My experience
I signed up for this experience offered by Engineers Without Borders Australia because it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience a new culture, volunteer in a real world project, meet new people, make friends, practise what I have learnt during my engineering degree, travel and also develop as a person. My favourite aspect was the exposure to a totally new culture.
How has the experience changed you?
I have learnt a lot, particularly about new things such as: human centred design, improved my empathy skills, cross cultural discourse, and also improved my presentation skills.
Favourite memory
My favourite memory from the experience would be enjoying milk tea with the locals during the rural home stay with my mates from the trip, we would sit around all afternoon and just absorb the experience, it was great and something I wont forget.
Top tips
I think I was most surprised to learn about the complexities and politics of volunteering. So many organisations are essentially just selling the experience of feeling good by running a charity that (may have good intentions) often has more negative impact that good. Engineers Without Borders Australia is far from that, however, the experience gave me a massive insight into how often and why volunteering can go wrong or be misguided, and this was a bit of a shock to me.
Funding
$3000 New Colombo Grant, which paid for $3000 out of the $3500 fee charged by EWB for the trip.