Boomers Abroad

Highlights

Asia Highlights

Live with a tribal family in the mountains of Thailand while helping to build a school for their community, visit the Taj Mahal, meditate with Tibetan monks in the Himalayan mountains, hike along ancient footpaths connecting Nepalese villages, and much more... These are examples of just a few highlights on a trip that holds new adventures around every corner!

The next available Asia program is in fall 2012. The full tentative itinerary for that trip is as follows:

Colorado, USA (September 14 to 17):
For three days team members will live together in residence at the YMCA of the Rockies Conference Center in Estes Park, Colorado. In the midst of this spectacular Rocky Mountain setting they will take part in a series of orientation workshops covering topics such as team building, health and safety, cultural sensitivity, and more, in preparation for their time abroad.
*A detailed orientation schedule will be handed out upon arrival in Colorado.

Sept. 17-18: Flight to Asia:
The Team will depart Colorado's Rocky mountains on the morning of Sept. 17. They will fly together from Denver, across the Pacific Ocean, to Bangkok, Thailand.
*Flight details will be provided at a later date.

Thailand (September 18 to October 16)

Sept. 18-20: Bangkok:
Time to begin exploring this great Asian capital, including such sites as the Grand Palace, the floating markets, and the National Museum.
On the evening of Sept. 20, the team will board an overnight train heading north to Chiang Mai.

Sept. 21-22: Chiang Mai:
Time to explore the endless temples, and bustling markets of Thailand's large northern capital city.
On Sept. 22, travel by bus to village home stay.

Sept. 22-29: Village Home stay:
For one week the team will live in homes with Thai families in a small village about two hours outside of Chiang Mai. They will learn about local life by living it themselves. Days will be split up into three sections. Early mornings will be spent helping families with household work and chores, and possibly work in the fields or forest. Late mornings will be spent attending workshops on local culture and sustainable living techniques, including organic food production, and natural building. Late afternoons the team will be helping volunteer on a community project.
On the morning of Sept. 29, the team will depart the village and travel north by truck and bus to Chiang Rai.

Sept. 29-Oct. 7: Trek in Northern Mountains:
The team will trek for four days through the Northern hills outside of Chiang Rai. Along the way they will stay overnight with host families in tribal villages. On the last day they will return to Chiang Rai and have the opportunity to explore the city's night markets.
On Oct. 7, the team will travel by bus from Chiang Rai back to Chiang Mai and then will take an overnight train from Chiang Mai to Ayuthaya.

Oct. 8-9: Ayuthaya:
On bicycle, the group will explore the spectacular remains of this ancient Thai capital city.
Overnight train on Oct. 9 from Ayuthaya to the southern islands.

Oct. 10-14: Southern Islands:
By boat, snorkeling, kayaking, and deepdea diving, participants will explore and enjoy several spectacular beaches, crystal waters, and abundant underwater wildlife for which Thailand is renowned.
Return to mainland and travel by overnight train to Bangkok on Oct. 14.

Oct. 15-16: Bangkok:
Time for final exploration of bangkok. Thailand wrap-up, and preparation to move on to India.

Oct. 16: Flight to India:
The team will fly together from Bangkok to Delhi, India.
*Flight details will be provided at a later date.

India (October 16 to November 19)

Oct. 16-18: Delhi:
Time to explore India's bustling capital city, including sites such as Jama Masjid (the largest mosque in India) a local Sikh temple, Raj Ghat, the Gandhi museum, and city markets.
Travel by bus from Delhi to Agra on Oct. 18.

Oct. 18-20: Agra:
Visits to the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Free time.
Travel by bus from Agra to Jaipur on Oct. 20.

Oct. 20-25: Jaipur:
For five days the team will live with host families in this colorful, culturally rich, bustling capital city of Rajasthan. Here, they will begin getting intimately acquainted with Indian life. Each day will start with a yoga class, followed by survival Hindi language lessons. Days will be rounded out with various excursions within the city, visits to local sites, and introductory talks and workshops on various aspects of Indias culture and history.
Travel by overnight train on Oct. 25 from Jaipur south to Udaipur.

Oct. 26-27: Udaipur:
The team will have a day and a half to explore one of India's most colorful and romantic cities. They will tour the twisting streets of the old city, Monsoon Palace, and Fateh Sagar Lake, and will attend a workshop on Batik art.
There will also be a visit to a local NGO, and an introductory talk on development issues in local "Adivasi" communities, in preparation for the groups time in Jhadol.
Travel about two hours by bus from Udaipur to the village of Jhadol on the afternoon of Oct. 27.

Oct. 27-Nov. 3: Jhadol:
During this week the team will live with host families in the small rural village of Jhadol near Udaipur. While learning about village life, by living it themselves, team members will also volunteer to help on community projects. The team will be helping with the ongoing construction of a local school. They will also be teaching and running activities with children at local schools. Some time will also be spent helping families with household chores and with work in the fields.
On Nov. 3, the team will return by bus to Udaipur.

Nov. 3-4: Udaipur:
Free time to continue exploring Udaipur. Reflection on this section of the Indian experience.
Depart Udaipur on the night of Nov. 4 on an overnight train to Delhi, and continuing north to Amritsar.

Nov. 5-7: Amritsar:
For two nights, the team will live with other "pilgrims" in residence at the Golden Temple. While staying here, they will tour and learn about this holiest of sites for the Sikh faith. They will also have the opportunity to attend an India-Pakistan border ceremony.
Travel by bus north from Amritsar to Dharamsala on Nov. 7.

Nov 7-18: Dharamsala:
This small town, tucked in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains of northwestern India is home to the Tibetan government in exile and a very large population of Tibetan refugees, including their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.
During this nearly two week time period the team will split up and live in separate homes with Tibetan families. Days will be spent working on a variety of community service projects within the Tibetan community and also taking part in set activities to enhance their understanding of Tibetan culture, history and contemporary issues. Those who chose to may also attend an introductory meditation course/retreat practised in the Tibetan tradition. Additionally, the group will trek into the Himalayan foothills above Dharamsala.
Overnight train returning to Delhi on Nov. 18.

Nov. 19: Delhi:
India wrap-up. Fly from Delhi to Kathmandu, Nepal.
Flight details to follow.

Nepal (November 19 to December 13)

Nov. 19-22: Kathmandu:
The team will have two full days to explore the colorful and exotic capital city of Nepal.
Travel by bus from Kathmandu to village on Nov. 22.

Nov. 22-29: Village Home Stay:
A full week living with families in a typical small rural village. The team will learn about Nepalese life by living it themselves. They will also help out volunteering to work on a community project. Other activities to learn about local life will also take place.
Travel by bus from village to the city of Pokhara on Nov. 29.

Nov. 29-Dec. 1: Pokhara:
Preparation for Himalayan trek. Some time to explore this beautiful city at the base of Annapurna Mountain range.

Dec. 1-9: Himalayan Mountain Trek:
Nine-day hike in the Himalayan Mountains, through Nepalese villages, to Annapurna Base Camp, which is surrounded by some of the world's highest peaks Return to Pokhara.

Dec. 9-10: Pokhara:
Rest and recover from trek. More time to explore Pokhara.
Travel by bus from Pokhara back to Kathmandu on Dec. 10.

Dec. 10-13: Kathmandu:
Time for final exploration of Kathmandu. Program wrap-up, closure activities, and preparation for return home.

Dec. 13: Flight Home:
Return flight(s) from Kathmandu, Nepal, to Denver, Colorado. Program is finished upon return to Colorado.

South America Trip Highlights:

Highlights: Help to build an orphanage in Bolivia, learn to speak Spanish while living with local families, hike the Inca trail through the Peruvian Andes to Machu Picchu, do conservation work in the Ecuadorian rain forest, search for wildlife while sailing through the Galapagos Islands, and much more... These are just a few highlights on a trip that holds new adventures around every corner!

The next available South America program is in fall 2012. To view the full tentative itinerary for that trip, please visit the Youth International website.

Qualifications

Anyone who will be between 18 and 25 years of age when travelling is welcome to apply to join a Youth International trip. (*Some flexibility with this age restriction does exist.)

Languages

• Aymara
• English
• Hindi
• Quechua
• Spanish
• Thai
• Vietnamese

Cost in US$:

9,950

Cost Include Description:

The Youth International program cost covers all program expenses, including all flights and overland travel, all food and lodging, all scheduled program activities, (including the cost of all outdoor adventure activities and site seeing etc.), team leaders and in country staff, educational material and other miscellaneous expenses related to the program.

The only costs that the program fee does not cover are personal items and individual free time activities. Personal items would also include health insurance and any medical expenses, travel visas, as well as transportation to and from orientation, in the USA, at the beginning and end of the program.

Credit Available

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

This Program is open to

American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African, Worldwide Participant.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

in Groups

Application Process Involves

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Phone/Video Interview
• Written Application

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Youth International's Mission Statement

Youth International opens the doors for young people to actively explore and discover a broader perspective on the world while developing a deeper understanding of who they are and what their place is within the world. Developing more personally and socially aware future leaders, Youth International also hopes to take small steps toward bridging the gap between people and nations and making the world a better, more peaceful place in which to live.

Year Founded

1995