| Volunteer Vacation |
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Volunteer vacations are an opportunity for people to make a positive difference in the lives of others or to help improve or contribute to society, culture, or the environment while on Vacation . It is also a chance for people of nearly any age to immerse themselves in foreign or challenging circumstances, experience a different culture first-hand, and learn more about the world they live in. According to the Travel Industry Association of America, more than 55 million Americans have participated in a volunteer vacation, and about 100 million more are considering taking one. Volunteer vacations attract people from all walks of life and all age groups—students on break or who take a year off between high school and college, singles, couples, families with young children, and older adults. Despite obvious differences among these people, they typically share a desire to “do something good” while also experiencing new places and challenges in locales they might not otherwise visit. OVERVIEW People choose to take a volunteer vacation for a variety of reasons, and often more than one applies. First and foremost is a desire to help —be it children, the elderly, the handicapped, animals, or the natural environment. Some people have a specific cause in mind; say, protecting endangered Gorillas or preserving the Coral Reefs off the coast of Australia , and they target organizations that offer such opportunities. Other people have a more general idea of what they want to do; for example, help alleviate hunger or teach children to read. Along with an altruistic reason for volunteering there are often others, such as a desire to see exotic or unusual places, an opportunity to experience new challenges, a chance to practice a foreign language, having an experience that will enhance their resume and/or job opportunities, and the fact that such trips usually provide a substantial tax deduction. Opportunities are available in every corner of the world, from the United States to Australia , China , Iceland , and the Amazon . People who have special skills— Teachers , Nurses , Veterinarians , Biologists , Accountants , Lawyers , Photographers , Farmers -may be able to volunteer on a project that will use those skills. Since so many volunteer vacations are in remote, foreign locations, knowledge of another language in addition to English can be helpful and in some cases, strongly recommended. Most volunteer opportunities, however, only ask that people have a desire to help and a willingness to learn and follow directions. Most vacations last from one to four weeks; some can extend on for months. The amount of time volunteers have to spend sightseeing or doing other activities away from their volunteer tasks varies with each assignment, as do the types of activities that are available. REFERENCES SEE ALSO |
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