Program Reviews

This program is especially thorough and safe. The staff are extremely helpful, nice, and comforting. The food was some of the best food I have ever had in my life. I am a picky eater, and had no problems. The volunteer work is productive and truly life changing, however if your main objective is just to travel or volunteer this program is not for you. This program offers a healthy mix of both which truly offers you an eclectic mix of history, empathy, and fun!

Shokran, Shokran, Shokran (thank you) Cross-Cultural Solutions for providing an easy, heart and mind opening opportunity to delve into the vibrant culture of Morocco. From the friendly, fun, well-informed, professional staff and wide-ranging programming (cooking, language, history classes and outings), to my placement as a teacher of English and American culture at a women's center, I couldn't have been more fulfilled. And, I'm now completing a book, Unveiling Morocco; Discovering Ourselves, filled with questions inspired by images of Morocco’s exotic geography, people and culture that together, invite readers to create deeply mindful, passionate, connected lives.

I traveled to Costa Rica the summer after my Sophomore year of college. It was hands down, undoubtably, the most life-changing experience I have ever had. Being immersed into such a beautiful culture while being able to serve and make a difference amongst vulnerable populations all played a roll in this. The support and encouragement from the country staff coupled with the relationships formed with other travelers made for lasting memories. I cannot wait to travel with Cross Cultural Solutions again soon and Costa Rica will always hold a special place in my heart.

My week in Guatemala was one of the most magical and most meaningful of my life. My flight into the country was severely delayed, and so the main group of volunteers had already been shuttled to the base. I was nervous that I would be alone, left scrambling to find my way there. However, that was not the case at all! Two of the staff had stayed back to welcome myself (and four others of us who were on the same plane) and personally drove us to the base, after offering us snacks and a warm welcome. This was the first indication that my week was going to be special because of the people I was surrounded by.

The in-country staff in Tecpan, Guatemala became a family to me. Juan Carlos planned an amazing tour of his country for us, taking us around Lake Atitlan by boat, visiting many small villages and taking a hands-on approach to cultural immersion activities. One day, we climbed the mountain behind the base, which is something I was very scared of. I have knee trouble, asthma, and vertigo, which are three things that do not equate easy climbing. However, two of the staff stayed back and helped me every step of the way up that mountain, comforting me despite the language barrier. It was a truly magical experience for me to reach the "top" - I CLIMBED A MOUNTAIN! I could not have done it without all the help and support of the wonderful people at CCS Tecpan.

We learned about the history of Guatemala and how we can actually create change. We met the last woman in the area who still handmade clay pottery, and she taught us her trade. We learned how to speak Kaqchikel Mayan, the local dialect. We visited ancient ruins and were blessed by a shaman in the valley of mountains.

And of course, we were warmly welcomed into the lives of several hundred kids at the local elementary school we volunteered at. I spoke very little Spanish, but it didn't matter. Those kids were so receptive and kind and eager to learn everything. It was absolutely inspiring.

We were placed into groups of three and assigned a classroom to teach for the entire week. This way, we were able to bond more closely with the kids. Hearing the shouts of "Miss Bre! Miss Bre!" every morning is a memory I won't soon forget.

On our last day at the school, the kids put on a dance show for all of us, and then our group performed for them. It was so awesome to dance with the kids and see their smiling faces! They even held an awards ceremony for us, presenting each volunteer with a handmade clay vase and handwritten letters.

Leaving was hard. The little girls in my fourth grade class latched onto me in a giant hug and didn't let go until I pried them off as I got into our van. Tears were shed and souls were parted.

Guatemala is a special place filled with special people. Go, and you shall returned changed for the better.

I participated in this program for 9 weeks in 2006. It completely changed my life and gave me a new focus on how I wanted to live. Since this program I've traved to Rwanda and South Africa and am 6 months away from completing my PhD in sociology. I loved every minute of my time working in the orphanage, and am still friends with volunteers from my program.

My favorite memory was witnessing Ale, a little girl at the Oreo, walk for the first time.

I went during a sabbatical from work. I enjoy traveling internationally and wanted to spend my time not only making a difference in the lives of others, but also making sure I was able to get something out of it too. This program from CCS is perfect in that it allows you to spend a significant amount of time working with children and the community to make their future a little brighter, but it also allows you sufficient free time to learn about the area you are visiting and take trips/sightseeing adventures, etc. I also met other volunteers with unique backgrounds and keep in touch with many of them even after returning 5 1/2 months ago. It was definitely a trip of a lifetime, and I can't wait to do another program in the future.

The CCS van dropped off me and my partner in front of a small storefront in Rabat, the capital of Morocco. Two or three people were already waiting outside for the door to be unlocked. They were to be our English students. My sister-and-law came with me to Morocco for a week to teach English to adults in a program for women, to give them the tools to advance their careers. What a surprise to find we had three men among the group of 8 students!

On the first day, we stuck mostly to traditional rote-learning teaching methods. By the end of the week, the lessons had evolved to mostly conversation, with occasional breaks to spell an unknown word on the whiteboard. We learned that Mohammad #1 (for there were two in the class) was going that weekend to ask his girlfriends' father for permission to marry. A big deal! Fatima#2 (another common name) was raising 10 children, and was herself one of 12. Zakia never had formal education and was the worst at English, but flashed the biggest smile and was the most cosmopolitan and stylish, a rare single woman in the city, and hosting an American abroad student in her home.

The way the students gently ribbed each other and laughed, yet always brought us into the joke, made us fall in love with Moroccans. Just a week, and they are part of my life. We're penpals, continuing to work on English.

CCS provided wonderful support, with a comfortable safe home base, amazing food, great schedule, and time for cultural training and field trips. The talk on Islam and the talk on reading/writing Arabic were my favorites.

I look forward to crossing paths again, and am glad I know this little outpost of wonderful Muslim people on the African continent. Can't wait to try more of CCS's African programs in Tanzania, Ghana, and South Africa. Thanks to CCS for providing a wonderful home base with welcoming efficient staff, fantastic food, and a safe neighborhood.

I spent three weeks in Ghana in 1999 on behalf of Cross Cultural Solutions (CCS). With the help of my local CCS partners, I traveled the country, interviewing and photographing artists. Upon returning home, I worked with two prior CCS volunteers who had enjoyed the same experience. Together, we authored a book that became a funding tool for what was to become a new Accra (capital city) Art Museum.

I did exactly what I would have done as a visitor and got the intrinsic reward of contributing to the culture and meeting people I would otherwise been unable to access. It was a wonderful and enlightening experience with great support, both in country and In the US, from Cross Cultural Solutions. HIGHLY recommend!

I had an amazing volunteer vacation experience in Costa Rica with CCS.

The program director and staff were wonderful, friendly, and had all kinds of activities organized outside the volunteering (e.g. going to a regional soccer game, to non-touristy hot springs and nature reserves, etc) to give us a real feeling for the country and the people who lived there.

My Spanish improved greatly, and I loved working both with kids/teachers at a local daycare/preschool and with residents of an old-age home (who were wonderfully patient with us as we talked with them and entertained them with our mostly-bad Spanish :-) )

It was also fun to have a mix of ages volunteering and living together.

I learn more French in this trip, And learn to hear all people and the diferent idioms to identified. Make té is the wounderfull experience. Know more about a Romains culture in the Arabic territories was excellent. The kids dancing song of the all word I never forget. People making a different souvenirs. The flavors of the food was great. The mountains and the different weather. The pictures of the sand was mistery. All people are good all want to know more about the different countries