Every other Thursday on The Volunteer Traveler blog, we’re going to bring you behind-the-scenes profiles of the people and places at the heart of Discover Corps: our staff in the US and abroad, our partner organizations, and our former travelers. We’re confident their stories and insights will educate, entertain, and inspire you. This week, we’re pleased to introduce Alex … Continued
When’s the last time you escaped — either with your mind or your body? When’s the last time you weren’t tethered to your cell phone and your email, your thoughts constantly interrupted by their pings? If you’re like most of us, you probably can’t remember when. Technology is a wonderful thing, but it’s become overwhelming … Continued
You’ve probably heard of a “volunteer vacation” before. And you might have wondered if they really do any good. After all, what impact can an unskilled person have on a week or two during their holidays? What does some couple from suburban America know about community development?
This video highlights many of the challenges of international volunteerism. It boils down to what is your intention and what is the intention of the organization you’re traveling with. For Discover Corps, we are quite clear that our travelers are not going to be “development experts” in a week or two.
In September 2014, a group of travelers journeyed to Peru for an immersive journey of service and culture.
Mark your calendars! Thailand’s annual Loi Krathong & Yi Ping festivals will take place in the beginning of November during the National Peace Corps Association’s Next Step Travel trip operated by Discover Corps. These are festivals that dot the bucket lists of many travelers and cultural enthusiasts alike. Imagine the sky filled with lanterns gently floating … Continued
Recall the days when you were a child, questioning everything around you and developing your sense of self. “Those were the days” many people like to say. But imagine if you had the opportunity to travel with your family to a far-flung corner of the world, coming face to face with the local communities. How … Continued
In our last post, we discussed the key points to take into consideration when planning a volunteer vacation. These include the long term development plan of projects, the stakeholders involved and ongoing involvement of the local communities. The debate over voluntourism continues. The primary question that is typically raised remains a simple one- how much … Continued