Community Partner since 1994.
In her second installment, Vietnam Volunteer Diana Swansen reflects on how she and her teammates experienced compassion while volunteering in Hanoi, Vietnam. As an aviation trainer, she transmitted her passion for aviation to a classroom full of sixth-graders, fascinating them with maps and charts; and nurturing their dreams of become pilots. As a volunteer, she inspired her […]
Vietnam Volunteer Diana Swansen notices the “simple things” in life that remind her of humanity’s goodness. She offers her optimistic perspective with us, and her teammates, when teaching conversational English on a Vietnam Service Program in Hanoi. What is good taste? For most people, taste is simply a matter of flavor. But how do we experience goodness? For me, […]
Maine Assistant Attorney General William (Bill) Laubenstein has served abroad and in the USA with Global Volunteers since 2007 – contributing his skills to youth and adults in Vietnam, the Cook Islands, Greece, South Africa, India, Ecuador and West Virginia. In this interview, he offers highlights on his volunteer travels to date. My Global Volunteering […]
First-time Global Volunteer Denise Nelson Nash has always had a passion for volunteering. In Hanoi, Vietnam, she accomplished a long-held goal – teaching conversational English at the Vietnamese Institute for Development Strategies (VIDS). She shares her story here: “As a young adult, I lived and worked in Venezuela. Living in another country taught me the value […]
Over the past 30+ years, Global Volunteers’ CEO and Co-founder Bud Philbrook has led dozens of Global Volunteers teams. In all his travels across the world, Vietnam sticks as one of his favorite places to volunteer. Why? Read on for Bud’s eight reasons to volunteer in Hanoi! 1. Vietnamese love Americans. I’ve been to Vietnam […]
Expectations Vs. Reality in Vietnam: Fran, a volunteer serving in Vietnam, writes about her expectations and what she actually finds at a day serving with Global Volunteers. Expectations: It is early and I am awake. I want desperately for this day to begin when I will meet and make new friends. In the short time […]
Global Volunteers Vietnam Team Leader Jim Swiderski reflects on Peace in Vietnam, Peace Lilies, and how to make both of these flourish. Goooood Mooorrnig Vietnaaam!!! A garden of “Peace Lilies” next to the lake and park in central Hanoi greets my morning walk. It’s hard to capture the rush of emotions I have today as […]
Tom has volunteered 5 times in Vietnam. Like Tom, you can use your career to make a difference in Vietnam. The weather today was beautiful — blue skies with a moderately warm temperature. It helped make it another pleasant day in Hanoi. My friend, travel partner and roommate, Keith, and I got up early and took […]
Have you ever wonder what would it be like to volunteer in Vietnam? Keith, a 4-times Vietnam volunteer describes a typical day volunteering in Hanoi. “I’m not sure what part of my day is most enjoyable.” It could be my solo run around Hoan Kiem at the break of dawn. Just me along with hundreds […]
Jenny Quach is a volunteer coordinator at Global Volunteers. She knows a thing or two about Vietnam. She was born there. Here she shares a little bit about the Lunar New Year. While January 28, 2017 is just another day for most Americans, on the other side of the world, many Asian countries (China, Taiwan, Vietnam, […]