Cross Cultural Solutions - Alumni Network

I really enjoyed exploring the local shops, grocery stores and restaurants in our free time; we visited a pub called Van Gough's and the coat check tag was a red ear! That same evening, we met a young man who was a member if the Russian army. One of my fellow volunteers spoke rudimentary Russian and asked if we could take a photo with him. I don't know who was more excited, the volunteers or the soldier - Yaroslavl is a little off the beaten path and not many other tourist/adventurers were in the city where we were. The soldier seemed thrilled to meet a couple of Canadians, an Australian, some Brits and a handful of Americans that night.

I never thought winter could be so good. Being from Chicago Illinois, where winter is temp below 0c. I experienced winter in Cape Town, South Africa with temperatures about like our fall. Now, in the morning it took a bit to get use to. But, I came to appreciate layering on clothes, and getting to the daycare center where I volunteered and looking at the children how they were layered in their sweaters, tights, pants, and jackets. And, they never complained just laughed and smiled. When it rained and the water prevented us from going outside. They were content and happy to be inside. I complement Gertie's Creche and Mama Nozi and her team of teachers on their excellence in teaching, discipline and preparing meals. I learned that we are all very rich just in different ways. Those kids are very rich in love, joy and what will really change the world their outlook. I learned it doesn't matter what language you speak, as long as you smile and hug a child they will understand you care.

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 volunteered with CCS in Cape Town, South Africa last November for 3 weeks. From beginning to end with was one of the greatest and most meaningful experiences of my lifetime. The US staff were extremely helpful in getting prepared before the trip and have continued to do wonderful follow-up afterwards. I can't say enough about the in-country CCS staff. They were absolutely incredible and couldn't do enough for you. My placement in one of the townships was exactly the type of work I wanted to do and made an impact on my life that will stay with me forever. The only thing you should be aware of and just be cautious about is the crime in Cape Town. It isn't terrible, but I always felt I had to be on hightened alert and I hated not being able to feel 100% safe to just walk around by myself to explore. The CCS staff do caution you about your safety and as long as you abide by what they tell you, you will be ok but you do need to be cautious. Overall, I would recommend this program to anyone interested in having a wonderful, meaningful experience in a wonderful country with incredible people and your contribution will mean so much. CCS is a wonderful organization and you couldn't find a better organization to volunteer abroad with!!!

This past fall I was fortunate enough to spend 3 weeks working with the wonderful people at Cross Cultural Solutions in Cape Town, South Africa. This was my third volunteer vacation with CCS as well as my favorite! My placement, at the "Etafeni" Fit For Life Program was a perfect fit, the accommodations at the CCS house were wonderful, and the city of Cape Town was amazing! Would love to be apart of this great program sometime in the very near future!

I volunteered with CCS-SA in the Fall of 2011 for 7 weeks. My experience was life changing, enriching, and a lot of fun. CCS operates as a tri-fold program: one part cultural learning activities, one part volunteer program, one part free time/ exploration in the house and regional area. Something that I appreciated most about CCS was their commitment to making volunteers educated and aware of the communities they will be serving in and the region that they are living in so that they have a strong background going into their placements. CCS has a strong commitment to security which made it possible for us as volunteers to work in communities that without the support of local staff with relationships in the community would have been unsafe to travel to. In my time in South Africa I made life-lasting relationships with the house staff, volunteer site staff, and fellow volunteers. Cape Town as a program site city also provides tremendous beauty and lots of activities to do. Wether you are outdoorsy, into the nightlife, or visiting galleries and museums this city has endless adventures to offer. Overall I felt that CCS has a great balance of the three pieces of its program and provides an amazing way to travel and volunteer while absorbing the culture around you. If this organization is a possibility on your list I would strongly recommend it!

The entire experience was extremely rewarding. The people that I met also made this experience unforgettable; the organizers of the program, the staff members, the other volunteers, and the community members. I was especially touched my the experiences that I shared with the children who I worked with at the children's hospital. I also felt that I wasn't just an observer but that I was fully immersed into the culture. I learned a great deal about customs, traditions, and the current political/economic state; things that I wouldn't otherwise have been exposed to had I not been part of this program.

CCS made my first volunteer abroad experience seamless and memorable. From the moment the driver greeted me at the airport, to my thorough orientation to the country and the city, right through to the introduction to a group of adorable 1-3 year olds at an underfunded daycare in Langha (a Township outside of Cape Town), CCS could not have made the experience better. I spent six weeks alternating between the three different worlds of volunteering, learning about the culture & history of Cape Town, and spending some free time enjoying all that the city had to offer. I made friends for life while staying in the secure home base and never once worried for my safety. I would volunteer with CCS again in a heartbeat and I would encourage anyone to travel to Cape Town and experience the beauty of this country's people. I loved every moment of my time in South Africa (except the moment where I had to say goodbye to the little children who will always have a piece of my heart. I am looking forward to my next opportunity to volunteer with CCS.