Program Reviews

I left for 4 weeks in Tanzania having never really been out of the country (one family trip to cancun doesn't count...). Cross Cultural Solutions was so good in preparing me for this big trip - the resources they provided, the weekly checkins to make sure I felt ready and was prepared were so helpful. I really enjoyed the opportunity to work with the children in the orphanage, and the language and cultural classes we took really helped me to understand and relate the community that we were working in. I met some really great volunteers on the trip and have only the best things to say about the whole experience. I would highly recommend this program to first timers as well as experienced international volunteers.

Our group worked in an elderly day center and a couple of schools in the Villa El Salvador area of Lima. I have never met such warm friendly people.
No matter how impoverished or hard the lives of these wonderful people are, they all are so happy to have you with them.
Hugs every day from all the elderly residents as well as the children. They will permanently reside in my heart, I Loved the entire experience!

Volunteering with Cross-Cultural Solutions allowed me and my two daughters experiences that we could not have had on our own. We worked in an orphanage for disabled kids and at an elderly center. But we also had the opportunity to eat home-cooked meals and see the "real" sites of the city: the cemetery, the dumps, a local bakery, museums, and several cathedrals. We hiked to an active volcano and traveled to Antigua. The value that comes from a trip with Cross-Cultural Solutions is far more than room, board, and the opportunity to volunteer. The staff made us feel welcome and taught us more about the culture than we ever thought we could learn in just one week. We left Guatemala with dozens of new friendships . . . it was so hard to leave the country and people we had fallen in love with!

My trip to Delhi with Cross-Cultural Solutions was nothing short of world changing for me. I made lifelong friends, both here, and among the students I taught at the Magic Bus. I learned that I can make a difference in individual lives, that I can think on my feet, that I can cope with anything, and I can laugh at the uncomfortable moments, which are inevitable when visiting such a different culture. I want to go back and that is my best recommendation. Go!

I only did a one week program and I enjoyed it so much that I wish I had the time to do two weeks. It was an amazing experience with excellent staff and plenty to do at the site. Volunteers could choose to help in the kitchen, do crafts with the seniors or even just dance. The elderly were so open and friendly when we visited; I don't think I have ever been hugged so much in my life.

The program also allows plenty of free time to sightsee in Lima and even organizes group trips to sites outside the city. If you have the time I recommend adding a trip to Machu Picchu at the end of your visit. Overall volunteering with CCS was trip that I will always remember.

I had a great opportunity to go to Guatemala City in August of 2015. The whole experience went by so fast because every day was different. We got to experience a lot of the culture right from day one with parades and festivals/street fairs going on for a majority of our service.
My placement was in a public pediatric clinic located in zone 3, by the city dump. The clinic was for mothers and babies. We got to help by weighing the babies/children, getting heights ,taking temps and doing blood pressures on the moms. We were able to help by preparing the nebulizers with the right medication for treatment which kids came in 2-3 times a week to get. I was able to use my pharmacy background by helping organize the storage room that had a lot of unpacked boxes of medications that needed to be organized. I could communicate with the children by holding them or playing peek a boo. They would run over and hug my leg. The moms were so appreciative to get help by holding or playing with one of their children. It was a great chance to be a great human being and make people feel like they matter. Even though my Spanish was not the best, we figured out how to communicate with each other and get things done that needed to be done.
During the weekend off we visited Lake Atitlan, which was just breath taking. We got to visit some villages on the lake and do some shopping in the villages and take in the views from the villages. The food was great everywhere we went. CCS did take care of the safety of the trip and the food preparation was meticulous. This was an experience I will never forget and I will share with others forever. A special thanks to Virginia and her staff that made the trip truly enjoyable.

My experience in Costa Rica with CCS more than exceeded my expectations. The staff that run the local program are amazing people. They give fully of themselves on a daily basis in whatever they do. As an adult volunteer, I had to go into this experience with an open mind. I had it in my head that I wanted to volunteer at an orphanage with the children. Luckily, CCS encouraged my to go outside of my comfort zone to also volunteer at a nursing home. My days at the nursing home were packed full. Many of the things that I did were not glamorous tasks - folding sheets, sweeping the floor, making beds, feeding the residents who could not feed themselves, and playing games. But, they were desperately needed by the staff and the residents. I left there every day feeling needed, appreciated, and a huge sense of accomplishment. Who knew I could feel so accomplished for folding loads and loads of sheets; but this task was what was needed at the time and that made it that much more important. Every moment I spent on my volunteer adventure was amazing. Please go into an experience like this with an open mind. It is not about you, it is about giving of yourself to help others with WHATEVER they need. With an open mind, you will truly change your life.

Volunteering abroad was the most humbling and extraordinary experience of my life. The opportunity to provide service while reaching new heights in my own personal growth was the most beneficial part of the volunteer experience. I am still continually processing thoughts and experiences of my trip to Guatemala. I find myself thinking and dreaming about Guatemala with its overwhelming contrast of the countrys’ colorful villages and humble inhabitants to the most unpleasant visions of Zone 3 with its atrocious living conditions, gunmen abounding and dirt and garbage everywhere. My heart is torn between thoughts of ever wanting to return, because of my feeling of helplessness and the huge need that exists, and wanting to join an eternal fight to become a GAME CHANGER in some way.

This was hands down the best experience, so far, in my life. I decided to take a break from school and my parents suggested to me, going to Costa Rica for 3 months with CCS. I am so happy I did, I have taken away and learned so much from my time spent there. I spent time at a nursing home, special education school and a daycare. At each placement I felt very useful, each place was understaffed so they really needed the extra set of hands to help provide more attention to the kids or residents. A typical day started at about 7, which is when breakfast was served, we left home base at about 7:30 to drop everyone off at placements. At placement it depended what you did on a day to day basis, at the daycare I would prepare about 4 or 5 activities for the kids, usually trying to work on skills like counting, colors, and some English. At the nursing home the day began with feeding the residents who needed help and then helping with laundry or therapy, and at the special education school I was placed with a teacher and would help her manage the classroom and do projects. We usually were picked up from placements between 12-12:30, and once we got home we were welcomed by a wonderful meal. After lunch, depending on the day we would either have free time, dance class, Spanish class, cooking class, a field trip or sometimes a guest speaker. None of these cultural experiences were required, besides the Spanish class, however, I would highly recommend them. All the activities were very fun and I learned a lot from each activity. Dinner was served at 6 every night, and the food was always amazing. Bernardita, the cook, is an amazing cook and if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, or simply do not like something, she will accommodate you. After dinner we usually had free time, we did have Spanish class two nights a week, but only for 30-40 minutes. On the weekends we were free to travel, getting around Costa Rica is very easy, you can take a bus most places for cheap, and the staff was happy to help us figure out where to find bus schedules and any other information we needed. Overall, this program was more than I could have ever imagined it would be, I met the nicest and most amazing people and had so many wonderful experiences. The money you spend is worth every penny, personally it confirmed what career I wanted to pursue and taught me so much about myself and the world I live in.

I volunteered with Cross Cultural Solutions in Cartago, Costa Rica. My placement was at an Adult Day Care. It was a very rewarding experience. This placement allowed me to both offer service & immerse myself into the Costa Rican culture. I planned activities for the people as there was minimal staff and materials at the Center.

The CCS staff was amazing. They were both efficient & helpful. They planned learning opportunities: cooking classes, Spanish classes, field trips, dance classes, etc.

I would recommend this opportunity to anyone who is looking for a positive, service adventure.