Volunteer or Intern Abroad - India

  India

Dharamsala,  New Delhi

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Trimester, Winter 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: Beginning at various dates year-round

Description: Volunteering abroad is the opportunity of a lifetime, and our flexible short-term programs let you design your ideal experience in India. Volunteer from 1 week to 3 months in meaningful projects that will let you work side-by-side with local people and experience India's culture like never before.

As an international volunteer with Cross-Cultural Solutions, you're making a positive contribution, by sharing in the goals of a local community that warmly welcomes you. 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 stay with you forever.

While volunteering in India, you will explore and experience the countrys infinite layers of history, religion, politics, and society. Home to 18 languages, 500 dialects, 30 religions, and over a billion people, India provides the international volunteer with endless opportunities to learn about India, its traditions and way of life.

Volunteers in New Delhi are involved with caring for infants and children,teaching children, assisting teachers, caring for the elderly, assisting local health professionals, caring for people with disabilities, assisting teachers of special education, sharing their professional skills/experience, and work towards women's empowerment. Volunteers in Dharamsala are involved with caring for infants and children, teaching children, teaching English, assisting teachers, sharing their professional skills/experience, assisting teachers of special education, working towards women's empowerment, and caring for people with disabilities.

Cross-Cultural Solutions is a recognized leader in the field of international volunteering, with more than 4,000 volunteers each year. Founded in 1995, we are an international not-for-profit organization with no political or religious affiliations. CCS has a worldwide staff of more than 300 people, and operates in 12 countries, with administrative offices also located in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. We are in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations, and have been profiled in more than 500 news outlets.

Highlights: Delhi: Upon arrival here, your senses will immediately be overwhelmed with the sights and sounds of the city. Delhi is more than 3,000 years old; although epics have been written about the history of this capital city, Delhi's most distinct present day division is between Old and New Delhi. Old Delhi is the historical capital of Muslim India and home to some of the world's most beautiful mosques, monuments and bazaars, as well as home to the famous Red Fort. Old Delhi is a significant contrast to the cosmopolitan city of New Delhi, which was built of British influence and is now the center of Indian government, trade and business. The streets are lined with multinational businesses and temples alike, making it a journey of old and new. Home to 15 million people, Delhi is a mosaic of the many different Indian cultures. It is also hub of the social activism and progressive thought characterizing India for centuries. In Delhi, you can find activity in almost every social sector and development issue, from AIDS to migrant workers, to women's issues and holistic healing.

Dharamsala: Located in the northern Indian state of Himachl Pradesh, Dharamsala was founded as an Indian Hill Station during the time of the British rule and did not receive much attention until 1959, when the Dalai Lama fled to the area and settled at the former hill station. Dharamsala is set in beautiful cedar and deodar forest with the mountain range as its backdrop. The nearby snow line makes the location even more picturesque and is a popular starting point for hiking, while the temples reflect the influence of Tibetan culture that have impacted this region of India, making it a unique meeting place of two ancient traditions. The refugee Tibetan community is rich in culture and open to visitors, you can learn about their customs and history and even visit the area where Dalai Lama resides.

Cross-Cultural Solutions offers a wide variety of programs and experiences, but all of our volunteers come away with the same benefits:

- Personal Growth
- Having a Purpose
- Gaining Independence and Confidence
- Connecting with Others
- Seeing a Country from the Inside-Out

* The CCS Home-Base

CCS offers volunteers unprecedented support, and our entire infrastructure is designed around volunteer safety. Each of our programs is located close to a CCS Home-Base, your "home away from home" while volunteering abroad. Each Home-Base is exclusively for CCS volunteers, and designed for your safety and comfort. Here, you can connect with other volunteers and CCS staff, reflect on your experiences, enjoy meals together, read, and relax.

The CCS experience also includes cultural and learning activities so that you can learn about the local culture. These include an in-depth orientation, language training, guest speakers and more. Volunteers also have plenty of free time to relax, reflect, or explore the community and country.

Qualifications: No special skills or experience required.

Cost in US$: Visit our website for program fees.

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: While other volunteer programs may require certain skills or degrees, Cross-Cultural Solutions' programs are open to everyone. No matter what you believe your skill level to be, you have something meaningful and helpful to offer. We are dedicated to providing a meaningful placement for anyone willing to volunteer, and believe that the only skills required for international volunteering are a willingness to learn and an open mind.

Age Range: 18 and older, younger applicants accepted with application

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to India Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Other

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Cross-Cultural Solutions's Mission Statement: Our mission is to operate volunteer programs around the world in partnership with sustainable community initiatives, bringing people together to work side-by-side while sharing perspectives and fostering cultural understanding. We are an international not-for-profit organization with no political or religious affiliations.

Year Founded: 1995