Stories from students, retirees, working professionals, couples, families, groups, solo travelers, first-time volunteers, volunteer veterans and everyone in-between from more than 20 countries around the world. Learn about your favorite country in their own words.
You can become part of a team of volunteer teachers and students in Crete. When you help the children of Malevizi with their English skills, you experience their culture through their lives and interests. Val, a Greece Volunteer, shares her journal entry recalling two unforgettable weeks of “summer language camp” with eager Greek students: “As […]
How to volunteer in Cuba? For Roberta, Cuba had long been on her bucket list, so when she learned she could travel legally to Cuba with Global Volunteers, she didn’t hesitate. It turned out to be one of her most rewarding experiences. Read on for her journey in her own words: I’ve always wanted to […]
Long-serving volunteer Laura Merriam first served in Vietnam with her husband, Peter Armstrong, in 2015. Her beautiful recollections were printed in MinnPost, an independent Minnesota newspaper. Below are highlights from Laura’s journal from one “average” day of her teaching assignment as a Global Volunteer in Hanoi. By Laura Merriam The old quarter of Hanoi, where […]
By Jan, Costa Rica Global Volunteer. Quote of the Day: If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people. -Confucius Reflections on our two weeks at Colegio Tecnico Profesional de Santa Elena, Costa Rica: Thinking about […]
Zach, a Central Michigan University student, shared his journal reflections from his Global Volunteer summer service-learning experience. “If I’ve learned anything on this incredible trip with Global Volunteers, it’s that stepping out of your comfort zone every once in a while can lead to friendships, new skills, and memories that are simply impossible to forget.“ […]
New York City mom, Andrea Cuvelier, and 14-year-old Téa (both in center) said their service-learning program with Global Volunteers was exceptional. Working together in Anse la Raye, St. Lucia, the mother-daughter travel duo spent a week caring for and teaching young children – and forming a bond of service. Téa and her mom relate one […]
Rosebud Reservation volunteers share their team journal about Lakota culture on a South Dakota service program. Day Two in Rosebud – Yard Work After yesterday’s orientation, we arose today in anticipation of the work assignment. We headed out and gathered any tools we could find for the day ahead. We worked outside of a home […]
Considering a working vacation in Cuba? Read here as Cuba Global Volunteer Thomasina Tamur reflects on how she chose her two-week experience in Ciego de Ávila serving and learning from the Cuban people. A Working Vacation in Cuba I’ve supported Global Volunteers for many years, but there was always a reason to put off a […]
We’re grateful for all that Cindy Murray has contributed as a Global Volunteer, Team Leader, and supporter to help children and families worldwide since 1997. We’ve excerpted her story from her local paper to inspire and inform. Enjoy! Cindy Murray says her curiosity and passion to help others has led her to one of her […]
Volunteer Ruth Curran reflects on sharing her experiences as a health care professional volunteering in Africa after an earlier program in St. Lucia, West Indies. Excerpted here from her blog, she expresses how difficult it can be to do justice to the depth of those experiences. Read her own blog post here. Imagine Volunteering in […]