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ILP focuses on providing a meaningful semester abroad experience for college-age volunteers who make a difference by helping children in foreign countries learn the English language through a friendly and fun atmosphere.

Jun 1

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Did you know that you could get $300 off your program fee if you volunteer with a friend?!
This sweet deal is called the "Refer-A-Friend" discount! But in order for you both to get that $300 discount, there are a couple qualifications you'll both need to meet. Here's what's required! 👇🏼
- You're volunteering during a Spring or Fall semester
- You're volunteering in Mexico, Ukraine, Russia, or China
- The friend you are referring is volunteering during the same semester as you (we love to keep friends together, but you don't have to volunteer at the same school together if you don't want to)
- The person you are referring marked on their application that a friend referred them and wrote your name down on the application (this is super important!)
Which friend would you like to teach and travel the world with? 🌍 Tag them down below!
📷: @ky.simons Summer 2021
#ilpadventure #ilpdr #traveltheworld #volunteerabroad #teachenglishabroad

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May 31

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We love staying in hostels while traveling! 👏🏼
They're super affordable (which means more money in your pocket for good food and great adventures) and they're usually located in some seriously prime areas of the city. I'm amazed at some of the services that some hostels offer, like free bike rentals, yoga classes, free breakfast, or even roof top barbecues for all the guests.
If you book a hostel stay, don't forget to pack these items!
• Shower shoes (for sanitary reasons)
• Padlocks (to keep your belongings secure)
• Ear plugs (snoring dormmates or loud music might keep you up)
• Travel microfibre towel (to avoid towel rental fees)
• Power bank (to change your phone anywhere in the hostel)
Are we missing anything? What is something you can't stay in a hostel without?!
📷: @kaelalaws Spring 2021
#ilpadventure #ilpdr #volunteerabroad #livingabroadlife #semesterabroad #teachenglishabroad #dominicanrepublic

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May 28

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Moving to a new country means trying new foods + new flavors — I know for some that's one of the aspects that adds a bit of anxiety, but for me it's one of my favorite parts of the experience. My rule of thumb is to just try it once, and to be honest I've definitely tried some things that I did NOT like :). But that policy is the reason I fell in love with a lot of new foods that I might not have even known about otherwise.
If you're headed to Thailand, here's some of my favs that I absolutely recommend ordering when you come across them:
*Roti — it's a thin bread you might see advertised at little stands on the street, often served up with sweets like bananas, sweetened condensed milk, and Nutella
*Mangosteen — It's a purple, sweet, juicy fruit local to countries around the Indian ocean. I love buying it from fruit vendors on the street, or I always choose that flavor when it's an option at my fav smoothie shop!
*Rambutan — It's that spiky-looking fruit in the photo above, commonly served with breakfast. It's so yummy!
*Teas — This is really general but after getting a Thai massage, you're typically offered a glass of warm tea and they were always a big hit for me.
*Som Tam (Spicy Green Papaya Salad) — I admit, this wasn't at the top of my try list even though friends had recommended it. I already know I'm not a big fan of papaya, but I stuck with my rule and tried it, and so glad I did! It tastes nothing like the sweet fruit but is crunchy, fresh, and a bit tart. So good.
*Tom Kha Gai (Chicken in Coconut Soup) — This one should speak for itself. I love me some coconut soup.
*Kao Niew Ma Muang (Mango Sticky Rice) — I wasn't sure how sweet rice would taste, but they've got the flavors nailed, especially with fresh mangoes.
*Massaman Curry — Yum! One of the mildest curries.
*Smoothie + Coconut Ice Cream — Riding my bike to a smoothie shop was a nearly daily after-school occurrence when I lived in Thailand. I really loved adding a scoop of coconut ice cream, so ask if that's an option!
Have you been to Thailand? What's been your favorite?!
📷: @mara.shutt Summer 2021
#ilpadventure #ilpthailand

May 27

May 21

Open

Can you workout while you’re living abroad? YES YES YES! You might need to get a little creative and your routine might look different than it did back home, but staying active is so important.
You could check in your area if there’s a gym to join, but most volunteers just do free workouts at home! Grab a friend and go for a run in your neighborhood, do some yoga in your yard, or find accounts that offer totally free at home workout routines.
Some of my favorite free or affordable YouTube and IG workout accounts are:
@whitneyysimmons (free workouts on YouTube/IG or grab her app with at home workouts for 1 free week, then $15/month)
@adrienelouise (totally free yoga videos on YouTube that are so good)
@simplysadiejane (has an app full of everything from meditations to workouts to self love guides, $1 for first month then $15/month after)
@barre3 (tons of equipment free barre workouts with their subscription, 15 days free, discount on your first month, then $30/month after that)
@madfit.ig (so many workouts ranging from 5 mins to 15 to 30, check her YouTube for an equipment free playlist)
What accounts are you loving?
📷: @maddybevans Summer 2021
#ilpadventure #ilpcostarica #workoutfromhome #workoutfromanywhere #livingabroadlife #semesterabroad

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May 19

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May 18

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May 17

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Where should I volunteer if I'm trying to keep things as affordable as possible?
Just because you don’t have an unlimited budget doesn’t mean you can’t volunteer abroad for a semester. That was me — looking to travel the world for a semester as a recent college grad who didn't have money to burn, but still wanted to do a lot of traveling. Two things you want to consider are the Program Fee (which covers the big costs likes your international roundtrip flight, housing, and meals) and in-country costs (like vacations, shopping, etc). If you're trying to figure out where to go, here's my tips:
Mexico — always my #1 pick. You don't need to travel across the world to have big adventures, don't overlook Mexico! It's an ILP Exchange Program, meaning your program fee is the lowest. Plus it's probably the cheapest of all for exploring and vacations! Stay away from the tourist resorts and you'll be able to fill up every weekend with adventures.
Ukraine — if your eye is on Europe, pick Ukraine. Also an Exchange Program, and Ukraine is an affordable country to live in (they're not using the Euro yet). You'll have to be careful because vacations in Europe can get expensive, but if you keep your eyes peeled for cheap flights, stay in Eastern Europe, and are careful with your budget you can keep it affordable.
Nicaragua — this country is a Humanitarian program (so the program fee is a bit higher), but if you're hoping for that type of experience this country is one of the most affordable ways to do it. Nicaragua is still being discovered which means you get all of the jungly adventures and sandy beaches without the touristy prices.
The Dominican Republic — another Humanitarian program, and another country that offers up so many adventures. It's not hard to pick budget-friendly experiences in the DR because you have so many options! I've seen so many volunteers spend less here for their total semester costs than the European volunteers do because even though they're paying less initially on an Exchange program, they're spending so much more traveling around Europe than the Dominican volunteers do.
📷: @lexiechamberlain @shay_bay_16 @am.bennett @baijreese

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May 13

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Departures for the Summer groups are in full swing! Some countries have already arrived, and by next week everyone will be settling in!
Getting ready to spend some time in Nicaragua? Then you'd better know where you can find the best beaches.
Lucky for you, our favorites can be found on the Pacific coastline, which is conveniently close to where our volunteers in Nicaragua get to live, and where our volunteers in Costa Rica come for vacations.
Playa Las Penitas
Jiquilillo
Playa La Boquita
Playas Popoyo
Playa Maderas
Playa Gigante
San Juan Del Sur
El Remanzo
Playa El Coco
+ The Corn Islands ... technically they’re on the Caribbean side of Nicaragua but SO DREAMY that we can’t leave them out of any must-see list 🏝
Alright, alumni! Which beach in Nicaragua was your favorite?
📷: @kelseyroseanderson Spring 2021
#ilpadventure #ilpnicaragua #volunteerabroadinnicaragua #semesterabroad #goabroad #volunteeringabroadprogram

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