All Blog Posts (284)

a note on photographs

I know this is something that CCS stresses to new volunteers, but I think it's important enough that it bears repeating. All of the subjects in my photos were asked for their permission before I snapped the shutter. Every person, every time. Every time we were a new place, I asked (yes, even the kids hamming for the camera in Rau Village. ASK.) Every time I wanted to take a photo of my kids at placement, I asked. And when they said no, I respected it. No pouty faces, no please, please,… Continue

Added by Emily Michelle on November 5, 2009 at 11:39am — No Comments

uncommon items

When I finally got around to emptying my red-dirt stained backpack a few weeks ago I found two little stowaways that had been snuck into my bag, and carried home - all the way home - from Juvi...

There's nothing quite like the chaos of a classroom of thirty kids all n… Continue

Added by Emily Michelle on October 27, 2009 at 4:18pm — No Comments

Raffling off WII< let me know if you need a ticket, see my events section for details!

My friend Sarah and I had our fundraiser yesterday and it turned out very well. We still have a ways to go but it's a good chunk out of the way. I will post pictures from the fundraiser! Thanks to everyone who came and donated and congrats to all winners of raffles, silent auction, the pool players and bean bag players...I love you all! Thank you, Amy Continue

Added by Amy Marie Elit on October 25, 2009 at 10:19pm — No Comments

Delhi, I'm back

After the never-ending trip from Canada to Delhi I finally arrived a week of so ago. After leaving Brazil, I had to process it all, leaving my street kids, my teacher, my friends and moving on. I guess over the years this had been what my life was about, a series of goodbyes and new start-ups! Arriving at Del… Continue

Added by Daniel on October 9, 2009 at 10:42am — 4 Comments

One Week

I can't believe I leave in a week! When I signed up to go to San Carlos, October 18th felt like it was a lifetime away, and yet it managed to creep up on me so quickly! I'm so excited about it, especially now that I've heard from the other volunteers that will be going with me. Plus, we had the conference call a few days ago, so everything feels like it's real now. (That being said, I still haven't had any motivation to start packing!) I still don't know what my placement is, which is kind of f… Continue

Added by Michelle S on October 9, 2009 at 9:09am — No Comments

I'm going to volunteer in San Carlos, Costa Rica and I need your help

Hello Dear Friends: My name is Samira Lawau and I am a recent college graduate (Stony Brook Class of 2008), its been hard finding a job in New York City. Therefore, I have decided to volunteer abroad with Cross-Cultural Solutions and get hands-on experience working side-by-side with local people in Costa Rica. So as to build up my resume. The world is facing challenging times and I want to do my part to help make a difference and learn about global issues. Understanding the perspectives of peo… Continue

Added by Samira Lawau on October 8, 2009 at 2:41pm — No Comments

It's not so bad to be the new one (Right?) :)

One big HELLO to everyone! I'm Bobby. I discovered this amazing page the other day on the site of the EU and I really liked it. I've wanted to be a volunteer in Africa or Asia for quite a long time now and I chose the CCS organisation. I think that working with children is one of the most valuable and enriching experiences in a person's life and each and every one of us should do it. To be honest, I've never worked with children but I think they generally like me. I suppose my English is at a… Continue

Added by Boryana Pencheva on October 5, 2009 at 1:51pm — No Comments

Weather information/area

Would like to volunteer in Guatemala during the month of July, 2010. What is the weather during that time? How safe is Guatemala? I speak Spanish, any suggestions as to which program could be more suitable for me and the people that I will serve? Continue

Added by Bertha Kastiel on October 1, 2009 at 5:09pm — No Comments

Back from Russia

I got back from Russia a week ago today and I am still processing everything that I saw and did there. I could talk (/type) about it for hours but I won't swamp you with the tiny details - I'll let you experience it for yourself, because chances are, if you're reading this, you're seriously considering doing just that. And you should. You really, really should. Whether it's Russia or somewhere else, through CSS or through another organisation, just throw yourself out there and do it. I've only… Continue

Added by Rachel Lewis on September 29, 2009 at 5:12pm — No Comments

Cape Town October 24 - whos going !?!?!?

SO EXCITED!!! just wanted to start this to see if any you guys going are as excited as me! lol packing time is going to be here before we know it!! lolol Continue

Added by Amanda Knapp on September 29, 2009 at 2:49pm — No Comments

Russia

I just got back from 7 weeks in Russia. What an incredible experience! Russia is one extremely interesting country. The site of our volunteer work is the city of Yaroslavl. CCS has a state of the art facility there with all the comforts of home, the staff is a group of extremely caring and gracious individuals. The home itself is sparkling clean, the food is great and the showers have high water pressure which is a pleasure compared to other places I have been. By the way, the home is extremely… Continue

Added by Frank Anthony Valente on September 28, 2009 at 3:43pm — 1 Comment

New te everything, and really excited!

Hello everyone, my name is Ashley Alexander and I just recently stumbled across Cross Cultural Solutions while surfing the web. I have not been able to pull myself away from my computer since. I am going to start fundraising as soon as possible, I want to go to Bangkok, thailand. I have researched everything for quite some time now. I guess my question is i anyone has any good advice or tell me how they made their dream possible? Continue

Added by Ashley Nicole Alexander on September 21, 2009 at 1:11am — No Comments

Tanzania

I have wanted to travel to Africa since I was 10 years old.. I have always told my parents and anyone else that would listen that I was going to go and this upcoming summer I have decided to make this trip a reality. I am beginning to plan the fundraising and I guess just planning the whole trip in general. I have chosen Tanzania and I would appreicate feedback from anyone that has traveled to Africa through Cross Cultural Solutions. I am new to this and I would love anything you want to share.… Continue

Added by Chelsey Echevarria on September 16, 2009 at 2:19pm — 3 Comments

Reflection

I was sitting in Central Park during my trip to visit friends, and suddenly I realise that this trip is the start of so many new things. My life hit a stand still for a short while after i got back from Guatemala and I was confused of which path to take. Being away from home again here has given me time and space to work out what is next. I look back on Guatemala with such fond memories and I am so grateful for the new perspective it has given me of the world and of myself, even if I'm still wo… Continue

Added by Philippa Smart on September 15, 2009 at 7:32pm — 1 Comment

A review of my "Africans and Americans" book

A reader posted a review of my "Africans and Americans" book at Amazon.com Continue

Added by Joseph L. Mbele on September 14, 2009 at 10:00am — No Comments

Gearing Up For Ghana

A little under two weeks until I leave for Ghana! I thought that the closer it got to departure time the more the excitement would overcome the nervousness, but it hasn't...yet. I think most of that is still not knowing my placement. I understand the process, but I must say that I'm anxious to finally know. Fear of the unknown has always been my greatest obstacle to overcome because I build it up so much in my head. I just finished reading a blog by one of the past Ghana volunteers and her exper… Continue

Added by Amanda Williams on September 14, 2009 at 1:00am — 4 Comments

Tchau Brasil !

Tchau Brasil This week is my last week in Brazil as I head now to India to continue my work. Must say this country grew on me. Initially the challenge of the language was quite something but then again I got myself into my books, found a great teacher and just learned the lingo. Then, I had the pr… Continue

Added by Daniel on September 3, 2009 at 5:15pm — No Comments

One week to go...

It's just seven days now until I fly out to Russia. I've been spending the last few months thinking, oh, I could get excited about it and stop being nervous if I only I... had completed my health forms already, got my visa back already, had my new passport already, knew if the hotel really understood my email and booking, etc etc etc. But the truth is, short of buying a suitably sized suitcase and actually putting everything in it, I think I am ready - and I'm still nervous. It's not lo… Continue

Added by Rachel Lewis on August 22, 2009 at 5:20am — 2 Comments

Learn Chinese in one week! Or not.

So I've given up on learning Mandarin because I'm pretty sure I have some kind of learning disability, but I'm still taking classes and I'm actually learning some interesting stuff. In Chinese there are a set number of characters and that number never changes. So when something new is invented, the new thing doesn't get a new character, instead they combine two old characters to describe it. For example, when computers were invented there wasn't a new symbol created; they combined "electric" a… Continue

Added by Pete Bryan on August 20, 2009 at 11:00am — No Comments

Xi'an city wall and zombies

Hello there! In China if you want to say "hello" you say "ni hao". I decided that I'm hip and urban, so I say "Ni Holla". I really think it's going to catch on here in China, so everyone remember this post when it becomes an international sensation. There is a city wall around Xi'an that was built a long time ago. I would tell you when it was built, but Wikipedia is being slow and I know of no other way to research. Some people might tell you that the concept of a city wall is a little out da… Continue

Added by Pete Bryan on August 18, 2009 at 11:00am — No Comments

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