Need DU wisdom: International service programs for college-age student?

[OneGrassRoot]

My daughter wants to volunteer in another country this summer.

There are A TON of sites that come up when first searching.

I'm wondering if any DUers or friends/family have had personal experience with such organizations in placing a teen with volunteer opportunities?

Cost is a huge issue. I'm assuming Central America may be the best option for that reason. Are there ways to have these costs covered in some way, other than individual fundraisers, or are there programs which deal with this? I'm clueless, to be honest.

It's best if it's not a religious organization.

She has no specific skills to offer other than having a music/theatre background (nor is she fluent in another language) but wants to work with children or help build homes, dig irrigation ditches...anything like that is fine.

All suggestions are welcome!

Thanks.

:hi:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

1. If she wants to volunteer in Central America next summer

she should spend this school year learning Spanish. Seriously. The kinds of places that need volunteers don't have a lot of English speakers.

Some colleges have volunteer overseas programs built into their curriculum. Then there's Earthwatch Institute, which is a volunteer program where you help researchers in nature study, archaeology, or anthropology overseas, but you have to pay for it. You do get a tax deduction for it, but there's no financial aid. Programs appear to average between $3000 and $4000.

[OneGrassRoot]

3. Earthwatch Institute!

I forgot they have such programs. Thanks.

She's taken Spanish in high school but is far from fluent. It's not an option for her to take it as a class where she is, but she could study it independently.

Thanks. :)

[a la izquierda]

4. I, too, suggest strongly...

that she learn Spanish. Study abroad programs at the University I teach in require students to have several semesters of Spanish before going to Mexico. Most host families will not speak English at all, and families needing the help of NGOs likely won't speak any at all.

[OneGrassRoot]

6. Understood, thank you. :) n/t

[a la izquierda]

8. My first trip to Mexico...

was on study abroad. I caught giardia (horrendous intestinal parasite, for those that don't know). I could not really explain to my housemom what was going on. It was worse with the doctor, who thought I just had food poisoning. Luckily, my housemom was a nurse, and she basically kept me hydrated for the rest of my trip (5 more weeks). But I lost 20 pounds because I didn't get the right meds. I looked like I had cancer when I returned to the states. I was so ill that my regular doctors didn't get me well for about 3 months after that.
If your daughter has any specific questions about foreign travel in Mexico, please PM me. I spend good parts of every year down there on research trips.

[OneGrassRoot]

9. Omg, you poor thing!

That must have been awful. :(

She's looking at Costa Rica and Guatemala (those two countries have the most program opportunities from what I've seen).

Thank you so much. I will definitely PM you with any questions.

:)

[Brother Buzz]

2. Peace Corps offers free medical-dental, free travel, and a monthly stipends

All former Peace Corps workers I encounter speak fondly of their experience. My cousin freely admits he learned more from the host community then he had to offer.

I also understand they now have short programs, 1-3 months.

[OneGrassRoot]

5. Ah, shorter programs!

I didn't realize they had shorter programs. I'll DEFINITELY check that out right away.

Many thanks.

:hi:

[OneGrassRoot]

7. Any feedback about Volunteers for Peace?

http://www.vfp.org/

Their fees are much more reasonable; they even have a scholarship program.