December 2013 Newsletter

 

In This Issue
Top 5: Viña del Mar, Chile
Holiday Traditions Around the World
Internships for December Graduates

  

5 Things to do in:

Vi�a del Mar, Chile

    

  

  

Spend time at the beach

Vi�a, as it's known, is comparable to a coastal Californian town--regarded for its beautiful array of beaches and overall atmosphere of relaxation. Playa Reaca (slightly north of Vi�a) in particular is popular year round. Surfing is immensely popular, even in the winter. While the beach can be a bit crowded during the summer months, it provides one of the most beautiful places to soak up the sun in Chile. Be sure to check out the many incredibly fresh seafood options along the beach.

 

 

Check out Valparaso 

Valpara�so is the neighboring town to Vi�a, offering a more bohemian vibe with spectacular views from the hilly parts of the city. You can ride the ascensores, which are lifts or funiculars that provide transportation leading up to the hills and back alleys. Built between 1883 and 1916, these are both practical and impressive. The city will provide for some fantastic photo ops of the bright buildings and many panoramic views from the hills to the sea.      

 


Explore the vineyards

Vi�a and the surrounding areas are home to some of the best vineyards in the country. Take advantage of the close proximity and grab a few friends to go on a wine tasting tour through the scenic vineyards situated between the sea and the mountains. With the ideal climate consisting of lots of sunshine and little rain during harvest time, Chile is the perfect place to cultivate an interest in wine making and tasting. 

 

 

Take time to relax

There's a reason Vi�a is the preferred vacation destination by many Chileans and visitors from around the world. While tourist season is generally during the summer months of December through February, the scenery still provides a beautiful place to live year-round with breathtaking beaches overlooking mountains, seaside cliffs, and palm tree-lined streets. Take some time out of your schedule to take a walk along the picturesque Pacific coast or through the many parks that provide spectacular views and enjoy the area around you.

 

 

Participate in Cultural Events  

Vi�a is home to some of the most popular cultural events in Chile throughout the year. The most popular is the annual Festival Internacional de la Cancin, or the International Song Festival, which is held during February in the amphitheater of the Quinta Vergara. It features many big Latin American pop stars in addition to several international artists as well. If you are in Chile during February, it is definitely not an event to miss and is beloved by many Chileans.  

  

  

Learn more about our World Endeavors  programs in Chile, and explore the city for yourself.  
 
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Featured Alumni Profile:

Maddy
Volunteer in Guatemala 

 

 

  

Maddy studied Sociology in college. She chose to volunteer in Guatemala with World Endeavors with two of her friends at an orphanage.
 
Before travelling to Guatemala, Maddy had traveled a lot in Europe but never south of California. She was not sure what to expect in terms of food, safety in the city, and opinions of tourists and foreigners. Her initial impressions were that everyone was very friendly and helpful. Maddy and her friends volunteered at an orphanage, playing with the kids, helping them with homework, and leading activities. Although the language barrier provided challenges at first, she found most people were very patient and helpful when they struggled.
 
Maddy definitely gained confidence in traveling independently and learned how to keep a positive attitude even when there was a challenge. When asked about any advice she would give to students considering going abroad, Maddy said to "be open to new opportunities and open to any experience that might come [your] way."
  
Read the full interview with Maddy and find out more about volunteering in Guatemala. Programs are available year-round and can be catered to last up to 12 weeks. 
 
Also, be sure to also check out more World Endeavors alumni stories! 
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Testimonials


"Keep an open mind and try everything! Travel, travel, travel!"

Kathryn, Volunteer in Costa Rica

  

  

 

"The family I stayed with were great, couldn't have been a nicer family. I think it is very important to be able to live right along with the locals to really get to experience their normal, everyday lives."

  

Katie, Intern in Nepal

  

   

 

"My favorite experience has been developing a relationship with my host family and being immersed in the Spanish life. I've truly taken steps to achieve my goal of fluency in the language, and it excites me more than I can describe!"

 

Annette, Study in Spain

 

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Check us out on Facebook! 

 

  

Want to see our latest promotions, updates, pictures, and stories first-hand? Want to connect with fellow travelers? Be sure to "Like" our World Endeavors Facebook page. We would love to hear from you!  

 

  

Find us on Facebook! 

 

 

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Follow-Up Links
 
Volunteer Abroad

 

 

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Connect with World Endeavors
 

 

                 Like us on Facebook   Follow us on Twitter   View our videos on YouTube     
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World Endeavors

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866-802-9678 (Toll Free)              
9:00AM-5:30PM  CST
 
 www.worldendeavors.com

 

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Holiday Traditions Around the World

 

  

Celebrations relating to Christmas and the holiday season vary in every country, with distinct traditions and celebrations that can date back to centuries ago. While some countries' customs happen to be fairly similar to more traditional Western customs, others have their own unique way of celebrating that is central to their culture. If you happen to be in one the countries listed below (or another country) during the month of December, be sure to participate in the traditions and take in the unique cultural celebrations.

London and Europe
Christmas traditions in London and England are fairly comparable to traditional customs that take place in the U.S. London is a beautiful place to be during December, with even more lights sparkling throughout the city than usual and the huge, famous tree put up in Trafalgar Square (pictured above). If you happen to be in Europe during the Christmas season, check out the Christmas markets that are present in many cities. While the traditional markets are notoriously more popular in Germany and Austria, Christmas markets are now popping up all over Europe. London offers several throughout late November and early January--the perfect place to get crafty gifts and seasonal hot food and drink.

Mexico
In Mexico, Christmas is widely celebrated religiously with certain traditions taking place throughout the month of December. One tradition in particular is Las Posadas, which takes place from about December 16th to the 24th. Each night, a procession, which usually consists of various individuals along with two people playing the parts of Mary and Joseph, goes from house to house where the residents sing a song to the participants and allow them to enter the house. It is meant to represent the journey of Mary and Joseph in search of lodging. The specifics of the tradition vary by the region or town but usually ends with Christmas carols and children opening pi�atas filled with candy, nuts, and fruit. 

New Zealand
While many of New Zealand's Christmas traditions are fairly similar to that of the United Kingdom and North America, the celebrations blend the two together to create a unique holiday. Christmas takes place during the middle of New Zealand's summer season yet western images of a white, snowy Christmas are still prevalent and mixed in with the sunny, coastal weather. In addition to the traditional hot, roasted food served on Christmas, New Zealanders often host barbecues with friends and family and relax. One major difference is that the (mostly) Western tradition of watching Christmas-related T.V. shows or movies is not common in New Zealand at all. In fact, advertising is actually banned on television and radio on Christmas Day. It is more common for people to eat together, attend parades, or just relax in the warm weather rather than watching television.

China
While Christmas is actually not a public holiday in China, it is still observed and a small portion of the population does celebrate the holiday. Many will participate in some aspect of celebrating Christmas, largely because of marketing campaigns that advertise the holiday and of an increasing interest in Western holiday celebrations. Christmas is treated more as a day to be with friends and increasingly to go shopping, rather than stay in and be with family. Around Christmas, a trip to Hong Kong is definitely worth it to see the over the top decorations, paper m�ch� trees, and blinking Christmas lights.

Brazil
Like New Zealand, the holiday season in Brazil takes place in the midst of summer in the southern hemisphere. Traditions are largely similar to those of the U.S., with Christmas trees, lights, and exchanging of gifts. Rio de Janeiro is home to the world's largest floating Christmas tree, standing at nearly 280 feet tall. Unlike many North American traditions, most of the Brazilian Christmas events actually take place around midnight, with big family dinners and the Missa do Galo, or the rooster's mass, that takes place in churches nationwide.

Go abroad with World Endeavors and see firsthand the holiday traditions of another culture or contact us
for more information!


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Planning Ahead: Spring Break Alternatives



It may only be December but it's the perfect time to start thinking about your spring break plans! What better way to spend your time off from school than volunteering in another country? 

World Endeavors offers a one week volunteer opportunity to go to Costa Rica. With multiple projects to choose from, take the time to enhance your Spanish, immerse yourself in the Costa Rican culture, and truly make a difference within a community. The projects offered for one week include childcare & orphanage assistance, community development, eldercare, environmental conservation, wildlife conservation, and women's development. 

Costa Rica's relaxed atmosphere, breathtaking landscape, and impressive biodiversity make it a superb place to spend a week (or longer). Start planning ahead and apply to have one of the best weeks of your life!

Discover new places to travel when you volunteer, intern or study with World Endeavors!

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Featured Video:
Internships in Italy

 
Intern in Florence, Italy and spend several months working in the field of your choice while learning Italian and immersing yourself in the rich Italian culture. For more information about World Endeavors' internship programs abroad check out our website
   
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Featured WE Staff Member:
Eden Lehr

Program Advisor

 
Program Advisor Eden Lehr grew up all over the United States and partially in Germany as an "Army brat" since birth. She studied Journalism and Mass Communications with a minor in Spanish at Kansas State University. Junior year, Eden studied abroad with World Endeavors in Sevilla, Spain.
 

She chose to go to Spain because she was studying Spanish and always wanted to go abroad, especially to travel in Europe. During her time studying abroad, Eden was able to travel in Spain as well as to Gibraltar, Morocco, Italy, France, and England. She has also been to Egypt and Jordan and most recently lived in Australia for a year. Favorite memories from her travels include meeting new people, seeing Rome on a Vespa, going inside the Giza pyramids, and experiencing Feria de Abril in Sevilla with her friends and host family.

 

Now that she's back in the U.S., Eden enjoys film and T.V., live theater and music, and spending time with friends and family. Her favorite part of working at World Endeavors is being able to share her passion for travel and culture with future travelers, in addition to being able to work with such a great team. 

 

 

 

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