Astrid Goossens

In 2009, I went to Nicaragua for several months for my graduation internship. Part of this internship involved travelling through southern Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. During this period, I became 'infected' with the Latin America virus.

Quite soon after I graduated, I set off for Central America once again. Now, several years on, I have visited almost every Latin American country at least once.
One of the highlights was my eight-month trip, during which I visited several countries and stayed with a Bolivian family for a while! Since graduating, I haven’t just travelled in my spare time; I’ve also spent years working elsewhere as a Latin America specialist, during which I’ve been able to go on some wonderful trips and expand my knowledge.

I find it hard to pick a favourite destination; every country or region has its own charm. For instance, I can really enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty of Patagonia, the wildlife on the Galápagos Islands or in the Pantanal, or simply relaxing on a beautiful, secluded beach, but I also really enjoy the pleasant, laid-back atmosphere found in several countries in Central America.