Signature Trips: Cross-Cultural Solutions

Volunteer abroad with Cross-Cultural Solutions to engage in meaningful volunteer work overseas and work with local people in the areas of Caregiving, Teaching, Healthcare, and Community Development. Choose from the Volunteer Abroad, Insight Abroad, and Intern Abroad programs, available year-round from 1 to 12 weeks.

CCS programs offer a comprehensive experience that helps you truly connect with the community with which you are volunteering. Your skills and interests and the immediate needs of the community are matched to ensure a volunteer placement that is both useful and appropriate. You'll gain insight into the local culture through CCS activities, while having plenty of free time to explore on your own.

Learn more about Cross-Cultural Solution's Signature Trip to Brazil below. The $5,000 Travel for Good voluntourism grant can be used for either CCS trip.

Salvador, Brazil
Starting at $1,946
1 week-6 weeks

Salvador is considered the center of Afro-Brazilian culture, arts, and cuisine. It also has a reputation for enthusiasm and optimism widely known throughout Brazil and the world, despite a wide economic divide among its over three million residents. This ever-increasing economic divide and lack of gainful employment in Salvador has led many families residing in favelas, or "shantytowns", to search for better opportunities far from their hometowns, leaving children and aging parents behind. The shortage of affordable daycares, schools, and health facilities means that these children and aging citizens who cannot care for themselves are placed in already overcrowded community-based centers. CCS volunteers in Salvador provide support to locally run community projects so that they can run more efficiently, provide individual attention, and remain self-sustainable.

Goals: In 2011, goals in the community include improving the quality of care for children, the elderly, and people with disabilities in overcrowded and under-resourced community centers and daycares; improving English language skills; and raising awareness and reducing the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS.

Learn More: Click here for further details on this trip, upcoming trip dates, and more. Please note that you do not have to book this trip to apply for the $5,000 grant. Winners may book after receiving the award.

Click here to see Cross-Cultural Solution's other Signature Trip