I first volunteered with Cross Cultral Solutions in 2006, I had just graduated from high school and I didn't know what the next step in my life should be. It was the best choice I have ever made. I was inspired by the kids I worked with and I knew that I wanted to be a teacher. I have been back every year to visit my kids at the orphanage. CCS will change your life.
Cross-Cultural Solutions
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9 / 10
after 143 Reviews
Based on overall, support & value average ratings
As an international volunteer with Cross-Cultural Solutions, you're making a meaningful contribution, working side-by-side with local people and sharing in the goals of a community that warmly welcomes you. You're experiencing another culture like never before and really getting to know its people. You'll gain new perspectives and insight into the culture and yourself. It's an exciting and personally inspiring experience, and you'll develop memories that will be with you forever.
Program website: http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/
Being a volunteer with Cross Cultural Solutions is one of the best things I have ever done with my life. I spent ten weeks in Salvador, Brazil from October through December 2011. During my time in Brazil, I was able to assist in a day care for a few weeks and work with underprivileged children. I also taught English at two different schools to people who only spoke Portuguese. Considering that my Portuguese was not that great, it was challenging at times. However, it was also a lot of fun. The people that CCS works with in Brazil are great. They know that all of the CCS folks are there to volunteer their time and talents to help make their lives a little better.
In addition to keeping busy as a volunteer in Brazil, I had the pleasure of getting to know and love the CCS staff in Brazil. Vini, Grace, Vivi, Maria, Lulu, and everyone else do their best to make you feel welcome and comfortable. CCS also plans great activities for volunteers such as planned field trips to see more of Salvador, Capoeira lessons, Portuguese lessons, and lessons on the culture and history of Brazil. There is always something to do and the people that CCS bring in to assist with these activities are all wonderful.
Even though volunteering and planned activities take much of your time, there is still plenty of free time to explore Salvador on your own. The people in Salvador are great and I made many friends while I was there. No matter where I wandered in the city, I always seemed to find someone willing to talk or help out. I wish the United States would adopt a bit of the Brazilians ability to be warm, caring, and affectionate with everyone they meet. You never feel like you are a stranger in a different country.
Even though I am home in the U.S., I still wish I was in Brazil. Life there is somehow simpler and much more meaningful. The beach, the people, volunteering, and CCS...it is a great combination and a very rewarding experience. I would encourage anyone who is considering a volunteer abroad experience to strongly consider CCS and volunteering in Brazil!
Brian H.
Program:
Location:
Posted: July 27, 2012
Overall:
10
Support:
10
Value:
10
By: blhenry
Age:
41
I joined cross cultural solutions because a girlfriend of mine was going to Brazil through them. I knew going into it I just wanted to give back to the community and I had no expectations. Initially I signed up for 8 weeks, but soon I changed it to 12 weeks because of the great culture and hospitality CCS staff provided for me. The staff at CCS are incredibly warm, attentive, and make you feel like family. I found this to be very important because as we go to our placements its quite difficult and heart breaking, and it was nice to come back to home base and have the support and care from the staff. Any feeling of anxiousness, sadness, happiness, humorous, the staff at CCS was always present and they always had great advice to support the way you were feeling at the time. Also the staff was helpful for outside activities, whether it was a show, concert, festival, touring Bahia, they always had great recommendations.
As for accommodation, the house and rooms were kept very clean. The house is in great and safe neighborhood, and across the street best ice cream in the world.
Also, the food was delicious, I love food, so that was a great plus to have on the program. The cook was amazing because she would literally make everything from scratch, even the dough for the breads and pastries. There was fresh juices available, and snacks. But the most memorable part for me was the staff sitting with us at breakfast and lunch, and sharing laughs and stories around the table.
The program surpassed every expectation I could possibly imagine. Words cannot describe how magical my journey was in Brazil. Thank you CCS Brazil.
Program:
Location:
Posted: July 26, 2012
Overall:
10
Support:
10
Value:
10
By: BiancaBahman
Age:
28
I first heard about CCS through my brother who had done a program in 2007. At the time he did it I wasn't really in a position to do one, but when I finished my undergrad degree in 2009 I decided that now is my time.
So in January 2009 before I graduated I signed up to do a four week program in a place I had always dreamed about visiting, Brazil! Luckily for me they have a great program in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. I worked as a caregiver at Madre Teresa and the kids were amazing and so welcoming to people coming in to share their time with them.
CCS' program I felt was very well organized and the program included a lot of great excursions and language lessons to name a few things. I also met a lot of other volunteers who would turn into great friends that I keep in contact with to this day.
The in country staff was very helpful to me and provided an amazing experience for me and other volunteers. I would recommend CCS to anyone I meet as it is a wonderful opportunity to do something meaningful for people in need of help. Whether your program is for 1, 2, 3, 4 weeks or more it's worth it and I hope you can experience it for yourself.
Program:
Location:
Posted: July 25, 2012
Overall:
10
Support:
10
Value:
10
By: bharley
Age:
28
As an older professional female I spent a great deal of time exploring various international volunteer organizations before choosing CCS's India program. While I enjoy the younger generation, I did not want to live in a dorm party atmosphere- I need my sleep and truly wanted to be immersed in the local culture and make a difference in the community. So much so that I choose the internship program to challenge me further. There was a range of ages present and I was able to make really good friendship with fellow volunteers. Thanks to the caring staff at CCS India, I was able to achieve my personal and professional goals during the 8 weeks I spent giving health exams at the NGO Vidya. Bela, Jaggi, Vicky, and Lalit exemplify the warm hospitality of the Indian people and go out of their way to make sure volunteers feel at home and experience an authentic cultural exchange; the level of cultural lessons and tours were incredible! Suresh and Pawan are fantastic cooks, you are well fed and taken care of by all the staff, including the drivers. Feedback is encouraged and welcomed and before you know it, you become one of the family. My placement was relevant and meaningful; I was embraced by the kids and the teachers at Vidya and again made wonderful connections during my time there. I was so impressed by the quality of this program that I am working to bring a group of older professional women to India this winter! If you are thinking about CCS India....DO it! No regrets.
Program:
Location:
Posted: July 25, 2012
Overall:
8
Support:
9
Value:
8
Age:
53
