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Angel Website of the Month
Volunteer Vacations
Volunteer Vacations are an extraordinary way to see the world and give back to society at the same time. There are many wonderful companies who plan these amazing trips, but we are putting the spotlight on Global Crossroads as website of the month Global CrossroadGlobal Crossroad isone of the world's fastest growing international volunteer vacation organizations. Its ever-expanding programs offer a variety of volunteer and travel programs in 34 different countries throughout Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America: Volunteer Abroad, TEFL Abroad, Tours and Travels, Internship Abroad, Mini-Venture, Group Seasonal Escapes and Paid Teaching opportunities. Since 2003, more than 6000 world-travelers/volunteers have participated in Global Crossroad's Volunteer Abroad, Mini-Ventures, Adventure Travel, Seasonal Escapes, Teach Abroad, and other customized group programs. Volunteer Abroad Destinations
Is Volunteering Abroad for you?
Are you open enough to accept and respect a culture no matter how different it is from your culture? This may be one of the most difficult aspects of your volunteer experience. There will be aspects of the local culture that confound your sense of logic or challenge your sense of justice, however, remember you are the visitor. No solitary volunteer can change centuries of tradition or culture. You must look deep inside yourself and determine if you are flexible enough to respect the local culture before you go. Despite what you may have heard, your job is not to teach the superiority of western ways. Some long-term volunteer organizations like the Peace Corp may include utilizing modern technology in the fields of agriculture, education and business. Are you comfortable with yourself?
Many western students don't know much about themselves. You may have a schedule that includes surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals all day everyday. You are with your roommates, classmates, party friends around the clock. Many volunteers are placed in an isolated situation like a wildlife reserve or a small rural village. Your social life or the lack there of will be entirely up to you. Volunteering abroad is truly a study abroad experience. Every minute of everyday you will be a student. Are you hungry to learn? You may learn a new language, a new culture, a new way of life. Flexibility and patience are the keys to having a satisfying experience. Developing countries, in particular are not as obsessed with time as the US or Europe. Often schedules are ignored or appointments begin later than arranged. NGOs, international non-profits and volunteer organizations are almost always understaffed. Your itinerary will not be as smooth and well organized as a tour or a Caribbean cruise. Things may seem disorganized at times. You may have to initiate your day- to-day itinerary. You may also encounter corruption, government officials and local administrators often work in ways that don't make sense to you. You have to accept the program and offer your services within those parameters. What will I do? Volunteer projects are as varied as you might imagine. Generally, international volunteer experiences fall into four main arenas:
If volunteer vacations seem like a wonderful way to explore a country and give back to society, contact Global Crossroads:
To visit the Global Crossroad website, please click here. Source: Go Abroad Past Angel Website of the MonthTo view all past Angel Websites of the month, please click here. |
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Volunteering requires flexibility and patience. Self-starters and people who genuinely respect the host people and their culture are best for this. Volunteers never go to teach the people western ways, nor are they there to rescue the people. They go to share their energy and time with people, to experience their culture first hand and to grow themselves.
At times you may feel isolated, particularly when you arrive in a village knowing no one. Many students travel because they are dissatisfied with the state of their life at home. This is the wrong reason to venture internationally. If you have problems at home i.e. your boyfriend, your faculty, your roommates, don't expect those problems to disappear once you are out of the US. Chances are those problems will follow you and they will be more readily apparent with the additional cultural and adjustment issues.
