Cross-Cultural Solutions is proudly celebrating 15 years, and 25,000 volunteers. Through the years, our volunteers have given us feedback on what has made their experience as a volunteer more memorable, and we also asked them what advice they would give to a new volunteer. Below, you'll find a few helpful tips from former volunteers:
1. Join the CCS Community
The CCS Community is a social network where people who are interested in Cross-Cultural Solutions programs can connect to share stories, photos, videos and blogs. Check it out at www.ccscommunity.org.
2. Read the Placement Guide for Ideas
CCS created the Placement Guide to give our volunteers some creative ideas for use at their placements. Read through the book for tips, projects, and other ideas that can help you with your volunteer work.
3. Connect with Fellow Volunteers Before You Go
Learn more about others in your group — you might even want to become travel buddies and make some plans before you go.
4. Bring Something Interesting from Home
Give everyone at your placement a small glimpse into your life by sharing photos or something interesting that reflects your culture and who you are.
5. Document Your Experience with a Blog or a Journal
You’ll be able to share your adventures with your friends and family and it’ll be a great resource to look back on in the future!
6. Get to Know the In-Country Staff
CCS In-Country staff are always from the communities that we work in. They have knowledge about the local people and community that only a local person would know. So take time to get to know them and pick their brain!
7. Go With the Flow
Be open to trying new things. You’ll find that stepping out of your comfort zone will allow you to have some of your most memorable experiences.
8. Try to Learn the Local Language
It’ll help you to communicate more easily with people at your placement and in the community. So don’t be shy — everyone will appreciate the effort.
9. Use the Resource Centers in the Home-Base
CCS staff have stocked the Resource Centers with materials for you to use at your placement. Be sure to read the Log Books to see what former volunteers did at your placement, too.
10. Participate in All Cultural & Learning Activities
These activities have been created by CCS staff to fully immerse the volunteers. Each one is meant to provide more insight and a different perspective into the culture.
11. Allow Yourself to Have an Adventure
Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself and do something new, you’ll be surprised at what you can accomplish.
12. Visit Local Shops and Markets
One of the best ways to get to know a new culture is by immersing yourself in it. Get recommendations from the staff or local friends on where to shop and what to eat. Every culture has something new and interesting to try.
13. Learn a Local Dance
You don’t have to be an expert dancer to have some fun. Learning a new dance is a fun challenge and a great way to burn calories!
14. Explore the Rest of the Country On the Weekends
Every country is unique in its own way. Go out and explore what it has to offer.
15. Don’t Stop Once You’re Home
Continue to be part of the CCS Alumni Community by keeping in touch. Join the LinkedIn group or email alumni@crossculturalsolutions.org to give updates on what you've been up to and how your CCS experience has affected your life.
