Program Photos
Volunteeer or Intern Abroad in South Africa for 2 to 12 weeks
Location: South Africa: Cape Town (Kaapstad)
Program Duration: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Year Round
http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org
2 Clinton Place New Rochelle, NY 10801 United States
Call Us
Phone: 914 632-0022
Fax: 914-632-8494
Description
Work closely with community-based organizations and public service institutions as a volunteer with Cross-Cultural Solutions, a service corps that is dedicated to improving the lives of Cape Town's residents.
As an international volunteer with CCS, you're making a positive contribution, by sharing in the goals of a South African community that warmly welcomes you. You'll gain new perspectives and insight into the culture and yourself. It's an exciting and personally inspiring experience and you'll develop memories that will stay with you forever.
In April 2007, after over a decade of experience operating volunteer programs, CCS opened its first program in South Africa in the metropolitan city of Cape Town. With a population of 2.9 million people, the city's diversity, strong sense of culture and commitment to social change makes it an exciting place to volunteer.
In South Africa, volunteers are involved with:
* Caring for infants and children
* Teaching children
* Teaching English
* Assisting teachers
* Working towards women's empowerment
* Caring for the elderly
* Observing and assisting local health professionals
* Working with people affected by HIV/AIDS
Cross-Cultural Solutions is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that addresses critical global issues by providing meaningful and sustainable volunteer service to communities abroad, and investing in the local economies and people. To-date, more than 25,000 people have participated in our volunteer programs, providing over two million hours of service to communities we serve in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. The continuous, year-round service that CCS provides creates opportunities for cultural exchange; promotes education, childhood development, and healthy living; encourages domestic volunteering and awareness of community needs; breaks down stigmas and stereotypes; and improves quality of life.
Highlights
Cape Town's rich and complex history is often overshadowed by its reputation as one of the world's most beautiful cities, with majestic mountains, beautiful valleys, wide sandy beaches and breathtaking scenery.
Volunteering with CCS in South Africa, you'll learn about the legacy of apartheid and how it shapes present-day Cape Town's social landscape. You'll learn about the changes, celebrations, and challenges that have emerged within its young democracy of ten years where the socio-economic impacts of poverty, unemployment and HIV/AIDS will be highlighted. You'll experience and enjoy a safe and structured program designed to help you truly immerse yourself in the local culture. You'll work side-by-side with the local people, contributing directly to community-based projects, some of which are located in townships. These dynamic grassroots organizations help to provide education, employment, social assistance, and health care - including HIV/AIDS outreach and education.
Cross-Cultural Solutions offers a wide variety of programs and experiences, but all of our volunteers come away with the same benefits:
* Personal Growth
* Having a Purpose
* Gaining Independence and Confidence
* Connecting with Others
* Seeing a Country from the Inside-Out
The CCS Home-Base
CCS offers volunteers unprecedented support, and our entire infrastructure is designed around volunteer safety. Each of our programs is located close to a CCS Home-Base, your "home away from home" while volunteering abroad. Each Home-Base is exclusively for CCS volunteers, and designed for your safety and comfort. Here, you can connect with other volunteers and CCS staff, reflect on your experiences, enjoy meals together, read and relax.
The CCS experience also includes cultural and learning activities so that you can learn about the local culture. These include an in-depth orientation, language training, guest speakers and more. Volunteers also have plenty of free time to relax, reflect or explore the community and country.
Qualifications
No special skills required.
Languages
- English
Cost in US$:
Please visit our website for program fees.
Cost Include Description:
* Personalized Volunteer Placement with our Partner Programs, based on your skills and interests, including all the coordination, in-person visits and communication necessary with each local organization.
* In-country Perspectives Programming that includes excursions to nearby points of interest, special events and discussions with a variety of local cultural, professional, governmental and community agencies and people.
* Cross-Cultural Solutions' Home-Base structure, providing you with a comfortable, safe place to live, the basic amenities, all of your meals, and transportation to and from all Cross-Cultural Solutions' placements and programs.
* An experienced U.S. based Cross-Cultural Solutions Program Manager (and former volunteer with Cross-Cultural Solutions) who will serve as your coordinator, guide, and liaison with our in-country staff.
* In-country basic language assistance (optional).
* Professional, locally-based staff to provide orientation, supervision and guidance throughout your stay.
* Travel medical insurance and emergency evacuation insurance, applicable to participants worldwide.
* Important documents, including in-depth pre-departure packs, orientation information, and all in-country informational materials.
* Country-based airport transportation.
* Local phone calls.
* In-coming international phone service.
* A toll-free 24-hour emergency hotline in the U.S.
Credit Available
yes
Volunteer Types
- AIDS
- Childcare/children
- Culture
- Elderly
- English Teaching
- Hospital
- Medicine
- Seniors
- Teaching
- Volunteering
- Women
Age Range
18 and older, younger applicants accepted with applicationThis Program is open to
American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African, Worldwide Participant. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.
Typical Living Arrangements
- Group living
Participants Travel to South Africa
Independently
Application Process Involves
- Other
Cross-Cultural Solutions's Mission Statement
Our mission is to operate volunteer programs around the world in partnership with sustainable community initiatives, bringing people together to work side-by-side while sharing perspectives and fostering cultural understanding. We are an international not-for-profit organization with no political or religious affiliations.
Year Founded
1995
