Money and volunteering. It’s an important subject. Because while you may be willing to work for free, life itself is not free. Flights to the Southern Hemisphere don’t just magically pay for themselves. Neither do Spanish lessons, anti-diarrhea medications, mosquito nets, or SteriPENs. (If you don’t know the magic wand of light that is the SteriPEN, see Kate Bennett’s volunteer packing tips, #17). All these costs can add up to some serious plata and this can dampen your ambitious young dream of volunteering in Latin America.

But have no fear! I have some good fundraising news for you. The Learn, Intern, Volunteer Fund a.k.a LIVFund is a recently established organization that awards small scholarships to individuals learning, doing an internship or volunteering abroad in Latin America. Believing that “the exchange of cultures makes the world a better place,” every month LIVFund awards two US$500 scholarships to deserving applicants. While $500 will not cover your whole volunteer gig, it can certainly help you reach your goal of exploring new cultures and experiencing daily life in Latin America.

Sounds almost too good to be true, right? If you’re as skeptical as I am, you may be thinking, My mama didn’t raise no fool. What’s the catch? Well, there are a few.

First, you have to apply for the scholarship (sometimes in life you have to put effort in). Second, you must be at least 18 years old and learn/intern/volunteer for at least one week. Lastly, if you are chosen to receive the scholarship, then you will have to submit three blog posts/videos/creative self-expressions for the LIVFund Blog (couldn’t hurt to submit them to La Vida Idealist, either!).

Kiva and Peace Corps volunteers are 100% eligible to apply as well as participants in formal internship and study abroad programs. Looking to do something on your own? No problem. LIVFund actively supports independent go-getters who are looking to get their hands dirty by implementing self-designed projects. The fund accepts applications all year round.

So, what are you waiting for?

To find out more information about LIVFund as well as a complete list of eligible countries in Latin America, check out the LIVFund website, or follow them on Facebook or Twitter under the handle @LIVFund.

Megan Kaseburg is currently the International Volunteer Coordinator with Habitat for Humanity Argentina. To hear more about her experiences, check out her blog.

Howdy from the United States! As wonderful as it is to wake up in my own bed, overindulge in American food, and catch up with family and friends, I miss Brazil. Luckily, the few Brazilians I know in Philadelphia have tolerated incessant invitations to hang out, helping me to matar a saudade do Brasil.

For those considering a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship, I recommend it without hesitation or reservation. Teaching in Brazil was the most enriching experience of my life. If the idea of learning a new language; meeting the kindest, most welcoming people on earth; exploring new food and music; and challenging yourself to reexamine what it means to be American appeals to you, please apply to teach in Brazil! If I’ve convinced you, I want to give you the tools to make it happen: here’s a brief, cut and dry how-to-guide for the application process.

The Timeline

Because applications must be submitted in September, it’s important to begin working on your application and start lining up your references over the summer. I started late, and as a result had to scramble during August and early September.

If you are an enrolled student or are applying through an academic institution, I highly recommend that you contact your college or university’s career services.If my college’s career services can serve as an example, the folks there will encourage you to visit the Fulbright website regularly and to reach out immediately to your potential references, as filling out the recommendation forms often takes time. I was relieved to know that my three references had completed and submitted their recommendations two weeks before the application was due.

The Application

Next, all applicants are required to complete the application (available online), which includes two essays – a Statement of Grant Purpose and a Personal Statement. In the Statement of Grant Purpose, applicants are asked to write about what draws them both to the country in which they would like to work and to teaching. The Personal Statement requires candidates to reflect upon how they hope their Fulbright experiences might fit into their future career plans.

For some countries, including Brazil, the application calls for a language examination. The language examination form can be found on the Fulbright website. Like recommenders, language examiners tend to like being asked early so that they have time to complete the examination and the subsequent report.

The Waiting

After submitting all written documents, candidates must conduct a short interview (approximately 20 minutes long, if memory serves). If you are affiliated with a college or university, the interview will take place on campus with members of your institution’s Fulbright committee. Several weeks after you submit the application to your academic institution (if that applies), all applicants will submit their applications online to the Fulbright commission. Finally – the worst part – waiting! Finalists learn of their status at the end of January, then grantees hear definitively sometime between March and June.

I hope this helps. Please contact me with any questions at gabriel.b.friedman@gmail.com; I am more than happy to help, if I can.

Thanks for reading! I loved being a part of the La Vida Idealist community, and I look forward to continuing to learn from y’all. Um forte abraço, Gabe.

For more tips on working within the Fulbright Teaching Assistantships or Fellowships, check out “Guest Post: To Kiva Fellow or not to Kiva Fellow, Eso e’ la pregunta. (Part II of III” by Rob Gradoville Jr.,  ”Volunteerism in Latin America: The Big Picture” by Flora Lindsay-Herrera, or read about Lianne Gonsalves’s experiences in Caracas, Venezuela. This is Gabe Friedman’s last post on La Vida Idealist. Gabe just finished a stint as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant at the Instituto Cultural Brasil-Estados Unidos (ICBEU) in Manaus, Brazil and is now working towards the betterment of educational policy in New Jersey as the Special Assistant to Mayor Cory Booker’s Lead Education Advisor.

I love my job.

Now, these critics have a point. If volunteering abroad could be a full-time, financially viable profession, I would jump on that boat in a heartbeat. Currently, I am home working my tail off, specifically so that I can afford to venture back to Central America and volunteer with another non-profit organization.

But working abroad can be a “serious” job too. As a 23-year-old American, I believe that my generation’s conception of a “real” job differs from that of my parents’. When my parents were in their 20s, the professional world existed largely within various office settings and occurred between the hours of 9am and 5pm. Sure, Mad Men, Pleasantville, and I Love Lucy have impressed upon us a generalization of professionalism in the 50’s and 60’s, but that generalization is grounded in truth.

However, in the globalized and tech-savvy world of today, “serious” jobs can have many different forms. While many young adults work the traditional 40 hour weeks in offices (which can be very productive and fulfilling), the advancement of communication technology enables many young professionals to work from home. Likewise, increasing numbers of young adults seek careers as consultants, which allow them to travel throughout the country and work with different companies. For me and many others, the most rewarding jobs are based in developing countries. Nonprofit jobs look very different depending on the country, the organization, the coworkers, etc., but they all require a commitment to development, and a passion for experiencing new lifestyles and cultures.

As fruitless job hunts and the media remind me frequently, the current job market in the US is uninspiring. Nevertheless, I feel so lucky to be part of a generation that has options in the types of jobs available. Any job is a “serious” job, if it supports me and allows me to pursue my passions.

Ginny just finished a thirteen-month commitment as Program Director with Manna Project International-Guatemala. For more on Ginny’s experiences in Guatemala, check out her blog.

When people ask me “how did you find that opportunity?”, my response goes something like this: I created it. After several failed job attempts, I decided it was time to blaze my own trail.

So, where did you begin? For me it was simple: I asked myself what I loved the most and went from there. As the Buddha said, “Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it.” So that’s exactly what I did. I discovered what I knew all along: that I love to inspire and empower others. And so my goal became to first empower myself and then to go out and share what I had learned with others.

After some exposure and training, I proceeded to search out opportunities in the Guatemala City. Ultimately, if you are looking to create your own path, you have to put yourself out there.  First, I had a lead at a local psychology clinic.  I made an initial visit with the clinic and they seemed to be interested. Almost too easy, right? But after several weeks of waiting I realized that if I was going to be working with the clinic, I was going to have to create the position. Using my creativity, I designed a new program to help students preparing to study abroad. Creating this opportunity for myself- seeing a need and making myself useful- was my ticket in and everything else has flowed from that.

With that being said here are a few tips to help you create your own path in Latin America:

1. What are you passionate about? Figure it out and fire up your passions.
2. Attend workshops, trainings, and gatherings centered on your passion and build your network. If you haven’t relocated yet, consider researching for opportunities to network through the websites like Idealist, VolunteerSouthAmerica.org, KindMankind, or LaVidaIdealist.org!
3. Build contacts in country, through friends or acquaintances, and use these contacts to create your opportunities. Ask what they’re up to! Ask how to get involved! And most importantly, play up your skill set and passion! Make sure to think creatively if you are looking to blaze your path.
4. Above all remember to stay positive and persistent in your quest. The possibilities are endless!

For more thoughts on how to find an opportunity abroad, check out Six Simple Steps for Volunteering Abroad, Making It Happen For Yourself, A Job Search from Abroad…, How to Choose a Volunteer Placement Abroad, or LaVidaIdealist’s treasure trove of past posts on looking for opportunities abroad. Mindi Batson is currenting living in Guatemala City, Guatemala and working for G22 as Co-founder and Green Connect Program Developer, as well as an independent English teacher, psychologist, and yoga teacher.

First off, thanks Rob for the recent guest series on various volunteer and development opportunities. Your experiences and incites were concise and objective, great advice to the budding idealist in Latin America. While reading your entries and others on the site lately, I have been deeply considering whether my job belongs on the site. I was inspired by your posts to copy (if the editors keep it this way) your format, and I just wanted to make sure we didn’t leave out another breed of idealist; the international teacher!

1) What it’s Like and What is was Like for Me

I am an English literature teacher in Quito, Ecuador. Being an international teacher in Latin America is filled with options  and great benefits. If you are an experienced teacher in the states looking for a change, or a new teacher looking to experience a new culture, seriously consider this option.  After attending a job fair in Atlanta last year for international schools in Latin America, I became newly fascinated with the career. The caliber of some of the tops schools is really impressive and the opportunity for advancement in the field is abundant. Considering that most international teachers stay at a school for an average of 2-3 years, if you invest some time, and stay longer than that, you will be rewarded with more responsibilities and pay.

Although I have only been to one country so far, Ecuador, I think international teaching offers a comfortable way to get to know another culture and country. Depending on your position, you will have the option to meet and make lasting friendships with a great group of like minded teachers from all over the world, and locals as well.

2) Level of Freedom or Structure

This depends heavily on the individual school. In my first position in Guayaquil, the school gave me a great deal of freedom as a teacher, and as long as the kids or parents didn’t complain too much, I was free to do basically what I chose. Here in Quito, with norms like scheduled “walk throughs” and formal observations from my superiors, setting smart goals, uploading unit and lesson plans; it’s a bit more formal.

When looking for a position, sorting through the myrid of opportunities and finding real schools  can be overwhelming. So, if you are interested in a legitimate international school rather than a language institute,  it is worth it to pay for a subscription to one of the recruiting sites like  TIE online, www.tieonline.com; search associates, http://www.searchassociates.com/; or International School Services, http://www.iss.edu/

3) Was I Useful? Did I make a ‘Difference’?

This is the where I think my experience differs from some of the options Rob detailed. As an international teacher, you usually work with upper class students. The families have money, they can afford to send their kids to bilingual, international caliber, IB diploma school; so they do.

So these are the questions my conscience has been wrestling with: do I need to work with kids in poverty to make a difference? Can I teach privledged Ecuadoriadian kids and get paid almost 10 times the amount of minimum wage here and still be considered an idealist? I certainly see the allure of working with less privileged students, they need the English instruction more than the rich kids do to raise themselves out of poverty, and I have done some fun volunteer projects during my summer breaks here.

But this is my chosen profession, so I am forced to defend it. I am encouraged (and sometimes scared) to think about how many of my students will undoubtedly become leaders in the business or political community here in Quito and Ecuador. So perhaps my influence can make a difference. If I can teach an ounce of humility, I think it could go a long way.

David Whyte, a poet who writes on teaching and imagination,explains it best; “There is a lovely root to the word humiliation – from the latin word humus, meaning soil or ground. When we are humiliated, we are in effect returning to the ground of our being.”

If I can help my students understand themselves and the complex world around them a little better, I feel like I have done my job.

Also, I currently enjoy an ideal situation in which to accomplish the goal above. I have one class of 19 students and 4 classes of 10-13 students each. Small classes are a dream come true for me as a teacher, as (despite what the research says) small classes allow for deeper conversation and appreciation of the material. Not to mention, more one on one attention for each student goes a long way in their development.

4) Dolla Dolla Bills Y’all

The pay is usually enough to live comfortably and save a little. You can easily save 2-3 times as much as I do teaching in China or the middle east, but if you’re on this site  I don’t need to explain the attractiveness of Latin culture!

Other benefits can include professional development opportunities. I am currently pursuing a distance learning masters degree through a university in New York state, and my school here in Quito is subsidizing the program heavily, so I am getting a masters degree as well as experience working and living abroad

5) Was it Worth it?

My favorite professor in university used the phrase “Journey of Self” in all her classes. It served not only as a theme to investigate the literature we read, but also as a reflective tool to evaluate our own development.

For me it is worth it. Teaching is a profession that requires commitment to long term goals and not always instant gratification. If I can force my students into some reflective moments and guide them through their “Journey of Self” during adolescence, I am happy.

For more tips on volunteering abroad, check out the aforementioned guest series by Rob Gradoville (parts the three, two, and one), “Can English Really Open Doors?” by Meredith Price, ”How Much Difference Did I Really Make After 5 Months of Teaching English?” by Jon Clarke, or “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” and “Ready to Teach Abroad? Be Ready for Anything,” by Kent Green. Philip Dixon is an English literature teacher in Ecuador, who has just relocated from Guayaquil to Quito, and a devoted mountain biker. For more information on his experiences, check out his blog.

Today’s guest post comes from Rob Gradoville, a current Kiva Fellow, Rotary Scholar, and Fulbright Fellow in Cusco, Peru. Since 2005, Rob has been thinking about the best way to provide the basic services that rural folks in the developing world want and need most: clean water and electricity. During his undergraduate days he designed a water pumping system for a coffee cooperative in Nicaragua, and was hooked by every aspect of the work. He later worked with the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic, bringing water, improved sanitation, and electricity to a mountain village over the course of his stay. Returning to graduate school he focused on environmental sustainability of service provision, and managed an Engineers Without Borders water pumping and distribution project for a village in Ecuador. Given his myriad experiences in international development work and his familiarity with some of the best-known programs for working and volunteering abroad, his post today seeks to inform would-be-do-gooder’s just what to expect from working and living la vida Idealist. Check out his last two posts, which discussed the value of overseas service-trips & overseas learning workshops and Fulbright Fellowships & Rotary Scholarships.

To recap: I imagine some La Vida Idealist readers have considered applying to the Peace Corps,overseas research grants, overseas workshops on topics in development, Fulbright Fellowships, Rotary Scholarships, Kiva Fellowships, and possibly service-learning trips if you are currently students.  The list goes on and on.  And it can seem like a big and slightly mystifying list for anyone who just wants to make a decision and do something!

There are a lot of similar experiences out there, and it can be tough narrowing down the right choice for you. Here is my perspective as foreign workers in Peru who is currently doing or has done those projects listed above.  If you are thinking about “doing something different,” “getting out of a work rut,” or “finally being one of those people who GOES and DOES something,” I hope this post helps you make a decision about what exactly to do.

The Peace Corps

The author's village in the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic.

1) What it’s Like and What it was Like for Me

I served as a “Healthy Environments” volunteer in the Dominican Republic from 2007 to 2009. Peace Corps is something I can’t stop thinking about.  It is a mix of training, really independent work, and unique field research.  I lived in the mountains with 200 villagers, without ready access to clean water, adequate sanitation, electricity, you name it.  I bathed in the river every day, collected drinking water from a spring with the locals, and really slooooooooowed down for a bit.

I was sent there to help my village gain access to clean, piped water.  I ended up doing that, learning a lot about what it means to be poor and not receive any attention, and working on a bunch of other projects.  The first 3-5 months I was pretty uncomfortable, lonely, even scared at times.  But in the next year and a half I built closer relationships than many of mine in the states and felt much more comfortable, happy, and alive than I have ever felt in the USA.  My time was filled with sun, pipes, wrenches, concrete, donkeys, mud, plantains, mangoes, rice, beans, grants, paperwork, and more community meetings that I can count.

Peace Corps is really an in-depth, immersive service-learning experience.  Nothing is sugar-coated for you, and that might scare you at first.  But as an insider view of a different culture and a different way of life, there is absolutely nothing like it.

2) Level of Freedom or Structure

First three months are language, culture, and technical training.  After that Peace Corps staff tell you to call X number 24-hours a day for health problems, Y number 24-hours a day for other problems, drop you off in a village where you probably only speak a little bit of the local language, and say GOOD LUCK!  They tell you that you will be receiving around $300/month with which you are supposed to live, work, pay rent, buy food, all that.

In short, the Peace Corps provides the most basic structure for survival but beyond that you are on your own.  They also try to pair you up with a community that has need for your specific skill-set.  For me it worked out great.  For others, it was a mess and they had to “make it work” on their own, demonstrating their value and getting involved where they felt they could help.  Peace Corps REQUIRES you to be extremely independent, proactive, and outgoing.

3) Was I Useful? Did I make a ‘Difference’?

Yes and yes – I brought engineering skills to a village that needed them.  I also am kinda stubborn, which helped with motivation in an area that was used to beingpobre, having nada, and expecting nada. Sometimes the match of your skills meshes perfectly with the needs of the community.  If it doesn’t, you better suck it up, find where you are needed, and make it happen.  Peace Corps is an opportunity to guide the development of a poorer area, from the inside out, and will test you in every way.

4) Dolla Dolla Bills Y’all

Peace Corps doesn’t cost you one cent.  They will fly you from you house to the host country, teach you some language skills, some technical skills, and plant you in a community with a family that will take care of you for two years. When it’s all over, they will fly you back home and give you around $6,000 to “re-adjust” to the United States. It is an amazing deal, and I really hope to do it again some day.  On the other hand there is some significant investment of time (2 years of service and three months of per-service training).  On the whole, when I was at home two years later with $6,000 in my pocket, I was financially about the same place as many of my friends who had taken more traditional paths.

5) Was it Worth it?

Yes.  I am a huge fan.  The application and interview process is very rigorous and trying, and the average time between applying and being given an overseas position is usually 6-9 months, but it is well worth it.  Even if you leave your country of service without thinking you “helped” as much as you should have (this is almost universal, by the way), you leave with a very personal relationship with your host-family and community.  That relationship will affect the way you live your life, the perspectives you can understand, and overall, your level of solidarity with people who drew the short straw in life, for whatever reason.  It is not easy or straightforward, but as is a common phrase among RPCVs (Returned Peace Corps Volunteers), that this is “the toughest job you will every love.”

Kiva Fellowship

A group of Kiva borrowers just outside the city of Cusco.

1) What it’s Like and What it was Like for Me

I am currently a Kiva Fellow with Asociación  Arariwa in Cusco, Peru. If you are reading the Stories From The Field blog you probably have a good idea of what we do.  But if you don’t, I am proud to say that Kiva is one of the most organized experiences of this sort that I have participated in.  I was trained for a week in San Francisco(LONG 11-hour-days, where you learn a LOT!), paired with a microfinance organization somewhere in the world, given a desk, given specific tasks (but still the freedom to innovate and take on news tasks as they may appear), and given a lot of support from Kiva Fellows Program staff.  If I need to talk to someone in San Francisco, I can do it probably tomorrow.  If not, I can just keep showing up to my office and working with my in-country partners.

2) Level of Freedom or Structure

As I mentioned above, I was given a work-plan that I am expected to accomplish for Kiva.  They maintain long relationships with their in-country microfinance partners and can look strategically at what most needs improvement at a specific point in time.  Kiva Fellows are eyes, ears, and boots-on-the-ground implementers for all it is that Kiva does.  There is no long period of ‘figuring out what to do’ because you arrive with a very good idea of what needs to be done.  But Kiva is a very innovative startup, with an environment that breads creativity.  I have never felt stifled by any Kiva staff, and that has allowed me to enjoy each day of this Fellowship.

3) Was I Useful? Did I make a ‘Difference’?

Kiva Fellows do important work, work that keeps Kiva not only up and running, but allows them to explore new avenues of growth and innovation.  It is exciting seeing directly the improvements you make with Kiva and your partner microfinance institution.  It is also exciting to be given the chance to go meet Kiva borrowers, meet the loan officers that facilitate those loans, and hear, feel, see how these small loans are such a source of hope and improvement for people all over the world.  I studied engineering, and have not had a problem keeping up with the financial work involved with the position.  I would say if you are comfortable with mathematics and basic accounting you can expect to be utilized very well by a Kiva Fellowship.

4) Dolla Dolla Bills Y’all

The one major downfall of a Kiva Fellowship is that there is no financial support beyond basic health insurance coverage.  Fellows fundraise or directly pay for their time overseas, including the flight to San Francisco for training, the flight overseas, rent, food, etc.  This can be a substantial burden, but I think that the experience is worth the expense.  It is an investment in your personal growth, and allows you to help in a significant capacity with a major player in the world of global investment/philanthropy.

5) Was it Worth it?

Yes.  It is not as easy to say yes because, let’s be honest, a number of other programs don’t require a financial investment up front.  But the Kiva Fellows Program gives you a look into what I consider to be one of the most promising approaches to creatively finance progress and development overseas.  Like most things, and exactly like Kiva borrowers all over the world, you have to invest something financially to reap the benefits later on.

It is a bottom-up approach, and relies on the sensibilities of millions of entrepreneurs.  Kiva provides a loan.  Borrowers decide how to use it to improve their own lives.  In this way, you can be sure that the funds are used for something truly productive.  It is a simple concept, but to keep that bridge open Kiva needs your help.  Kiva NEEDS Kiva Fellows.  Entrepreneurs NEED Kiva Fellows.  And that is why the experience is so worth it.  You can be that person, fill that need, and learn a ton in the process.

*          *          *

There you have it.  Those are my impressions.  I hope this was helpful but now it is up to you to decide.  To each his own!

To recap: I imagine some La Vida Idealist readers have considered applying to the Peace Corps,overseas research grants, overseas workshops on topics in development, Fulbright Fellowships, Rotary Scholarships, Kiva Fellowships, and possibly service-learning trips if you are currently students.  The list goes on and on.  And it can seem like a big and slightly mystifying list for anyone who just wants to make a decision and do something!

There are a lot of similar experiences out there, and it can be tough narrowing down the right choice for you. Here is my perspective as foreign workers in Peru who is currently doing or has done those projects listed above.  If you are thinking about “doing something different,” “getting out of a work rut,” or “finally being one of those people who GOES and DOES something,” I hope this post helps you make a decision about what exactly to do.

FULBRIGHT GRANT

1) What it’s Like and What it was Like for Me

I am currently a Fulbright Scholar here in Peru, working with PACC-Peru on water resources issues associated with climate change in the Andes Mountains. My opinion of Fulbright is very good, though it seems to be relatively front-loaded.  The application process is very rigorous, and at the end of the day requires two very polished essays- one about who you are, and one about what you want to do as a Fulbrighter- and collaboration with a host-institution overseas, which eventually needs to write a letter of support for your work. Once in-country you are given a short (in my case, one-day) orientation by the local Fulbright staff, then are sent off to your location of study.  (Every country is different, and many include a 3-day orientation in Washington DC before departure from the United States, but mine country was not included in this event.)  Upon arrival you discuss that finely tuned research proposal with your host-institution, making modifications that range from slight variations to complete redirection, and you go on your way, exploring whatever you set out to explore.  You are not babysat, you are encouraged to get to know the country, and you are reminded that the research is only part of your experience.  Most Fulbrighters need to be reminded to chill out, not the other way around.

2) Level of Freedom or Structure

Once in country, the Fulbright experience is very open.  You receive a monthly living stipend to cover all of your expenses, and are asked to “check in” once a month just to let the Fulbright Commission know how everything is going.  In this way you really can do anything you want, as long as it is communicated with your host-institution.  I think this would be a daunting challenge if I hadn’t had significant overseas experience previously.  From another perspective, it is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to do and study whatever gets you going!  You are in the driver’s seat.

3) Was I Useful? Did I make a ‘Difference’?

Fulbrighters are listened to.  It is regarded as a very prestigious grant in both the United States and overseas (though I imagine this can depend on the host country).  Though  I am only a couple months into my grant, I am aware that my results will not simply be filed away.  They will be read and analyzed.  The potential for helping is very real.

4) Dolla Dolla Bills Y’all

Fulbright is a grant.  All expenses are paid for (after you are awarded the grant).  So, it is a great option if you have a good idea, connections overseas, and the time and patience necessary to get through the application process and overseas experience (about 2.5 years from the start of the application to the end of the grant period).  The application should be started probably 3-6 months before the submission date, which is typically about a year before the date of departure for Fulbrighters.  And, like all competitive things, there is much luck involved.  I would consider Peace Corps a “weed-in” program, where most applicants who sincerely want to help can make their way in.  Fulbright is a fine toothed comb, and even very brilliant people are not accepted for one reason or another.

5) Was it Worth it?

So far, so good.  I can’t help but compare this experience to that which I had in the Peace Corps.  As a Peace Corps Volunteer I was not respected very much by local government, and generally treated as another “missionary” of sorts.  I understood what poverty was, but felt incapable of fixing lots of the problems I saw.  As a Fulbrighter I know that I have access to much more influential people, and I will be listened to.  It seems to me that it is definitely worth it.  As a side note, had I not experienced the Peace Corps, I might have seen the Fulbright experience as semi “normal”.  I live in an apartment, pay bills, and work on my research.  In that way a Fulbright Grant is less of a life-changing experience for me than living in a mountain village; it is complete freedom to explore issues that are important to me, given the support and resources to do so.

ROTARY SCHOLARSHIP

The author concentrating wayyy too hard to try to take a steady photo, looking down on Cusco, Peru.

I am currently a Rotary Cultural Scholar in Peru. Becoming a Rotary Scholar involves an application similar to Fulbright but, in my opinion, it does not have to be nearly as polished of an idea as the Fulbright application process requires.  I am studying Quechua and water resources management with my Rotary funds.  This Rotary Scholarship provides support monetarily.  There is no orientation, no help with overseas planning, and no in-country contact for my work.  I am on my own.

2) Level of Freedom or Structure

Extremely free.  I have not communicated directly with my grantor more than once in the past two and a half months.  As a Rotary Scholar you define your own structure in the application, and you are expected to follow that plan.  But again, there is no babysitting.  Your experience is what you make of it.

3) Was I Useful? Did I make a ‘Difference’?

I am studying here, so I don’t see a direct impact to what I am doing.  Still, I know that Quechua skills will pay dividends in my Fulbright and Kiva work and will be an invaluable skill in the future.  Whereas Peace Corps was immediate gratification (seeing water come out of a pipe), Rotary is about building capacity, namely in people who they think will be able to help further down the line.  It is similar to Fulbright in this way.

4) Dolla Dolla Bills Y’all

Rotary Grants vary in the amount they provide, but they generally are very flexible as to what they can cover.  Flights, insurance, food, lodging, costs of courses and/or tutors, and cultural trips are all fair game.  The grants vary greatly in their duration, but one year seems to be common.  In my case, the funds were dispersed up-front and I am required to provide documentation of all expenses.  Whatever isn’t spent, I will have to give back.

5) Was it Worth it?

Very much so.  More than the funding, Rotary is a global network.  I hope that this experience will help me connect with like-minded people in the future as I may try to continue to “help” those in the world that need it.  As an experience by itself, I think Rotary is amazingly un-regulated.  As a first long-term overseas experience, I would not recommend it.  The structure provided by Peace Corps, Fulbright, and Kiva(discussed below)  are necessary to guide your overseas experience.  That said, if you are an experienced traveler and are looking for some funding to do something creative and open-ended, a Rotary Scholarship might be just what you are looking for.

Check out Part I, which took on overseas service-learning trips and overseas workshops, and stay tuned for Part III, which will Kiva Fellowships and the Peace Corps.

Should I become a Kiva Fellow? I imagine some La Vida Idealist readers have considered applying to the Fellowship, or have wondered what the comparison is between the Kiva Fellows Program to similar volunteer or development programs abroad. This may include the Peace Corps, overseas research grants, overseas workshops on topics in development, Fulbright Fellowships, Rotary Scholarships, and possibly service-learning trips if you are currently students.  The list goes on and on.  And it can seem like a big and slightly mystifying list for anyone who just wants to make a decision and do something!

There are a lot of similar experiences out there, and it can be tough narrowing down the right choice for you. Here is my perspective as a Kiva Fellow in Peru who is currently doing or has done those projects listed above. This series of posts will compare and contrast “what it’s like” to be a Kiva Fellow to the myriad other programs out there.  If you are thinking about “doing something different,” “getting out of a work rut,” or “finally being one of those people who GOES and DOES something,” I hope this post helps you make a decision about what exactly to do.

To that end I will categorize each of the above experience based on five criteria.

1) What it’s Like and What is was Like for Me

2) Level of Freedom or Structure

3) Was I Useful? Did I make a ‘Difference’?

4) Dolla Dolla Bills Y’all

5) Was it Worth it?

‘Nuff talk.  Enjoy!

Overseas Service Learning

College students working on clean water project in Ecuador, '11.

1) What it’s Like and What It was Like for Me

I designed community water projects in Nicaragua as a student and have directed service learning projects for students to do the same in the Dominican Republic and Ecuador(and will do the same in Peru this coming spring).

Service-learning is really close to my heart because it is how I got pulled out of the sometimes dry world of engineering and into the colorful, inspired, much more complicated world of international development..  As a fourth-year undergraduate engineering student I designed a water pumping and delivery system for a village in Nicaragua. In order to implement this project, I  wrote out a proposal and was granted $10,000 bucks from the Davis “Projects for Peace” Foundation.  This service learning experience showed me for the first time how useful my skills could be in the world.  I have never been as challenged on a daily basis as I was during that project, nor have I have I been as ecstatic to get up every day and work.  My work included engineering design, studying Nicaraguan history and politics, trying to communicate with NGOs overseas and in the states, and learning as much Spanish as possible.  Occasionally I would talk with people in the village itself through skype, and my heartbeat literally doubled from excitement.  That personal connection was something extremely knew and exciting.

Service learning may exist at your university, and may not.  If it does, be proactive and get involved, then make it your own.  If it doesn’t exist, make it happen!  I found like-minded students and professors, and was allowed to work on the first service-learning engineering project at my university.  My last year at college I learned more than I did in the previous three, thanks to this service-learning project.

2) Level of Freedom or Structure

Usually these are fairly structured, for good reason.  It is part of a class and you have to finish SOMETHING.  Small, bite-sized projects are typical for service-learning experiences.  So, don’t get involved in this if you want to have the freedom to do exactly what you want or possibly scrap your original idea half-way through.  That said, these projects typically are more open to creativity than standard theoretical projects and/or reports.

3) Was I Useful? Did I make a ‘Difference’?

My experience was great, and I think I did help.  My service-learning team (engineers and environmental science students) was lucky enough to successfully pair up with NGOs that had follow-through capabilities.  This was very important, as we were new to the work.  Looking back, we were a group of young students trying to change the lives of 350 Nicaraguans.  That is powerful stuff, and if we were alone on the project, I think we would have had little impact or worse, would have set them back.  Make sure you have a good mentor capable of picking up the pieces if you decide to start up a new service-learning project.

4) Dolla Dolla Bills Y’all

This stuff usually costs some dough.  I would expect it to be around $1000-$3000 extra to do one of these for a semester rather than typical coursework. It is possibly included in your course fees or can tack on an additional couple grand.  Every experience is different.  BUT the good news is that you can dip in the educational funds money-bucket.  Educational grant funds are huuuuuge.  You can probably apply for scholarships, grants, etc. and get away doing this kind of thing almost for free.  If your “project” costs money to implement, that’s another thing.  It will probably be much harder to find funds within your university to go and implement, but look!  Mission programs, international study offices, and outside foundations like the one mentioned above are a good start.

5) Was it Worth it?

As a foot in the door, DEFINITELY.

That said, service-learning is a mixed bag, because it is usually attached to an educational institution (universities) where there is a focus on the educational component for students.  That is great, but sometimes leaves the person/group you were serving a little disappointed.  As service-learning is a partnership between a student-group and clients (overseas or not), there is much time and effort invested on both sides.  The student group will be expected to do more than simply write a final report, in many cases.  Be wary of the impact you are having on the project beneficiaries, and make sure that when you leave they also think it was worth it.  But at the end of the day, if I had not done this I would probably be a much wealthier but much more depressed engineer, sitting in a cubicle somewhere, making calculations.  Therefore I am a huge fan of service learning as a tool to show young people how to engage their community and world, and try to help.  To read an article I published on service-learning click here.

Overseas Workshops

The author soldering together individual solar cells in Nicaragua, 2007

1) What it’s Like and What it was Like for Me

I participated in a workshop on Appropriate Technologies in Nicaragua with the National Engineering University of Managua, which entailed some basic classes on the physics behind appropriate technologies like solar panels, solar water pumps, biodigestors, solar ovens, rope pumps, composting latrines etc.  We also built our own solar panels, solar cookers, helped construct an adobe building, and practiced our intercultural skills with a “homestay” with a humble Nicaraguan family. I have also participated in a  course on Globalization, Leadership, and Technology that culminated in an overseas conference in Vietnam and Taiwan.  The conference encompassed some very high level, involved visits with CEOs of large corporations and, in my opinion, was very much an outsiders view of a local culture.  The former was a bottom-up approach.

These experiences are similar to service-learning projects being that you are really only expected to learn.  They are also a great foot in the door or a refresher course on field work in a specific part of the world.

2) Level of Freedom or Structure

These are very structured. There will probably be a schedule for everything you do, from the time you land on the runway to the time you are swooped back up. They are usually pretty jam-packed and don’t leave much freedom to “do what you want” if it isn’t the specific goal of the workshop.

3) Was I Useful? Did I make a ‘Difference’?

The goal of these courses isn’t to ‘make a difference’ at all, or at least directly.  You pay to participate in these courses, and some of those funds may go towards the efforts of an NGO or social movement, but don’t expect to directly have a huge impact on anyone.  I didn’t leave Nicaragua thinking I had helped much, but I was more equipped to do so in the future.  I knew leaving Asia that I hadn’t done anything, but the experience might contribute to my future path in life.

4) Dolla Dolla Bills Y’all

Pricey.  I have seen these offered anywhere from $500-$1500 for a week!  That adds up.  Outside funding is probably harder because of what I said in #3. These courses are similar in price to overseas vacation tours.  The only difference is that on vacation tours you typically sit on a beach, get a tan, and enjoy relaxing.  For those short on time, this is probably a good option.

5) Was it Worth it?

In terms of professional development, for sure.  It is a very unique experience and might inspire you to do more, learn more, etc.  These are typically more serious about transferring knowledge to you than service-learning trips, so in terms of personal bang for your buck they might about the same, even though service learning experiences might be much longer.  Nevertheless, the personal connection to the experience developed over a longer period of time like a service-learning project is unlikely in these shorter trips.

Stay tuned for Parts II and III, which will cover Fulbright Grants, Rotary Scholarships, Kiva Fellowships, and the Peace Corps.

UTPMP is best known locally for its work building houses- they organize ‘massive builds,’ where up to 3,000 volunteers work in groups of ten to build a temporary shelter for a family. While my experience in this area has been unquestionably great, most of my time is spent working with the villa of Monte Rosa in the area of microcredits.

The microcredit lending program is barely a year old, and today we held the first annual Microcredit Lending Conference for loan recipients from all the different neighborhoods in Buenos Aires. The loan recipients worked in groups to discuss various hardships and how they had overcome obstacles, listened to stories of inspiration from keynote speakers, and were able to feel part of a larger community throughout the city. Participants in the program often feel abandoned by the government, and the sense of unity and solidarity brought by UTPMP’s programs helps motivate them to continue fighting to improve the neighborhoods in which they live.

Of course, the conference was attended by families (though mostly women), and many children. The asado (Argentine barbecue) and bouncy castle were perhaps as important as the speeches, allowing all the conference participants to feel at home and interact with each other and UTPMP volunteers.

Overall, the conference was deemed a success by everyone. Spirits were rejuvenated while maintaining a positive and casual environment, encouraging all the participants to keep at it and support each other in their growth. Personally, I was touched, and ended the day with the hope that high spirits translate into effective action.

For more on Un Techo de Mi Pais, check out their website or “Non-Profit Spotlight: Un Techo Para Mi Pais, Argentina” by former La Vida Idealist contributor Becca Mondshein. Luba Guzei just ended her work as an English teacher with Langrow in Lima, Peru and is searching out new opportunities in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Late 2009, I was a classic case of the leave-everything-behind syndrome. Having just finished my philosophical dissertation and stashed it in my professor’s letterbox, I was ready to put its contents – it was a study in ethics – into practice. I gave up my small Berlin apartment along with the odd job I did to pay for it, bought a bunch of flight tickets – and took off on a journey I called Charity Travel.

What I wanted to do was to promote the concept of helping grassroots initiatives in the developing world while traveling. I wanted to show that you could be engaged in other ways than simply giving out donations. Technical, medical, or journalist skills are of great value, as are organizing talent or the ability to expose and connect initiatives in a meaningful way.

In November 2009, a woman I had met in Korea had fallen for the idea. We decided spontaneously to travel around the world together visiting charitable initiatives and building momentum for this thing we called “charity travel.” We were inseparable during the adventure that took us to 40 countries in Africa, Asia, and South America. In April 2011 we married traditionally in South Korea.

Our journey is documented on charitytravel.blogspot.com. We’re not a big organization with public relations, fundraising, and legal departments. We’re typical travelers trying to make a difference.

During that journey I learned two critical lessons for our work. First, the smallest initiatives could use our help the most. Instead of “digging trenches” or performing other tasks such as primary child care or medical check-ups locals should be doing (or trained to be doing), such start-ups are in need of a few simple things: rust, exposure, expertise, and moral support.

Second, intrepid travelers could give these initiatives just that, either first-hand or by connecting them so others they’ve met along the way or online. But how to get people involved? How to connect struggling grassroots initiatives with the world of charity travelers? And more importantly, even if our struggling grass roots initiative manages to make its voice heard, we don’t know if we can trust it.

Meet KindMankind.net. I launched www.kindmankind.net in April 2011 as a website targeting independent travelers with a desire to do good works. But who scouts these invisible promising yet fragile people and their initiatives? This is the task of Kind Mankind’s “independent changemakers.”

These “independent changemakers” travel to communities who need and deserve change and help responsibly. A nurse from Kansas, while on vacation in Nepal, finds a struggling community clinic (not just the ones already mighty enough to launch their own website) and she sets up an “air-bridge” support of clean needles while en passant pointing out the importance of hand washing. A German construction worker spontaneously teaches a two-week course of an advanced technique to local builders in Tanzania – builders that are ‘common people’ and have never heard of NGOs.

They are change makers because they often bring transformational change to a community, contributing their skills to local startup initiatives such as microlending groups, community centers, schools, ecotourism initiatives, sensitizing campaigns, or human rights activists. They are independent because they can take care of themselves and they can help out initiatives that are not well-managed -yet. That means they can have a true impact.

Unlikely? Is creating such opportunities mere opportunism or can it be a vital resource in our quest to make the world fairer and more liveable? Let’s find out!