Cross-Cultural Solutions

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9 / 10 after 143 Reviews Based on overall, support & value average ratings

As an international volunteer with Cross-Cultural Solutions, you're making a meaningful contribution, working side-by-side with local people and sharing in the goals of a community that warmly welcomes you. You're experiencing another culture like never before and really getting to know its people. You'll gain new perspectives and insight into the culture and yourself. It's an exciting and personally inspiring experience, and you'll develop memories that will be with you forever.

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I volunteered with CCS in Guatemala City for two and a half months and had the most amazing experience of my life (so far). I decided to travel with CCS for personal reasons. I was born in Guatemala, adopted by Americans and brought up in the States. I wanted to visit my birth country but did not want to go back as just a tourist. While visiting, I wanted to experience the culture and give back if I could. CCS Guatemala offered everything I was looking for; cultural immersion, a chance to meet new people and friends, a great place to stay, and opportunities to volunteer. This trip was worth every penny! I met amazing people and went to incredible places. Furthermore, words cannot explain just how amazing the in-country CCS staff is! They were helpful, always a pleasure to be around and became a second family to me. I cannot thank them enough for such an incredible time. Choosing to travel with CCS Guatemala was and still is the best decision that I have ever made. I 100% recommend this program! I learned a lot about myself and the world outside my world. I bet you will too! I enjoyed every second of my trip and plan to volunteer with CCS again.

To all the travelers out there: Travel far and travel wide. Always travel with an open mind. Safe travels to all!

A more in depth look at my experience:
Before leaving for Guatemala, I was a bit apprehensive for the trip. This was going to be my first time out of the country by myself but I did not need to worry. Before leaving for the trip, the Guatemala CCS program specialist Hayden helped me through the pre-travel process. On the day of arrival, pick up from the airport was seamless and the in-country staff member that pick me up was very friendly. I arrived at the volunteer house and had a warm welcome from the staff that was present. The volunteer house was perfect and quickly became a second home for me. The food at the house was always delicious, I never had a bad meal. The in-country staff and the house staff were so amazing and very helpful. The in-country director, Virginia was so helpful and kind. She led us through orientation, answered our questions and gave excellent "life advice" when needed. The in-country staff quickly became a second family to me, they helped make my experience in Guatemala special.

While in Guatemala with CCS, I volunteered at a school by the city dump. I primarily helped in the 1st grade class. I helped with daily lessons (like math) and other activities. Besides helping at the elementary school, I also had the opportunity to assist the English language teacher at the high school. Volunteering at this school was amazing, I would do it again in heartbeat. Other than this school, some volunteers were assigned to other specialty schools around the city, health clinics, day care facilities and many other places. All the volunteers that I met throughout my two and half month stay had all good things to say about their volunteer assignments.

Besides volunteering, CCS also provided cultural learning experiences like a city tour (which was fabulous) visits to museums around the city, Spanish lessons and much more. These activities were wonderful and I always learned something about the history and culture of Guatemala from these excursions. Having these cultural learning experiences added something extra special to my trip! During my trip, I did have opportunities for travel in my free time. Traveling is on your own dime but it is worth it. With the other volunteers I met, I traveled to Antigua, Guatemala for Semana Santa in early April, Lake Atitlan (so beautiful) and Monterrico (a beach town). Also in my free time, I explored Guatemala City and went on small weekend trips to Antigua, Guatemala. Most of my free time in the city was spent walking up to Parque Central and experiencing the day to day activities of the city. Guatemala is an amazing place. I hope that you, the reader, consider this program and location. It will change your life!

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Posted: August 30, 2017
Overall:
10
Support:
10
Value:
10
By: FelysseG
Age:
24

I volunteered with Cross-Cultural Solution in Morocco for two weeks and it changed me forever. The program was based in Azrou. What a beautiful town and such open hearted loving people. Mohammed and his team were absolutely phenomenal. Professional and courteous and with every interaction. From pick up at the airport to return to the airport after two weeks, everything was seamless. I thoroughly enjoyed the Azrou program. Interacting with amazing kids who were so eager to learn English. I was inspired by how learning a new language can empower a child. I must commend Mohammed for the effort that went into arranging the Azrou program. I feel confident in saying it was a real success. Anyone who joins the teaching program on Azrou will immediately realize the impact they have on the community and vice versa. Those kids will stay in my heart forever.
I was lucky to experience Ramadan in Morocco while on the program. During the first week Azrou felt like home away from home, when Ramadan started in the second week I felt like I had known everyone for a lifetime. I have met Moroccans and fellow volunteers whom I will forever value.
The CCS Morocco program offered me a space to experience a different way to travel and I can honestly say it was the most rewarding trip I've ever done.
A huge thank you to the Morocco team for taking such good care of me. The food was always excellent, I felt safer in Morocco than I do back home and I will definitely be returning for another CCS Morocco experience.
I recommend the CCS Morocco programs to anyone who is looking for a volunteer abroad program. You will not be disappointed and you will definitely leave a better person.

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Posted: June 9, 2017
Overall:
9
Support:
9
Value:
9
By: Shameema
Age:
35

My volunteer experience in Azrou, Morocco was one of the highlights of my life so far! The organization, attention to detail, and thought put into the volunteer program by Mohamed was exceptional. Every effort was made to accommodate any request our group had during the two week program.
Mohamed's "Introduction to Islam" presentation was insightful and assisted me in understanding the culture in which I was volunteering. In addition, working with the students at the elementary school on the Hand Washing Project, gardening, painting, and clean up exceeded my expectations.
I would recommend the CCS Morocco program to anyone who is seeking a volunteer experience in which you are truly immersed in the local culture while making a difference in the lives of others.

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Posted: June 9, 2017
Overall:
10
Support:
10
Value:
10
By: Sharlou
Age:
48

I volunteered with CCS in Morocco in November, and I would recommend this experience to anyone!!! The CCS team go way above and beyond what they need to in order to make your experience the best it can be. I was with the program for four weeks.
The preparation for the program was excellent- CCS is responsive to all questions/concerns, and I really got the impression that everyone I dealt with truly cared about my experience. They are also very safety conscious, which went a long way in making me comfortable enough to finally commit and enroll in the program... And I am so, so glad that I did.
From the minute I arrived in Rabat and saw Mohamed and Abdou waiting for me with the ccs van, I knew I was in safe hands. The home base is in a beautiful neighborhood of Rabat, with flowers and vines blooming even in November! There are coffee shops, convenience stores, shops, restaurants all nearby. I think the location of the house is perfect, since I was able to take morning or afternoon walks and choose what I wanted to see- either quiet residential streets or bustling main avenues. The house itself came to feel like a home-away-from-home, and the other volunteers and I spent plenty of our time chatting or just reading/writing on the downstairs couches. Meals are eaten all together, which really brings you close to everyone. And the food is AMAZING!
The in country staff are all so kind, and like I said before, they go way, way past what they need to. Khadija and Mohamed are two of the best people I've ever met, and their lectures (on Women in Morocco and Islam, for example) are super informative. The placements themselves are all important and a lot of fun. I was lucky enough to experience all of the placements- the hospital, orphanage, and women's center. Each is really great in its own way, although I think teaching english at the women's center was my personal favorite. I had never done any teaching before, so I was a bit worried that I might not be any good at it, but the students are all really kind- and forgiving!
Another thing I was slightly concerned about was safety- or just feeling comfortable in Morocco, especially as a young woman. When I was researching Morocco, I read A LOT of articles about women traveling there and potential harassment- and that made me pretty apprehensive. So I wasn't sure what to expect, but I feel its worth commenting on my experience, since it was totally different from what I (or those many articles) predicted. I didn't feel unsafe at any time there. In terms of harassment, there was a bit- but honestly not even close to what me and a friend got in Italy when we backpacked there. So, obviously be safe and take basic precautions (and respect local sensibilities with dress, ect), but don't be frightened off. Morocco is a really amazing place with a ton of amazing people in it- and I think that's worth experiencing, especially at a time when it seems like our world is in need of a bit more cultural understanding. I ended up staying in the country for two weeks after my time with ccs ended, traveling around-alone- and having the time of my life. And none of that would have been possible if it weren't for CCS. So, my advice if you're on the fence: Go for it. You won't regret it!!

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Posted: June 1, 2017
Overall:
10
Support:
10
Value:
10
By: topanga54
Age:
23

Rabat, Morocco is the place to be!..

There he was! Standing outside of the Rabat airport holding the CCS sign. Country Director Mohammed said “I was tracking your flight # and even watched your plane fly in” from that moment on, I felt comfort. I have to admit I was a bit nervous. With my flight cancellation, delays in Paris, change with my arrive time even airport change and with very little cell service.

Leaving home for four weeks, travelling to another country solo for the first time, most people would say “good luck with that” but the staff at CCS in Rabat, Morocco made me feel like family.. home away from home. The cultural language, writing, history studies, cooking lesson and just sitting in the living room talking with the staff was priceless. The Cultural outing activities was a bonus. We visit the Medina, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, Chellah, Pottery Village and so much more. They take time to learn who you are and taught me so much about their Country. I also had the luxury of travelling on the weekends, which they were very helpful giving instructions and directions on how to get there safely. I spent the weekends in Casablanca, Fez, Meknes, Volubilis, Marrakesh and Essaouira where I was able to ride a camel on the beach, how awesome is that! I went to the Hamma, woman’s bathing, very interesting. And, I met other volunteers that I still keep in touch with.

I was placed at the Women Center, English teacher for the first two weeks. Being that accounting is my profession, I was unsure how I was going to even start! But, the woman and man there are so eager to learn, they made it easy for me. I also still keep in touch with them and will always keep them close to my heart. The Orphanage was my second placement, also two weeks. That’s when my heart grew a 1000 times bigger! I was able to bath, feed and play with them daily, I love, love, love them and still think about them daily.

So, If you enjoy laughter, If English is your only language like mine was and don’t listen to the media, like I don’t….have no fear!! Morocco is a very safe city to travel to. I felt safer there then in my hometown, Los Angeles CA. Not only is it safe but they have beautiful souls that will take your breath away. I highly recommend that you choose Rabat, Morocco as your guild. All you need is a smile and heart and you will be fine.

Program:
Location:
Posted: May 5, 2017
Overall:
10
Support:
10
Value:
10
By: gmom
Age:
52

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