Description

Lend your skills to community-led projects in New Delhi and Dharamsala during your time volunteering abroad with Cross-Cultural Solutions (CCS). Spend 3 to 12 weeks in India working closely with local organizations on these community led-projects, created to provide human support networks for various populations. CCS started in New Delhi, India in 1995 with the support of long-time community organizer, Bela Singh. Her work helped to lay the foundation for future volunteers.

While volunteering in India, you will explore and experience the country's infinite layers of history, religion, politics and society. Home to 18 languages, 500 dialects, 30 religions, and over a billion people, India provides the international volunteer with endless opportunities to learn about India, its traditions and way of life.

Volunteers in New Delhi are involved with caring for infants and children,teaching children, assisting teachers, caring for the elderly, assisting local health professionals, caring for people with disabilities, assisting teachers of special education, sharing their professional skills/experience, and work towards women's empowerment. Volunteers in Dharamsala are involved with caring for infants and children, teaching children, teaching English, assisting teachers, sharing their professional skills/experience, assisting teachers of special education, working towards women's empowerment and caring for people with disabilities.

Cross-Cultural Solutions is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that addresses critical global issues by providing meaningful and sustainable volunteer service to communities abroad and investing in the local economies and people.

To-date, more than 25,000 people have participated in our volunteer programs, providing over two million hours of service to communities we serve in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. The continuous, year-round service that CCS provides creates opportunities for cultural exchange; 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.

Highlights

The cosmopolitan city of New Delhi, which was built of British influence and is now the center of Indian government, trade and business. The streets are lined with multinational businesses and temples alike, making it a journey of old and new. Home to 15 million people, Delhi is a mosaic of the many different Indian cultures. It is also hub of the social activism and progressive thought characterizing India for centuries. In Delhi, you can find activity in almost every social sector and development issue, from AIDS to migrant workers, to women's issues and holistic healing.

Dharamsala is split into two sections that each have a distinct ambiance and culture. The upper section, which is mostly Tibetan, is home to the Dalai Lama and the base of operations for the Tibetan Government in exile. This area is considerably cosmopolitan because the presence of the Dalai Lama attracts many Buddhist devotees and international travelers. The lower section, where the CCS program site is based, is primarily Indian and centered around one long, narrow road brimming with small shops and vendors.

Cross-Cultural Solutions offers a wide variety of programs and experiences, but all of our volunteers come away with the same benefits:
* Personal Growth
* Having a Purpose
* Gaining Independence and Confidence
* Connecting with Others
* Seeing a Country from the Inside-Out

The CCS Home-Base

CCS offers volunteers unprecedented support, and our entire infrastructure is designed around volunteer safety. Each of our programs is located close to 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 and CCS staff, reflect on your experiences, enjoy meals together, read and relax.

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

Qualifications

No special skills or experience required.

Intern Types

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Visit our website for program fees.

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

18 and older, younger applicants accepted with application

This Program is open to

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

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently

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