Global Crossroad Review Michael Bird India

My experience working with the women’s group has been extremely rewarding. They are so eager to learn and to improve not only their own lives but also the lives of their families. They work very hard on their embroidery and show great attention to details. These sewing sessions also provide a great time to socialize as they form a wonderful bond of sisterhood. They help each other with the embroidery and make sure everyone is included. I am privileged to teach English to these amazing ladies after their sewing session. I teach them for one hour. We have reviewed and continue to build upon – phonetics, spelling and the use and meaning of adjectives. When they don’t quite understand the meaning of the work, my humble attempt at drawing does the trick. They write down the English accompanied by the Hindi. So they can review their work at home. Many of them show what they have learned at school with their children. So not only do the lessons greatly benefit the women, they also benefit their children as well. We have also continued with maths, addition and subtraction in particular. They have a very good grasp of ‘plus’ and ‘minus’ and have a good foundation on which to build.

My only regret is that I have such a short time to spend and to work with women.

Thank you for everything!

Michale Bird, Delhi India

GLOBAL CROSSROAD GEARS UP FOR TURTLE SEASON

Two Global Crossroad Projects Offer Volunteers a Chance of Lifetime With nesting season quickly approaching, two Global Crossroad projects prepare for an influx of sea turtles and volunteers. Between the months of July and October, five species of sea turtles return to the beaches where they were born to lay their eggs.





 Volunteers coming to work with the sea turtle protection project or the eco-tourism project will get to see the arrival of hundreds of sea turtles, something few others will ever experience. Every year, Panama sees the arrival of five species of threatened or endangered sea turtles: Green, Hawksbill, Leatherback, Olive Ridley, and Loggerhead. In Panama, sea turtle eggs, and sometimes the turtles themselves, are considered a delicacy, and the eggs are often stolen by poachers and eaten, greatly diminishing the number of turtles that make it to the ocean. Panamanians, and Global Crossroad volunteers, are working to protect these gentle creatures. Volunteers working with the eco-tourism group will get to witness first-hand the arrival of these marine animals. Volunteers will help community members clean the beach and protect the turtle eggs from natural predators. While the turtles and their eggs have been at the heart of a struggle between government agencies and the people of the island, the turtles remain a big part of the lives of the islanders. Volunteers heading to the turtle conservation project will have more opportunity for hands-on learning. The turtle conservation group patrols the beach a few nights a week, looking for sea turtles that have dug a nest to lay eggs. Volunteers will help the group members collect the eggs and bury them in the artificial nursery. When the baby sea turtles hatch, volunteers can witness the hatchlings beginning their journey across the beach and into the ocean.

Global Crossroad Summer Escapes of Costa Rica

Come to beautiful Costa Rica - a tropical paradise and one of the world's best destinations for both socio- and eco-tourism. An abundance of opportunities for conservation amid white sand beaches makes Costa Rica an excellent destination for everyone from sunbathers and surfers to scientists and teachers. Excitement awaits either the adventurer - in the country's rainforests and on top of its steaming, active volcanoes - or those seeking relaxation and the enjoyment of "la pura vida" - the good life in Costa Rica! Global Crossroad's Summer Escapes in Costa Rica provide volunteers with a month-long adventure in Costa Rica - splitting time between volunteering in community services projects, cultural immersion and amazing travel to some of this country's most amazing sites.

Global Crossroad Volunteer Emmy Nepal Volunteer Testimonial

Global Crossroad Volunteer Emmy Nepal Volunteer from Global Crossroad on Vimeo.

Global Crossroad organizes internship Nepal program especially for international students in the differing areas of orphanages, sustainable agriculture and conservation, English teaching, and health care.

Global Crossroad Volunteer Christine Peru Review

Name: Christine Mitchell
Country of Program:Cusco, Peru

How would you rate the following (please mark X):	Very Satisfied	Satisfied	Neutral	Unsatisfied
Services of USA staff	x
Orientation/ Airport Pick up	x
Language and Culture or Spanish Language	x
Living Accommodations/ Meals	x
Volunteer/Internship Project		x
Response/Cooperation from local Staffs	x
Overall Volunteer Experience	x

Please summarize your volunteer/internship experience:
I worked in a school called Tankarpata. It was a really poor school and I helped teach English. I was in a 5th/6th grade classroom. My only complaint is that my Spanish is not that efficient anymore, I would’ve preferred to be with younger children. My only suggestion is that placement is determined by level of Spanish skill. The children were so eager to learn though, I really felt like I was making a difference. They were so excited everyday that I showed up and always wanted to know about my life and tell me about theirs. I really fell in love with all of them.

Would you recommend Global Crossroads programs to others? Yes
Would you mind serving as a reference for future volunteers? No
mitchece@indiana.edu

Christine Mitchell

Global Crossroad Volunteer Sharon Sri Lanka Mini-Venture Review

I touched down in Sri Lanka on Friday 6th October and from the second I arrived Michael and his family made me feel extremely welcome and looked after me like one of their own!! Michael made a special effort to include me in everything and at weekend when we were not in the orphanage he took us off to see many of the beautiful sights in Sri Lanka which I thoroughly enjoyed. His wife made sure we had ample food and always had a beautiful breakfast, lunch and dinner ready plus she gave us lots of little treats too. His three children were so so friendly and kind, we played games and chatted in the evening and got to know each other. The family went all out and I really enjoyed my stay with them, I will definitely keep in touch. They couldn't have done anything else to make me feel more at home.

The trip of the Island Michael organised was really action packed, we got to see all the major tourist attractions plus a lot more as our tour guide stopped in many other beautiful places that were not on the agenda. He was a very friendly guy and took time out to explain everything. The hotels we stayed in were very welcoming and the owners would take time out to chat to us, it was nice to get to know the local people. It was a fantastic trip and I couldn't believe we got so much packed into the four days. I would definitely recommend the Sri Lanka mini-adventure, I had a fantastic trip.

Global Crossroad Internship in Nepal

Global Crossroad organizes internship Nepal program especially for international students in the differing areas of orphanages, sustainable agriculture and conservation, English teaching, and health care. Global Crossroad can offer internship in Nepal in any area, related to Nepal, in collaboration with our local partners. Areas of Nepal internship include (but are not limited to): 

- Traditional Nepali Arts
- Natural Medicine and Ethno- botany
- Environment and Conservation
- Health
- Teaching
- Women studies
- Development studies
- Journalism
- Nepali language
- Report Writing
- Handicraft
- Buddhism (and many others)