Cross-Cultural Solutions

Oh, what an experience! It touched, my mind, body, and soul. The staff was very welcoming and hospitable; they were more than willing to help in any way possible whether it be with transportation, travel arrangements, health issues, comfort, language barriers, what clothes to wear and how to wear them, how to take a bucket shower, use the public restrooms, better appease your taste buds, etc., etc. I could keep going.

The children at the daycare/ preschool in which I was placed were just amazing. I was nervous at first not knowing what to expect from them, but it soon was realized that they are like all children. They laugh, cry, play, fight, and have the same needs and wants. The language barrier was my biggest concern, but with help from the staff, I was able to prepare myself with some basic Hindi phrases.

This program is so safe and so much fun. I miss everything about my time there; I can't wait to go back and/or travel elsewhere through CCS. There was always something to do and learn whether it be hiking the nearby trails, touring the Dalai Lama temple or Fort Kangra, yoga, learning the language and traditional dances, visiting McLeod Ganj and experiencing everything that lies within, and watching recommended Bollywood movies. CCS provides reliable transportation to all cultural events, and will even help establish safe and reliable transportation with personal travels.

The food is phenomenal, but I must say, takes some time getting used to, well, at least for me. CCS staff provides all meals at the home base, so there is no need to go out unless of course there's a special place in mind to try.

I have always had a niche for volunteering, but my experience in Dharamsala, India through CCS has inspired me to go big or go home. It was a real eye opener to global issues that need attention, some that I never truly realized until I was face to face with it. It was an experience on many levels. Not only did I get to explore a new culture within a new country, but I got to make a difference within it and myself too. I give all my thanks to Cross-Cultural Solutions!

CCS programs are a little expensive I will admit, but my experiences that I will take with me for the rest of my life are so worth it. There is so much good coming from CCS, they need the support to keep thriving and hopefully be able expand to further locations in need.

What an enjoyable, amazing experience I had as a Cross-Cultural Solutions volunteer in Rabat, Morocco. Home Base was so comfortable. That entire staff was always so accommodating. It was very comfortable, I always felt safe, and any questions I had were always answered. It was really a pleasure to volunteer teaching English. While working with each student and school administrators it was a great opportunity to share in cultural stories, and have fun during the entire process and time there. Although in a volunteer-teaching role, I learned so much!!

What a beautiful place and wonderful people; and I look forward to returning. I feel so fortunate to be able to volunteer in general. But the opportunity to volunteer abroad and have exposure to different cultures reminds me of our sameness, and also how much bigger our purposes are here. I am humbled and blessed.