Meet Jenny, our featured volunteer alum!

Program Date/ location:

Volunteer Nepal, January 2009

Hear Jenny's story, who volunteered in Nepal and is now an intern at World Endeavors:

Why did you choose to go abroad?

I wanted a taste of new cultures and I wanted to broaden my horizon.

What did you do in a typical day at your placement?

I walked to the bus-pick-up area and waited to try to hail a microbus (packed to the core) to go to my school. After passing goats on bus roofs and talking a bit to locals about why I was there (in very broken Nepali), I arrived at my school. The kids would do a routine every morning of exercises and prayers before attending class. I typically taught English 5 out of 7 classes a day. I also taught health and art classes occasionally which were very fun!

Tell us about your free time while abroad:
During my 12 week placement I went bungee-jumping, which is one thing everyone must do in his/her life. I also rented a scooter to drive 6 hours to Pokhara, a glorious town with the only large lake in Nepal.

I made many friends both foreign and locals and I

would go to events with them and eat delicious dinners with local families.

 
What was your favorite part of your volunteer work?

Having children cheer everyday when I walked into the classroom. Also, developing lasting friendships with fellow Nepali teachers.

In what ways did your experience abroad change you?

It opened my eyes to poverty and how blessed families were to have simple luxuries like a stove, or meat on their table. I immersed myself in a unique culture that blesses cows and opens up a house and heart to a stranger.

Do you have any tips/advice for potential WE participants?

Travel helps one grow both mentally and emotionally. Be daring and try foods you normally wouldn't. Speak the local language and ask questions, you will be surprised what you learn.  Time and money spent on travel will be the best investment you can make.

Give us a brief update of what you're up to these days:

Since going abroad through WE, I returned to Nepal for a month-long trip to visit, as it made such an impact on my life. I also backpacked through Ecuador and Peru and taught English in Morocco for 7 months!

I am currently an intern at WE and I just managed the launch of an office garden. With the help of my colleagues, we will have delicious, organic vegetables and herbs to enjoy during the fall!

"This experience was just the beginning of my travels thanks to World Endeavors."    

Learn more about volunteering abroad in Nepal with World Endeavors. 

Announcing the World Endeavors Summer Photo Contest!   

World Endeavors Summer 2011 international interns, students, and volunteers have been submitting photos of their experiences across the globe to compete in our Summer 2011 Photo Contest! Check out our World Endeavors Facebook page throughout the summer to see the submissions! Vote for your favorites by commenting on them or "liking" them. Winners will be selected August 31, 2011.   

"World Endeavors and [my volunteer placement] allowed me to live in India, rather than be another Western tourist. I was not 'experiencing a culture', I was engulfed in the day to day life. It was one of the more remarkable experiences of my life."

Maxwell,  Volunteer in India

"I gained a stronger sense of independence.  I have always been self-motivated and fairly independent, but this gave me the extra reassurance to take on new experiences without thinking twice and knowing that  it will all work out and be worth it."

Trent, Intern in Australia  

"I gained better Spanish skills, a strong sense of who I am, great friends, better knowledge of my heritage, and just had a great time!" 

Kali, Study in Spain

Calling all recent and upcoming graduates: Fall & Winter Internships!!!

 
What are your post-graduation plans? Don't let today's tough job market get you down; set your resume apart from the rest with an international internship!  Gain practical experience, professional skills, and a global perspective through World Endeavors' intern abroad programs.

Graduates love our programs because they're so flexible- you can choose your program start date and duration. And since our internships are customized towards what you, as an individual, are interested in, there is no better way to gain experience that will directly impact your career.

World Endeavors is accepting applications for the following international internship programs:

Intern in Australia

Intern in Chile

Intern in China

Intern in Costa Rica

Intern in Ecuador

Intern in England

Intern in India

Intern in Ireland

Intern in Italy

Intern in Mexico

Intern in Nepal 

Intern in Spain 

Intern in Thailand

It's not too late to invest in your future- apply for an internship program now!

Learn more about opportunities to Intern Abroad with World Endeavors.   

Managing Money While Abroad 

Whether it be to volunteer, intern, or study, we at World Endeavors believe that going abroad is one of the best investments one can possibly make. However, knowing how to manage your spending habits can still be important. Here are a few tips for making the most of your travel experience without breaking the bank.

Budget and save before departure:

The more you are able to save before traveling, the better! Try cutting some unneccessary costs at home for a while. For example, try eating out less and cooking at home more often. To save some extra cash you could also try fundraising or taking up an extra part-time job. If you are currently a student, always check with your university to see what financial aid resources might be available to you.  

Plan ahead with your bank:

Before leaving, check with your bank and credit card company to ensure they can provide you a good currency exchange rate on ATM withdrawls and credit card transactions. (Also be sure to inform your bank of your travels to prevent suspection of account fraud!) Your bank can also help you set up a new savings account specifically for your trip. This way, you can put money into savings without being tempted to spend it while you're still home!

Be aware of your spending habits while abroad: 

Cut costs when possible. Walking tours are a great way to see cities, and are usually very affordable, if not free! If you have a budget, know what it is and keep track of your spending (doing so will eliminate any unwanted financial surprises).

Although spontenaity is fun, plan some of your travel excursions in advance:

A lot of major attractions in cities across the globe offer special prices on specific days of the week. For example, many museums in Paris offer free admission on the first Sunday of every month. Planning your trips in advance to attractive destinations could save you a lot of money.

World Endeavors offers some of the most affordable trips out there. Click here for more tips and advice on how to make your trip abroad financially possible!  

Featured Video Blogger:

Elise, Volunteer in the Philippines 

Featured WE Staff Members:

In Tou, Enrollment Intern 

Originally from Macau, In first traveled abroad as a high school exchange student in Indiana, starting in the summer of 2006. She has since traveled to China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and around the United States. Currently a statistics student at the University of Minnesota, In enjoys interning with World Endeavors because she loves learning about the processes of applicant placements. She says, "I feel like World Endeavors is just like a big family."

Randa Meyer, Enrollment Intern 

Currently an International Studies/Spanish student at University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point, Randa solidified her passion for travel when she studied abroad in Spain for a semester during 2010. She has explored such areas as Germany, Spain, the Balearic Islands, El Salvador, and more. Randa hopes to someday have a career in the field of international education. "What I enjoy most is how personal it is and how connected we become with our participants, even if they live on the other side of the globe," she says.