If you have some spare time this coming August, you may want to consider spending it in Thailand. No money you say? No problem. It’s free! JustMeans.com and World Endeavors have combined to offer a free trip to Thailand to work in a 4-week volunteer experience. Go to http://www.justmeans.com/challenge/InternationalInternship for more details.
Volunteer abroad! Discover the world and your true self.
The volunteer experience is one of the best opportunities available for self-discovery. There is something unique about committing yourself to a cause or community for reasons other than income. Sometimes our jobs offer deeply meaningful experiences that allow us to take the difficult journey of self-discovery, but more often that not, the constraints of the employment environment impede or distract us from that path. It doesn’t have to be this way of course, but for many people, it simply is. Volunteering, on the other hand, can offer the perfect space for living into who we are meant to be.
For someone who wants to embark on this journey of self-discovery, while contributing meaningfully to our world, the absolute best of all volunteer opportunities is the cross-cultural experience. These intense and demanding opportunities act as a catalyst toward personal transformation.
World Endeavors, founded by Tom Peden in 2002 is a great example. Tom travelled to Venezuela as a sophomore in college, and came back with what has turned out to be a life-long passion for travel and experiencing the world’s cultures. Years later, Tom founded World Endeavors in order to offer similar life-changing experiences to others.
World Endeavors offers volunteer experiences, internships with businesses, and study-abroad opportunities. They are specialists “in culturally immersive programs” and their goal is to “have a direct, positive impact on participants and their host communities by providing the opportunity for life-changing experiences.”
World Endeavors is offering one full scholarship and nine partial scholarships for a 4-week volunteer trip to Bangkok, Thailand.
If you go to one of my favorite sites, Justmeans.com, you’ll find all the details. The men and women of Justmeans.com have been doing some amazing work with their site around sustainability, corporate responsibility, and other socially ethical themes that span the globe. This contest is just the latest gem of value you will discover there.
Here are some of the details of the contest.
Scholarship recipients will embark on a life-changing experience in Thailand, volunteering in one of three areas:
- environmental conservation
- teaching English
- health care and health education
One (1) full scholarship winner will receive a 4-week volunteer placement in Thailand including accommodations and most meals. Reimbursement for round-trip economy airfare up to US$1,500 (GBP £1,000, EUR €1100) from the winner’s city of residence will also be given upon successful completion of the program.
Nine (9) runners-up will receive $250 (GBP £166, EUR €180) scholarships toward participation in a 4-week volunteer program in Thailand.
Scholarship winners will blog about their experiences, which will be promoted on World Endeavors and Justmeans.
Applicants must be:
– 18 years of age or older.
– Able to travel to Thailand August 1-30, 2009.
– Interested in international development and intercultural exchange.
– Flexible, hard-working, and mature.
No Thai language or previous international experience is required, so submit your idea today!
May 1, 2009 – May 31, 2009: Submit your idea and invite your network to view your submission and comment on it. The overall results of the comments and views expressed on Justmeans will be taken into account in selecting the finalists for interviews.
May 31, 2009, 11:59 p.m.: Application and voting deadline.
June 10, 2009: Finalists announced and posted on Justmeans.com.
August 1 – 30, 2009: Four week volunteer trip to Bangkok, Thailand.
**Applicants must be able to travel to Thailand August 1-30, and must demonstrate a strong interest in international social and environmental issues.
Click here for all the details, and to discover more about JustMeans.com.
You can find me on JustMeans as well.