by Denise Miller My first experience with Global Volunteers was in 2005, when I read an article in The Washington Post about volunteer vacations. When I looked at the Global Volunteers website, the Cook Islands was featured on the front page, and I was hooked. This was a place I had always wanted to visit, and […]
In the years since Ruth Curran first served as a volunteer in St. Lucia, she accepted a position on our Board of Directors, and thereafter joined our staff as Director of Partnerships. As an author, blogger and organizational behaviorist, Ruth believes things happen for a reason. For instance, she believes the understanding seized from her life-changing […]
Volunteering abroad with a partner may lead to new directions and interpersonal connections. It can be one of the most significant experiences of your life! Gail and Bill O’Neal are a couple volunteering in Cuba who truly enjoy service together, as recorded in their program journal. Read on for a glimpse into their experience. By […]
Since participating on his first Global Volunteers service program in Russia in 1992, Norman has participated in service programs in Vietnam and Cuba, and has led numerous volunteer teams in Cuba and Montana. Now retired and living in Calfornia, his working career included 12 years as a commercial banker and 17 years working on overseas […]
Christmas in Peru, by Peru Country Manager Daniel Salazar: There is no Thanksgiving in Peru, and no other holiday comes close to Christmas in terms of the excitement and commotion it causes. Yes, there is no snow. In fact, it’s summer in Peru. But that does not prevent people from wearing Santa hats. In fact, […]
A Different Holiday Story, by Peru Country Manager Daniel Salazar: Holidays in Peru and the U.S. are similar in many ways. In both countries most people think of getting together with the family around a nice turkey dinner. But it is also different in many ways. For instance, in Peru most people don’t celebrate Thanksgiving. But […]
Team Journal for Friday November 20, 2015 Message of the day: The desire to succeed means nothing without the will to prepare – Author unknown We continue to have a good time with our teachers. Today, my class reviewed some menus from Denny’s. I had not really thought about it, but, for a Chinese person, […]
Team Journal for Thursday November 19, 2015 Message of the day: “Flowers only bloom when they are ready. People are the same way. You cannot rush or force they open just because you think it’s time. Be patient.” – Timber Hawkeye Everyday it seems to get easier to work with our students as we get […]
In my class today, I received some helpful advice for teaching in China. I had asked for feedback from our team leader on how to improve our English instructions. She kindly told me that I had to speak slowly. So, this would be my theme for the day: Slow down, give students time to process […]
Danielle Silver visited the Cook Islands Global Volunteers program earlier this year. She provided support to Takitumu School and met some amazing young people. Victor was one of them and here she shares her poem about the experience she had while providing service in the Cook Islands Victor A bright sunny island day, the […]