This document provides information about Cross-Cultural Solutions' Teen Volunteer Abroad program, which allows international teens to volunteer abroad in China, Ghana, South Africa, Costa Rica, or Guatemala. The program includes hands-on volunteer work, cultural immersion activities, safety and supervision, and opportunities for independence. Teens volunteer in areas like schools, hospitals, and orphanages while participating in local activities. Home bases are secure locations with staff support. The application process involves essays, references, and an interview to determine suitability. Enrollees receive pre-departure and on-site support to prepare for and place them in volunteer assignments.

1. Become an International Teen
Volunteer!
Volunteer abroad with Cross-Cultural
Solutions in China, Ghana, South
Africa, Costa Rica, or Guatemala

2. Program Structure
• 5th year Cross-Cultural Solutions has offered the Teen
Volunteer Abroad Program!
• Volunteer Work
– Hands on, project-based, interact with local community
• Cultural & Learning Activities
– Cultural immersion
• Supervised Free Time
• Focus on teens interacting
with other children/peers
their own age in community

3. Safety & Supervision
• Transportation
– Airport pick up, transportation to volunteer work &
activities
• 27 hour supervision
– During volunteer work, Cultural & Learning Activities,
structured/supervised free time
• Home base
– Secure, gated, 24-hour security guard
– Curfew/lights out
• In-county staff
– All members of local community

4. Value of being an International Teen
Volunteer
• Rekindles spirit, promotes volunteerism within community
• Puts program locations on global focus
– Teens part of Global Team of Leaders
• Teens develop leadership skills by taking on responsibility
roles
– Grouping teens, establishing Team Leaders each day,
opportunity for cultural exchange, promotes domestic
volunteerism
• Because teens traveling on their own – have reasonable
amount of freedom/independence
• College/job applications
– Determine a major or career path
– Increases cultural competency
– High lights unique skills and experiences

5. Xi’an, China
•Starting point of silk
road
•Meeting point of
East & West China
•Modern industrial
city, rich history &
cultural background

6. Xi’an, China
•Volunteer in afternoons
•Working with locals
schools, teaching
English, interacting with
students, refinishing
classrooms
•Cultural & Learning
Activities in mornings
•Bike on city walls
•Chinese painting &
calligraphy
“Xi’an is a great place to volunteer because, •Visit country side
historically and culturally, it is not as modern •Karaoke night
as Beijing or Shanghai. Volunteers really will •Market visits
be able to feel the effect of their work with
the local community.”
— Jerome Dong, Country Director

7. Hohoe, Ghana
Established in 1996
West Africa, Volta Region
Rural location
The people! Focus on
relationships, taking your time
with one another

8. Hohoe, Ghana
• Volunteer work in
mornings
– Hands on, painting
hospital, planting
mango trees
– Visit orphanage some
afternoons
• Cultural & Learning
Activities in afternoon
– Visit monkey
sanctuary
– Traditional
drum/dance
ceremony
– Batik lesson
– Wli Waterfall hike

9. Noordhoek, South Africa

10. Noordhoek, South • New Program!
• Suburb of Cape Town
Africa • Beautiful coastal
area
• Volunteer work
– Working with school
holiday program,
day care centers,
orphanages
– Interact with peers
in community
• Cultural & Learning
Activities
– Town tours
– Discussion on
Apartheid
– Guest lecture on
HIV/AIDS
– Horseback riding
– Youth group

11. Orosi, Costa Rica
•1 week Program
•Small, colonial
town
•Agricultural
community
•Nature lovers!
•Volcanoes,
lakes, hiking,
fishing

12. Orosi, Costa Rica
•Volunteer work in
mornings
•Within local schools
•Teaching English
•Games, sports,
activities with
younger children
•Cultural & Learning
Activities in afternoons
•Spanish language
lessons
•Dance lessons
•Cooking lessons
•Tour of Orosi Town &
Orosi Valley

13. Tecpan, Guatemala
•Diverse country, indigenous
populations
•Tecpan is the first capital of
Guatemala
• Small, rural town in
mountainous region
•Large Mayan population in
the area

14. Tecpan, • Volunteer work in
mornings
Guatemala – Work with Mayan
youth population
– Teaching English,
painting a mural
• Cultural & Learning
Activities in
afternoons
– Town tour
– Cackchiquel &
Spanish lessons
– Visit markets, a
local artist’s home
– Iximche ruins and
witness a Mayan
Ceremony
– Visit women’s
groups developing
organic coffee &
honey

15. Home Bases

16. Home Bases

17. Home Bases

18. Volunteer Work & Activities

19. Volunteer Work & Activities

20. Volunteer Work & Activities

21. Volunteer Work & Activities

23. Volunteer Work & Activities

24. Application Process
• Essay questions
• Letters of reference
• Parent/Guardian statement
• Phone interview
• Tips:
– Be yourself!
– Be open & honest
– Get creative! Ex: video application

25. Enrollment Process
• Pre-departure support
– Work with Program Manager for your location
– Support you with preparation for program
– Liaison between volunteer & in-country staff
– In contact with other teens in group
• Placement information
– Receive information about volunteer work
assignment 1-2 weeks before departure

26. Questions?
1-800-380-4777
Program Enrollment Department
http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org
Teen Volunteer Abroad