Become an International Teen Volunteer - CCS Webinar Presentation

Become an International Teen Volunteer!

Volunteer abroad with Cross-Cultural Solutions in China, Ghana, South Africa, Costa Rica, or Guatemala

Program Structure

• 5th year Cross-Cultural Solutions has offered the Teen Volunteer Abroad Program!

• Volunteer Work– Hands on, project-based, interact with local community

• Cultural & Learning Activities– Cultural immersion

• Supervised Free Time

• Focus on teens interacting

with other children/peers

their own age in community

Safety & Supervision

• Transportation– Airport pick up, transportation to volunteer work &

activities

• 27 hour supervision– During volunteer work, Cultural & Learning Activities,

structured/supervised free time

• Home base– Secure, gated, 24-hour security guard– Curfew/lights out

• In-county staff– All members of local community

Value of being an International Teen Volunteer

• Rekindles spirit, promotes volunteerism within community• Puts program locations on global focus

– Teens part of Global Team of Leaders

• Teens develop leadership skills by taking on responsibility roles– Grouping teens, establishing Team Leaders each day,

opportunity for cultural exchange, promotes domestic volunteerism

• Because teens traveling on their own – have reasonable amount of freedom/independence

• College/job applications– Determine a major or career path– Increases cultural competency– High lights unique skills and experiences

Xi’an, China

•Starting point of silk road

•Meeting point of East & West China

•Modern industrial city, rich history & cultural background

Xi’an, China

“Xi’an is a great place to volunteer because, historically and culturally, it is not as modern as Beijing or Shanghai. Volunteers really will be able to feel the effect of their work with the local community.”

— Jerome Dong, Country Director

•Volunteer in afternoons•Working with locals schools, teaching English, interacting with students, refinishing classrooms

•Cultural & Learning Activities in mornings

•Bike on city walls•Chinese painting & calligraphy•Visit country side•Karaoke night•Market visits

Hohoe, Ghana

Established in 1996West Africa, Volta Region

Rural locationThe people! Focus on

relationships, taking your time with one another

Hohoe, Ghana

• Volunteer work in mornings– Hands on, painting

hospital, planting mango trees

– Visit orphanage some afternoons

• Cultural & Learning Activities in afternoon– Visit monkey

sanctuary– Traditional

drum/dance ceremony

– Batik lesson– Wli Waterfall hike

Noordhoek, South Africa

Noordhoek, South Africa

• New Program!• Suburb of Cape Town• Beautiful coastal

area• Volunteer work

– Working with school holiday program, day care centers, orphanages

– Interact with peers in community

• Cultural & Learning Activities– Town tours– Discussion on

Apartheid– Guest lecture on

HIV/AIDS– Horseback riding– Youth group

Orosi, Costa Rica

•1 week Program

•Small, colonial town

•Agricultural community

•Nature lovers!•Volcanoes, lakes, hiking, fishing

Orosi, Costa Rica•Volunteer work in mornings

•Within local schools•Teaching English•Games, sports, activities with younger children

•Cultural & Learning Activities in afternoons

•Spanish language lessons•Dance lessons•Cooking lessons•Tour of Orosi Town & Orosi Valley

Tecpan, Guatemala

•Diverse country, indigenous populations•Tecpan is the first capital of Guatemala• Small, rural town in mountainous region•Large Mayan population in the area

Tecpan, Guatemala

• Volunteer work in mornings– Work with Mayan

youth population– Teaching English,

painting a mural

• Cultural & Learning Activities in afternoons– Town tour– Cackchiquel &

Spanish lessons– Visit markets, a

local artist’s home– Iximche ruins and

witness a Mayan Ceremony

– Visit women’s groups developing organic coffee & honey

Home Bases

Home Bases

Home Bases

Volunteer Work & Activities

Volunteer Work & Activities

Volunteer Work & Activities

Volunteer Work & Activities

Volunteer Work & Activities

Application Process

• Essay questions

• Letters of reference

• Parent/Guardian statement

• Phone interview

• Tips:

– Be yourself!

– Be open & honest

– Get creative! Ex: video application

Enrollment Process

• Pre-departure support

– Work with Program Manager for your location

– Support you with preparation for program

– Liaison between volunteer & in-country staff

– In contact with other teens in group

• Placement information

– Receive information about volunteer work assignment 1-2 weeks before departure

Questions?

1-800-380-4777Program Enrollment Department

http://www.crossculturalsolutions.orgTeen Volunteer Abroad