Volunteer: Joretta Joseph
Program Site: San Carlos, Costa Rica
Year: 2008
Joretta Joseph graduated with her doctorate degree in 2007 and wanted to celebrate with her then eight-year-old daughter. She chose a trip to San Carlos, Costa Rica with Cross-Cultural Solutions because it suited her accommodation and safety needs, as well as the cultural exchange benefits she wanted out of the program.
Joretta and her daughter volunteered on the one-week Insight Abroad program, working at an orphanage to paint the facility’s fence. While Joretta painted, her 8-year-old daughter mingled with the orphans and staff. She was one of four children on the program, aged 8-14, and was immediately comfortable as she fearlessly ziplined with the adults. She knew only a few words of Spanish, but was at ease when speaking to the people in the village.
A teacher once spoke to Joretta about the fact that it’s not “us vs. them,” it’s only about “us.” She wants to pass that belief along to her daughter so she’ll understand a diverse and wider view of what life has to offer. Joretta also believes the experience helped to instill a sense of independence in her daughter, preparing her for the world and possible future study abroad programs. She now knows that her daughter does not live in a bubble. There is no question that she is already worldly with a dream of traveling to Australia one day, and the excitement about returning to CCS’ San Carlos program with her mom in 2010.
