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On and off for 10 years prior to VSO I had been travelling in Asia, Australia and Europe but was keen to try and put something back, rather than approaching different cultures as a colonialist, arriving, ?larging it? and moving on. In between travelling I had been working and studying forestry, and VSO represented an excellent, and secure opportunity to work overseas, put something in, and get something out.



I was quickly offered placements in two very different environments and in the end decided on South Africa, for a myriad of reasons. The job entailed lecturing in a small agricultural college in the Amatola Mountains in the Eastern Cape. The Social Forestry department had two other lecturers and a student body of about 80 across three years.



It is hard to say whether or not my presence made any real difference but someone once said that you can consider yourself a success as a teacher if you inspire one person. I like to think at the least I managed this. I found working with the students incredibly rewarding and I was able to develop other opportunities for them in work placements, outreach to surrounding villages and a new curriculum.



The experience by turns was exciting, inspirational, maddening and frustrating. The two years was over before I knew it. I learnt about myself and about the region and its environment, people, culture and economy. I also made some true friends. It has given me a renewed confidence in my abilities and an experience that is well respected in my field ? so many people I talk to have either done it or similar; it remains one of the highlights of my CV.



From a career perspective VSO was probably the best thing I ever did. Personally, it certainly ranks near the top. I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending it to anyone - family, friend, acquaintance or stranger.

I have always believed that everyone has two responsibilities in life. One is to respect other living beings and the other is to value the surrounding environment. However, I was becoming increasingly disheartened with the mistakes being made by politicians and big businessmen that were assisting with the destruction of local ecosystems. Therefore, instead of simply sitting down on a sofa and just offering sympathy to the people who are less fortunate than myself (perhaps giving them money through NGOs occasionally), I decided that I wanted to take an active role and make a difference by taking any commitments and sacrifices necessary.



I came across VSO and I agreed with its aims and ways of implementing change through individual commitment, hard work and sharing skills. I was offered a position in Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam, and began working as an environmental educator and eco-tourism advisor for the park?s ?Tourism and Environment Education Centre?.



In terms of living arrangements, the area in which I was based was one of the most beautiful and exciting places that I ever lived and worked. I was able to jog and play badminton regularly and go to the local market which was not too far away. I did, at times, have some problems with electricity, water supply and floods but I found that I was quite capable of overcoming all of those problems. After all we can get used to almost everything if we just get used to new routines and begin to see the bright side of things.



I had so many wonderful experiences during my time spent as a VSO volunteer. The highlights of which include sharing ideas with local people, visionaries, and those who really believe in preserving these areas as sanctuaries for future generations. It was so inspiring to meet wonderful, intelligent and committed staff from the park who are working to give back to Nature.

I feel that I did make a difference, albeit however small. I felt as if I had promoted more awareness about the local and global environmental problems, which is vital if we are to prevent tropical forests from disappearing at the current rate of 10 football fields per day. Of course, one always tries to achieve higher goals, but I do feel that I gave my best and I contributed to a better understanding between cultures and the environment.