How to Choose an International Volunteer Program

You’ve decided to incorporate some aspect of volunteering into your travels – now how do you choose the right international volunteer program for you? One of the biggest benefits of volunteering abroad is the opportunity to learn and experience another culture. So much of the travel experience is take-take-take and for many that rarely even involves a genuine cultural exchange.

But by including volunteering as part of your travels, you’re able to immerse yourself into a culture and give a little something back as a way of saying thanks. When I decided to take a career break in the summer of 2006, I knew that I wanted to include volunteering into my experience. And there were many factors that I considered that helped me decide what program was best for me. Read more

Angie Kalousek Takes a “Leap of Faith”

In the summer of 2007, Angie Kalousek experienced a two-month career break in Europe. She share’s with us her original thoughts on what made her decide to take this “Leap of Faith”.

Well, I did it. The job that I once loved became the job that I no longer love…and it was time for a change. So I took a leap of faith. I have chosen to forgo the reliable paycheck in hopes of discovering something more…something meaningful, joyful and fulfilling.

We all give so much of ourselves to our employers, and I wonder if we’re slowly giving away valuable minutes in our lives. Sure, we all need to work. We need to support ourselves, and we need to feel like we’re contributing to this world and enhancing our lives. But work should always bring us satisfaction and be a tool for growth. If it is, and you’re happy, you’re on the right track. But if not, it might be time to reevaluate…which is what I am doing.

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Angie Kalousek – Living for Now

Angie Kalousek shares with us how choosing to take a “Leap of Faith” and venture off on a two-month career break in Europe affected her life.

Prior to my career break, I had traveled quite a bit, which I suspect is what gave me the bug. I’d spent time in most countries of Europe, Russia, Chile, Thailand, Israel, Australia and Costa Rica…and of course the more proximate Canada and Mexico. I also have visited roughly half of our 50 states…but I don’t really consider that traveling.

I think the past experience traveling was really beneficial in that I knew how to “tone down” my American-ness…which goes a long way with the locals. Always be gracious by learning at least a few phrases in the local language – and smile a lot. I would have to say that as much as my previous travel prepared me for my trip, corporate life did little to prepare me. Maybe that was why I was going – to learn something new.

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Follow Your Dreams with Sherry Ott

Briefcase to Backpack Co-founder, Sherry Ott, was recently featured on the Wandering Educators website – a global community of educators sharing travel experiences.

One of the coolest sites I’ve found this year is called Ottsworld – Travel and Life Experiences of a Corporate American Runaway. Published by Sherry Ott, the site explores Sherry’s travel adventures since she quit her corporate job a few years ago. Isn’t it a traveler’s dream, to give it all up and just GO?

This site shares the real-life experiences of a woman who did – and has had such life-enriching experiences since she made the change.  It is a daily reminder to me that we don’t have to do ANYTHING but figure out what we *want* to do, and then figure out a way to do it. Life is for living! From the photo of the week to Sherry’s travel tips, adventures, and posts about her life, this site is a treasure.

Read more about how to “Follow Your Travel Dreams” on the Wandering Educators website.

Sherry was also interviewed on Indie Travel Podcast – an internet radio show dedicated to all things travel. In this interview, hosts Craig and Linda talked to Sherry after she returned home from her original 16-month career break: “Home and Away with Sherry Ott”

Career Breaks & Sabbaticals in the New York Times

It’s nice to see that other Americans are embracing the concept of taking a career break or sabbatical, as featured in two recent New York Times articles:

“Those ‘Gap Years’ Aren’t Just for Students”

Dennis R. Sinar, 61, a doctor from Washington, N.C., is quick to explain why he took a yearlong break from his job.

“I was pretty burned out after practicing medicine for 26 years,” said Dr. Sinar, a gastroenterologist and professor of medicine at East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C. “I needed a recharge.”

So he took a “gap year,” from July 2007 to June 2008, to explore things like stone masonry, antique restoration, archaeology and traditional Eastern medicine, in locations spanning from Alaska to Nepal to Romania. “I think everyone in his heart of hearts has some things they have always wanted to do but for one reason or other never does,” Dr. Sinar said.

Read more about American’s taking career breaks at The New York Times online.

“Finding New Energy by Detouring From the Fast Track”

Taking off for an extended period can be a rare opportunity to recharge, recalibrate the life-work equation or reinvent yourself. And whether that break is paid for by an employer, supported by a grant from a foundation or financed by personal savings, many people are turning to timeouts to figure out their next steps.

Read more about American’s taking sabbaticals at The New York Times online.

Culture Shock: Overview

If you search the internet for culture shock, chances are you will come across a number of sites and studies detailing the “Phases of Culture Shock”. It has been conveniently broken down into four phases:

1. The Honeymoon Phase – the period in which you view every experience in the new culture in a romantic and wonderful light.
2. The Negotiation Phase – this tends to be the most common and expected phase as you start missing the creature comforts of home and may be annoyed by what used to be so “romantic”.
3. The Adjustment Phase – you’re finally starting to feel situated and the experiences you have feel “normal”.
4. Reverse Culture Shock – because this is usually the most unexpected phase, it can sometimes be the most difficult one, as you don’t expect you have to adjust to life back at home.

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