<p>My daughter wants to do something meaningful and has asked about volunteering abroad. She has some medical issues, so I am understandably concerned. She mentioned Cross Cultural Solutions. Is anyone familiar with this program? Or have any recommendations for a different group? My biggest concern obviously is her safety. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks</p>
<p>How old is your daughter? How much time does she want to spend in another country? Not to pry, but what are the medical issues? That could be a big factor.
My older daughter took a gap year after high school and spent 6 months in Africa teaching English, through an organization called Projects Abroad. I’m not familiar with Cross Cultural Solutions, but just looked them up briefly. As a point of comparison, Projects Abroad charges $5440 for 12 weeks in Ghana and Cross Cult charges $9395. Neither includes airfare.
I think the “meaningfulness” level is all over the map (oops, no pun intended) for these projects, ranging from none, except maybe a fun trip for the American, to a moderate chance to do something useful. Same daughter, now graduated from college, is teaching English in Ecuador through Worldteach. This turned out to be essentially a real job (she paid the volunteer agency, but the university pays her), 20 hrs a week of teaching plus prep/grading, etc, and an 11-month commitment.</p>
<p>She is 21. They think she has lupus, many soft signs but no definitive diagnosis. She also has a lot of stomach problems. CCS has a 2 week program that she wanted to do. I figured, how sick can she get in 2 weeks? I will look at the other program you mentioned. I don’t want to pay a lot, but safety is the most important factor for me.</p>
<p>I am not a fan of these “volunteer abroad” programs, as they are huge money makers for the organizations and the good they do is of dubious value. Also, medical help may be far away if the " dubious good" they are doing is off in the boonies. Use some of that money for a trip abroad (how about Rick Steves trip, or a trip that caters to younger folks) but that is nearer to medical help, and then volunteering in the USofA near home. Or Americorps and earn a little stipend? JMHO</p>
<p>
Very good point. There’s plenty of good to be done in the USA without paying to go elsewhere.
OP, are you and your d thinking of this program to boost a college application? Because I’ve read that colleges don’t think much of these programs that require such a financial outlay.</p>
<p>These trips have become very fashionable and I agree that college’s see right through them. But OP said her D was 21 so clearly this is not the purpose.</p>
<p>I think the good intentions are admirable, but you don’t have to look too far to find people in need right here in the good old USA. So if your daughter wants to do something “meaningful” it doesn’t have to be something complicated. If she is looking for a cultural experience outside the US then that is a different story. With her medical issues and your safety and expense concerns, it seems looking for opportunities more local might be a better option.</p>
<p>dkitty21, My daughter volunteered in Cape Town through CCS. She also has medical issues, so we chose CCS because of the support it offered; the excellent medical facilities in Cape Town; and the ease of flying home from Cape Town should the need arise. Be aware that your daughter’s doctor would have to sign a medical release before your D could participate in a CCS program.</p>
<p>The program itself has pros and cons. Your D will definitely gain a better appreciation of the poverty and cultural problems that exist in a foreign country through CCS, but the volunteer experience my D had was basically just babysitting. My D feels that many of the volunteer opportunities she’s had in the US provided more direct assistance to those in need. However, the CCS experience noticeably changed my D and made her more determined than ever to make a difference in the world.</p>
<p>One criticism my D had of the CCS program was that some of the participants are there for the wrong reasons. She felt they just wanted to travel independently of their parents and weren’t there because they wanted to help others.</p>
<p>BTW, the CCS program fee is tax deductible. Airfare is also be deductible if your D flies directly to and from the volunteer destination.</p>
<p>She wanted to go to Ghana, I was thinking Capetown as my friend has relatives there. She wanted to go abroad rather than stay in the USA. This has nothing to do with college. As she comes to grips with being her illness she has gone through the stages of grieving and she has come out the other side wanting to do something important. She researched it and came up with this program. I just wanted to know if anyone knew anything about it.</p>
<p>My D volunteered in northern Thailand last April through IVHQ. It’s much less expensive than these other programs, but perhaps it is less of a program. She wanted something less “tour-like.” She taught English to hill tribe children as part of an ongoing program through which volunteers rotate. I think the program cost was about $750 for a month (pick up at the local airport, all room and board plus several “outings”) plus a registration fee - maybe $250. You can register for as little as a week, though most placements ask for a minimum of 2 weeks. Flights and additional “off campus” expenses were extra. If your D has medical needs this location would probably not be the most ideal, but IVHQ has program placements in many locations.</p>
<p>If the meaningful work aspect is the important motivator for your daughter, I truly think she wouldn’t get much except frustration from a 2-week trip. If she wants to pursue it as an interesting trip and an eye-opening intro to another culture, I think it doesn’t make sense to spend as much money as some of these organizations charge. The IVHQ that runnersmom mentioned sounds interesting. Also check out Volunteers for Peace, vfp.org. They’re a sort of clearinghouse, also much cheaper projects. I think some of them are less 3rd-world oriented; volunteering at festivals and clearing things outdoors, etc. I see you’re in New Jersey, and while this is way off the track of your question, might your daughter like a summer camp job for the Fresh Air Fund? The camp is in Fishkill, NY. freshair.org. My girls both worked there and loved it. There’s a definite sense of mission and community-building and good human relations about the place. Only if she loves kids, natch.</p>
<p>I agree that two weeks is too short to be more than a vacation.
However, I would also argue that going abroad to be immersed in another culture and staying there long enough to absorb the rhythms of life and to work side by side with the community on a project, *that * can be life changing.</p>
<p>My daughter worked on an organic farm and in an ashram that took care of disabled children/adults in India. My H had panic attacks when she was away, but he says it was worth it for what it taught her about herself & the world.
( she left in January & returned in June)</p>
<p>dkitty, I PM’d you</p>
<p>Perhaps she can do something meaningful in her own country, state or even her own city. Is there no place in the U.S. that could use help?
Is there nothing meaningful she can do in her own community, or does she have to leave the country to do something meaningful?</p>
<p>Helping “locally” kills “many birds with one stone”, particularly, she can do something meaningful since that is her goal, and still be closer in case of medical issues.</p>
<p>Of course she can do something meaningful in the US. She WANTS to go abroad. I know 2 weeks is not a lot of time, but I’m not sure she’d be able to do more. A couple of people have identified programs she should look at. I appreciate it. We will research further.</p>
<p>Other countries do have medical care.
For instance my daughter had a severe ear infection in the Costa Rican jungle the summer before last while on a research trip.
When she finally reached civilization, she was treated by a local Dr. No charge.</p>
<p>Is the 2-week time frame related to her medical issues, or is that just the only time she can spare now?</p>
<p>Medical issues. When she gets sick, she gets really sick. A month would probably be as long as she could go.</p>
<p>Might her medical issues stabilize somewhat, or at least become clearer, over the next year or two? Might she defer a trip to less-developed countries for awhile? I’m in the medical field, and often skeptical about what goes on in US medicine as well - and I’m not a big worrier either - but the possible urgent care issues are a bit sobering. Also food issues, given the stomach problems.
I’m sure you’ve thought about all this ad nauseum, and I hope she finds a good solution. Travel insurance with medical evacuation/reunion coverage does take the edge off…</p>