Volunteering Abroad Offers Ultimate in Cultural Immersion

(ARA) - Brian Boyle was looking for a new volunteer challenge. When he learned that he could combine a vacation with volunteering in another country, he was sold.

"I wanted to give and be part of the gift at the same time," said Boyle, of Santa Barbara, Calif., who spent three weeks helping build four Habitat for Humanity homes in the west-African country of Ghana. "You go with the intention of changing people's lives, but more often than not you come back changed yourself."

Boyle is not alone. A growing number of travelers are finding that volunteer trips not only add purpose to their lives, they also provide an insider's view of the local people, their culture and the places that few tourists ever enjoy.

As interest in volunteering abroad has increased, so have the opportunities. You can teach English in Ecuador, care for the elderly in Uganda, or build houses in Thailand. Likewise, you can choose a program length that fits your lifestyle, from a few days to several years.

Boyle is even more excited about future volunteer efforts abroad after learning of a new program, Thrivent Builds Worldwide, a joint effort between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, based in Minneapolis and Appleton, Wis., and Habitat. Since he is a Thrivent Financial member, he can receive financial assistance to travel abroad for volunteer home building.

After his Ghana experience, Boyle attended a two-day training course that enables him to lead Thrivent Builds Worldwide trips in more than 50 countries. His first trip as a leader will be to Raduati, Romania. "I'll probably go on two or three trips this year," he related. "I'm thinking about returning to Ghana, but I'm also considering South America or our own country's Gulf Coast after the Romania trip."

Habitat for Humanity affiliates from around the world host Thrivent Builds Worldwide teams, which work side-by-side with future homeowners and local volunteers. Trips last from one to three weeks and include work and leisure.

"While teams spend most of the time building, a few days -- depending on the length of the trip -- are spent touring local historic sites or attractions, or participating in outdoor recreational activities," says Mark Andrews, executive director of Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity, the $105 million alliance between Thrivent Financial and Habitat for Humanity. "Safaris in national parks, visits to ancient ruins, museums and churches, hikes in the mountains and rainforests, whitewater trips and more are all part of the cultural experience for teams."

So how do you find the right volunteer trip for you? One way is to check with social, religious, environmental, or other groups that are aligned with your interests or beliefs. Such organizations as Habitat for Humanity and the American Red Cross rely on volunteers in their international efforts.

Another route is via agencies that specialize in volunteer trips, such as Cross Cultural Solutions, United Planet Quests and One Small Planet. These agencies may offer a wider range of work opportunities than any one interest group, with a large selection of locations and time frames.

You may also find an international volunteer opportunity through your place of worship or even your employer. Many churches sponsor members on trips to aid people in need overseas, and some companies provide employees with time off for volunteer trips and may even help with expenses.

Before you sign up for an overseas volunteer trip, research the sponsor thoroughly to ensure that you'll be safe and supported throughout your experience. Specifics to review include program costs and terms, references from former volunteers, political stability in the country you're considering, type of lodging and sleeping arrangements provided, provisions for plenty of safe food and water, provisions for security at the work site, and access to telephones or other modes of communication.

With a bit of planning and some hard work, you can explore a new country in an intimate way you'll not soon forget. And if your experience is like Brian Boyle's, the people you visit will remember it even longer. To learn more, visit www.thriventbuilds.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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