What position do you hold at Global Citizens Network? What has been your career path so far?
Laura: I am currently serving as the Academic Partnerships Manager at Global Citizens Network. I studied international relations & Spanish as an undergrad and later received a M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution. I began working directly with indigenous communities in 2006 as a Fulbright student in Puno, Peru. My research and volunteering work on the shores of Lake Titicaca introduced me to the challenges and opportunities of grassroots community development work as well as the need to be respectful, authentic and collaborative when engaging with communities like those with whom Global Citizens Network partners. I also worked in Lima, Peru for a year at a small non-profit which helped travelers and explorers organize their travel throughout the country and all around South America. When I returned to the US after 3 years in Peru, I joined the GCN team here in Minneapolis. I have been with GCN for almost four years!
Did you volunteer abroad?! If so, where and what inspired you to go?
Laura: I actually fell into volunteering accidentally. When I first arrived to Peru, I did not seek out any specific opportunities, but the chance to help with a literacy project on the islands of Lake Titicaca was presented to me and I was very excited to get involved. I had been a camp counselor for many years, and getting to support fun, engaging literacy work with children was very exciting to me. It also allowed me to understand the local culture more deeply, meet amazing people and support a great cause.
What does the future hold for GCN - any exciting new programs to share?
Laura: We are very excited to be collaborating directly with universities, colleges and high school groups to provide opportunities with educational components! We have always received student groups over the years, but are now working in partnership with schools and colleges around the country! It is a wonderful way to mix our traditional volunteering program model with academic goals and student organization projects.
What about the future of the industry? How do you think volunteer abroad will change over the next 10 years?
Laura: The volunteering field has exploded over the past 20+ years! GCN has been offering authentic immersion experiences for over 21 years and it has been quite incredible to see how many options are offered today. With so many opportunities, I think we will see volunteers hold organizations more accountable for meaningful, deep, responsible and carefully planned and executed programs that are serving the needs and expectations of both the volunteer and the people being served. I believe (and greatly hope) that volunteers also will understand that the central component of their role as a volunteer is to learn. When volunteers enter the locations where they want to help listening, watching and being curious is the first step in order to understand how they can best support local needs.