Make a Difference This Holiday Season with a Volunteer Vacation: the Gift That Really Keeps On Giving
Vancouver, BC (PRWEB) December 24, 2013 -- During this joyful time of feasting and celebration, it’s sometimes easy to forget that there are billions of people who can’t afford even the most basic necessities, let alone the indulgences of the holiday season. We need to remember that this time of year is as much about giving as it is receiving.
With CrossContinental.org, a simple act of charity can become the experience of a lifetime. This organization places willing workers in projects abroad, where they are able to give hands-on assistance to those in need. These “volunteer vacations” offer opportunities for everyday people to give the gifts of time, compassion, perspective, and joy.
Many students and professionals eagerly prepare for this unique holiday experience, anticipating a season of personal growth, cultural immersion and social responsibility. The opportunity to combine educational and professional advancement with an overseas experience has not been lost on these travelers.
Providing numerous program options, Cross-Continental matches personal interests with each desired destination, creating a personalized experience that is best suited to each person’s needs. Opportunities such as orphanage work, assisting at a hospital, or teaching in schools, all give hope to impoverished families, as well as a renewed sense of purpose to the volunteers themselves. As many international volunteers have realized, overseas work also adds an important facet to one’s resume or post-secondary applications, giving a desirable edge over future competition.
• Volunteer Vacations and Wildlife Safaris in East Africa
With a vast array of areas in which to volunteer, these vacations are accessible to everyone who is willing to help. Hong Kong native Grace Lau will spend her Christmas and the New Year in Kenya, East Africa, volunteering in a variety of fields. While her main focus will be caring for the elderly, she also plans to conduct interviews, take photographs and work on her journalism portfolio, as well as squeeze in a weekend wildlife safari at the Maasai Mara National Reserve to complete her experience.
• International Internships in Latin America
The testimonies from past Cross-Continental interns are enough to pique anyone's interest in these vacations, and encourage new travelers to join the ranks. Jessica Hoffman of Boston, Massachusetts, is planning her New Year’s celebration in Ecuador this year, where she will participate in a microfinance project. These microfinance projects are instrumental in building a sustainable economy in many emerging economies, teaching essential financial knowledge and aiding locals in their fight against poverty. When asked about her upcoming voyage, Hoffman's answer was simple and genuine. “I am getting very excited!”
University of Victoria business student Celia Lin is preparing for her upcoming trip to Mexico, where she will enjoy her first tropical Christmas and earn volunteer hours serving in the local community.
• Celebrating Chinese New Year in China
Volunteer Matthew De Corrado from Australia will celebrate both Western and Chinese New Year with a welcoming host family in China. Matthew joined the program in order to practice and learn more Mandarin, absorb life in a different culture, gain a good appreciation of a different way of life, and most importantly make a positive contribution to society. Matthew says, "I searched everywhere for a volunteer agency that fit my criteria, and Cross Continental ticked all the boxes. Cross Continental has the flexibility which the other [organizations] don’t have, its pricing is not a barrier to entry which is important to me as a University student, and its programs are meaningful."
• Community Development Internships in Asia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native Sam Carter will be spending her holidays abroad this year as well, completing a Community Development Internship in Nepal. Carter says, “I am very excited for my upcoming trip to Nepal. I was recently awarded a grant to do research while I am there, which will reimburse me for my expenses [like] plane tickets [and] home stay."
What other gift can offer the experience of a new culture, the chance to learn and perfect new skills, connect like-minded travelers from around the world, and provide the opportunity to truly change lives--including that of the volunteer? It may be cliché, but a volunteer vacation really is a gift that keeps on giving.
Access free resources or plan a life-changing trip at http://www.CrossContinental.org.
About Cross-Continental Solutions:
Cross-Continental Solutions provides affordable yet flexible volunteer abroad, intern abroad, cultural immersion, language study, and gap year programs. A large variety of work placement options are available such as: Teaching, Healthcare, Community Development, Business Coaching, HIV work, Care-giving, Orphanage Work, Journalism, Photography, Wildlife, Agriculture, Environmental Protection, Microfinance, Tourism, Marketing, and more. Programs are available at many locations around the world, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America. By living and working side by side with locals, participants gain an exceptional cross-cultural experience and the opportunity to truly make a difference.
Jian Leslie, Cross-Continental Solutions Inc., http://www.crosscontinental.org, +1 (604) 700-6096, [email protected]
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