First-time Global Volunteer Denise Nelson Nash has always had a passion for volunteering. In July, she served on a Global Volunteers service program in Hanoi, Vietnam – a goal for her – teaching conversational English at the Vietnamese Institute for Development Strategies (VIDS). She shares her story here: “As a young adult, I lived and […]
Volunteer Ruth Curran reflects on sharing her experiences as a volunteer in Africa with her friends and family at home, and how difficult it can be to do justice to the depth of those experiences. As A Volunteer in Africa After serving as a Global Volunteer in Africa, Ruth writes about how to tell that […]
In November 2017, Louise Kelly decided to take a trip to the Caribbean, but not for the crystal-blue bays or soft sand beaches. Louise was craving something different, something more. She wanted to meet, learn from, work with, and develop friendships with the local people. Louise chose volunteer travel in the Caribbean. Read on for […]
In an interview with Matt Mayes, Florida-based videographer, Global Volunteers Team Leader Cindy Murray talks about her experiences volunteering and leading teams. Her advice, take a chance and volunteer. Background: Cindy served on her first Global Volunteers service program in 1997 in Mississippi. She trained to become a Volunteer Team Leader and has led teams […]
A four-time volunteer tells why Global Volunteers programs are the best volunteer vacations available. In an interview with Matt Mayes, a Florida-based videographer, Lynn describes her experience looking for, and finding, meaningful travel. Matt: You were searching for the best volunteer vacation. How did you learn about Global Volunteers? Lynn: About three years ago, I was looking […]
Volunteer Robert writes about his “reverse culture shock” upon returning home to Washington after volunteering at a secondary school in the the cloud forest region of Monteverde, Costa Rica for a week. Here’s his list of 20 things he had not expected! Reverse Culture Shock Attention Global Volunteers Costa Rica Team #233: There is a […]
Jeff started volunteering abroad after a personal loss. His journey of healing lead him to a new journey – as a Team Leader for Global Volunteers. This is Jeff’s story – about how volunteering abroad comforts the soul. Jeff admits his story is deeply personal. When he lost his wife to breast cancer, he also […]
On a previous post, Ken, a U.S. and international volunteer, explained why he’s dedicated much of his life to volunteering abroad. His wife Suzanne offers her take on the reasons behind her family’s volunteering abroad experience. Why do you volunteer abroad? I think it is really enriching to volunteer abroad. My husband is a geographer […]
Ken is one of those people who not only tries to live happily without harming anyone, but actually invests his time helping others. He has helped in his home city of Seattle building houses for low income families, teaching at a school for homeless children, and serving at the Board of his local Girl Scouts […]
Experienced and retired teachers tell us frequently how much they enjoy engaging with new students and teachers in a new culture and in new classrooms on a service program abroad. One of the most fulfilling challenges our volunteers report is leveraging the skills they’ve honed over decades to benefit children who might have been exposed […]