Volunteering Abroad Archives

6 Creative Ways To Be A Global Citizen At Home

Posted by Up with People on May 26, 2020 [supsystic-social-sharing id=’1′ style=’color:#ffffff !important’]

A lot of us may still be adapting to the current situation we’re living in. Plans may be postponed until a later date and we may have to change the ways we keep in touch with friends and family. Despite these trying times though, there are still a lot of reasons to have hope for the future. Life will return to normal, and when it does, we will have a renewed sense of passion and inspiration to share with the world around us. But why wait until this passes to make the world a better place? Even though you may …

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Topics: Volunteering Abroad

Why Volunteering Makes You Happy According to Science

Posted by Up with People on October 11, 2019 [supsystic-social-sharing id=’1′ style=’color:#ffffff !important’]

It’s no secret that being around other people is more fun than being alone. Social relationships are described as one of the greatest single causes of a person’s overall state of happiness. Thanks to research done by the University of Minnesota, we now know that volunteering in fact creates social gain which “leads to more interaction, engagement, and trust” which all significantly impact a person’s mental health. Up with People’s travel program advocates towards the awareness and empowerment towards social change on mental health. Over the last ten years, mental health issues have risen among young adults, with social media …

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Topics: Volunteering Abroad

Seven Benefits From Volunteering Abroad

Posted by Up with People on April 10, 2019 [supsystic-social-sharing id=’1′ style=’color:#ffffff !important’]

Patrick Sanders standing in front of Miracle House

It’s hard to imagine a world outside of your backyard until you start to travel. Traveling in general can be an entirely new experience that allows you to learn a lot about yourself with great opportunity for personal growth. Volunteering abroad takes traveling to a completely new level and is, simply put, life changing. Up with People cast members travel to various places throughout North America and Europe every semester volunteering in local cities to spread the mission of the organization. They collaborate with every community they visit and work together to address local issues, form community connections and make …

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Topics: Volunteering Abroad

5 Benefits Of Staying With Host Families While Traveling

Posted by Up with People on September 20, 2018 [supsystic-social-sharing id=’1′ style=’color:#ffffff !important’]

While Up with People program participants travel the world they stay not in hotels, dorm rooms, or hostels but with local host families. This can be one of the most rewarding benefits of the travel experience because it instantly gets the traveler that much closer to the local culture. Living with a host family is an adventure within an adventure and an experience that many never forget. What are the benefits of staying with a host family? We’re so glad you asked. You Get To Live Like A Local Learn what locals like to do, where they like to go …

The Importance of National and Global Service: Who Benefits More?

Posted by on August 17, 2018 [supsystic-social-sharing id=’1′ style=’color:#ffffff !important’]

In honor of World Humanitarian Day August 19th, guest post from Up with People President & CEO Dale Penny: Photo Courtesy of UN.org “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.” Ever since President Kennedy issued that call at his inaugural address in 1961 which resulted in the launch of the Peace Corps, Americans and people worldwide have responded by seeking ways to volunteer in service to others. Today thousands of nonprofit organizations (NGO’s) offer opportunities to improve conditions in every corner of the world. In the U.S. the national service …

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Topics: Volunteering Abroad

Volunteer Travel: How Volunteering Benefits You And Your Host Country

Posted by Up with Poeple on July 26, 2018 [supsystic-social-sharing id=’1′ style=’color:#ffffff !important’]

Up with People takes the concept of service and volunteerism deeper than most travel programs. Each week, participants volunteer with schools and non-profit organizations to meet a community need and spark action in local community members that will continue to make an impact well beyond UWP’s visit. In fact, on average each participant completes 200 hours of service in a semester! By working directly with local citizens, together we create communities of action who understand their ability and responsibility to tend to the issues facing their cities and towns for the long term. Examples of Community Action projects include: School …

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Topics: Volunteering Abroad

Short-Term Study Abroad

Posted by up with people on June 7, 2018 [supsystic-social-sharing id=’1′ style=’color:#ffffff !important’]

A fast-growing segment in the study-abroad market is the short term (one- to two-week) study abroad option, often falling just after Spring term at many colleges and universities. According to the 2017 Open Doors® Report on Study Abroad short-term study abroad participation has grown over the past 5 years. The reasons for this increase include mounting education costs and more demanding academic requirements leaving many students feeling like a short program is all they can squeeze in. A new and unique offering in this segment is the two-week program offered by Arizona State University, in partnership with one of the …

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Topics: Study Abroad, Volunteering Abroad

10 Easy Travel Hacks To Make You A Better Traveler

Posted by Up with People on May 31, 2018 [supsystic-social-sharing id=’1′ style=’color:#ffffff !important’]

While travel is one of our favorite things we recognize that sometimes trips could go just a little more smoothly. These simple travel hacks can save you time, money, and at times your sense of sanity. So before heading out on your next great adventure be sure to use a few of these pro travel hacks! Use a Sunglasses Case For Power Cords The more helpful electronic devices we pack the more of a pain tangled power cords can be. There is a very simple solution! Pack an extra sunglasses case to store those power cords. This offers a lightweight …

Tips For Raising A Global Child

Posted by Up with People on May 14, 2018 [supsystic-social-sharing id=’1′ style=’color:#ffffff !important’]

It’s easy to get lost in the weeds of information out there about good parenting. At the end of the day we simply want what’s best for our kids. As our children prepare for college, and enter the workforce it’s easy to overlook soft skills that are critical to cross-cultural competence and communication. Developing a global mindset is extremely important in today’s interconnected and globalized economies. But how do we raise a global child? How do we prepare our kids to be ready for the real world we live in? In the spirit of Mother’s Day we asked the parents …

Why Travel Is Good For You

Posted by Up with People on April 26, 2018 [supsystic-social-sharing id=’1′ style=’color:#ffffff !important’]

Many of us spend our days between trips planning and daydreaming about the next great adventure. We look at pictures of interesting places online and wonder what great fun awaits us in faraway lands. But did you know that like vitamins, travel can actually be good for us? Up with People participants (who at the time of this writing are in the middle of an amazing week in Canún, Mexico) know this to be true. Anybody who has traveled outside his or her comfort zone can attest to the excitement that comes from being in a new environment. As research …