Description

Your work with Cross-Cultural Solutions will help to provide meaningful and sustainable volunteer service to communities abroad, and investing in the local economies and people. The continuous, year-round service that CCS provides creates opportunities for cultural exchange through the awareness of global issues, promotes education, childhood development and healthy living; encourages domestic volunteering and awareness of community needs; breaks down stigmas and stereotypes; and improves quality of life.

A trusted member of the communities where we work, CCS brings together the expertise of community development leaders and the motivation of international volunteers to serve locally-led initiatives. With over 25,000 volunteers and over 15 years of positive impact, CCS is a leader in international volunteering that builds bridges across cultures and develops more informed and global citizens.

Choose from 12 countries, start dates year-round, and programs from 1-12 weeks long. CCS offers international volunteer programs in Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Morocco, Peru, Russia, South Africa, Tanzania and Thailand.

Highlights

Volunteering with Cross-Cultural Solutions is the experience of a lifetime, where you are choosing service as a means of learning about other cultures, global issues and making a positive impact on communities abroad and at home. But the positive effects of volunteering abroad with CCS don't stop when you return home. As a volunteer with CCS you will:

* Gain new perspectives and insight into another culture and yourself.
* Experience another culture and country at a deep and personal level from the inside out.
* Gain hands-on experience that will distinguish you on professional level for career development.
* Make a positive impact on the community in the areas of education, childhood development, healthcare and other social services.

The CCS Home-Base

CCS offers volunteers unprecedented support, and our entire infrastructure is designed around volunteer safety. All volunteers stay at a CCS Home-Base, your "home away from home" while volunteering abroad. Each Home-Base is exclusively for CCS volunteers, and designed for your safety and comfort. Here, you can connect with other volunteers, reflect on your experiences, enjoy meals together, read and relax.

The CCS experience also includes Cultural & Learning Activities so that you can learn about the local culture. These include an in-depth orientation, language training, guest speakers, visits to cultural sites, and more. Volunteers also have plenty of free time to relax, reflect, or explore the community and country.

Qualifications

No qualifications necessary, other than the ability to speak English fluently. Minimum age to volunteer independently is 18 years old for the Volunteer Abroad, Insight Abroad (one week), and Intern Abroad programs. Teens that are 15-17 years old can enroll in our Teen Volunteer Abroad program which is offered in select program sites. We also encourage families to volunteer, where the minimum age for children volunteering is eight years old. We also accommodate both large and small groups.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Please visit our website for program fees.

Cost Includes:

• International travel
• Housing
• Food
• Medical insurance
• Excursions
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Registration fees
• Written materials pre-departure
• Written materials abroad

Program Fees Include:

What you get for the fee:
* Personalized Volunteer Placement with our Partner Programs, based on your skills and interests, including all the coordination, in-person visits and communication necessary with each local organization.
* In-country Perspectives Programming that includes excursions to nearby points of interest, special events and discussions with a variety of local cultural, professional, governmental and community agencies and people.
* Cross-Cultural Solutions' Home-Base structure, providing you with a comfortable, safe place to live, the basic amenities, all of your meals, and transportation to and from all Cross-Cultural Solutions' placements and programs.
* An experienced U.S. based Cross-Cultural Solutions Program Manager (and former volunteer with Cross-Cultural Solutions) who will serve as your coordinator, guide, and liaison with our in-country staff.
* In-country basic language assistance (optional).
* Professional, locally-based staff to provide orientation, supervision and guidance throughout your stay.
* Travel medical insurance and emergency evacuation insurance, applicable to participants worldwide.
* Important documents, including in-depth pre-departure packs, orientation information, and all in-country informational materials.
* Country-based airport transportation.
* Local phone calls.
* In-coming international phone service.
* A toll-free 24-hour emergency hotline in the U.S.

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

While other volunteer programs may require certain skills or degrees, Cross-Cultural Solutions' programs are open to everyone. No matter what you believe your skill level to be, you have something meaningful and helpful to offer. We are dedicated to providing a meaningful placement for anyone willing to volunteer, and believe that the only skills required for international volunteering are a willingness to learn and an open mind.

Age Range

15-80

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Scholarships are Available

Application Process Involves

• Other

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Cross-Cultural Solutions's Mission Statement

Our mission is to operate volunteer programs around the world in partnership with sustainable community initiatives, bringing people together to work side-by-side while sharing perspectives and fostering cultural understanding. We are an international not-for-profit organization with no political or religious affiliations.

Year Founded

1995