I have always found summer to be a special time of the year. No school, no homework, and plenty of possibilities. Sometimes travel, sometimes summer school, other times you work. And occasionally you get to do nothing. But either way, the idea of summer is always exciting. Entering college, I realized that I am on a countdown of my last few summer vacations. I have three more to be precise, unless I got to Grad school but those are a different story.

Naturally, like countless around me, I have started planning my summer. Currently, I am still debating between volunteering, enrolling in a summer session, interning, working, traveling or a variation of the above.

 Volunteer ideas:

World Wide Opportunities of Organic Farm is a worldwide work that gives provides volunteers the opportunity to live, work, and learn on organic farms while providing meals and lodging.  There are currently 143 countries in this network. For a city girl, like me, this could be a life-changing experience where I discover the beauty of working with my hands ( no, not on the keyboard). I can potentially learn to appreciate life and nature more.

The downside to this organization is that it costs money.  Since this is not an NGO, it requires membership fees, which is separate for each country. Generally, an annual membership costs around $30 USD per country. Also, you can see specific information about each country only after you have a membership which sucks because if I don’t know what each experience has to offer I am reluctant to pay $30. And since I don’t have a membership I cannot see what the experience is about.

Another such international experience platform that I am considering is Workaway. This experience focuses on cultural exchange and includes various of experiences including helping out with schools in Japan to looking after Husky dogs in Alaska. It is good for a traveler on budget and language learners which fits my profile of summer plan. This platform operates in over 165 countries and covers food and housing. This website also requires a membership fee. For one person a year it is $29. Two person it is $38. As a single person, I feel offended (slightly). But as I am interested in traveling to Japan,  I may use this platform. Perhaps I can spend a month in Japan teaching kids English or help maintain a hotel. If I do, I will update you all.

What type of experience interests you? Do you want to travel to a foreign land to help and learn its culture? What resources have you utilized to make your choice?
Please comment below!