How To Travel And Volunteer Around The World – Interview With Rocio

Travel and volunteering with Rocio Tizon – On the Road Interview – A World to Travel-12

Born and bred in Galicia, Rocio Tizón is an enthusiastic and adventurous woman who loves traveling and writing. Today she explains how to travel and volunteer around the world on our latest ‘On The Road’ Interview.


#1: Tell us a bit about yourself and how you started to travel. Do you remember your 1st travel experience? Why are you (if that’s so…) passionate about traveling? 

I can not remember my first trip because I was too young , but I remember my first solo trip , I was scared and excited at the same time and I loved that feeling. It was only the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
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#2. Now that we know where do you come from… could you tell us where are you heading to? Which are your plans for the future in terms of traveling?

I ‘m looking forward to the Philippines , but I also like to go to Chile and Greece. I’ll take just the cheapest ticket 😉

#3. What do you think of traveling with a purpose or meaning in mind? What do you look for when traveling long term?

I often need to travel far to rediscover myself ; change of scene and air , when I’m a long time  in the same place I get sick, but I do not go to the doctor, I only  travel and  I come back better it is not a joke; traveling is my best medicine.
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#4. How do you fund your travels? Have you found a job or income source that allows you to be on the road full time? Could you tell us what exactly you do for a living?

I travel cheaply, but certainly my best trips have been my volunteer trips . Travel to an unknown place where some strangers are waiting for you to work in a solidatity project, it is a very exciting feeling which let you to get into a community and discover things you had not discovered on an organized tour.

#5. Did your job, studies, volunteering experiences or other projects help you to travel the world? Where have you been thanks to those? If so, tell us a bit about those experiences. 

I have had experiences in volunteering since I was 15 ;  first in Spain : Galicia,  Murcia and San Sebastian, then in Philadelphia United States and now I love visiting NGOs  during my travels. I could spend days talking about the wonderful experiences in Seed for change (Varanasi) or Vicente Ferrer foundation (Anantapur). It is an experience that makes you see life differently.

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#6. What would you recommend to someone who wants to follow your steps? Which kind of training or studies is necessary? Would an investment be needed in the first place? Please, give 3 pieces of advice (you wish to have known before starting) of what to do and what to avoid in order to succeed.

I ‘m not a good example of anything . I studied Philology , then did an MA in Tourism, now I’m studying Italian and German and I’m still looking for … my advice is to take advantage of every opportunity that comes along, live without fear and enjoy. Life is too short.

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#7. What does a perfect day in your life looks like? Do you follow any particular routine?

To answer this question I’ll steal a quote from Freya stark that I love “To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the most pleasant sensations in the world. You are surrounded by adventure.”

I hate routines.

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#8. Where do you come from originally and where you call home now? Can you give us some local tips we cannot find in a guidebook but you highly recommend about your hometown? 

I’m from a town in the interior of Galicia called O  Carballiño and although it is not a town with valuable jewels of antiquity it is a lively town and its people is the best. I recommend you visit our church Veracruz which was built ​​with the efforts of the people , the great balneary, our municipal park  and  I invite you to come to the party octopus the second weekend of August. The best party in the world.

#9. Do you read, write, draw, listen to music, sing, watch movies or do something else while traveling? How do you interact with technology these days and which gadgets you definitely take with you everywhere? What is your favorite book? And movie?

I read, write, draw, take photos, watch movies, look,  think… and sleep all I can. I dont interact a lot with technology while I am traveling, I have not time! I have many favorite books; La citè de la joie, Ladies coupé, Made in galiza, September, On the road, Nada, Novecento… and movies; Chariots of fire, The Philadelphia story, Dead poets society… I love classic films.
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#10. Do you keep a bucket list? Which are your craziest travel dreams? Where are your favorite destinations on earth?

My dream would be to live to write and become a digital nomad. I would like to travel much of the year, live in exotic places maybe in a hut near the beach. I am a dreamer 😉

Thanks so much Rocio! Hope your volunteering experiences continue taking you all around the world.
Follow Rocio on Facebook and her blog, Un Plan Infinito

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