A year that changed my life

From September 2024 to September 2025, I was fortunate enough to undertake my volunteer service in Ecuador. My weltwärts assignment was with the organisation “KulturLife” in the Ecuadorian Andes. The project I was working on was known as CRIAR – Centro de Rescate Integral Animal in Riobamba. This report describes the experiences, challenges and realisations that I had along the way.

Riobamba – my home in the Andes

hen you think of South America, hot weather and sunshine often spring to mind. But Ecuador is actually very varied – including in terms of its climate. Riobamba is located at an altitude of 2,750 metres above sea level, in the foothills of the Chimborazo volcano. In the daytime, the weather may be warm, but at night an icy wind blows in from the mountains. These were the conditions where I found my second home on the other side of the world.

I lived with an Ecuadorian señora and her four dogs in the north of the city. I found Riobamba to be big enough to offer everything I could ask for, yet small enough to settle in quickly. After a while, I felt like I knew everybody – especially in the city centre, or “centro” as locals call it. There are plenty of ways to stay active and many different hobbies to try: once you leave the city gates, you enter the vast and breathtaking wilderness of the Andes. The city is surrounded by majestic volcanoes like Chimborazo, El Altar and Tungurahua. This scenery makes Riobamba unique.

Sports play a major role here too. Whenever the Riobamba Leones basketball team or the Olmedo football team are playing, the city bursts into life.

My project: caring for and protecting animals at CRIAR

In Riobamba, the streets are home to a great many animals. The city is making efforts to address the problem of the large numbers of animals on the streets, their uncontrolled reproduction and the animal suffering this brings. My project was known as CRIAR – Centro de Rescate Integral Animal in Riobamba. This urban facility is part animal shelter and part veterinary clinic: every morning, people bring in dogs and cats to have them spayed or neutered in exchange for a small donation. In addition, the “inspectores” bring in injured street animals in need of medical assistance. The site houses a kennel where animals stay and recover after having an operation. They are then returned or rehomed, if someone can be found to look after them.

Daily life: more than just work

My life in Ecuador was colourful and diverse. As much as I loved the project I was working for, I felt the need for more direct contact with people, especially children and adolescents. Accordingly, I sought this out in my leisure time and found what I was looking for.

On Mondays, I helped out at the “Alegría de los Míos” organisation. They provide therapy services for children with disabilities. I found the riding therapy and dog therapy particularly exciting.

On Thursdays, I led a conversation class at the Polytechnic School of Chimborazo (ESPOCH). I practised English and taught grammar to students aged 19 to 21. In my free time, I took horse riding lessons, danced, tried judo and went trail running. I mostly used my weekends to travel and see more of Ecuador.

Language learning: an adventure of its own

I had Spanish classes at school but, when I arrived, I could barely understand a word. The first few days were a struggle: trying to understand, hold a conversation and make myself understood. Nevertheless, practice makes perfect.

All of my leisure activities worked wonders for my speaking. So my tip would be: have the courage to speak, write down new words and use them. The most entertaining part is making use of the local “modismos” – in other words, figures of speech or youth slang. It makes everyone ask: “Where did you learn that?”

Something lasting

The time spent at my project, with my host family, on my varied daily activities and, needless to say, on my travels, was so impressive and formative that it feels like looking back on a dream. But in any case, I can say with certainty: this year, as always, it was the simplest things that were the best. Noticing my command of the language constantly improve, making my first friendships, receiving my first invitations, seeing my progress in my dancing, feeling myself get settled into my daily routine.

My final weeks in Riobamba were tough. Goodbyes hurt, especially when you have grown so accustomed to everything. But gratitude outweighs it all. As I've learnt: life doesn’t just happen to us – it’s what we make of it.

A volunteer service is an opportunity that you won’t regret. You will learn about yourself, about others, plus a new language too. These are experiences that a degree can never offer. The knowledge that my life is my own and is in my own hands – for me, this has been the most important realisation.

My advice to future volunteers

It isn’t always simple, but there is always a solution to everything. Two things make this easier: communication and initiative.

Friendships and hobbies are not a solitary affair – be curious and approach people. Life doesn’t just happen to us. It’s up to us to make it happen.

And another thing: be brave! The things you’re afraid of often turn out not to be so bad after all. Take advantage of your opportunities and be grateful for the little things. This is the key to an unforgettable year.