Experiences

Hi, my name is Lisanne Cnossen and I study HBO-V at NHL-Stenden in Leeuwarden. For my third-year internship, I traveled to Tanzania to work and learn in practice for 5 months. I found this very exciting, because I went alone. Once I arrived, everything was fine and a new world opened up for me.
Over the past 5 months, I have immersed myself in the culture, met incredibly nice people, worked in the medical world of Tanzania, and learned a lot about myself during my time here. With an upward trend in development, I have completed my internship and I will take all these learning gains with me in my future as a nurse.
Tanzania has a special place in my heart and I will definitely go back! I can 100% recommend this to anyone who is curious about adventures and new cultures.

I would highly recommend volunteering in Ghana to anyone. I participated in a community clinic and performed diagnostic blood tests in the lab and was able to attend a number of surgeries. The country is fantastic and the people are even more fantastic. In the lab I was very much on my own and was quickly given a lot of responsibility. So it is up to you to take initiative, but also to indicate when you cannot do something. Communication is sometimes difficult because the English language has many different forms. I did not experience this as something negative, but more as a fun challenge that I also had a lot of fun with the people there. The people are very curious, open, kind and direct and therefore nice conversation partners. The accommodation and the family I lived with made this Ghana experience the most unforgettable. After work/school I played games with the children or taught them crochet or they taught me Twi. You really participate in the housework; girls sprint to me to help me with the laundry and then we dance in the kitchen while baking a cake. The beach trips in the weekend also contributed to a deep bond.
Before and during this entire adventure, I was super guided by Let’s Go Africa. The checklist beforehand provides an overview and the almost weekly messages with Noor gave me a safe feeling. In short, I would highly recommend Let’s Go Africa to organize your internship/minor/volunteer work abroad.

I had a wonderful experience in Mauritius. The people are friendly, and it’s a safe country for internationals. The island offers a diverse ecosystem, such as beautiful landscapes, hiking, and stunning beach sunsets. I worked at an NGO focused on the marine ecosystem, where I mainly worked on the mangrove restoration project. I collected data in the field, observed mangrove diversity, and attended events like Citizen Science surveys and restoration training, which helped me connect with others and learn teamwork.
The office was welcoming, and I enjoyed the adventurous challenges in the mangroves, like navigating sinking mud and climbing mangrove roots. My accommodation was lovely, with a swimming pool, and I shared a house with four other international students, making great friends and exploring the island together on weekends.
Overall, I'll miss the friendships I made in Mauritius. Thanks to Let's Go Africa, the preparation went smoothly. I recommend it for students going abroad, as they ensure you’re well-prepared for your experience.

Don't hesitate, just do it. My experiences in Tanzania were very special and I will cherish these moments forever. The rich culture, hospitable people, special activities and the people I met made my stay pleasant and had such a positive impact on me.
The guidance and LGA were very helpful. I received all the necessary information and support I needed to prepare for my internship and without this guidance I probably wouldn't have succeeded on my own.
I was involved in nutritional advice, educational sessions on healthy eating habits, working on a sustainable farm, developing educational material about nutrition for children and adults.