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Global Crossroad Volunteer Treks and Tours in Peru

Peru is one of the world's greatest centers of ancient civilization. Prior to the invasion by the Spanish conquistadors, the country's diverse cultures and civilizations - that culminated in the well-known Inca Empire - were some of the most advanced in the world. Peru is a mecca for South American travelers and for good reason - here you can walk through villages that are living museums, you can trek through the Amazon Rainforest, and you can hike ancient Incan pathways

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Global Crossroad Ghana Language and Culture Program

Join one week of language and culture program and get some insights on Ghana before you start your volunteering project. Our cultural immersion program provides many opportunities to our volunteers to explore the villages and witness the cultural attractions helping them to learn the local culture and customs. The volunteers will take Ghanaian language lessons everyday for 3-4 hours from experienced language teachers and instructors and learn conversational Ghanaian language. During free time, volunteers will explore the colorful city and nearby villages, and completely immerse in Ghanaian trends and traditions.

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Global Crossroad Teach English in Kenya

The majority of Kenyans want to improve their children’s English skills but most Kenyan rural schools lack qualified English teachers. With this high demand for English fluency, your volunteer contribution in teaching English is greatly appreciated by the Kenyan people. Teaching English in Kenya is very challenging; however, our knowledgeable staff will provide you with a proper orientation and teaching materials, including a textbook, for your class. You will be teaching a group of 20-35 in a class and most students already understand basic English. Our volunteers work to strengthen students’ conversational and pronunciation skills.

Our postings vary from formal to informal English teaching programs in Kenya. You can put your English skills to use with oral practice and games or teaching math, social science, health science or other subjects in English. 

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Global Crossroad Volunteer Becky Ecuador

My stay in Ecuador was not only memorable but life changing. Being immersed in a different culture is a privilege that few get the opportunity to experience and I am so fortunate that I was able to be a part of that. Being taken in by a family, a community, and a country so warm is something truly inspiring. Everyone at the project was so good to me, causing me to never want to leave at the end of the day. La Casa de la Niñez will be in my heart forever.

Becky Daniels, USA

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Global Crossroad Teach English in Uganda

Although English is spoken in many parts of Uganda, quality English education for children is still lacking. English education is proving more and more vital due to growing tourism industries in and around Uganda, and Ugandan students seem quite eager to learn and improve their conversational English skills. Volunteers working in our teaching English in Uganda project can make a significant and meaningful contribution in the lives of local children by helping to sharpen and polish these important language skills as well as serving as positive role models.

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Global Crossroad Lara Tanzania Review

I was at LWCC for 9 weeks from October through to December 2007 and it was everything I could have hoped for and much, much more. I was welcomed into my host family with open arms and by the end of my stay really felt like part of the family When I arrived I was the first volunteer and at first I found this a little daunting but my mind was soon put at ease when I chatted to the family and the teachers about how I could help and I realized that there was loads of stuff that needed doing where I could be of assistance. The work of volunteers at LWCC was varied. On any given day I could be going to the new land and helping with the building work, helping with the newsletter, or perhaps going into town to get the maize and flour for the children at the center. However the majority of my work was with the children themselves. During the first month I was there I did some classroom teaching and during my second month I was given the job of teaching English to Standard 3. I also played games and sports with the kids, baked cookies and did art and craft among many other things. 

One thing that all volunteers are expected to do is to go to the center from 3.00 and help the kids with homework and play with them. This was always the best part of the day as the children were relaxed as it was no longer school time. At this time we generally good fun reading, playing in the garden, dancing to the radio and CD's or just chatting.

As well as the work that you do whilst at the center the family are also keen to introduce volunteers to Arusha and the surrounding area and arrange trips such as to nearby Lake Duluti or to the UN tribunal for the Rwanda Genocide. My time at LWCC was busy but it was a fantastic experience and one which I hope to repeat and I would recommend Tanzania program to anyone. 

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Global Crossroad Volunteer Sarah Bangalore Review

My name is Sarah Muhlenberg and I decided to see and experience India as well as help as much as I can I volunteered at the Mother Teresa's Orphanage as well as a little bit at CREST which is a project for the Girl Child. At first I went to Mother Teresa's Orphanage I though I was going to cry. It was during summer so the children that were not handicapped got to go to families for the holiday. But for the ones that were severely disabled. The first day I had to wash and feed these children and no one was around to help because they were busy. But you will get used to it and things start getting easier. The orphanage need more help and you might catch yourself thinking of reasons and how to fix the place but really the sisters do know what's best for the children and what is needed is you help. You will find many other volunteers and probably make a friend or two. Now crest is another story it has a good heart but you'll feel it is all talk sometimes. The idea behind the project is wonderful but you will find yourself being forced to do things when least expected. The children are mostly from the slums and love meeting new people and learning about new countries, so you may enjoy it but, will give you a heads up, it is very religious and pro-life. The coordinator J R Dwarakanath was wonderful and answered every question I asked. Don't be afraid to tell him how you feel because he loves honesty and wants to help us as much as he can. He can tell you places you should go and he will try to find the best accommodation for you. CREST isn't that wonderful to stay in since it's kind of far from everything but it still is a place to sleep. Don't be afraid to say no and learn to ask questions as well as bargain. You should prepare yourself to see some corrupt things in Bangalore and see many poor situations. But you will feel wonderful to make the children smile at the orphanage and you will leave a stronger, more patient, more aware person. Expect to live in rough situations sometimes but realize everywhere in India there are people who have it worse. Trust J R Dwarakanath and trust yourself - you will have an experience you will never forget..

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Global Crossroad Volunteer in Costa Rica

With Global Crossroad's Volunteer in Costa Rica program, you can follow your interests, from bird-watching to exotic rafting and other diverse activities, while you positively impact the lives of deserving Costa Ricans, just by being yourself.

Whether your free time includes golf, ecological hikes or surveying fierce rivers, it will be immensely more enjoyable when combined with the use of your time, skills and energy to get social programs up and running. Participation in the Volunteer in Costa Rica program delivers the best of both worlds, from exploring a secure, picturesque tropical paradise to implementing local-level projects that can revolutionize lives.

Unique opportunities to help needy children, teach conservation techniques and much more await you in beautiful Costa Rica. You’ll explore Costa Rica's wonders, and expand a small child's world by imparting hope and knowledge.

Get in touch with us now. Don't put off this rare chance for the most fulfilling vacation of a lifetime! 

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Global Crossroad Volunteer Overall the program was amazing

Overall the program was amazing During my stay at John's School I taught English to children between the ages of 3 and 14. I organized games for the children and participated in games, coloring, drawing, and language classes. I helped in other classes other than mine when I was needed. I helped in aiding children when they were hurt or sick. I learned many skills while I was working there like patience, independence, understanding, and acceptance. The program helped me strengthen my career goals and my academic outlook. I now know that I love to teach and work with children so now I have a goal in life and can start looking for more opportunities in my field. My academic outlook has changed because I never truly appreciated as much as I do now my opportunities that I have been given to still be in school. I will use the skills that I have acquired in all of my future endeavors. I will use them towards my academic career by being more patient with things that I do not understand right off. I will also put them towards my future career. I plan on working with children and this experience has given me future knowledge of what to do in some situations. It has also led me to start my own journal that will keep reminders of what I can do later in life. All of my objectives were achieved and even more. Before I did not even think about helping out after the program, but since the experience I hope to still be involved and help the project. Overall the program was amazing. It was well organized and thought out. The host family was very welcoming. The children were wonderful. Mr. D helped us in the culture aspect and made us feel very welcome to India . The strength was that there was always something to do and help with. The only weakness that I would change would be to show us around the village we were at. We did now know where anything was like restaurants or the movie theatre or places to buy water. Thanks, Sabrina Henry, South India 

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Global Crossroad Volunteer Kathy Ecuador

My ultimate aim was purely to learn more of Ecuadorian culture, which I feel I did a little in my short month there. I expected there to be SOME English which there wasn’t on my project. This in itself limited me a little (unable to ask many questions) but there were other ways in which I communicated. There were many small practices that they did differently to myself at the project but I wasn’t there to teach them my culture, I was there to learn about theirs. This I feel I did and have brought back many more thoughts of appreciation since my return. However, I now feel I am a little more intolerant of my own people as we have so much to be thankful for in Australia and yet so many people constant complain!! Humbleness I repeatably feel in doing volunteer work, even in my own country. There is nothing like working with people who are far worse off than yourself to bring you back to base camp so to speak! Overall I feel I gained much from my project, I am 52 and wasn’t profoundly surprised by what I found but continually enjoy doing something different and meeting people that have so many different life experiences to my self. Another added bonus is the other volunteers you meet along the way. Also my host families complete a huge portion of my cultural learning, I think this is my favourite part of my time at volunteer work. This was my second volunteer project my first being in Africa 2006 which I also loved.

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Global Crossroad Volunteer Brian Testimonial "Nepal is wonderful"

Saturday afternoon here (May 19th) about 3pm and I've just left the Children's Home where I've been staying since Wednesday May 9th. It was in incredible 10 days, a "home" filled with love (along with 37 children) and it all starts from the top the woman who runs the home along with her daughter Pramila. Never before (in over 20 years of teaching) have I ever come across children so loved, so clean, so respectful, so religious and so helpful. Those are just some of the attributes I can use with the children I have been lucky enough to share a home with. Besides all the wonderful things that happen each and every day at the home, I've also been blessed with being able to teach at the Durga Bhawani Academy School , specfically with 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th grades. The students at the school (although older than the children at the home) were also incredible! I really enjoyed working with them and together we had a blast. I brough along with me my laptop and had premade powerpoint presentations along with video movies I made while in Tibet last fall. That blew their socks off and each day we both looked forward to school. Unfortunately, the schools went on strike afterWednesday, so we all missed out on the final two days of working with each other. Not to worry, we have exchanged email addresses and one student (a 10th grade girl) is moving to Massachusetts later in the year with her mother to join her father and brother. They will only be living minutes away from me and I look forward to seeing Dawa Sherpa again. While at the Children's Home, I took many, many photographs and then began making a movie. It's just about completed and when I get to Tibet (with much faster Internet connection) I will upload the movie for you to see. It's really incrediblw and Prmila is really happy with it as we stayed up late last night putting the finsal touches on it and watching it over & over again :) Nepal is wonderful: Krazy Kathmandu Drivers - Krazy Kathmandu Wild Dogs - Tuk Tuks - Krazy Traffic, English speaking people everywhere (that's always nice to run into), Beautiful children, fun-loving laughing adults, helpful and hopeful people all looking towards a brighter future here in Nepal. I wish I had a month (or two) to stay in Nepal ... I wish I could speak Nepali... I wish I could stay... But, Tibet awaits! I hope Tensin is feeling better. I hope I have an opportunity to see her and I also hope she is feeling better. I am looking forward to working with Sonam at JCWSS and still have TONS of supplies (both school and play) for the kids in Lhasa . The children in Nepal , as well as their teachers, were overwhelmed by what I brought them! :) I have met up with many volunteers...and have heard many stories. Knowing what some have had to work through, I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Pramila and to have worked at the Durga Bhawani Academy . I really think my many years of teaching experience has come into use as many of the othewr "kids" here feel lost or afraid when they are in the classroom. Something to be said for age (and expereince) ;-) Looking forward to Lhasa and being in Tibet ...again.

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Global Crossroad Country Coordinators

We worked with terrific country co-ordinator, most of them are mature, educated, socially respected, and having long history of working with international volunteers. Before joining Global Crossroad, our country coordinators were working as a expedition leader, social worker, trek leaders, teachers, and other professional. Country- coordinators of Global Crossroad have tremendous enthusiasm to their job. They are committed for a high quality and responsible program in their native country. National co-ordinator is your main contact when you will be in your placement. He/she will help you on:

Airport receive and transfer

Management of room and food in host family/hostel

Orientation of local country, culture, host family, safety, and related issues

Introduce you to your host family and project staffs

Periodic follow up visit or call ( 1 - 2 weeks interval ) to ensure everything going good for you

Offer advices to solve any issues, problems,and concerns

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Global Crossroad volunteers Sri Lanka Tsunami Volunteerism

For countless families of Sri Lanka’s fishermen, the Dec. 26 tsunami was a nightmare. This disaster brought unimaginable pain and suffering, washing away loved ones, homes, belongings, and hope for the future for many families. Today, thousands of these destitute families still live in tents. In response to the overwhelming request of so many around the world, Global Crossroad began its unique Tsunami Reconstruction Project, allowing international volunteers the opportunity to participate first-hand in the enormous rebuilding project. Finally, the hard work, time, compassion, and resources of so many selfless volunteers worldwide have reaped benefits for local Sri Lankan fishermen and their families. We have the pleasure of welcoming these hope-filled families to their new homes. Here are some glimpses directly from the field.

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Global Crossroad Teaching Experience China

I am currently working in Qingdao at a kindergarten. I have a 2 year old daughter who is here with me and she attends the school at which i teach.

My hours are Monday to Friday from 8 to 5. My job is to teach english to 4 classes and when i am finish i help the Chinese teachers with their classes or I prepare for my next days lessons. The school i am at is very clean and the staff are very nice. I just recently celebrated my 30th birthday and the principal gave me a surprise birthday party with a cake and present.

The principal every weekend asks me if i have something to do (since she knows that i am new here and wants to make me feel comfortable and knows that i have no friends or family) and if i don't, she will pick me and my daughter up and take us lunch, shopping or church. The staff really try to make you feel at home here.

I am scheduled to leave china April of next year and have been here since May of this year.

When it comes to global crossroad, all i can say is that they have been extremely helpful. Before my arrival in China, Misha was my contact and she kept in contact with me from beginning to end and still e-mails me from time to time.

I was sent all my paperwork on time by globalcrossroad regarding fees, placement of living, placement of school and all my other details needed. I had a little problem getting my visa since Bermuda has no chinese embassy and was worried that my placement for school would not be the same once I arrived in China because of my delay in getting a visa in bermuda but they worked with me and held my placement. Everything that was told to me before I left Bermuda is what i see today and i am very happy.

I too, had doubts because i was traveling so far and with a baby and wrote to misha and jeff and they nicely reassured me of my visit and i have not had any problems in the two and a half months that i have been here with global.

When it comes to Jeff, all I can say is that is goes above and beyond his call of duty. When i arrived in china I was very scared because i knew no chinese and everyone i saw was chinese. Jeff picked me up from the airport on time and the minute i met him i felt safe. When I first arrived here, because of the climate difference, my daughter had to be rushed to the hospital because she had a fever. The principal, teachers and Jeff came to my aid. It felt like my family was here. I can pick up the phone and call Jeff for anything and he would always attend to my needs in a timely fashion. He is very professional and takes pride in his job and makes sure that all his foreigners are well taken care of.

As for what Qingdao is like, it is very laid back, clean and the locals are generally friendly. To be honest, i have not done that much exploring only a little. i have a baby so it is very hard to come and go as i please since she likes to take naps. but from the little places i have seen, it is very beautiful if you like mountains. i like mountains because there are none in bermuda. but there are great shopping areas, everything you need is very close.

I will send you some pictures that i have taken here.

I hope you come and join me in Quindao. it would be nice to have another english speaking person to talk to while i am here. trust me you will love it, global would take very good care of you and it is a very interesting experience that you would not want to miss out on.

see you soon Jamila

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Global Crossroad HIV/AIDS Awareness Project

HIV/AIDS is a worldwide epidemic and an increasing health concern in Panama. Lack of education and resources have lead to an increase of cases, as an estimated 20,000 people in Panama are infected. Without proper awareness and prevention campaigns, this number will not decrease. Volunteers are needed immediately to assist local organizations to educate Panamanians about every aspect about HIV/AIDS. Each Global Crossroad volunteer in Panama will help plan activities with children, adolescents and adults and travel to communities with the organization to promote the prevention of HIV/AIDS in schools and health center.

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Tips to Help Global Crossroad Volunteers Learn a New Language

Learning a new language is intimidating, rewarding, frustrating, and exciting all in one. Global Crossroad volunteers setting out abroad will face the challenge of learning and communicating in a foreign language. The task is not an easy one, however, being able to communicate in the local language will enrich the experience for all involved.

Tip #1: Do not be afraid to make mistakes

You will not pick up a foreign language on your first day abroad. Learning takes time and practice. You have to be willing to open your mouth and try, regardless of if the words come out perfectly or not. Those that are too shy or scared to make mistakes will never become fluent. Make mistakes, and then learn from them. Encourage those around you to inform you when you have misspoken. Listen attentively to your host family, coworkers, and community members. You can learn a lot just by listening!

Tip #2: Set realistic expectations

As a Global Crossroad volunteer, know that you will not be fluent in a day, a week, or a month. Learning a foreign language is a huge endeavor and one that does not come quickly or easily. Setting your expectations too high may make you feel frustrated and disappointed. Setting weekly goals for yourself may help the learning process. Set out to learn words for things around the house or how to ask directions. Engage the help of your host family. Not only will you learn quickly, but you will bond with your host family, meet your weekly goal, and feel good about the progress you have made.

Tip #3: Get out there

Talk to everyone you meet! From your host family to your coworkers to the woman who runs the local store- you can learn something from everyone. More often than not, people will be intrigued by a foreigner and will want to know what life is like back in your home country. This is a great way to practice your new language and get to know the people around you.

Tip #4: Do not rely on others

It may be easier to rely on your new friends to order food in the local language or for your host family to ask for directions, but if you do not practice your new language you will never learn. Gather your confidence and try ordering your own food at a restaurant. Your host family and friends will there to help you out if you get stuck. The more you try, the more you will learn!

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Global Crossroad Destinations Abroad

Save 40-60% while joining meaningful volunteer and travel abroad projects in 16 countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America!

Global Crossroad offers many exciting volunteer and travel abroad experiences, mini-escapes and summer escapes, TEFL, rural community insights and cultural immersion programs to international volunteers/travelers in 16 marvelous countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, with more countries becoming available soon.

Our unique and stimulating programs engage participants in breathtaking journeys to exotic lands. Join this extraordinary adventure and embark on the most meaningful experience of your life.