Cross-Cultural Solutions is a non-profit organization that operates self-financed volunteering centres in 12 countries around the world. The program fee paid by the volunteers covers the cost of the operation.
Most participants are young adults, but older participants are welcome.
Emma Rockett, Programme Enrolment Manager for Cross-Cultural Solutions in Canada, describes how participants work at volunteer placements during regular working hours, engage in local activites organized after hours, and weekends are available for independent travel.
Volunteers perform service roles in schools, day cares, womens' organizations and health centres.
Participants live in "home bases", with other volunteers of all ages from around the world, supported by local staff who provide meals.
Volunteers cover costs through a program fee of approximately US$2,800 for two weeks, and US$330 for each additional week. Volunteers must also pay their own costs to get to the location.
The volunteer experience
Emma describes her volunteer experience in Ghana, and how she felt living with other volunteers and adapting to the culture and needs of the local people.
Cross-Cultural Solutions have posted videos they produced of mature volunteers describing their experience on assignment:
Emma says that volunteers can select among 20 locations in 12 countries, and can stay abroad from 2 to 12 weeks.
Participants fill out a skills & interests questionnaire, which is used by local staff to match them to volunteeringopportunities in the community.
After the trip is over, they encourage participants to increase awareness of development issues at home by making presentations to people in their home communities about their experiences.
