There's no denying it, these bloggers are bound to make you jealous. Whether it's their guts, their energy or their tan you admire, overseas volunteers have got plenty to share with you about their remarkable work in fascinating countries. Read on to find out what you could be missing.

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Sunday Sep 16, 2007

ASPIRE

It's two weeks in and I'm absolutely loving the work I'm doing! I've finally settled into Toynbee Hall and have started my work as the Ashtead Youth Work volunteer. The project I'm working on, ASPIRE, will be working with 60 year 10 students who have been identified as 'excluded within school' and will be based in six schools in Tower Hamlets (London's East End). Over the next year we'll be presenting them three different sections, Think, Express & Achieve - with this term to focus on citizenship; next term will be arts-based & will culiminate in a theatre production; and, finally, next summer will involve a 4-day residential sailing trip!

It's weird living just off Whitechapel High Street. Oddly enough, I've noticed on maps that Commercial Street is the mark point for the Congestion Charge scheme and it so aptly marks life in this area. If I turn east out of my door & travel 1000 feet, I may as well have travelled 1000 miles as that corner of London is known as Banglatown (I hope I spelled that right) and I feel as though I stick out like a sore thumb with my sunglasses & American accent. By the same token, if I turn west out of my door & travel the same distance, I'm in the City and surrounded by almost picturebook London with beautiful buildings & oodles of history practically oozing from the pavement.

Of course, the accents I encounter in either direction are still bending my ear into confusion, but that'll all sort itself out, right?

Someone recently asked me the best part so far - my answer is very, very simple. Brick Lane. Having lived in miles and miles from any sort of curry houes (good, bad or otherwise), I have to say I adore being able to walk to the next street over and drool my way down the street trying to decide where to eat.

Beyond that, I'm still trying to figure out just how to spend all the free time I seem to have, so I guess I'll say ta for now and start trolling through do-it's database to see what kind of stuff I can find to do.

Posted by Dana ( 2:19 PM )
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Monday Aug 13, 2007

finally!!!!

I know I know I know. I've been beyond bad as a blogger and I apologise. It's been one heck of a year, but maybe my not ranting about it has made things actually work out better!

After two years of trying to find a residential volunteer placement in the UK, I finally a place a few weeks ago. Come September, I'll be the Ashtead Youth Work Volunteer at Toynbee Hall in London for one year. I'm really looking forward to getting stuck in to the position and working with Year 10 students to keep them engaged in school.

I must admit I know very little of Tower Hamlets/Whitechapel area (except, of course, Tammy Tourist that I am, that Mr. Ripper had a bit of fun in that area...) so when I told UK friends where I'll be based they did that sharp intake of breath that means 'oh...wow....um....' which made me clinch up, but I'm ready for a change and a challenge. I've done all the research on Tower Hamlets so I'm prepared (I hope). But I'm also prepared for the wonderful excitment of a new community and new friends.

Orientation is September 7-8 so I'll try and be good and catch you up on the fun.

Til then, though, for the next 21 days it's pack and clean and clean and pack (and celebrate leaving the library....yayayayayay). To my horror the airlines have cut down on the amount of checked baggage - yikes.

BTW - check out Transitions Abroad as it is the best website ever for those wanting a different kind of travel, volunteer, work experience somewhere in the big world out there.

 

Posted by Dana ( 1:24 AM )
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Tuesday Mar 06, 2007

to quote Batman's sidekick, Robin...

'holy cannoli, Batman!'

 

I knew it had been a while since I've blogged, but I didn't realise it had been as long as it has.... apologies. Things have been very crazy since Christmas as my brother fell and broke both bones in his lower leg in two separate places (the math? That means 4 fractures.)  And, my mother fell back in January and we've only just found out yesterday that she broke a vertebrae in her back, so as you can imagine my time spent volunteering has been very very local (like within my own household)! That's where things stand just now.

But, I am onto a new lead for a fantastic project down in London that sounds fantabulous. Applications start within the next week or so with placement commencing in September so fingers and toes again crossed. We'll see!

In the meantime, I've got a book to recommend for those souls looking for inspiration (& maybe a bit of validation for thirty-somethings who sometimes think they're crazy for choosing to take a gap year). Apparently it's only just been published in the UK within the last few days. (I promise I don't work for the publisher!) It's called 'Eat, Pray, Love' by Elizabeth Gilbert and it's wonderful. After coming through a divorce, she decides to take a year traveling to Italy, India and Indonesia.

And, I promise, within the next few days I'll finish my countdown of great websites. I have saved my favs til last!

Posted by Dana ( 7:46 PM )
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Saturday Jan 13, 2007

almost done, i promise!

OK.... so when I thought up the countdown idea, it seemed fabu. Now? Oh well. Trolley on, as you say, right?

So,

6) Go Abroad - Why do i like this one? Simple. I logged on looking for volunteer opportunities, ended up exploring the eco/adventure section and suddenly began imagining myself rafting down the Nile or trekking through Patagonia to conduct research! You've gotta love any website that can spark the mind like this one can.

5) Cross Cultural Solutions - This was one of the first sites I stumbled onto and, even though I haven't found anything through here that floated my boat, have been receiving their e-newsletter for almost two years because I love opening my mail and getting that little hit of 'mmmm....that'd be nice' in the middle of a cranky day at the library. (You know what? I now understand why librarians have a reputation for being so crabbit. Patrons can make a person crazy.)

4) Inter-Cultural Youth Exchange - This is the UK site for a world-wide organisation that has partner offices in 34 countries and offers a wide range of short and long term volunteering ops.

As expected, I've saved the best for last so drum roll, please..................

(come on, annoy the person next to you and tap your fingers on the edge of the desk, you know you want to)

 Are you tapping? (Have you made the person next to you look over yet? No? Tap harder. And faster.)

Right. Check out my next post for my tops! (HA. Did you really think I was going to give it all away in one feel swoop? Don't forget my previous picks are here under A Top Ten Volunteer Site Listing)

Posted by Dana ( 4:40 PM )
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Friday Dec 15, 2006

'Europe' stuck in my head!

I mentioned to a friend I was doing this countdown of international volunteering websites and she started singing that song by 'Europe' called ' The Final Countdown'. That was two hours ago. I can't stop singing it. And, the worst part? I only know the chorus!

Anyway. Here goes...

8) World Volunteer Web - I can spend hours browsing here. It's one of my favorites. This site supports the volunteer community by serving as a global clearinghouse for information and resources linked to volunteerism that can be used for campaigning, advocacy and networking. It is an online hub where the community can meet, share resources and coordinate activities to mobilize volunteer action in support of the Millennium Development Goals.  (BTW - Until I started poking around, I hadn't twigged that it also a UN-related site. I promise no more UN sites on the list.)

7) VolunteerMatch - This is a site aimed more for local volunteering, but you can search for opportunities that are virtual. Most of them are US-based, (certainly a good way to build up your CV if you're looking to maybe spend a semester studying at one of our finer universities) but there are a fair number of international organisations. I know i keep banging away at virtual volunteering, but, heck, we bloggers are great examples of virtual vols. (And a lovely lot we are, too). It's certainly a growing niche in the volunteer market. I can't help but find it fascinating.

Don't forget you can always check out my previous picks - A Top Ten Volunteer Site Listing

Posted by Dana ( 7:50 PM )
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Sunday Dec 03, 2006

to keep me from screaming...

To keep me from screaming in frustration over things, I thought I'd put my energies to use for good instead of evil and pull together a Top Ten of sites which might be of interest to anybody thinking about taking a plunge into the world of international volunteering.

So... let the countdown begin (OT question - is it true, have they really taking Top of the Pops off the air?)

10. UN Online Volunteering - I know... I know, I've already mentioned this site, but I really do like the fact that you can do virtual volunteering for organisations all over the world. I've applied for two different things via this website and have found it dead easy to use.

9. UN Volunteers - This website is the United Nations Volunteers program. It has lots of interesting information about volunteering as well as information on how to become a UN volunteer in your own country or abroad. .

I've got a bookmark collection that has a listing of these sites (along with some other stuff - especially volunteer management for anybody interested in finding out how our vol supervisors think....<evil laugh>.

Til next time.... ciao

Posted by Dana ( 8:33 PM )
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Tuesday Nov 07, 2006

true or false?

Psychic Says

SETTING: small, Midwestern library circulation desk

CHARACTERS: Staff Member A - passes some of her time moaning about wanting to volunteer overseas. Staff Member B - always patiently listens to moaning staff member A. Lady Patron  - known to all staff members as rather loony lady, but apparently has psychic ability and has been known to be spot on with some predictions for other staff members.

SCENE

Staff Member B - (having spent ten minutes helping Lady Patron) Good luck getting on that game show! See you next week. (turns to her computer and starts processing books again - then, suddenly turns back to Lady Patron) OH. Wait. So, what do you see in her future? (motions towards Staff Member A)

Lady Patron - (turns, contemplates for a moment) She'll be going to Europe for a year. (addressing Staff Member A) You're very homesick, aren't you? Don't worry, though. It'll happen - and quickly - when it does. Something exciting's going to happen soon after you get there. (turns to exit)

Staff Member A - uuummmmm.......(jaw practically dragging the floor)

Lady Patron - (turns back) You going back to your husband?

Staff Member A - uuummm..... no. I'm not married.

Lady Patron - Oh. Not yet. (smiles and exits)

 

The above story is true. Happened to me last week. 

I'm holding onto it as proof that things are still going to work out. Right now, the guy in NYC is looking for a new placement for me (things fell through with the Y up in Cumbria) but is confident that something will be coming through in the next few days. Will keep you updated on any developments - with the YMCA or the Lady Patron!

 

Posted by Dana ( 5:25 PM )
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Thursday Nov 02, 2006

grasping at straws

Belated Boo to Y'all! Halloween here at the library yesterday was a blast. Most of the staff dressed up and we had fun with all the kids who came in for the free goodies.

When I bought my costume (McDonald's milkshake),

I thought I'd have to grasp at straws (pun intended) to try and tie it to volunteering so that I could chat about it here, but thanks to the 'kindness' of some co-workers, I'm actually going to get a proper international vol blog post out of it.

A girl started singing some obnoxious (& rather rude) song called 'Milkshake' by Kelis at me over and over and seemed stunned that I had never ever heard it. She kept at me until I smiled, shrugged and said, 'Musta been drinking in a Scottish pub when it was out here.'

The whole incident brought to mind one of the off-hand, little-thought-about ways overseas work can change a person. While you're out of the country living the vol life, tv shows come and go, celeb dish splashes across the tabloids, and Blair or the Twit from Texas (I've got other names for mr. bush but they're not fit for polite blogging) says/does something newsworthy. Months later, you're sitting with hometown friends, the conversation shifts and suddenly you're left defending yourself when you say, 'Huh? Who got killed? He said what?' And, for a moment, you can't help but think back wistfully on what you were probably doing when whatever happened.

Sometimes it's hard to explain to people that, no, really, you don't know what they're talking about. An English friend of mine wanted to volunteer internationally, but said he couldn't face losing a year of music and Everton football. I don't think there's anything here in America that I couldn't walk away from for a period of time. You?

For me, the experience of living somewhere new, meeting new people far outweighs anything mundane. Certainly, there are things I miss (like my thrice-daily Mountain Dew fix), but... come on. Really. Who cares if you miss two or three or twenty stupid pop songs?

When I wiggled into my costume at lunch, I certainly didn't think I'd end up with a proper post!

 

 

 

Posted by Dana ( 2:30 PM )
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Tuesday Oct 31, 2006

International Volunteer Manager Appreciation Day

Wednesday, November 1 is International Volunteer Manager Appreciation Day. Take time out to say thanks to those wonderful people, paid or unpaid, who dedicate their time to keeping volunteers involved, motivated and safe!

I must admit that I've been very lucky and have had some fabu women (hhhmm... just realised I've never had a male vol manager...) who've kept me up and running over the last six years while doing various volunteer gigs. 

At the Historical Novel Society, I say thanks to Sarah, Trudi, Ilysa and Ellen. I've enjoyed reviewing (almost) all the nearly sixty books over the last six years. They been so incredible at working with me as I traipse back and forth between continents. (I know there are others that I've forgotten here....so an anonymous shout of thanks to them, too.)

At East Lothian Council, up in Scotland, I say ta to Anne, Maureen and Susan. They were fabulous ladies! Thanks to them, I got to do tons of great work with some awesome kiddos. Any future vol managers will have to work awfully hard to top them.

And, finally, here at do-it, I say cheers to Helen. She's been nothing but supportive and encouraging as I wander the world wide web trying to find my way back to a residential vol project in the UK.

Right. So what are you doing still reading this? Google 'free thank you cards' and say thanks to all those wonderful people who keep the volunteer world turning!!

Posted by Dana ( 5:55 PM )
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Friday Oct 20, 2006

and now for something completely different...

Things are at a standstill as far as being sorted for me to be in the UK before Santa Claus visits again, so I thought I'd take a chance to chat about an interesting website I've stumbled across in  my web wanderings.

 The Online Volunteering Service is supported by United Nations Volunteers and connects development organizations and volunteers over the Internet and supports their effective online collaboration. Basically, it allows someone to do virtual volunteering for organisations all over the world without leaving the land of fish and chips. The whole process is fairly straightforward. You sign up, search opportunities, submit your interest for an assignment and things move forward from there.

I've only just found it in the last few days so I haven't had much of a chance to really explore all the opportunities, but they seem be quite good. Check out their FAQ for more details. Now I'm off to search for something fun to do. I'll let you know if I find something good!

 

Posted by Dana ( 3:27 PM )
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Wednesday Sep 13, 2006

signs

OK. So when signs like this started appearing in my email, I figured maybe it was time to just jump and accept the spot at Lakeside even though I have some reservations. Check it out:

Imagine my surprise. For the briefest of moments, I thought 'Holy heck....!' Then, I thought about the friend who sent it my way and knew she had to be in on it. But, at least it made me smile and reconsider about Cumbria.

So, I've accepted the position and now it's just a matter of getting visas and orientation and plane tickets sorted! Hopefully that won't be too difficult or take too long as I'm really missing the UK. Even had one from the lovely young man I've spoken about (someone i befriended) previously write to say that he can't wait for me to get back into the country so we can catch up on all the gossip.

Well, I'll hopefully be updating this more and more as things start to really get rolling.

Posted by Dana ( 6:41 PM )
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Tuesday Aug 22, 2006

what to do

Argh. That's possibly the best word to describe my attitude just now. Last week I had the most fantastic chat with two gentlemen from Lakeside YMCA in Cumbria about what sounded like a fantastic opportunity working to redesign their website (including blogs as they were v. impressed having poked around our stuff here on do-it), do some event management and program promotion.

My only problem? The 3 mile hike to the nearest busstop! I know that I'd go absolutely starkers that far from anywhere. (A friend, upon hearing my whinging, commented, 'Haven't they ever seen The Shining) I think I could cope if it was just a 3-4 month summertime placement; but, I'm looking for a year-long gig and think I'd be ready throw myself down one of the Lake District's fabled hills before Christmastime.

All of this combined with some doubts (and comments from a few jerks) that maybe I'm more interested in the where and not the what of a volunteer spot (and that it's not 'real' volunteering if it's not in a third-world country) has made for an interesting few days of reflection. But, having voiced my feelings to someone in the vol world, I received some much-needed reassurance. So, a big shout of thanks to that kind person. Helped remind me why I appreciate all the folks I've met volunteering.And, also, that I really want to find a proper job (with a real salary) in the vol management world because it's such a vital  factor in keeping the vol world ticking.

So... it's off to pester the placement officer in NYC to find me someplace else 'cuz I miss long summer nights sitting outside the pub with my mates drinking cider...

Posted by Dana ( 4:57 PM )
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Tuesday Aug 08, 2006

mamma always said...

Mamma always said, 'if you can't say something nice, then don't say it at all.' That's my rationale for having disappeared for a while. Things haven't been going well in my search for a vol spot. My dream position still hasn't been decided (first applied at the end of April) and I'm now beginning to think it never will.

But, on the up side...they have put me forward for a new spot up in Cumbria - not sure how i feel about that as I've only been through on the train (looks even more desolate than the Highlands) and heard iffy things from an old flatmate who was from Cumbria. However, I have gone back through my travel journal and looked at my comments about accepting my vol spot up in Edinburgh and I had the same misgivings and ended up falling in love with the place, so who knows?

Well, as I hauled my backside outta bed at 6:00 (indiana time) to wait for a call from Cumbria that never came, I'm going to say night night for now and head off for a nap in the staff room!

 

 

Posted by Dana ( 6:52 PM )
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Friday Jul 07, 2006

another example of America's 'superiority'

Everyone's heard horror stories about the bad things that can happen when you're abroad. Remember Bridget Jones' unfortunate experience in Thailand? I'm almost positive that if you break the law overseas and end up in some scary jail cell Colin Firth will NOT be showing up to save your butt. (But a girl can dream, right?)

If you're unfortunate enough to end up a guest of your host country's police force, remember that you're entitled to contact your consulate for assistance (providing the country has signed the Vienna Convention). Why am I talking about this you might ask? Because I'm in need of a place to rant!

Today I received an email that had an interesting link to an article (received little news here in the States) A few weeks ago the US Supreme Court ruled: (In a 6-3 ruling) that foreigners who have been arrested and are not told they have a right to contact their consulate for assistance may still have evidence gathered by police used against them. Under the Vienna Convention, all signatory states must allow foreigners arrested on their soil to contact their consulate. The United States is a signatory. Under the ruling, if a foreign national is arrested in the U.S. and they are not informed of their right to contact their consulate for assistance, all statements and evidence gathered may still be used against them. The three liberal justices on the Supreme Court opposed the ruling.

As this article goes on to state, other countries will consider this precedent when interpreting treaties they are signatories to. Meaning everybody loses because of a few conservative WASPs in Washington.

I need to rant because a) yet again it shows the hypocrisy currently running rampant in my government; b) as a regular traveler overseas, I worry how this could affect me; c) as a regular overseas traveler, I worry about how this ruling further lowers America's standing in the world; d) I worry about how foreigners are slowly losing their rights in this land of the free; and, finally e) I still can't believe so many people voted for that tw*t from texas!

Sorry. Will now crawl back under my rock and continue waiting patiently to hear from NYC about UK.

Posted by Dana ( 4:30 PM )
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Monday Jul 03, 2006

tick tock

Tick tock. I'm watching the clock. Or, more accurately, the calendar as the days slip by. I'm still waiting to hear about my dream position in Essex. I've almost developed an obsession with checking my email and voicemail - I'm trying to be a patient girl but it's getting harder and harder.

Good stuff? Let's see... as I've joined several different volunteer lists and volunteer manager lists, I'm networking well and am beginning to get tips on other possibilities for residential placements in the UK, so at least I don't feel like I'm sitting still. (Keeping the brain otherwise occupied - always a good tactic!)

Anyway. As this week is a short week here in the States due to the holiday (um...Independence Day - sorry for bringing that thorny issue up <grin> news probably won't come this week. I'm off to watch the clock (thank god my library still has proper clocks with hands - I can actually hear a little tick tock when the teenagers are running riot!)

Posted by Dana ( 6:38 PM )
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