• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail
  • e-Catalog
  • Volunteer Portal
  • Register Now
  • Contact Us
Call Us: 800-487-1074
Global Volunteers
  • Support
    • Donation Opportunities
      • Donate Now
      • Changemakers Club – Monthly
      • Gift Catalog
      • More Ways to Give
    • Foundation Opportunities
      • Funding Opportunities for Philanthropic Partners
  • Volunteer
      • Individuals
      • Families
    • Groups
      • Employer/Employee
      • University
      • High School
      • Faith Based
  • Countries
    • International Partnerships
      • China
      • Cook Islands
      • Cuba
      • Ecuador
      • Greece
      • Italy (Sicily)
      • Nepal
      • Peru
      • Poland
      • Portugal
      • St Lucia
      • Tanzania
      • Vietnam
    • USA Programs
      • Aguadilla – Puerto Rico
      • Blackfeet Reservation – Montana
      • Española – New Mexico
      • Rio Grande Valley – Texas
  • Projects
    • Community Work Projects
      • Delivering Essential Services
      • Teaching Conversational English
      • Supporting Community Development
      • Supplementing School-Based Curricula
      • View All Community Work Projects
  • Dates & Fees
    • Seasonal
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
      • Winter
    • Monthly
      • January
      • February
      • March
      • April
      • May
      • June
      • July
      • August
      • September
      • October
      • November
      • December
      • All Service Program Dates
  • Impact
  • News
  • Request Information
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
Volunteer Voices

International Volunteer Anticipates Saying ‘Yes’ to Post-Pandemic Travel

Three-time volunteer Jim Gorski reveals why he says “yes” to opportunities during uncertain times – and why he anticipates that discipline will be most important post-COVID-19.


By Jim Gorski, Global Volunteers Alumnus and Retired Board Member

There will come a time when the pandemic recedes into the past and some form of normalcy will establish itself. That normalcy will include the opportunity to travel to faraway places again. This is my hope and prediction. When that time comes, I wish for all who long for learning and adventure the opportunity to wander.

A number of years ago, when I was visiting my parents in Wisconsin, I went out for a morning run. I encountered our elderly next-door neighbor, who had lived next to us forever. He was out for a walk, so I took a break from running and joined him. We talked about how life was playing out for each of us and the conversation turned to reflections on how we’ve lived our lives. He said he had never regretted the times he took a chance and acted on it. His regrets were all for the times when chances presented themselves and he did not take the risk.

It made me think of the times when an opportunity arose and I said, “Yes.” Like my neighbor I could not recall an instance when I took a chance and regretted it. There were times when those opportunities included difficulties, but still, no regrets. There also were times when, due to habit or fear, I did not reach out and take the opportunity offered. Of course, there were times when the responsible thing to do was to stay the course I was on. No regrets about those times. But the others, when I was fearful, or just unwilling to be a little uncomfortable, those are the ones that made me wonder, “What did I miss?”

Taking the first project trip with Global Volunteers was a time when my wife, Mary Lou, and I said “Yes.” Regrets? Not a one. It was the experience of a lifetime. I admit to some uncertainty when the chance to go to Tanzania arose. It was a long, complicated trip to a very remote location. But my wife and I said, “Yes.” The place and the people got into our hearts and filled us with wonder. We were recently invited to the wedding of two of the Reaching Children’s Potential (RCP) staff members. In normal times, we would have made every effort to attend that wedding in Dar es Salaam. We were sad that we had to say “No.”

Our most recent “Yes” was to Crete working with Samantha Hines Pinakoulaki in the English language program for school students. As with every other project, we left with connections to the place and the people and joy that we had taken the opportunity to go there. We have so many memories of our Global Volunteers trips that make us smile.

So when travel resumes and Global Volunteers’ projects open to volunteers once again, the right answer to the question “Should I go?” is YES! Saying “Yes” to travel, adventure, contributing to peace and connection with others is saying “Yes” to a well-lived life.

Jim (right) and his wife, Mary Lou (left), taught conversational English in Crete, Greece in September 2019.

“So when travel resumes and Global Volunteers’ projects open to volunteers once again, the right answer to the question “Should I go?” is YES! Saying “Yes” to travel, adventure, contributing to peace and connection with others is saying “Yes” to a well-lived life.”

– Jim Gorski

Also by Jim Gorski:

What’s Special About Serving with Global Volunteers?

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Pocket
September 19, 2020/by Maggie Bjorklund
https://globalvolunteers.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Yes-cropped.png 452 1123 Maggie Bjorklund https://globalvolunteers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2014-GlobalVolunteersLogo-Web.png Maggie Bjorklund2020-09-19 14:00:002020-11-13 18:57:07International Volunteer Anticipates Saying ‘Yes’ to Post-Pandemic Travel
0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Partner Communities

  • China (62)
  • Cook Islands (44)
  • Cuba (115)
  • Ecuador (90)
  • Greece (70)
  • Italy (53)
  • Montana (52)
  • Nepal (20)
  • New Mexico (2)
  • Peru (113)
  • Poland (97)
  • Portugal (44)
  • Puerto Rico (3)
  • South Dakota (8)
  • St Lucia (57)
  • Tanzania (237)
  • Texas (7)
  • Vietnam (33)

Categories

  • Classroom Assistance (8)
  • Conversational English (96)
  • Cultures and Traditions (136)
  • Development Impact (127)
  • Family Volunteering (61)
  • Free Time Options (79)
  • Group Volunteering (19)
  • News and Updates (150)
  • Partners' Stories (16)
  • Projects for Professionals (23)
  • Reaching Children's Potential (245)
  • Ripple Effect (6)
  • Service-Learning (51)
  • Staff Worldwide (26)
  • Volunteer Voices (685)
  • Why I Give (18)

Tags

American Indian culture Care for children Caribbean island College groups Conversational English Cuba people-to-people development impact Earthbox gardens Essential Services food insecurity Funding your fee gender equality Health and nutrition High school groups Labor projects retiree volunteers Spring break student volunteer summer volunteer program support children Support women teaching children teaching english team leader things to do peru top places to visit peru tourism cook islands tours peru travel peru volunteer benefits Volunteer impact volunteer time off work on reservations Work with youth youth volunteering

Get Global Volunteers News Here!

Enter your email address to receive fresh new posts in your inbox.

  • About Us
  • Boards of Directors and Advisors
  • US and International Staff
  • Our Beginnings
  • Our Vision
  • Community Partners
  • Collaborators
  • Compare Us
  • Volunteer Vacations FAQs
  • Accountability and Agreements
  • Travel Risks
  • Impact and Outcomes of Service
  • Donate to Global Volunteers
  • Donate to a Volunteer
  • Money Matters – Explaining Your Service Program Contribution
  • Discounts & Fundraising
  • Alumni Center
  • Covid-19 Policy
  • News/Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Agreements
  • Site Map
  • Contact
  • Podcast
  • Volunteer Portal
  • Employment
Global Volunteers
375 East Little Canada Road
St. Paul, MN 55117-1628 USA
(800) 487-1074 | toll-free
(651) 482-0915 | fax
globalvolunteers.org
email@globalvolunteers.org
Federal EIN: 36-3352680

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST!

Subscribe to receive updates, new blog posts, and inspiring stories from our work around the world.

Global Volunteers - Partners in Development ® | © Copyright 2002 - Present Global Volunteers
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail
  • Global Volunteers is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization. Our tax ID is 36-3352680. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent provided by the law.
  • Send feedback about this web site and its administration.
International Community Development Profile: Rukia Kulanga and Tuhuvilage Nyamoga...International community developmentMessages of Peace in a Suffering World – 2020
Scroll to top