From Start to Finish

"A critical factor influencing the success of this experience was my Program Manager. She provided me with resources to help me determine if I was prepared and personally ready for the experience, discussed pertinent logistical and country specific information prior to my departure, responded in a timely and sensitive manner to any issues and questions that I or my parents had, and maintained contact with me during and after my stay."

Tara Badali, Volunteer in Costa Rica

International Volunteering We are dedicated to helping you have the experience of a lifetime. From start to finish we are there for you every step of the way.

From your first contact with the organization you can be assured to speak with a friendly and knowledgeable Program Enrollment Manager that can give you a thorough picture of the CCS Experience and the countries where we operate. All of our Program Enrollment Managers are alumni of CCS who were once looking for an international volunteer experience, just like you.

We firmly believe that you should speak with people who know the CCS Experience personally. That's why Program Enrollment staff include only alumni of Cross-Cultural Solutions. They can answer all of your questions and even connect you with people who have recently volunteered in the country or on the program in which you are interested.

Prior to departure, you'll speak with one of our U.S.-based Program Managers, also alumni of Cross-Cultural Solutions. They are able to respond to specific questions about the community and the programs because they've been there. They can inform you about the local culture and day-to-day life within the community, as well as give you a sense of what you might expect as an international volunteer.

Our Program Managers and in-country staff are in constant contact with each other and will help match your skills with the needs of the local organizations through our placement process. They have compiled a Participant Handbook that covers everything from local customs to information on the history, climate, and social aspects of the area. We encourage you to contact Program Managers any time with questions big or small — the better prepared the volunteer, the more successful the experience will be.

Before your arrival in-country, our local staff will have arranged for your volunteer work placement with one of our Partner Programs. Upon your arrival, they will pick you up at the airport and bring you to the Cross-Cultural Solutions Home-Base where they will take you through an in-depth orientation, discussing important cultural norms with you and preparing you for your stay. Throughout your stay, our in-country staff will be there for you. They hold regular feedback meetings, visit you at your placement, and are constantly available around the Home-Base. They'll help answer questions you may have about the local community and provide you with any support or help you may need in settling in and having a great experience.

They are dedicated to helping you achieve your goals for your international experience and always go the extra mile.

At the end of your stay in-country, you'll have a chance to provide us with feedback on your experience. We have a thorough evaluation process so that we constantly improve our program. Feedback is very important for us.

We'll also provide you with resources — an Alumni Action Network — to help you take your experience and use it to stay involved with, and take action on, global issues.