Teen Voices

Cross-Cultural Solutions immerses you in the Thai culture. You are living and working in Thailand. There is an incredible difference between observing and absorbing the culture. By volunteering, you are immediately moving away from simply observing Thailand to getting involved with the people: forming relationships, creating and working towards a common goal and at the most valuable times, replacing your needs with the needs of another.

Thailand alone is absolutely amazing, but without Cross-Cultural Solutions it would have only been half the experience.
Jacqueline, Age 17, Thailand Volunteer

My overall experience in Tanzania was absolutely amazing! In just about every area, from the culture, to the other volunteers, to the children themselves, the whole trip absolutely surpassed all expectations I had pre-arrival. Everything stood out in its own way, [but] I would say that the opportunity I had to hold those little kindergarteners' hands through the learning process was something that just really touched my heart, and separated itself from some of the other amazing things I experienced. Overall it was probably the best three weeks I can remember in my life.
Zachary, Age 17, Tanzania Volunteer

Thanks to Cross-Cultural Solutions, I have strengthened my views that traveling leads to the understanding of other people, and the differences between us and other cultures in the world. Then that understanding leads to the respect of our differences in culture and lifestyle, and the respect leads to happiness for everyone. I just want to say thank you for awakening the world traveling bug in me!!!
Ashley, Age 17, Peru Volunteer

It was the best thing I’ve ever done! I’ve never really traveled by myself before and it was really different and safe and this experience makes me want to travel more.
Molly, Age 17, Thailand Volunteer

My experience was an experience of a lifetime. Not many people I know had the opportunity to volunteer abroad at my age, and I consider myself lucky. I learned so many important things about parts of the rest of the world that would be impossible to learn in a classroom. Things that I used to take for granted I now treasure and am thankful for. My experience in Costa Rica gave me a whole new outlook on life.
Brianna, Age 14, Costa Rica Volunteer

Listening to my fellow volunteers speak so passionately about NGO's, globalization, international relations, etc, made me want to continue to be involved in bettering our global community. It caused me to think and go deeper, as well as broadened my perspectives on various subjects. The experience also taught me a lot about myself and what I am capable of.
Mirelle, Age 16, Guatemala Volunteer

It is seriously one of the most amazing experiences that you'll ever have. Not only did I feel I was helping other people, it was a huge growing experience for myself. I learned so much about myself, who I am, and what I want to do with my life - in just three weeks!!
Hayley, Age 16, Thailand-Bangkok Volunteer

More than anything, I would have to say that the experience was humbling, enlightening, and exciting. I was exposed to so many new things that I had never before come into contact with. There was so much to learn and discover. I was truly amazed and humbled by coming into contact with the magnitude of all the things I will never be able to really know and by how incredibly different and similar the world can be at the same time.
Kathleen A., Age 16, Peru Volunteer

I loved everything about Guatemala, and I can truly say that this trip was one of the most valuable and memorable experiences I’ve ever had.
Grace K., Age 16, Guatemala Volunteer

This sort of stuff (international development) has been in my head lately as a career. Now that I'm home, I've decided that I really want to continue this type of work. I'm not sure if I necessarily want to teach English but probably I will end up majoring in International Affairs. This experience has opened my mind a lot. Being 17 and going to Thailand by myself and then traveling around has already made me much more confident in myself. I'm sure that I'm going to value this experience for the rest of my life.
Nadia S., Age 17, Thailand Volunteer

The good things that I did at my placement and the people I met will stay with me forever.. an experience I will never forget.
Puja D., Age 16, Peru Volunteer

My experiences in Tanzania will forever be remembered and cherished. I have learned more from this summer than any other preceding summer. Travel to Tanzania and all over the world is what I firmly declare as a passion, and, when incorporated with volunteerism, it becomes a personal mission.
James P., Age 17, Tanzania Volunteer

It was the best thing I’ve ever done! I’ve never really traveled by myself before and it was really different and safe and makes me want to travel more.
Molly C., Age 17, Thailand-Trang Volunteer

My experience in Guatemala has changed my life. I left with an understanding of the customs and traditions of the country as well as a working level of Spanish and a new insight into developing nations and poverty and it effects.
Jennifer, Age 17, Guatemala Volunteer

It was the most amazing experience of my life! Oh my god!! It was just amazing -- the feeling, the people, everything!!
Lisa O., Age 17, Peru Volunteer