Operation Crossroads Africa, Inc.

  Gambia

Banjul

  Ghana

• Accra: 
Accra

  Kenya

Nairobi

  Lesotho

Maseru

  Malawi

Lilongwe

  Niger

Niamey

  Senegal

Dakar

  South Africa

• Cape Town: 
Cape Town (Kaapstad)

  Uganda

Kampala

Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: 8 wks in the summer

Description: America's premier cross-cultural exchange program, Operation Crossroads Africa was established in 1957 by Dr. James H. Robinson, who foresaw a "clear, honest, hard-hitting program" in which young North Americans would work at the grassroots level with young Africans. He envisioned young people "building bridges of friendship to Africa," and his extraordinary vision was embodied in Operation Crossroads Africa. The organization's motto is "make a difference for others, see the difference in yourself."

The Africa Program has 3 components: three orientation days before departure, six work weeks on a development project in the host country, and one week travel in the host country.

Upon selection as a participant, you will receive a bibliography of relevant background materials and a profile of your host country. You are also encouraged to research your personal, academic and/or professional interests.

The time you will spend as a member of a Crossroads group is designed to provide an immersion in the culture of the host community. You will be part of an international group made up of 8 to 10 men and women of various racial, cultural, regional and educational backgrounds. Under the guidance of a group leader, Crossroads groups join with a community for 6 weeks on a project that involves local people and Crossroaders working together. All Crossroads projects are community-initiated, and you will live and work with hosts who have designed the project.

Highlights: As a Crossroader, you will live with other members of your team as a group in a village, often with only the basic amenities and without many of the modern conveniences Westerners take for granted. You will spend several hours a day in project activities. The project work may entail construction of a school, a nutrition survey, a tree planting scheme, or some other activity. All projects involve a component of physical work and most are located in rural areas.

You will participate in communal maintenance chores. Through living and working in a village community, you will be exposed in an intimate way to the languages, music, history and customs of your host country. With your team and hosts, you will help forge group-oriented solutions that incorporate the ideas of people whose assumptions may be very different from your own.

Qualifications:
- Interest in Africa
- Strong communication skills
- Willingness to respect different lifestyles, beliefs and values

Cost in US$: $3,500

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18 and up

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

Participants Travel in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Operation Crossroads Africa's Mission Statement: The programs of Operation Crossroads Africa are designed to promote understanding of Africa and Africans in the Diaspora based on the belief that one can truly enter another culture only by living and working in it.

Year Founded: 1957