
- An unexpected conversation with someone from the community.
- A grateful look after an activity or a small help.
- A shared laugh without needing to speak the same language.
- A challenge that pushes you out of your comfort zone.
- A lesson that surprises you and makes you rethink many things.
These are everyday moments, simple but capable of creating a deep impact.
Personal learning: growing from within
Your first volunteer experience doesn’t just change what surrounds you.
It also changes you.
You learn to put things into perspective, to value what’s essential, to adapt, to look with more empathy, to understand other realities with respect and humility. You discover that you don’t need big gestures to generate impact. What truly counts is consistency, presence and humanity.
And almost without realizing it, you find yourself thinking:
“How can I continue contributing when I return?”
The moment of goodbye: mixed emotions
The end of the trip is usually a mix of pride, nostalgia and gratitude.
You know your contribution made a difference. You know you learned more than you imagined. You know you leave with stories that will stay with you forever.
And above all, you know this won’t be the last time.
The first experience only opens the door. Many people return, change destination, deepen in a specific area, or even decide to focus their professional future on social impact.
A journey that begins with a yes
Your first volunteer experience is not just a trip.
It is a reminder of what it means to connect with others, of the power of solidarity, and of how small actions can create real change.
At Cooperating Volunteers, we are here to accompany you from that first “yes” to the last day of the project, and far beyond.
Because the volunteer experience doesn’t end when you return home.
The transformation continues.
