Global Crossroad Sri lanka was one of the best trips

I am Lauren Cook from New York. Going to Sri lanka was one of the best trips I have had.I came to Sri lanka to help with the Sambodi Orphanage,which Orphans are Physically & Mentally handicapped. When I got here I worked not only with the Orphanage, But also teaching English to Buddhist Monks who were ranging from 12 - 14 years of age and also Partially helping to rebuild homes for Tsunami victims reconstruction project. 

A typical day ranged from me teaching English in the morning for about 3 hours to Buddhist monks and going back to my host family for lunch, and then Traveling to the Orphanage and working, volunteering for about 3 hours. Although both projects were often challenging, there was always a sense of Reward at the end. 

I lived in a host family in Michaels house ( My coordinator ) who not only provided me with meals and accommodation, But also treated me like one of the family members. The host family was very good and Michael also looked after me very well by giving all necessary information. it gave me a sense of Sri Lankan Culture, While also making me feel at home. I was able to learn some Sinhalese and also study about Sri lankan culture which is entirely different. 

I would recommend to anyone to traveling to Sri lanka and helping to rebuild the community. Whether you go Through an organization such as Global Crossroads It does cost a fair amount of money to go through Global Crossroads, Because you do receive the control of a Coordinator and host family, And get to see the culture first hand through the eyes of a Sri Lankan home. So at last I would like to recommend to anyone to travel to Sri Lanka and help to rebuild the community and its very safe place in southern Part of Sri lanka, Galle. 

                         

Global Crossroad Summer Escapes

Dates: June 25 – July 22, 2012

Experience an exciting 4-week cultural and educational adventure to beautiful Costa Rica, Peru, Kenya, Tanzania, Nepal or India with Global Crossroad’s new Summer Escapes. These unique programs combine language orientation, culture immersion and village stays with the opportunity to volunteer on local village service projects and exotic journeys off the normal tourist routes, along with visits to popular tourist destinations. Join Global Crossroad’s Summer Escapes for the truly amazing adventure of a life time.

• Summer Escapes-Nepal
• Summer Escapes-India
• Summer Escapes-Costa Rica
• Summer Escapes-Peru
• Summer Escapes-Ghana
• Summer Escapes-Kenya
• Summer Escapes-Tanzania

                                    

How Expectations Can Affect Global Crossroad Volunteers

Volunteering abroad can introduce you to once-in-a-lifetime experiences and eye opening discoveries. It is a time to give back, a time for personal growth, and a time to explore. As a volunteer abroad, you will have the opportunity to gain job skills, confidence, and hands-on work experience that few others can claim. However, I am not going to kid you, volunteers abroad face a plethora of challenges, frustrations, and set-backs. Your mindset and expectations are the deciding factors in whether you will prevail or let the situation get the best of you.

Expectations can be a Global Crossroad volunteer’s worst enemy. Having high or unrealistic expectations about project results can impact how you view yourself, the people around you, and the project you’re working on. When volunteering in a developing country, the progress is going to be slow, no matter what project you are working on. As a Peace Corps Volunteer, I worked in the rural countryside of Panama for over two years. As with the majority of Peace Corps Volunteers, I will never see the results of my work. What we worked on in my community may not come to fruition for several years, if at all. Volunteers who travel abroad should not expect to change the world in a day. Just because it is not possible to create and implement a sustainable project in four weeks does not mean you will not make a difference.

Many people think about volunteering abroad in terms of the physical project they will be working on. Their concept of success is dependent on how many sea turtle eggs they save or how many rain water catchment systems they make. I can tell you right now the secret to success as a Global Crossroad volunteer does not lie in the project, it lies in the people. A successful project does not just function while you are there, but continues to function after you have gone. This will only happen if you empower the people. Success is not the number of trees you planted on a reforestation project, but the number of community members you included in the project, the number of community members you educated about reforestation practices, the number of community members you’ve helped to feel more confident about themselves and their work. And do you know how many community members it takes to make a difference? Do you know how many people you need to empower and educate for your project to become sustainable? One. Just one.

There are a few expectations that Global Crossroad volunteers should have. They should expect to meet great people. From the local Global Crossroad staff to community counter-parts, volunteers will meet new people that they will not soon forget. Volunteers should also expect to enjoy their surroundings. Take advantage of the fact that you are in a foreign country. Travel on the weekends, take pictures, and explore! You never know if you will get this opportunity again. Volunteers should also expect that their short time abroad will have an impact on the people they work with. The words you say and the actions you take will stay with these people forever. It doesn’t matter if you plant 1,000 trees or just one- it is the confidence and education you instill on the people that are the real indicators of success.

Global Crossroad Volunteer Abroad

Global Crossroad offers numerous and exciting abroad experiences to international volunteers in 18 marvelous countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Our highly-affordable, unique, life-changing and stimulating programs engage volunteers in an adventure with a purpose.

We invite you to join any of our 6 amazing programs - Volunteer Abroad, Internship Abroad, Mini-Venture, Summer Escapes, Asia Combo - embarking on the most meaningful volunteer abroad programs serving poor communities and children while experiencing cross-cultural exchanges and breath-taking journeys to mystic and exotic lands.

Global Crossroad Achievements

• In its first year of operation (2003), Global Crossroad placed only 23 volunteers. In 2004, nearly 600 volunteers participated in our overseas volunteer projects, making Global Crossroad the most successful volunteer organization of its kind.
• In 2005, we traveled 20 different countries of the world, searched for the meaningful projects, and established volunteer abroad programs across Asia, Africa, and Latin America . The most remarkable program of 2005 was Tsunami Reconstruction Project of Sri Lanka. Nearly 700 volunteers participated in Sri Lanka project. However, total number of volunteers was increased by nearly 200% totaling to 1768 volunteers in 2005.
• Nearly 95 percent of our participants give our programs high ratings. We have hundreds of letters and e-mails from satisfied volunteers who have lauded our high quality programs, our excellent services, our host family accommodations, and the knowledgeable support of our in-country coordinators. Please contact us if you would like to speak to our former volunteers.
• Volunteers have averaged 6 weeks at a project, giving 20 hours a week of their precious time and talent. In total, Global Crossroad volunteers have given more than 212,160 hours to local communities in developing nations by assisting in schools and orphanages, working to protect and conserve forests, and improving the lives of disadvantaged men, women, and children. The immeasurable value of our volunteers' contributions will be realized for years to come.