volunteer travel
Volunteer travel trips give something more than just fond memories; tips and recommendations to give back while you Wander.
Then vs. Now: Peace Corps Training
In March of 1961, President John F. Kennedy signed the Peace Corps into executive action. By August of 1961, the first wave of Peace Corps Volunteers arrived at their new country of home for the next 2 years. Since its inception 60 years ago, the training that Volunteers go through to prepare them for their new life in the Peace Corps has changed dramatically. When the organization began, a few training camps were set up at the United States to prepare the Volunteers over the course of 2 months for the living conditions and the work they would be doing. After training was completed in the United States, the trainees became full-fledged Volunteers and were finally sent abroad. I began my Peace Corps service in January of 2016 and was sent to Ecuador. My training started with something called Staging. My entire Omnibus met in Miami, got to know each other, and received our official documents and passports over the course of two days. Then we all boarded a plane together and flew the 4 hours to Quito, where we were picked up at the airport by the Peace Corps Ecuador staff to lots of signs, posters, and fanfare. Once in Ecuador, our Pre-Service Training lasted 3 months. In the early days of the Peace Corps, the Volunteers would arrive in country already sworn it and would often be greeted by top national government officials. I was sworn in at the end of the 3 month in-country training in a ceremony at the United States’ Ambassador’s house led by the Ambassador himself.
By Emily Boyer5 years ago in Wander
The10 Day Journey That Changed My Life
INTRODUCTION In June 2016, I travelled to South Africa as a 17 year old boy to take part in a charity workshop. This is a charity which I had been working with for just about a year. This charity is called Heart4More which specialises in educating the public on the heart and the life threatening issues many people face everyday worldwide. We aim to educate the public in knowing how to deal the situations of heart attacks and cardiac arrests. I had been participating in the cardiac workshops since September 2015; these workshops were taken out in various settings such as schools, youth clubs, football clubs and even shopping centres.
By Anthony Lynch5 years ago in Wander
My trip to the Dominican Republic
On Monday, our flight from Chicago to New York got cancelled, so we stayed in the airport's hotel and most of our time spent there was just sitting in a room talking about everything together - this ended up being called "bonding time" (some of the best moments throughout this trip was during these late night times together too).
By Meghan Farr5 years ago in Wander
Giving back in Uganda
My late best friend Lindsay Hawley had dreamed of initiating a sustainable sewing program in Tijuana back in 2016 when we looked at sewing machines and materials as she excitedly talked to an organization down there about empowering the women currently living in the Tijuana dump. Burnt by yet another person that did not appreciate her efforts, The project was shelved, and Lindsay passed in 2017 before it was able to go anywhere. It was something incredibly close to her heart though, as she cared so much about giving women a sustainable opportunity to build their own future. So when I was contacted by a woman from Uganda later that year called “Angel” on behalf of her organization “Destiny Wings” via facebook, I was struck by the similarities in their missions and motivation. There was no doubt in my mind that was the project I wanted to promote. But after some time back and forth, I waited to talk to Angel via skype and hear their Village needs and suggestions. There is no coincidence when I tell you her 20 page pdf on a sewing program she already had prepared was sent soon after.
By Kelly Pantaleoni5 years ago in Wander
10 Days in Iceland
Iceland was far from the first country outside of my own that I had visited. It was mid-May, months into my gap year, and my family had gone on holiday abroad even before I saved up enough to send myself travelling. But Iceland was the first country that I visited with a purpose that went beyond sightseeing and relaxation; I was going as a volunteer, and I was incredibly excited.
By Typethreewriter5 years ago in Wander
Kindness Across Countries
I am a donkey. Well, I am as stubborn as one, at least. From a young age, I had always wanted to go on a mission trip to provide aid to those in third-world countries. I had tried to go to Mexico several times, but the political turmoil there prevented me from being allowed to go throughout my teenage years.
By Rayna Ibarra5 years ago in Wander
The 10 Best Reasons to Volunteer Abroad
Everyone that has volunteered abroad has shared stories about how it’s changed their life and they are so happy they did it. If you’re unsure about working hard in a remote location when you’re abroad instead of having fun drinking and sitting on the beach, we’ve gathered the top 10 reasons why you should take the step to volunteer abroad. Everyone has a different reason for doing it, but we guarantee some of these will speak to you and make up your mind.
By Katherine Rundell5 years ago in Wander
Pros & Cons of Living & Working in Hostels
Sometimes things backfire on you when you least expect it. And for me, it was definitely unexpected, but at the same time, awesome that I found out about this. If there's anything I regret about this, it's that I wish I took the chance sooner. Let me give you some more information on what I'm talking about in case the title just doesn't do it for you.
By Mister A S H E R6 years ago in Wander
I Visited The Kremlin
When I first began to think of going to Moscow and the counting of Rubles, the official currency of Russia, I think of Shakespeare’s famous plays. I began to imagine an ancient city, as old and quaint as my imagination can fathom. Moscow counts as a very modern city dotted here and there by relics of the hay days of capitalist reign, an impression that still lingers on her shoulder. Yet, the monasteries, which I visited and the famous cathedrals that have survived far more dramatic threats are under some kind of reconstruction. My mind’s eye can still glaze at the unbreakable Kremlin Walls and hovering Towers and the Red Square where many wonderful, and truly elaborate parades must have taken place through the centuries, watched by Czars and other great figures of the day.
By Andrew Benson Greene6 years ago in Wander
The Africa Journal
(Times are in military time.) 6/21/07 1848 - Washington/Dulles airport. First leg of trip done. The flight was good, a little bumpy leaving Denver. I have a 3 hour layover then on to Heathrow. I’m travelling with Mary F. and Lorraine S. Mary is a Nurse Practitioner. Lorraine is an RN. Mary is sweet and has gentle energy. Lorraine is a go-getter. I’m somewhere in between. I think this will be fun. Art had a hard time this morning with me leaving. I’m betting he cried on the way home. Strangely I didn’t feel like crying. I felt like it at first but was ok after a short time.
By Hilary Miminguaquay7 years ago in Wander
