Let's Volunteer!

So, the initial purpose of this blog was to inform the reader of my volunteer program. So, let's get back on track. For anyone reading, I have chosen china as my volunteer location because of my previous studies in Mandarin Chinese Language (普通话). I practiced Mandarin at the University of Central Florida (UCF) for two years of formal study and received 4 semesters of credit. I also studied with the Berlitz Language School on UCF campus for 12 weeks (20 hours a week) during the Summer of 2009. While a lot of my previous knowledge has slowly dwindled away, I am going to begin practicing some basic vocabulary on Rosetta Stone to recover some of my skills.

But enough about my language background, let me talk about the program that I'm actually doing. I will be arriving in China in early June, my volunteer program starts on June 6th, 2011. I have already registered with the company who sets up the volunteering, and have also been accepted by the local company who actually heads the program.

The main volunteer program I am working through is called International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ). 

The non-profit organization based in New Zealand offers some of the best rates I could find on international volunteer work. There are plenty of other programs such as Global Crossroads, Abroaderview, etc. However, I found IVHQ to offer the best prices. The registration fee runs at $220 for China, and I'm paying $1115 to actually do the program itself. The $220 pays IVHQ, and they provide 24 hour support as well as reference me to the in-country program I will be working with. My $1115 goes straight to the local coordinator who actually houses me during my stay. I will be working in China through Volunteer China International (VCI).

So, why on earth am I giving money to someone so I can go work for free?

Well, why would they be giving out free food and housing if they need volunteers in the first place? If they had the money to feed and house volunteers, well you get the point. Countries from Ghana to Vietnam need people who are willing to come offer services that the locals can't afford. As for me, I will be teaching english to less fortunate children in the local area. Private schools offer the programs I will be helping with, but most families can't afford to send their children to private schools. While working 20-40 hours a week helping local children, I will also be immersed in a rich culture and develop unforgettable memories. I don't think the small price tag attached will be something I worry about in the future. 

 

Okay, so what does that $1115 get me? I have a bed to sleep in, bathroom, laundry, three meals a day provided by local cooks, and other amenities not usually offered such as internet. My biggest cost will be my plane ticket, which I've already found some great deals. Any other expenses aren't covered, but as frugal as I am, I don't plan on spending much on anything else except for maybe water (hopefully I can get a purifier).

Where will I be?

I will be staying in either a volunteer house or local home-stay in the beautiful city of Xi'an. Xi'an is located in central China, and was once the capital of the country a long time ago. Many people know it for the famous terracotta soldiers.

The program itself will be much like a normal teaching job in the states. I will wake up and go to school every morning at 9AM. I teach for roughly 4-6 hours with breaks for planning and lunch in between. All evening hours after about 4PM are for me to do what I like. I also have all weekends off to travel or anything else I'd like to accomplish in the country.

Transportation in the city isn't covered by the program, so I will most likely be walking just about everywhere I go. I've been told by my coordinator I might be able to rent a bicycle for the duration of my stay, but I haven't decided what I'd like to do just yet. They cover transportation on site when you first arrive.

That's enough for today, hope that this has helped clarify some of the finer details of my trip. I will be posting regularly as I find out new details. My plane ticket will be purchased fairly soon!