Featured Blog Posts (121)

your daily dose of happiness

video shot by Stephen at his placement, Uwewayaki Nursery School Continue

Added by Emily Michelle on November 16, 2009 at 5:41pm — No Comments

Hi Friends! I am enrolled to volunteer in Trang, Thailand this January and I will be going for a 9 week period. Does anyone know how much I should plan on bringing for spending money? I don't plan on going too crazy as a tourist, I basically just don't want to underestimate living expenses... anyone familiar with this? Continue

Added by Kristin Martino on November 17, 2009 at 10:40pm — No Comments

The CCS Marketplace has Launched!

We are very proud to announce the launch of the CCS Marketplace! The CCS Marketplace is full of customized goodies that include a variety of t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, tote bags, aprons, mugs, and even adorable infant apparel. The CCS Marketplace was created due to requests from alumni, enrolled volunteers, and fundraisers, looking for ways to help spread the word about volunteering abroad with CCS. Show your CCS pride and tell the world where you just volunteered or are planning to… Continue

Added by Cross-Cultural Solutions on November 13, 2009 at 6:00pm — 1 Comment

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

coffee tour: from bean to belly

Pick. Peel. … Continue

Added by Emily Michelle on August 10, 2009 at 4:10am — 3 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Zanzibar!

After Dana and I concluded our 4 weeks at CCS, we traveled for a week after. We knew we wanted to go to the island of Zanzibar and decided to go for 4 nights and spend the last 2 nights of our week back in Moshi, we grew so attached to Moshi that it only felt right to spend some more time there. Most people fly to Zanzibar via Kilimanjaro airport - it is only about an hour flight. But since Dana and I had a week, and wanted to save a considerable amount of money...we decided to go on an adventu… Continue

Added by Abby Rzepnicki on August 10, 2009 at 9:44am — 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

Tuleeni Orphanage & Mrupanga Primary School

Tuleeni Orphanage and Mrupanga were my two placements during my time with CCS. I absolutely fell in love with both of them. When we arrived in Tanzania the students were still on their summer break, so we had 3 full days at the Orphanage- getting to know the children and teaching them small lessons. Dana and I started at Mrupanga our second week at CCS and were faced with a whole new set of challenges, some tougher than others, but over-all the experience at the primary school was incredible. I… Continue

Added by Abby Rzepnicki on August 10, 2009 at 9:10am — 1 Comment

CCS Homebase & 4th of July Crew

So. Homebase. It was awesome! Nothing at all what I was expecting, but I had no idea what to expect to begin with! It was located in Moshi, right outside of town. There were 2 houses on the compound and open-area dining facility. The houses were very hospitable and had bathrooms, running water (not always hot, but you get used to taking cold showers), and bunk rooms. Our living room also had an old TV where we spent nights watching classics- like the Lion King and the Little Rascals. There was… Continue

Added by Abby Rzepnicki on August 10, 2009 at 9:17am — No Comments

I'm home

(Wednesday, August 5) Adjusting to the jet lag and the culture shock, and missing these kids a lot...

Continue

Added by Emily Michelle on August 10, 2009 at 4:16am — 1 Comment

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