For many of you, volunteering or studying abroad will mean staying with a host family. You should probably know by now that this might be one of the most rewarding facets of your trip—through staying with a host family, you’re able to gain valuable insights into the daily life of the country's culture while also making lifelong friends and connections. Likely, your host family will have plenty of experience with having guests and will be dedicated to helping you accomplish your mission while you’re serving abroad.

So, to return them the favor of their attention, we have a few tips on host family and home-stay etiquette!

Be knowledgeable about local mannerisms:

Before you ever leave the airport, do some research to learn about the typical customs and manners of the region in which you will be staying. It’s likely that your host family will adhere to at least some of these customs—and it is nice to show them that you’ve prepared ahead of time. Learn what is considered polite in the area in which you will be staying—and be prepared to do it! Many countries have specific codes of behavior to be used for elders or people of respect, so be familiar with these customs before you arrive.

Be perceptive to the natural flow of your host family's home:

Every family has a specific set of routines and rules that they follow, and it is your job to ask about this as soon as you arrive. Politely ask questions such as when the family usually eats and goes to bed, and observe how the other family members act. Feel free to ask questions about any unfamiliar routines and realize that your host family is essentially there to help you. Experienced host families will usually be clear about what is expected of you. Remember, as much as you may become like family, you are always a guest and should try hard to be open to the needs and norms of your host family.

Give your host family a firm schedule to avoid misunderstandings:

During your stay abroad, you will probably be a very busy person. Make sure that your host family is aware of your general schedule so that they can expect when you will be home for meal times, etc. You may also want to give them a specific weekly schedule both for safety reasons and so that they will be able to plan to fit you into their own schedule. It is important that you keep in constant contact with your host family.

Persevere through any awkwardness:

It’s highly likely that there will be at least some awkwardness during your stay abroad. After all, you and your family are attempting to bridge cultural and spatial gaps to try and work together, at least for a while. Work hard and don't give up! Cultural differences and homesickness aren't going to resolve themselves if you hide away in your room—rely on your host family as if they were your real family, and your relationship will be an enjoyable part of your trip abroad.

Let your host family know that you are willing and excited to live life just as they do:

Staying with a host family is a perfect time for cultural exchange, and it’s important that you let them know that you’re interested in having the legitimate experience of living in a home in your host country. Many host families worry that their guests will be used to a more luxurious experience than they can offer—let them know that you really would like to live as a member of their family! Engage them by asking about the local history and traditions of the area. A great way to connect with your host family is to cook with them—they will love to try your recipes from home and you will have the benefit of learning how to cook the delicious food you eat every day. Trust me, you'll miss it!

Be attentive to any children who might be around:

Many families host exchange students so that their children or grandchildren will become familiar with different cultures. Indulge this, and make time to interact with any children around you. You can play small, educational games such as teaching them the colors in your native language or showing them pictures of from your normal life at home. If the children happen to be learning English, volunteer yourself as their tutor. Some of my best times in Spain were spent with the children of my host family as we colored together and taught each other Spanish and English respectively. By interaction with the children you are opening their eyes to cultural curiosity and understanding that they will never forget.

Let them know that you've thought about them ahead of time:

Remember—your host family has put a lot into your stay. Thank them for it! Gifts for the host family are best bought ahead of time; it lets them know that you were thinking about them before you ever arrived. Since they undoubtedly prepared for your visit, this is a great way to show them that you were excited about meeting them too. Buying gifts, because local customs vary, can be a little tricky though. A few gifts that are almost always safe include postcards, cookbooks (if they speak English), coffee table books about your hometown, or local handicrafts. If they have kids, you might also want to get something educational such as a puzzle of the United States or maps. Be careful about buying things like alcohol, as drinking is not common in certain parts of the world.

Having a host family is an awesome opportunity for you to immerse yourself in your culture while also making lifelong friends and connections. By the end of your stay, your host family will feel like your family, so do your best to make it the best experience possible.

If you’re thinking about volunteering abroad, some of the first things to consider are the types of work are you qualified for and how you could provide an organization with the most assistance.

Many volunteer abroad groups ask that you provide a resume or complete a similar document in the application process, along with personal goals and interests. Although volunteer organizations generally are not excessively picky about who they allow participate, they do want to ensure their volunteers will prove to be not only professional and helpful, but will also gain a lot from the experience as an individual.

Here is a guide to presenting yourself in the best manner possible!

Past Volunteer Experiences

What looks better than previous experience? List all past volunteer stints, whether international or domestic. Include the types of work you were involved in, what you provided the organization(s), and what you gained from your experience. 

Past Abroad Experiences

Did you study abroad in college or travel through Europe after high school? Write about it! Displaying your awareness and openness to learn about other cultures and languages are great indicators of a successful volunteer. Your willingness to learn and dedication to cross-cultural understanding are qualities that will provide the best results for the organization and the communities it serves. 

Goals for the Organization

Every organization looks for volunteers who want to make a difference through their work. Vocalize your desire to work with that particular organization and how the work you want to do will improve the functioning of the group, or how you will provide additional insight and support.

Outside Goals

Explaining your personal goals—not just for a potential volunteer experience, but for life—is a great way to show an organization who you are as a person. By communicating your life-long personal goals, an organization has the opportunity to see inside your desire to volunteer. Also include professional goals, as a volunteer abroad experience may be beneficial to your professional development and enhance your career options.

Organizations will see your motivation to volunteer as an indicator of personal initiative and hard work, as it is probably not a requirement for your career path. However, do not emphasize professional goals too much, as it can appear you are using volunteer experience solely as career development.

Relevant Past Work Experience

Working at a fast food restaurant in high school is probably not going to help you land a spot in the group, but any work that involved the type of projects the organization you are applying for takes part in will enhance your application.

Educational Experience

Most volunteer groups do not require that you have a college education, but including your level of higher education is always an application enhancer. You do not need to include your GPA, but the types of coursework you took, if related to the work the organization does, will prove beneficial. 

Personal Qualities

In your application you will most likely be asked to provide a description about yourself and why you are interested in volunteering for that organization. Use this as an opportunity to demonstrate personal strengths and use resume-type language to describe you. Be sure to provide examples of your level of commitment to the projects you take on both in your personal and professional lives, personal initiative and motivation, types of work you are best suited for, and include your ability to work as part of a team.

References

Include both personal and professional references, as they will allow the organization to receive information about you from outside sources. As with job applications, many people look great on paper but fail to meet the expectations of an organization in actuality. Many organizations do not require references, but your willingness to provide them without prompt is an excellent indicator of the type of volunteer you would be.

Volunteer abroad organizations are always looking for dedicated, motivated individuals to add to their teams. If you are passionate about a particular cause or organization, your application and supporting documents should demonstrate your enthusiasm for the type of work you wish to do abroad. Flexibility, cultural awareness, and openness to change are also highly regarded, so be sure to fit those in as well! 

Good luck in your endeavors!

This past summer I completed a 10-week service of AmeriCorps VISTA at the Office of Pre-College Programs at Central College in Pella, IA, (my undergraduate school). In the office of Pre-College Programs, I had the opportunity to work alongside the men and women who devote their lives to helping students eligible for TRIO programs in the Des Moines and Pella areas.

TRIO programs are federal, nationwide programs that allow low-income and potential first generation college students to maintain the level of support they need to make sure they are successful in their college and career endeavors. Central College’s TRIO programs include Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math & Science, Educational Talent Search, and Student Support Services.

Upward Bound/Upward Bound Math & Science as well as Educational Talent Search provide junior high and high school students programs which teach skills that they will need in high school, college, and beyond, and make them aware of the opportunities they have. Student Support Services serves past ETS and UB/UBMS students who are attending college, granting support and assistance when needed and ultimately providing mentoring roles.

I played several roles this summer in the Office of Pre-College Programs. Central College’s Upward Bound/Upward Bound Math & Science programs invite their students entering grades 10 through freshman year of college to a six-week summer residential program where they take classes during the day and participate in intramurals and other activities at night.

My tasks during the residential program were varied, including chauffeuring students to and from the health clinic if they fell ill, serving as an additional residential monitor, monitoring trays at meals to ensure students were eating healthily—a requirement for the program to keep its federal Food Service Agreement (a grant that pays for the students’ food). I was also tasked with event planning and contacting community partners, leading forums and discussions, guest teaching in courses occasionally, and providing any additional assistance necessary. 

I learned that being around teenagers for six weeks is terrifying, exciting and rewarding.

In between all of this and during the four weeks after the program, I created curriculum for Educational Talent Search to use for the next school year, covering the topics of Healthy Lifestyles and Financial Literacy. Overall, I created over a dozen lesson plans, including activities and handouts.

Through my experience, I learned several things about the TRIO programs. First, I learned that being around teenagers for six weeks is terrifying, exciting and rewarding. The students I had the opportunity to work with were from a variety of backgrounds. Some recently immigrated to the United States with their families, or are first generation American citizens—bringing an entirely new cultural perspective to the group of students. Some students were from rural areas, some from the city of Des Moines.

Most importantly, they were all unique, intelligent, gifted young adults that have far more potential and motivation than some of the most affluent and privileged people I have encountered. For some, the summer program was an opportunity for adventure, a new place with new people to meet. For others, it was a mixture of a prison and fun—school during the summer was an awful concept, but the experiences they had with meeting new people and the activities they participated in were great. Activities were varied—including anything from Minute to Win It, Fear Factor, a Zumba lesson, teambuilding, and thoughtful discussion.

TRIO programs give these truly amazing students opportunities they may not have otherwise. From mentoring and friendships to the motivation and information they need about college and financial aid, these students are benefitting tremendously from TRIO.

I also benefitted tremendously from the people I worked with during the summer. They too have a variety of backgrounds—some have master’s degrees, some are past TRIO students, and all of them have the patience, loving personalities, and genuine care that it takes to make these programs successful. They dedicate their lives to providing for these students what oftentimes their families or schools cannot, and for that, they have become my inspiration to do more for others.

I entered AmeriCorps VISTA thinking that I was going to spend 10 weeks of my summer assisting others and learning about others and myself in the process. What I did not expect was to gain an entirely new perspective on a federal program that ignorant minds sometimes refer to as “welfare” for students. I have the utmost respect for the men and women who work for these programs, and I have immense respect for the students who are courageous enough to take part in them and realize the bright futures they have ahead of them.

Today's post is brought to you by Elaine Hirsch. Elaine Hirsch is kind of a jack-of-all-interests, from education and history to medicine and videogames. This makes it difficult to choose just one life path, so she is currently working as a writer for various education-related sites.

Many organizations have established global volunteering projects in microfinance. Corporations and other groups are increasingly finding investments in microfinance around the world can make an instrumental difference in the operation of underdeveloped communities. These programs work with community banks to provide loans to empower global communities with businesses and the infrastructure for growth.

What is a Microfinance Loan?

Microloans provide funding to low-income people in underdeveloped communities. This small loan serves the community and provides an impoverished person with a means to earn a living by starting a business, earning a PhD, or even simply buying a car or house. Microloans are usually provided to people who can't obtain a loan through other means. Their amounts are typically fairly small, and many are just a few hundred dollars.

The loans are typically only awarded to individuals who demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit and strong self-employment aptitude. Many organizations require some form of collateral, though microloans are in most instances easier to obtain than other small business loans.

Several specific programs related to global volunteering in microfinance will be discussed in brief:

Credit Suisse

Credit Suisse’s global initiatives included investments in microfinance as well as education, humanitarian aid, and the environment. Credit Suisse supports small businesses in Tanzania, Colombia, and other developing areas of the world. The businesses they support are flourishing and providing a good service to the people of the area.

Foundations, wealthy individuals, and entrepreneurs are participating in investments that have both a financial return and a social value. Credit Suisse facilitates these investments and investors receive a discounted financial return. This model provides microfinance institutions with the capital to offer financial products and services to lower-income households and micro-entrepreneurs. Credit Suisse also works with Habitat for Humanity and Junior Achievement as a part of their global outreach program.

Microfinance Brigade

This organization solicits community bank loan officers to help people in under-resourced communities build businesses and prepare for natural disasters. The organization provides financial support to create independent banks in the community. Once the banks are established, they can launch other community projects.

Global Brigades provides all the necessary information and resources to ensure the success of each project. The goal is to deploy 3,600 volunteers to work in 16 community banks. These volunteers will grant 1,500 loans with a grand total of $400,000. With these loans, they are prepared to offer financial services to 12,000 community members. Numerous seven- to ten-day Microfinance Brigades are held in Ghana and Honduras periodically during the year. Both student and professional volunteers are welcome to participate.

World Corps Kenya

This microfinance volunteer organization is located near Nairobi, founded in 2005 by seven women who were running a quarry business. They formed a credit and savings cooperative to help people in the community. World Corps Kenya now has 5,000 registered members. Most of the businesses they've helped fund serve Gikomba, Muthurwa, Kibera, Mathare, and Kayole, all considered severely under-developed communities.

VPWA Microfinance Program

Volunteers often work with the Volunteer Partnerships for West Africa microfinance office to conduct loan assessment and loan disbursements. This particular organization provides business skills training and also helps businesses devise marketing strategies to help make their business more profitable. Businesses may also receive help with long term financial projections, policy and procedures review.

Microloans can significantly change the lives of people living in impoverished or underdeveloped communities. Domestically, microloans can help lower-income people improve their lives and the lives of others in their communities. People with time to volunteer should consider one of the global opportunities listed above or numerous other volunteer options on the Web.

Photos from Creative Commons.

Volunteering abroad can be very pricey. With housing, flights, visas, food, and other expenses, it's easy for volunteering to become even more expensive that the initial sticker price of the program—and this can definitely be a problem for the volunteer on a budget. Don't worry though; there are options. Scholarships for service are bountiful and can be found just about anywhere. Here are a few tips for you as you begin your search for additional funding!

Scholarships in the Community 

When searching for scholarships to volunteer abroad, it's a great idea to start in your own community. Many businesses and organizations will be glad to help a local person, especially a young person, invest in service and themselves as they begin their careers. When searching for local scholarships, you might want to start with service oriented community organizations such a local VFW chapter or Rotary Club. Be prepared when seeking information to be able to describe the benefits of your service in three ways:

1. How it will help the actual people you are serving
2. How it will help you
3. How it will help their organization

Even if the group can't help you, they may know someone else who can.

In the community, there are also organizations that are specifically dedicated to service, either in the public or private sector. Many states have a division of volunteerism or community service that may be able to point you to local groups in your area that may have resources that you can use as a volunteer. Churches, libraries, local non-profits, and community centers may also be good places to look for scholarships or funding. Remember that it never hurts to ask and to always be appreciative of any advice or assistance that you receive.

National Awards

National volunteering scholarships are abundant, generous, and also very competitive. While there are many service scholarships out there funded by a variety of organizations, I've tried to list a few of the largest ones in the business. Notice that many scholarships are meant to pay for either certain projects or else specific time commitments.

>>Samuel Huntington Public Service Award: gives a graduating college senior a budget for one year of public service anywhere in the world

>>The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes: awards $2,500 to winners from age eight to eighteen to be applied to school or a public service project that benefits the globe

>>Volunteers for Prosperity: grants highly-skilled American professionals $500 to $1,000 to offset travel and lodging experiences for short-term volunteer trips. Volunteering must occur within a recognized VPS partner organization.

>>AUA Mosaic Scholarship Program: pays up to $5,000 to an American student for an AUA listed volunteering organization sending students to a Muslim country.

>>Travel for Good Voluntourism Grant: provides $5,000 for inspiring, Travelocity signature trips.

These are just a few of the good things that the world has to offer- keep searching! Many travel organizations have annual contests, so keep tabs on your favorite travel groups. 

Ask your Program!

One of the largest funders of volunteer scholarships are the programs themselves. These funds can come from either the actual project or NGO in the country you are working with, or the program that connects you to these projects. The best way to go about this is simply to ask your point of contact about any opportunities that they may know of and be sure to search online as well. 

Remember- it is ok to pay to volunteer! 

Even if there aren't any scholarships available for you at the moment, remember that the money that you are paying to volunteer is usually money well spent. Although the organizations are more than thankful for your service, your monetary contribution helps them stay active just as your own work does. Consider your time spent volunteering and your money spent on the program a one-two punch for the cause that you are championing. Also, don't forget that housing and food are usually included in the program fee, which is always a bonus!