Comments on: Five Expectations to Avoid Before Volunteering Abroad http://matadorchange.com/five-expectations-to-avoid-before-volunteering-abroad Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:30:52 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Bernie Allen http://matadorchange.com/five-expectations-to-avoid-before-volunteering-abroad/comment-page-1#comment-6699 Bernie Allen Fri, 05 Mar 2010 02:49:08 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=203#comment-6699 I'm currently reading this article from my home in the jungle town of Bandarban, close to the Bangladesh - Burmese border, just over one year into a two year placement. Personally my greatest challenge to my tolerance levels has to be my living conditions. Washing in a bowl never can be anything apart from that, but the joy of integrating into the local community more than offsets any inconvenience. While periods of isolation from a western culture can create loneliness, Internet access (even erratic) offers a means to re-establish connection. The trick is not to depend or crave that which will be in abundance again soon, and to appreciate you'll not always have exposure to your host culture. I’m currently reading this article from my home in the jungle town of Bandarban, close to the Bangladesh – Burmese border, just over one year into a two year placement. Personally my greatest challenge to my tolerance levels has to be my living conditions. Washing in a bowl never can be anything apart from that, but the joy of integrating into the local community more than offsets any inconvenience.

While periods of isolation from a western culture can create loneliness, Internet access (even erratic) offers a means to re-establish connection. The trick is not to depend or crave that which will be in abundance again soon, and to appreciate you’ll not always have exposure to your host culture.

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]]> By: 5 Things You Should Know Before Joining the Peace Corps http://matadorchange.com/five-expectations-to-avoid-before-volunteering-abroad/comment-page-1#comment-5949 5 Things You Should Know Before Joining the Peace Corps Sun, 17 Jan 2010 01:13:25 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=203#comment-5949 [...] the commitment to the Peace Corps? A short-term volunteer placement also requires planning. Read “Five Expectations to Avoid Before Volunteering Abroad” to prepare [...] [...] the commitment to the Peace Corps? A short-term volunteer placement also requires planning. Read “Five Expectations to Avoid Before Volunteering Abroad” to prepare [...]

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]]> By: Hal http://matadorchange.com/five-expectations-to-avoid-before-volunteering-abroad/comment-page-1#comment-2776 Hal Mon, 04 May 2009 21:13:34 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=203#comment-2776 Right on, Alix. I just finished up my first long-term volunteer experience, and I think you've really summed it up here. Especially feelin' ya on #2 and #4. All you potential volunteers out there, don't read this and get discouraged! Instead, take what Alix has to say to heart and you'll likely have an even better time during your assignment. Right on, Alix. I just finished up my first long-term volunteer experience, and I think you’ve really summed it up here. Especially feelin’ ya on #2 and #4.

All you potential volunteers out there, don’t read this and get discouraged! Instead, take what Alix has to say to heart and you’ll likely have an even better time during your assignment.

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]]> By: Abbie http://matadorchange.com/five-expectations-to-avoid-before-volunteering-abroad/comment-page-1#comment-2708 Abbie Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:05:36 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=203#comment-2708 That's great advice - I'm volunteering abroad in July so this info. was very helpful for me! That’s great advice – I’m volunteering abroad in July so this info. was very helpful for me!

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]]> By: Benjamin http://matadorchange.com/five-expectations-to-avoid-before-volunteering-abroad/comment-page-1#comment-2691 Benjamin Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:26:20 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=203#comment-2691 Some of the best advice a traveler of any kind could get! Some of the best advice a traveler of any kind could get!

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]]> By: Tim Taylor http://matadorchange.com/five-expectations-to-avoid-before-volunteering-abroad/comment-page-1#comment-2685 Tim Taylor Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:20:52 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=203#comment-2685 Awesome article! Alix sounds like a really wise world-traveller, and with a bit of abroad experience under my own belt (currently finishing up a year living and studying in Cairo, Egypt), I think she hit the nail on the head with all her main points. Nice work! Awesome article!

Alix sounds like a really wise world-traveller, and with a bit of abroad experience under my own belt (currently finishing up a year living and studying in Cairo, Egypt), I think she hit the nail on the head with all her main points.

Nice work!

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