When it comes to establishing oneself in a new foreign place, learning the difference between “trolling for opportunities” vs. “putting the word out” is important. When I first set out with the idea of finding somewhere to volunteer at, I spent a lot of time trolling for id[...]
Archive for the ‘Doing’ Category
February 4th, 2010 - 12:05 pm § in Doing, Looking, Nicaragua, Nonprofit Spotlight, Tips & Resources, Volunteer
The Experience: Enjoying Your Time as a Volunteer
When I made the decision to leave everything that was familiar at home and work abroad, I knew that having a strong, supportive and exciting group of volunteers to work with would help ease the unfamiliar surroundings. Some people look to be alone, others want a base and the rest want something in b[...]
A Lesson in Life: Accepting the Unknown
One of my fellow volunteers here at Tashirat is having a hard time. She’d never been to Mexico before and crossed the border with ideas of “efficiency” and “order” that just don’t apply here, let alone in a struggling nonprofit organization. I love her presence because it’s helped me r[...]
The Perks of Being a New Volunteer
I’ve been at the Tashirat orphanage just outside of Tepoztlan in the state of Morelos, Mexico for about a week and a half now. Tashirat is a very interesting place, because not only is it an orphanage, it’s an ashram and a school as well. They are also beginning an ambitious garden/greenhouse pr[...]
Yeah, Yeah, Right Now…Project Management Abroad
After three month’s time at Ya’axché Consevation Trust, I have found versatility and patience to be the two most valuable qualities of an international volunteer. Being brought down to Belize under the title of Sustainable Land Use Management volunteer, my role has danced around between Co[...]
Just Like the Mariposas!
At my thesis defense, just prior to my university graduation in December 2006, my professors asked me what my post-college plans were. I told them I planned “to de-institutionalize for a while.” After almost five years spent in an academic setting and working with NGOs in my spare time, I had be[...]
Saludos de Ecuador!
I have now been living in Ecuador for nearly three months. It seems unreal to me that just a few short months ago I showed up in this country not knowing Spanish, never having taught before and never having lived abroad. Needless to say, I was nervous when I arrived. But after [...][...]
2009 Wrap-Up
I’ve spent a total of five months in Colombia so far. In that time I have worked with two organizations. Since the 1st of December, I have been on break. My remaining thoughts for 2009: Holiday Festivities End of year holiday events, like fundraisers and luncheons, are a great way to make cont[...]
