Courtney Said:

Does anyone know any summer programs involving helping out in countries in need?

We Answered:

I would highly recommend waiting until you are finished with college to start looking for programs where you can help out developing countries. Although you could perhaps travel down to Mexico or South America to do work down in those areas, it is simply not cost efficient to send you to places like Africa, China, or Southeast or Central Asia. In addition to the cost of the flight, there are also issues such as lodging, food, medical insurance, etc. to take in to consideration. So while I'm sure you're more than willing to help, it simply doesn't make sense to put you there at this point.
What I would recommend is going to college and getting in touch with some organizations that can put you in the places you want to go. I'll put the links in the bottom, but things like AISEC and AmeriCorps, or Habitat for Humanity are all great organizations. UW-Madison has an organization called BRIDGE which places American students with foreign students from other countries, to help the foreigners adjust more easily to the US as well as foster greater understanding between the two cultures. Go to the tutoring organization on your campus and see if they have a Conversational English Tutoring system set up, that will allow you to help people from around the world with their English language skills, as well as allow you to talk to them about different issues in their home countries.
While you're in college I would recommend taking classes and looking for the area that you are most interested in helping. You mentioned Africa in your question, but how much do you really know about what needs to be done, and where in that Continent you would like to go? Do you want to build homes, teach in schools, or provide clean water? Do you want to help the people who are being left behind in emerging countries like China and India, or do you want to give aid to countries that are still completely destitute like so many in Africa? What about former Soviet states?
My suggestion is to pick an area you want to help, and then learn everything you can about it, prior to just going over there. Often there are many factors contributing to a situation that you may not have been aware of previously. Further, it is absolutely imperative that you have a strong grasp of the culture of any place around the globe, prior to going there.
Finally, if you really want to help, I would suggest the Peace Corps for after you graduate from College. They defer any loans you may have accrued while in school, pay some of them back, and give you the opportunity to really do some good.

I hope this helps.

Marshall Said:

Do you know of any programs where I can spend the summer living/working in Russia?

We Answered:

I am in the same situation as you are. Graduation are mere months away from completion and I as well wish to go to Russia.
The best solution I found for this want is through Cross Culture Solutions.

This program takes care of lodging, traveling, and etc. The catch is you volunteer your time to help with the children. But that's the only reason why I am joining, to help the children. Spare time is given to you to utiliza on your own time as for you to discover Russia on your own.

Not only will you be helping children, but also enjoying Russia.

Here is the website:
http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/where_you_can_go/russia/default.asp


Hope this finds your interest well.

- G

Christine Said:

Does anyone know of some relatively inexpensive volunteer abroad opportunities for the summer?

We Answered:

sorry :( ushually with your plane ticket, food, building materials, etc. it comes to be about that much. I picked a really expensive program and it was $5000 but I managed to fundraise all the money. If you start now $2000 may not be that hard. Good luck with whatever you do and I hope you find something :)

Craig Said:

I am a college student looking to offset cost of an International Volunteer program im participating in?

We Answered:

These site have pretty much all the info you need about living abroad and travel in New Zealand:

Living abroad: http://www.findingdulcinea.com/guides.to…

New Zealand info:
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/guides.to…

Dora Said:

I'm a college student looking for a free or very very low cost europe summer program?

We Answered:

try wwoof. willing workers on organic farms. this is a program where you buy a list of farms who hire people interested in working on farms or the country they are in. they have countries from around the world. eg. austria,italy, sweden, holland etc.. you get in contact with the farm that sounds interesting and work out stay length pick up from train station etc.. you get meals and a place to sleep and have to work 4 to 6 hours a day 5 days a week. the rest of the time you can explore.
have a nice trip.