An educational opportunity outside of your home country whether it involves receiving or providing education is a great way to broaden your world view, develop compassion and appreciation for other cultures, and give to those in need. There are several organizations that provide opportunities to volunteer and study abroad. Some of these include:
1. World Teach
World Teach is a non-profit organization that uses volunteers from all across the globe, namely the U.S., U.K., and Canada to teach in developing countries in Latin America, Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and the Pacific. World Teach offers summer, semester and one year volunteer teaching programs to mostly college students, recent college graduates and teachers. Every World Teach volunteer at the end of their service receives a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification at no addition cost.
2. International Cooperative Education (ICE)
ICE is an organization that provides overseas internship opportunities to U.S. college students. Some of these internships are at major well-known companies like BMW and Mercedes Benz, to family-owned businesses, schools and government offices. Students enrolled in this overseas internship program are housed with a local family or in an employer-based housing complex. Participating in this educational opportunity abroad give students the ability to work and learn the language and culture of a foreign country and broaden their employment choices.
3. AmeriSpan
AmeriSpan is a study abroad program for not only students but for working professionals. Students and professionals who want to learn another language by immersing themselves into a foreign culture are able to learn at an accelerated pace. AmeriSpan offers study abroad programs in several languages in more than 65 countries. In addition to its language learning programs, AmeriSpan also offers volunteer and internship opportunities.
Taking advantage of an educational opportunity outside of your home country will provide valuable experience, personal growth, and many skills that will be useful in life and in the workplace.