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 are now working as engineers for oil companies, as finance consultants for investment firms, as managers, or studying to become a lawyer/dentist.  Many have admitted to me that they don’t see any real purpose in what they are doing, that they live for the weekend and their jobs are merely a means to an end. When I tell them that life is too short and they should look for a job that they enjoy doing, they tell me that ¨I’m too idealistic¨ or ¨There aren’t enough jobs like that out there¨ or ¨If everybody did what they wanted to do, nobody would pick up the trash.¨

All I know is that I started out as a volunteer and now I’m being paid to do work that I originally did for free. Isn’t that the goal, to do work that you would do even if you weren’t getting paid? Let’s put it this way, if I won the lottery tomorrow, I wouldn’t quit working at Fundación Mujer.

When volunteering, you meet other volunteers from all over the world. These people are fiercely motivated, not by money, but by a cause. Usually that cause is fighting against some type of injustice which they deem unacceptable. For me, this injustice is poverty,  and more specifically, the feminization of poverty.

When surrounded by people who are truly motivated by the work they are doing, you become motivated. This type of inspiration is not the type you find in organizational behavior textbooks, because it has nothing to do with carrot and stick methods or public recognition for completion of certain tasks. You find that you start to push yourself to contribute to projects and answer the question, ¨How can I best contribute to the success of this organization? ¨ You ask this question humbly and not because your boss wants you too or because you might get a bonus or extra time off if you answer it correctly, but because you want the project to succeed, and nothing more.

When you feel yourself being driven by a cause that you care about, work doesn’t seem like work. Obviously there are days when you don’t feel like waking up, when strenuous situations are presented, but what keeps you going is the people you work with, the people you work for (for me, it’s the microfinance clients) and the underlying personal meaning of the work that you do. I’m not saying that you can’t find this motivation in the corporate world, but ask yourself  this, ¨Would I still be working here if I won the lottery tomorrow?¨

If not, drop what you are doing, pick a cause you are interested in and start volunteering. You won’t regret it — nobody ever does.

Sebastian Kindsvater will be returning shortly to Costa Rica, where he is the Kiva Coordinator/Loan Officer for Fundación Mujer.

If this post has inspired you to volunteer, check out these other La Vida Idealist posts for more ideas on how to take that first step: “How to Choose a Volunteer Placement Abroad,” “Six Simple Steps for Volunteering Abroad,” “Making It Happen for Yourself,” “So You Spin the Globe…,” “It Pays To Do Some Research,” “Panning for Gold: Plucking Out the Nonprofit Gems,” “Volunteering 101: Interview Yourself,” and “Five Things to Think About When Choosing Your Volunteer Location.“

How do you make your program more interesting to this potential sponsor than the tens of hundreds of other child-sponsor programs? How do you convince someone that the needs of your kids are great enough to warrant their attention, and their money?

The usual routines, which I’ve seen used, are to take photos of children when they’re looking especially woebegone, poverty-stricken, or sad. And offer those children up to be sponsored. You describe the economic climate of the area you’re serving, focusing on how desperate and without resources it is.

You emphasize how poor, and how without all-the-things-that-children-merit your kids are. You emphasize how important your project is to the future of these children.

I didn’t think about any of these things as I wrote my letter to my friends and family asking them to donate or become a sponsor. I just wrote about how hard life is for some families here in San Pedro La Laguna, especially for single mothers, or women who’ve taken in the child of another family member (daughter, sister, brother). And how appreciative the moms are for the relatively small basket of food we give them every six weeks; how excited the kids are to have new pants, shirts and shoes for Feria. I wrote about our classes to teach the children to draw and paint, encouraging their imaginations and creativity while increasing their self-esteem, as well as future potential earning-power in this town known for its artists.

I talked about the life these kids lead—helping their mom carry wash to and from the lake, where the family bathes; carrying firewood from the mountains to feed the cooking fire; living in one room with several family members. Very few kids in this pueblo use outhouses or fetch water from a community tap, as occurs in the nearby pueblo of my other project. But toilets can be makeshift structures behind a curtain off the kitchen or patio; water in the tap is cold and not really clean. There’s mold on the walls of the rooms in the rainy season, and leaks in the roof. (Heck, I have those in my rented house!)

I wrote about the things that touch my heart. And I took photos of the kids that delighted me: Romeo hunched over his drawing board seated on top of a rock by the lake; three girls sitting in a boat while they painted; a boy in rapt attention while our director showed him a drawing technique.

I love these kids. They are as bright and sweet and sometimes sad, or as pesky as any kids anywhere, and they deserve an outing at times, a refreshment, a chance to stretch their wings. They deserve to learn and be appreciated.

I hope that love comes across.

I hope it’s enough.

Mira Talbot-Pope is currently volunteering with Ayudame a Pintar Mi Futuro.  For more on her adventures, check out her blog. For a different take on the ethics of poverty marketing, read “Photo Project Puts Poverty Into Perspective.“

1. Preparing the Students

A recurring problem with NGOs, especially those that work with kids, is the “revolving door” of volunteers. That is, many who come to dedicate their time only have the ability to stay for a few weeks or months, which can be emotionally wrenching for the kids they mentor. Children become quickly attached to adults, and it is difficult for them to see those they love yanked from their lives so suddenly and with such frequency.

Thus, it is imperative that kids are notified of your upcoming departure with ample anticipation. In our case, we sat each group of girls down and explained that, while we would miss them dearly, it was time for us to return to the United States. We then said that there would be two new, very nice and fun profes coming to take our place, and gave the girls a chance to ask about their new teachers. At our battered teen women’s home, where the young mothers already have abandonment issues, this talk was especially important.

2. Prepping the New Program Managers

Last month we sent out a handbook to the new Program Managers. This contained information regarding where we work, how to get there, school contact info, and sample lesson plans. In editing the handbook, we aimed at providing enough specifics to give a comprehensive picture of our work, yet tried not to overwhelm them with unnecessary details.

As the new PMs will not only be learning the ropes of a new job, but also getting used to a new city and life in a developing country, it is useful to include in the handbook basic information about the city. Additionally, every year our bosses in the States send the new PMs a book on the history of Peru, in order to provide them with some cultural and political context of the country in which they will be living.

Most importantly, when introducing the new Program Managers to students and all school administrators, they should already be well schooled in the organization’s daily functions. The more confident and prepared they are, the smoother your transition will be.

Kimberly is currently serving as Program Manager for GirlSportWorks, a US-based NGO that seeks to enhance the lives of Peruvian girls through athletics.

My Spanish phrases, although limited, are now the first ones that come to mind.  I also find myself responding to or questioning things in Spanish anytime I try to interact with others or read something on paper. That’s not to say there aren’t moments that are hugely frustrating – in one moment I can feel semi-fluent, then at the end of a long day feel again like I understand near nothing. I have to admit there are moments I really struggle with trying to balance my great desire to communicate with not being able to say and mime all that I want to.

Just one of thousands Spanish language newspapers

I read recently on a Rosetta Stone advertisement that in order to really learn a language you need to become (or at least act like) a baby again, and I think it’s true. My advice for what it’s worth is to surround yourself with all things and people associated with your desired language. For example, if your goal like mine is to learn Spanish, then:

• Listen to Spanish songs and radio
• Watch Spanish movies and T.V.
• Read Spanish books, magazines and newspapers. Keep a dictionary beside you while you read them.
• Stay with a Spanish speaking family and if they do speak your first language, make it a rule that they don’t do so with you.
• Check out YouTube where you’ll find many free video tutorials
• Learn Spanish dance and how to cook local meals
• Let your curiosity guide you above all. Seek and ask questions on everything even if they seem kind of silly.

It’s not easy to feel like a child again and at times, like someone who has lost their ability to speak. But it’s amazing what you can achieve when you want to; keep telling yourself you can do it and eventually you will!

Amanda Patterson recently wrapped up a stint teaching English and public speaking as a volunteer with Corporation for the Development of Learning (CDA) in Santiago, Chile. She’s just arrived in Guatemala, eagerly awaiting her next adventure.

For more musings on learning another language, check out these posts from other La Vida Idealist bloggers: “The Multiple Personalities of You“; “¿Dónde Está El Baño?“; “Help! I’ve Reached the Foreign Language Flatlands!”; “What Your Language Teacher Doesn’t Want You to Know”; “Could You Pick Up Some Milk and a Second Language While You’re Out?”; “Forget Language Teachers…I’ve Got Kids”; and “5 Surprises About International Volunteering: #2 – Language Non-Barriers.”

A group of students studies in the common room at a Spanish school in Costa Rica

Well, I’ve done this all backward.

More than six months after coming to Central America, I’m finally taking a long-term shot at Spanish school. I decided on the school I’m at – Sol Latino in in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala – after hearing good feedback from some travelers I met.

Before this, I spent one week at a school in Costa Rica, then left after I didn’t like it. I’ve also investigated several other schools. It’s difficult to classify what makes a good Spanish school. The variety (Xela alone has a gaggle of ‘em) makes it almost impossible to know what to go for. That being said, here’s a few tips from my experience:

Does the school have certified teachers? Instructors who are solely native speakers are great for conversation. However, they may not be prepared to address different learning styles. They also may have trouble helping a person who learns by the rules of grammar (like me). Actual teachers are more qualified for both.

How does the school decide which teacher you will have? My roommate in Xela goes to a different school than I do. She filled out a questionnaire when applying, and the school used the information to put her with a teacher that seemed suited to her personality. It’s worked out great for her. My school doesn’t have this, and I think it’s an excellent model. My first teacher at Sol Latino was good, but low-energy demeanor was not for me. Obviously, such a test wouldn’t guarantee a good match (online-dating sites, anyone?), but I think it’s a good start.

How much does it cost and how do you pay? The first point is a no-brainer: Can you afford the school? What’s more important is how the school makes you pay. One school in Panama I liked, for example, had prices that went down the more time you spent there. However, it asked you to pay up front. If I didn’t like it, I’d have lost a lot of money. I prefer to pay week by week. That offers the freedom to change if needed.

Sometimes, it all comes down to luck: Hate to end on this point, but it’s true. So much of the experience will depend on factors you can’t control. The teacher you get. If you click with the other students who attend the school. The temperament of your homestay family. The first choice you make in a school will be a risk, no matter what. But, whether you stay for months or bounce after the first week, it will be a learning experience.

And that’s what school’s all about.

Kent most recently left his post as an English teacher in Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica and is currently traveling. To see what he’s up to, check out his blog or follow him on Twitter.

Menu del Día: Depending on where it is bought, this standard lunch costs anywhere from 3-soles to 4-soles. When you pay 4-soles, you feel like you are getting scammed a little bit. Either there should be enough food to leave you feeling uncomfortably full or it has to be absolutely delicious. Most of the time it’s neither. You get a sopa with a large potato and a few chicken toes and nails; a segundo, which is the main course generally the rest of the chicken and a refreshing chicha morada, a maiz based drink.

La Sopa (chicken feet included)

Combis: No matter where you are in the city, the rides cost 60 centimos. As mentioned in a previous blog post, I am partial to Batman and generally have to wait so I can ride with the Dark Knight.

Taxis: There is a fixed rate in the city. During the day, rides cost 2.50-soles and at night they cost 3.00-soles. Sometimes cab drivers get cheeky and try to charge more. If you are leaving a discoteca they might try to charge 8-soles. A simple response of, “Vivo acá, no me robes” (I live here, don’t rob me) should suffice. The taxi drivers love that.

Chocolate: A Sublime (pronounced soo-blee-may) chocolate bar costs 1-sol exactly. I average about two a day.

Tutoring Lessons: I’ve been fortunate to take lessons with the world’s greatest tutor, Yesenia. They cost 20-soles/hour. She comes to my apartment with a full lesson plan and homework. We talk about everything from politics in Cusco to the imperfect subjunctive. The best thing about these lessons is that they are all in Spanish. Yesenia no habla inglés.

Ceviche: We have a semi-weekly outing to Olas Bravas to get the world’s best ceviche. It costs everyone 18-soles each and we order enough delicious food that leaves us feeling uncomfortably full.

Apartment: My apartment in the professional Magisterio neighborhood costs $90/month. I share the place with two others and we have a full kitchen (although all of our appliances electrically shock us), a living room with a bookshelf, and a bathroom with hot water.

A Cusqueña: Although it might be a stretch to label Cusqueña Cusco’s premier beer, it is certainly found everywhere. At a bar, expect to pay about 10-soles for a 650ml pint. There is a certain rule, which we all ascribe to here, and that is that it is always happy hour. If we do not want beer, we usually order two mojitos for the happy hour special of 20-soles.

I might be a little rusty on Maslow’s hierarchy of necessities but I’m fairly certain that shelter, chocolate, beer, food, tutoring and combi rides fit in there somewhere.

Jonah Brill is currently volunteering as a Field Researcher with Arariwa in Cusco, Peru.

The purpose of the jornada is for the whole group to have a chance to come together to reflect and refocus on the mission behind what we are trying to accomplish at VE. It was very easy for me to become side-tracked amidst the excitement of travel, meeting new people and places, and the fact that Santiago is one big non-stop party.

We began the weekend with loads of silly team building activities and mushy talks that really set the stage for the entire weekend. We broke into small groups and discussed the multi-dimensional aspects of poverty and the endless cycles that exist within the economic classes.  The disparity between the classes here in Santiago is immense. With 18.2% of the population under the poverty line, the top 10% of the population here consumes 41.7% of resources while the bottom 10% consumes only 1.6%. The statistics are alarmingly drastic, and probably are in the country where you reside as well.

Photo of Cajón del Maipo from Flickr user Naturaleza

One of the aims of VE is to seek to improve awareness  and in turn, improve the situation for those in need. When you view poverty from an outside perspective, many times it is easy to mistake the effects of poverty for the causes, and the cycle continues. I believe a difficult cycle exists within the upper classes as well.  People who grow up with money become accustomed to having and doing certain things that are no longer recognized as privileged, but normal. My heart breaks when I think about the privileges I have been handed and taken for granted. Most of those being privileges that the children at Anakena, the school where I teach, would never imagine possible. I am not from the view that everyone should feel ashamed and guilty for taking advantage of opportunities in life. However, I do think it is our responsibility to be aware of what truly is privilege and what is necessity. Fortunately and unfortunately, those of us who have never experienced what poverty feels like will never be able to fully empathize with those who endure the oppression that poverty brings with it. We are left to strive for awareness and compassion.

During our weekend retreat, we were given free time for some reflection of our personal and professional goals as well as objectives we hope to achieve within our institutions and with the children. It was so refreshing to take the time to sit alone with nothing but your thoughts, a pen and paper. One of my personal goals in coming to Chile was to consummate my independence as a woman. The first step was getting here alone. The second step is being intentional about tracking the progress of my goals in a tangible way. Andy Garberson’s latest blog, “Location, Location, Location,” gives a really great practical way of doing this by creating a collage of “firsts” for every day.

I have learned that it really isn’t enough to simply desire to be a certain type of person, you have to live it. Someone recently told me a phrase that really stuck with me. “Let yourself be defined by your actions.” Although a simple theme, the phrase inherently carries with it a deep-rooted, yet fundamental challenge to be the person you want to be.  As I sit here in Chile, journal in hand, I bring this challenge to you. Wherever you are in life, whether you are traveling abroad in China or Latin America or you are settled in a place you call home, allow yourself to be defined by your actions, and you will actually become the person you want to be.

Lindsey Chapman is currently a volunteer with VE Global, at Colegio Anakena. For more about her experiences, check out her blog.

I talk about Guatemalan culture and history, and tell stories about my life and the people I’ve met here. And I talk about the projects and what they are doing for the people they benefit.

I love the buying, selling and the talking about what I see and feel in Guatemala; so in many ways it’s no effort, except for hauling around the full suitcases, through airports, taxis, bus and train stations.

I’ve done small benefits at house parties and church service social hours, and last year we threw a big benefit dinner in conjunction with the students in the high school Spanish classes — good food, first class service and live music to boot. From this dinner and the sales, we were able to buy a photocopier for the office of the school – a huge boon to the teachers, who had been copying work for the students by hand.

My last visit home we did an art show at a local restaurant– with paintings by the painters I work with in APMF — as well as two house parties, a church social, a booth at a fair, and a sale at a bilingual preschool Mother’s Day event. My goal was to get enough donations to build a climbing structure for the preschool classrooms in the barren yard next to the classrooms and the director’s office. And joyfully, we met that goal.

It seems as though the consistency of my appearances in my hometown, the feedback and thank you letters I write to donors, and my ongoing work in these two projects in Guatemala has had some effect. After this visit to the States, one person who has helped considerably with the benefits is offering to make APMF a project of the NGO she’s connected with, which also helps in Belize and Haiti. This will enable us to have official status, give tax deductions for larger donations, and perhaps to receive funding from other organizations. This is very important for us as it would cost us nearly $1000 to do this for ourselves in Guatemala.

Then another friend has offered to push forward a “Friends of…” group in our hometown, to help us raise money more consistently, and encourage sponsorships for the kids in our program.

I am really excited about both these steps forward, which can only allow us to give better services to our client families in San Pedro and the children of the San Pablo preschool.

So I guess my message is, stick with it. Consistency and duration pay off.

Miranda Pope is currently living in San Pedro La Laguna, Guatemala and is volunteering with Pedagogia Basica, Estamos Listos, and Ayudame Escribir Mi Futuro. For more on her experiences, check out her blog. For more on fundraising, read “Organizing Fundraisers at Home and Abroad” by Kim Friedland; “How to Fundraise With No Funds” by Andrea Vogler; and “Need Some Cash? Top 10 Ways to Fundraise” by Laurie Norton.

Here are some of my considerations (grouped into the categories professional and personal):

Professional

• Employment – Are you working? Between jobs? How will your volunteer experience affect your employment status? I have some colleagues who were able to take a leave of absence from work and even carve out a deal with their employer to get paid some part of their salary upon return. This, of course, could only be okay with certain employers. In my case I left my job and then applied, so there were a couple of months between my application and my acceptance to the Kiva Fellows program when I wasn’t working.

• Time – How much time do you need to feel like you’ve made a difference and what are the requirements for the program in which you are interested? How much time can you take off from work (see above)? How much time do you want to be away from home and loved ones? My husband and my cats Mojito and Arepa are patiently waiting for me to come home. I figured six months was as much as both of us could stand, even with visits.

• Language – To what extent do you need to speak the local language if it’s not your native language? In my work as a Kiva Fellow in Peru and Bolivia, I talk to my colleagues and my clients every day in Spanish. Without a good grasp of the language I would be ineffective.

• Type of Organization – Resources, size, name. Do you want to work at a large well-known organization that works in many countries, such as the Red Cross? Or do you want to work for a small start-up organization? I choose Kiva because it’s pretty well-known and respected, but is small enough where I could make a significant contribution.

• Industry – What is your interest? Children? Health? Environment? Microfinance? Narrowing this down will help you find your ideal placement. My experience is in finance, and I’ve always wanted to put that skill to serve a social goal. I’ve also been intrigued by microfinance for years.

• People you will work with – In many cases, you will not know the types of people you will be working with until you meet them for the first time when you arrive. However, I recommend doing some due diligence by visiting the organization’s website, searching Google for news, and talking to past volunteers and employees if you can. Try LinkedIn for connections.

• Other volunteers – Will there be others working with you or will you be working alone? Just as you would choose a paid job, it’s good to know if you will be working as a team or independently.

• Poverty level – Are you comfortable working with people living in conditions much worse then you are used to? From working with Kiva I’ve seen many unhealthy children, walked on dirt floors, and witnessed dogs, chickens and people living in the same room. I’m saddened by this but I hope my work with Kiva will help some of these people work their way out of poverty.

• Paid/Free – I have learned of some programs where the nonprofit or a placement agency asks for a fee to volunteer on top of your room and board. (Some will pay for your housing.) Make sure you know and are comfortable with the fees you’ll pay.

• Organized/Individual – Do you want everything to be set up for you when you arrive or would you rather scout out a project individually? The Kiva Fellows program is well-structured, but I have a friend who was installing stoves in poor communities without the help of a large organization.

• Day to day – What exactly will you be doing? Teaching English to little kids in a classroom is very different than tutoring English to one student.

• Experience level – Do you need specialized skills as you would to volunteer with Engineers or Doctors Without Borders? If you have those skills, perhaps a specialized placement would be a better use of your talents.

What do YOU want?

Personal

• Place – Does climate matter? Would you like to be in the mountains or in a hot tropical place? Do you get to pick? I choose to work in a Spanish speaking country and did my interviews in Spanish, but I was flexible so Kiva could decide where I fit best and  would have a better chance of being accepted.

• Place to live – Where will you stay in your time abroad? In my experience, there are many things you may have to sacrifice in terms of comfort. In Cusco, I had to walk outside through a patio to go to the bathroom and take a shower. During the rainy season, this wasn’t so fun but I dealt with it.

• Free time – Consider where you think you would enjoy living. Yes, I’ll admit, the way I ranked the countries in my Latin American list included some research on the potential for rock climbing. It’s ok considering you won’t be spending all your time volunteering. Volunteers can have fun too!

• Environment – Rural vs urban? In a city, you may get more choice for food, places to live, internet access and things to do, but generally you’ll deal with more pollution, traffic and potentially miss waking up to the sound of cows and a beautiful countryside landscape.

• Comfort with “dirtiness” – Honestly, I couldn’t think of another way of describing this. There is just generally more dirt, dust and unclean bathrooms without toilet paper than what you are used to when you go to less developed country.

And finally…

• Goals – What are you trying to get out of the experience? For me, working in microfinance in a developing country was a dream which I have accomplished working with Kiva.

• Dreams – It’s ok to be idealistic (wink wink).  That’s part of what makes volunteering great. You are helping to change the world for the better, even if it’s just your world and perspective. During a six week trip I took with my husband to Australia and New Zealand, I decided to apply for the Kiva Fellows program. I put my online marketing career on hold and gave up a fairly decent salary. Pursuing the dream was worth it.

This is a laundry list of things to consider, but what’s really important is to prioritize what’s most important to you because you’ll have to compromise. No organization is perfect.

I also recommend tempering your expectations for your volunteer experience and let it exceed your expectations. Because it will. In any case, I believe any experience enriches your life, even if it’s not the most amazing thing in the world.

Other things to think about when looking for a volunteer experience?  This is the list I came up with but please feel free to add your thoughts in the comments below. I’m sure people would appreciate your perspective too.

Lethal Sheethal has recently left in her  six month volunteering adventure as a  Kiva Fellow in South America. If you’re interested in seeing what she’s up to post-experience, follow her on Twitter and/or check out her blog.

Want to volunteer abroad but not sure where to start? Check out these other La Vida Idealist posts for more ideas on how to take that first step: “Six Simple Steps for Volunteering Abroad,” “Making It Happen for Yourself,” “So You Spin the Globe…,” “It Pays To Do Some Research,” “Panning for Gold: Plucking Out the Nonprofit Gems,” “Volunteering 101: Interview Yourself,” and “Five Things to Think About When Choosing Your Volunteer Location.“

Why does it all change the moment we pack our toothbrush? Apples always taste a little sweeter when they are called manzanas and books have a more profound message when read on the steps of a 16th Century cathedral. But it’s the same Dole apple that your local supermarket stocks and you bought the CliffsNotes because the paperback bored you so much in college.

Collage of Living

My point is that travelers commonly fall into routines that are not that different from those at home and use their surroundings as justification for satisfaction. After a Monday evening of American television shows in bed to the gentle crunch of Frosted Flakes, I decided that some changes must be made in my daily life.

I invented the Collage of Living, for which I could regrettably not find a more cliché name, to ensure that my time abroad was spent efficiently. Everyday I do one new and interesting thing, write it on a note card with the date, and tape it to my wall. There are currently (at the time of publishing) 15 first-time experiences decorating my bedroom, one for every day since I started on June 22. My sense of reality was recently shaken like a Guatemalan volcanic tremble, but my goal is still to make cleaning that wall when I leave Antigua a real chore. My first (of many) 15 days:

June 22: Spoke every work conversation en espanol
June 23: Wrote a poem in the park
June 24: Took a morning walk before walking to work
June 25: Scored eight points and had two steals in a game of wheelchair basketball
June 26: Hiked an active volcano (Pacaya)
June 27: Solicited new friends
June 28: Ran 31 minutes in Hurricane Alex
June 29: Visited an American embassy
June 30: Splurged on expensive ice cream during an afternoon with new friends
July 1: Started managing my first volunteer at work
July 2: Played one-on-one basketball against a guy with an artificial leg
July 3: Had a night of art, wine, and “culture”
July 4: Loved someone enough to be completely crushed
July 5: Invented a new yoga pose: The Trembling Fetal Position
July 6: Shared a pot of coffee and a splitting headache for breakfast with my lovely and caring roommates and had the realization that only a select few in this world are “ham,” if I may be so bold as to reference Grey’s Anatomy

Regardless of whether you are drinking one of St. Louis’ finest in Geneva, Illinois or Santiago, Chile tonight, remember to let your actions define you, not the city. If you need a bit of help, I’ll gladly mail you some note cards and masking tape to get you started.

Andrew Garberson is the Director of Communications for the Transitions Foundation in Antigua, Guatemala.