The excerpt presents a highly self-analytical question to the internationally mobile population of dreamers and do-gooders: Are you running from or toward something? Only the delusional would argue that there is nothing personal about their flight. Just looking to make the world a better place by gi[...]
Archive for the ‘Tips & Resources’ Category
September 1st, 2010 - 7:24 am § in Careers, Good Ideas, Looking for Opportunity, Nonprofit Spotlight, Tips & Resources
You Have to Walk Before You Can Run Away
Signing Off: Reverse Culture Shock and Lessons Learned from a Year Abroad
Last week I stepped onto U.S. soil for the first time in a year, and I admit that I’m experiencing a classic case of reverse culture shock. For the first few days I felt a pang of worry before drinking tap water, and was reluctant to throw toilet paper into the bowl. I wondered at [...][...]
August 26th, 2010 - 8:05 am § in Tips & Resources
Pre-Departure Checklist
I’m packing my bags. My college roommate gets married on Saturday, and I’ll be darned if I miss it. Despite the fact I’m technically already traveling, and at one point my belongings here filled two suitcases, this trip will involve transit through four countries via bus, boat, two[...]
Lessons of Working in Another Culture
Long-term international development work is a unique experience. It’s quite different than just moving to a new city in your own culture to start a job. Not only do you know no one, but you also don’t know the culture and how they work. Can they work as a team? Can they not? Are they effici[...]
Part 2: The Ins and Outs of Traveling Bolivia
This is Part II of Lindsey’s traveling in Peru and Bolivia series. Someone at Loki Hostel in Cuzco recommended the bus company Litoral for the trip from Cuzco to La Paz. Unfortunately, sometimes even with recommendations you have to do your own research. I should have been alerted when the bu[...]
Runway Mix: This Time Tomorrow
The day of departure is an emotionally volatile period for soon-to-be expats. Anticipation is tarnished by anxiety. Isolation belittles independence. Caffeine wrestles with physical and psychological exhaustion. On May 19, 2010, the day that a Midwest summer was traded for the Central American rainy[...]
Part I: Traveling Peru, Lonely Planet Style
Traveling South America can be overwhelming because you have to be ready for anything. Flexibility is key. Prepare yourself for broken down buses with no heat, no means of communication, shady bargain prices, and cross your fingers for relatively smooth, low hassle travel. I flew one-way from Santia[...]
If I Won the Lottery Tomorrow: Why Everyone Should Volunteer
I think it should be mandatory for every university degree to include a volunteer component, whether locally or internationally. Why? I have recently returned to my home in Canada after eight months of working at a Costa Rican microfinance organization. Most of my friends have university degrees and[...]
