20 years after my first expedition with Raleigh international, I've decided to return to Costa Rica! 🇨🇷🌿
When: January–April 2026
What: Taking advantage of the freedom I have to give back what I once got, and probably come back a changed person, once again.Â
What’s this all about?
From January to April 2026, I’ll be in Costa Rica with Raleigh International — a youth-led sustainable development organization — as a Volunteer Manager on a 10-week expedition.
My role? I’ll be supporting young people (ages 18–25) as they take part in environmental, community, and leadership projects in rural areas of Costa Rica.
Raleigh's mission: To create young leaders through life-enhancing journeys and transformational international experiences.
I was there as a 17 year old myself (they changed the minimum age to 18 only this year!) and as cliché as it sounds, it was honestly the best thing I ever could have done to get my priorities in life right.
And also the most challenging thing.
And these projects? 100% integrated with local communities to create real, long-term positive impact.
Read more on my Gofundme page.
Who is Raleigh for?
Raleigh expeditions are designed for young adults who want to:
- Do something meaningful with their gap year or semester break
- Get offline and outside for real adventure
- Make friends from all over the world
- Learn resilience, leadership, and teamwork in a hands-on way
No special skills needed, just motivation and an open mind.
Where will we be living?
In the jungle, the mountains, or local villages, depending on the project we're on, with a few days at field base in between. The same field base as 20 years ago!
It’s back-to-basics living, with a strong focus on teamwork and sustainability.
On the trek part of the expedition, we carry with us what we need, except for the food, which gets dropped at specific spots along the way. This, I want to add, is different from 20 years ago, when we - at least according to my memory - carried it ALL with us.
There’s no WiFi. No scrolling. No cellphones even. Just shared purpose, personal growth, and a whole lot of fun.
My Role
As a Volunteer Manager, I’ll be:
- Living and working alongside the volunteers
- Supporting their wellbeing, motivation, and group dynamic
- Helping with any and all tasks during projects
- Offering a listening ear and a steady hand when things get tough (because they will!)
Not very different from what I do as a WWOOF host, actually.
Why I’m Going
Because I believe in this kind of learning.
Because I’ve seen what it does for young people (including me!).
Because I want to keep growing too.
If you’re a parent, a young adult thinking about applying, or just curious, please reach out! I’m always happy to share more.
Interested in going too?
Start here
Coming sooner or later:
- Packing list (with affiliate links to gear I use)
- Tips for non-UK residents going on an adventure with Raleigh
- Blog posts and behind-the-scenes peeks from the field
- A photo diary of my time in Costa Rica