Cross Cultural Solutions

Cross-Cultural Solutions Launches New Program Site

Cross-Cultural Solutions (CCS) just launched a new opportunity for people to volunteer in Africa this coming spring and summer—Robertson, South Africa.

Start dates for the new Robertson site are currently offered from April to August 2009 with programs ranging from three to 12 weeks.

Robertson is a small, countryside town located 90 minutes from Cape Town on the longest wine route in South Africa, the popular Route 62. It is not only known as one of today's most attractive Cape Wineland towns, but the surrounding region, home to approximately 17,000 people, is also international recognized for its award-winning wines.

International tourists know Robertson for its lush landscape, near the scenic Langeberg Mountains, and visit the local wineries for tours and tastings. However, CCS volunteers will have the opportunity to gain more profound insights into the culture of this historic town. They will work side-by-side with local people, and see the remnants of social inequality from apartheid, slavery, and feudalism. Volunteers will learn about the disparity in the region between farm owners and farm workers and the challenges—old and new—that community members face as a result.

Despite laws against the "tot system," this once-common practice of paying farm workers with alcohol has deeply affected health and other social issues for the community members of Robertson. More recently, the migration of laborers looking for new job opportunities at farms and fruit factories has brought an influx of new people and cultures into the region.

The focus of CCS volunteers in Robertson will be supporting farm workers and their families through daycares, schools, special education or vocational centers, and other community organizations.

Robertson is the second site in South Africa for CCS. Since 2007, the organization has already worked with over 500 international volunteers in the city of Cape Town. The scenic, rural Robertson site offers a smaller community feel versus the international urban feel of Cape Town. This allows CCS to showcase two very different sides of South Africa.

CCS volunteer programs are open to people of all ages and skill levels. The programs include Volunteer Work, Cultural & Learning Activities, Free Time, and lodging at a CCS Home-Base where volunteers live together. Meals and transportation to and from volunteer sites are also included.

Cross-Cultural Solutions was founded in 1995 and now operates volunteer programs in 12 countries around the world in partnership with sustainable community initiatives. As a not-for-profit organization with no political or religious affiliations, CCS brings people together to work side-by-side while sharing perspectives and fostering cultural understanding.

2010 Start Dates Now Available!

Cross-Cultural Solutions offers year-round programs from 1-12 weeks in 12 countries across Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. Now, 2010 start dates are available for Volunteer Abroad, Intern Abroad, Insight Abroad (one week), and Teen Volunteer Abroad!

Want to volunteer this year? Placements are still available for summer and fall 2009, but space is limited!

For the experience of a lifetime - start planning your 2009 or 2010 program today!

A New Beginning with the Muslim World

Many world leaders have praised the call by the President of the United States for “a new beginning” in relationships with the Muslim world and the United Nations considers his speech to be “a crucial step in bridging divides and promoting intercultural understanding.”Cross-Cultural Solutions champions the idea that we all share the "responsibility to join together on behalf of the world we seek," and believes that international volunteering is an important way to work towards that goal.

One of the 12 countries where CCS provides international volunteer opportunities and cultural immersion is Morocco, where volunteers will discover an Islamic culture that is also influenced by African and European values and customs. Both Arabic and French languages are widely spoken in this beautiful North African country where people embrace many different ethnic backgrounds and faiths. CCS volunteers work in the cosmopolitan capital city of Rabat, located along the Atlantic Ocean.

In Rabat, volunteers work side-by-side with community-based organizations to help in a variety of ways, including supporting and empowering women and children by providing education, employment, and other social services. As a result of this experience, our volunteers make meaningful connections with local people, return home with a newfound understanding of the Muslim world, and share their experiences with those at home. CCS programmes offer opportunities to experience the local culture through activities such as Arabic language instruction, cooking classes, an introduction to Moroccan music, and insightful lectures on the history, religion, and economy in Morocco. Volunteers also have free time to reflect and explore Morocco in their own way.

Volunteer programmes are available in Rabat year-round, from 1-12 weeks. If you're inspired to take action now, it's not too late to volunteer this summer! 2010 start dates are also now available. In today's troubled economy, you might be wondering how to make volunteering abroad a reality. Hundreds of CCS volunteers successfully fundraise. In addition, you can always speak to a Program Enrolment Manager at 1-800-380-4777 from 9 am to 9 pm EST to support you in taking the next step.

CCS volunteers are ambassadors of change who represent hope, goodwill, and a commitment to valuing cultures different from their own. In a time when understanding between cultures is more important than ever, you can be a part of the solution. Reserve your space now to experience this incredible and diverse Islamic country first-hand.

Volunteer Abroad - It's an Exciting Time to Serve!

This year, more and more people around the world are catching on to the value of volunteer service and international solidarity. Cross-Cultural Solutions is proud to be at the forefront of this worldwide movement, and you can be, too.

Every day, news reports remind us that the challenges we face as individual nations are truly connected. And now, more than ever, we see responsible world leaders and global citizens seek to find solutions that are connected as well. International volunteers are needed to build that international solidarity by first building international friendships based on respect, understanding, and common goals.

In the past few months, we're encouraged by world leaders continuing to push forward legislation to support the field of international volunteering and allow more people than ever to find a way to serve. The global stage is set for more dedicated, energetic international volunteers - to remind world leaders that our interest in serving others is sincere, focused on developing friendships and cultural understanding.

In his visit to Russia this week, President Obama said, "...real progress - whether it's economic or social or political - doesn't come from the top-down... It comes from people, it comes from the grassroots - it comes from you." Take this time to volunteer abroad with CCS in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America to contribute to development from the ground-up. It's an exciting time to serve.

In our dedication to also help as many people as possible to share in the experience of volunteering abroad, CCS has created new online fundraising resources to provide helpful tools and tips. Scholarships and grants may also be available to help make your volunteer experience a reality - contact us from 9am-9pm EST for more information or answers to your questions.

CCS offers volunteer programs from 1-12 weeks, and 2010 start dates are now available - find a start date that fits your schedule, or enroll online today. If you want to take action now, contact us to find out which sites may still have space for this summer or fall.

Best Regards,

Dava Antoniotti
Director of Program Enrollment
Cross-Cultural Solutions