My Nonprofit Reviews
a_c_ca
Review for Cross-Cultural Solutions, New Rochelle, NY, USA
After researching about international volunteering with various organizations, I chose to volunteer with CCS and went to Costa Rica (San Carlos) in July 2011. I was looking for an organization that was organized, professional, and would take care of my concerns about safety, really "living the local culture" and being inspired. From my trip, I got all that and more. All CCS staff (the US ones and the local ones) are always helpful and professional - the pre-departure booklets we received were extremely helpful, the US-based program manager answered all my questions to help me prepare for the trip (eg should I get vaccinations, what to pack etc), and once in Costa Rica, the local staff gave us a comprehensive orientation and local city tour (from what places to avoid/are unsafe, what to do if we are approached by panhandlers, how to protect our personal safety and things, what to do on our first day at the volunteer placement etc). The house we lived in was clean and pretty spacious (even with 25 of us - which I think is approaching the upper limit of the house), the meals are always plentiful and healthy, and there's even a security guard at night! The staff is really committed to addressing our concerns (if any arises - eg even if the payphone at the home is not quite working) and always do their best to help resolve them as fast as possible.
The schedule is very organized (we get transported to our various volunteer sites every morning and to return to the home base) - I never felt "overworked", and the planned activities are well-planned, fun, diverse, and really gave me a glimpse into all the different aspects of the culture and local way of life. The weekly Spanish lessons was a great bonus to my trip as well!
It was only a 2-week trip, but it gave me a lifetime of wonderful memories, and I came back home wishing I had signed up for more weeks and eager to start planning for my next CCS trip. The locals I met were really warm and welcoming - opening their hearts and (on one occasion even their home!) to embrace us volunteers. I still miss all the children I worked with over the 2 weeks and the locals that I had the privilege to meet!
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
what I learned from my trip about working with young children, about the Tico ways and their history, and learning a few more Spanish words and phrases!
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
promote it to more Canadians - perhaps because they are US-based, it seemed that most of the volunteers came from the US (out of the 25, there were 3 of us not from US - 1 from UK, 1 from Portugal I think, and me from Canada). But it is such a great organization that I only wish more fellow Canadians know about it! :)
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Some
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Quite well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
inspired
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
