Program Reviews

My wife and I shared the trip and we share the feeling that there is a need for CCS if only to educate the world on the struggle of a proud and great nation and people. The answer is education! So I would expand the part that lays out the history of the country, where it is now and more about the future. The world needs to know.

CCS sends volunteers to different places such as kindergartens, schools, clinics etc. Often the teachers think it is time off. There is no guidance. CCS drops you off at work but that's all. They actually do nothing for the community and the projects they 'support'. So basically you pay a hefty fee to support their expensive office in NY and the local house staff. I don't need anybody to make my bed every day!!! I just wanted to come in and actually help only to realize there was no added value. They don't create or run any projects. They house you and feed you and drive you around. And it is a super corrupt place, if you stay there long enough you learn how it all actually works.
I was very disappointed. I can't believe they get away with this. Definitely not an NGO. I could have stayed at some cheap place in town and went to volunteer in a school myself. But then what's the point when that school already has a teacher and I am not a professional teacher thus have not much to ad in terms of professional development?
There are a lot more worthy projects around, that don't charge arm and a leg and actually do something for the community. Do your home work and ask where your money goes. This is a money making business. At 20 + volunteers per month, over $2000 each...do the math. And they give nothing to the community. So where does it go?
If you just want a good pub story and feel good about partying with 20 other volunteers then go with CCS. You'll certainly get a party environment.

Volunteering through CCS in Lima was amazing. The staff was great, I felt very safe and I came away with an understanding of the challenges that Lima faces. I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking to contribute abroad.

I was working mornings at Feminine Pleuriel. I was concentrating on English conversation. I was showing small pictures of various businesses/venues. The view of a stadium with a boy kicking a soccer ball was being discussed. I asked at what age is "football" taught in Morocco. A lady, probably in her late forties or so, stands up and pantomimes being pregnant and points to her "fetus"! Not only were we all laughing hysterically, it had to be one of the funniest moments ever for me! :)

I led a corporate volunteer team that worked at El Pueblito orphanage. I have supported charitable work before with dollars, but never with my time. It was an eye opening experience, we prepared lots in advance, but as the CCS staff advised, as helpful as the preparation was, the thing we needed was the willingness to abandon plans and go with the flow, the children and the institution staff really guided our activities and directed us to what was needed. Despite their difficult circumstances the children were, in some ways, like any children anywhere, adorable, difficult, attentive and rebellious in turns. We were a curiousity at first, and by the end of the week, a part of their routine. Saying goodbye was hard. CCS does a great job advising, guiding, organizing and providing cultural education.

I found Cross Cultural Solutions while trying to find a meaningful way to be part of the solution. I wasn't entirely sure if I had anything to offer, and I wasn't sure if I would fit in. The staff assured me that everything would be fine and they would find a placement for me.
From the moment I stepped out of the airport to meet some of the other volunteers and our ride I felt welcome and comfortable. The home base was filled with great volunteers and great staff. The whole experience was so much better than I anticipated, that I can't rate it high enough to describe my opinion.
My placement was perfect for me in spite of the fact that my Spanish wasn't as great as I'd hoped. My language skills had been one of my biggest concerns, but everything worked out ok.I was working in the HIV hospice and the staff found a way to use me effectively. The residents were very accepting and friendly and I made a few friends quickly among them.
I had only one weekend to enjoy the surrounding country with fellow volunteers, but due to their expert organizing we made the most of it and had a great time.
This was truly the best idea I've ever had and I intend to continue volunteering as a result of this experience.

My best friend and I choose to volunteer and intern in Ayacucho, Peru were we worked in a hospital, lab and mental disability school. In our first task in the hospital of the first day of our program, we were asked to help in delivering a newborn life into the world! I highly recommend doing this program through Cross Cultural solutions because it provides room and board, food, weekend trips, language classes and afternoon activities to help one further understand the culture. Although the price seems expensive, in the long run there are not really any programs that offer and all inclusive program in and out of the volunteering itself. Trust me, in college we researched many volunteering programs and this was most well rounded and just the best program to volunteer through. Lastly, I highly recommend Ayacucho because its a small town full of culture and tradition and a place that needs help. It is a great place if you want to indulge in a cultural experience and learn about what Peru is all about. In almost every interview or conversation about traveling or past experience in a work environment, volunteering through CCS dominants the conversation. I will never forget this once in a lifetime experience where you feel rewarded in helping those of need and making lifetime friendships all over the globe. Also, the CCS staff is the best and gives you everything you need.

My time overseas with CCS in South Africa was amazing. I had such a great experience that I was not ready to leave after my time there. I was dreading the last day of my placement and the last weekend that I could spend there. The staff was so supportive of everything. I had a concern about my placement and they immediately solved it for me and then followed up every few days after that with me to check to make sure everything was still going ok. The home base was also extremely safe and secure. There were security guards on staff 24/7 and there was a gate that was always locked so no one could get into the area of the home base unauthorized. I was unaware of this until I got there, but when I got there my fears about any safety issues quickly disappeared. One of the great things about traveling with CCS is that we got to spend a lot of time volunteering and working with actual members of the community, but we also had enough free time that we were able to go out and explore South Africa. The balance between free time and work time was great. CCS gave me everything that I wanted in my volunteer experience and so much more. I would definitely recommend CCS to all of my friends and family. I am already planning another trip with CCS because it was the best trip of my life.

I loved my experience with Cross Cultural Solutions in Guatemala. I would say my favorite part about the program was being able to experience the country in a way many people never experience. I stayed in the country for 3 weeks, and I felt that I had ample opportunity to explore Guatemala and do touristy things (the CCS field trips were very good and educational, and the free weekend time gave an opportunity to visit any other places, like Tikal, the Mayan ruins, that the field trips didn't provide.) I also felt like CCS allowed me to take advantage of vacationing in a new place, with the bonus of being able to help others, without all the stress others might find in trying to plan out a trip. CCS provides you with a (really nice) place to stay, meals, showers, some transportation, and very knowledgeable locals who can give you great advice. A great experience, and I can't wait to go again!

Volunteering in Tanzania is something I will never forget. While in Tanzania I was placed in a Nursery school (preschool - Kindergarten). I took the children in small groups to give them extra practice with their English - we played games, and used flashcards. I showed them objects in their everyday use to help them. We covered shapes, colors, animals, fruit/vegetables.
In the afternoons we had really good guest speakers come in and share about their country. We had outings into the communities and surrounding areas.
My favorite non-volunteering experience was learning how to bargain at the street markets. Its quite the experience.
Everything about the program (Moshi/Karanga) was absolutely amazing!