Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Cross-Cultural Solutions

As time goes by, I'm not getting any younger. And the older I get, the more I'm thinking about my future. We only live once and I want to make sure I make something out of my life. For a very long time now, I've been pondering on what to do.

As I mentioned in another blog last month, I said I wanted to volunteer, see the world, and help people. So I decided to look up the Peace Corp. After reading over everything, I believe it truly is an incredible foundation. However, there are so many requirements, sacrifices, and commitments you must do if you want to join it. And right now, I'm not qualified, nor am I even sure if I want to commit 2 years of my life to it. So I looked up another program called Cross-Cultural Solutions. I can spend 1-12 weeks wherever I want. And not only do you volunteer and help make a difference in people's lives, but they even provide classes to learn about the culture of the country you are in. They also give u free time so you can go explore the country, relax at the home base, call family and friends, etc. This is an organization that I definitely want to be involved in when I graduate. The only problem here is that it's a non-profit organization, so you have to pay a fee, and let me tell you... it is NOT cheap at all! If I want to spend 12 weeks, it's going to be over $6,000. Plus pocket money so it's a lot. But it's something I believe will be worth it.

I want to work with kids because as corny as this may sound, I believe that if you want to start change, it's best to start with our children. Children now are the future and to create a better future, helping and teaching our kids and others less fortunate will provide a better life for them. And then they can pass that on to others.

Cross-Cultural Solutions has many bases, but the two that I am very interested in is China and Russia. Hopefully I can do both, but if not, one of them is fine. After doing CCS, if I feel like it wasn't enough or that I want more, then I will probably sign up for the Peace Corp. By then, I will be more qualified and ready.

So that is my plan in 2-4 years. By then, hopefully even earlier, I would have already graduated with my Journalism and Mass Communications degree. I don't plan on trying to find a job and working right after graduation. I plan to jumping straight into this after graduation. Please pray for me to accomplish this! My only problem will be the money, but hopefully I can come up with it myself. This is something I want to work for myself, without my parents help (well.. maybe a little help wouldn't hurt hehe).

For more info about Cross-Cultural Solutions, check out their website here:
http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/volunteering-abroad.aspx

1 comment:

  1. even with this... oh my, we are cousins! i never thought you would have the same passion as i do! i've been wanting to do that as well... like honestly and seriously! 2007 at our church if i'm not mistaken... they were asking for volunteers to do the same you'll be doing with CCS but of course that includes sharing God's word too... and this is in Africa. I am so dying to join them but I couldn't because it does cost A lot of money. I told my mom and she's fine with it but couldn't help me though coz you know... financial issues. But man, if you happen to achieve this I would be FREAKIN' jealous! Awww... I really think this is really AWESOME especially making a difference others children's lives?! THAT is just GREAT! =) I will pray for you though! Who knows, we might go together someday!

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