Cosmic Volunteers

Cosmic Volunteers runs programmes in Ecuador, Guatemala, the Philippines, Vietnam, Peru, Kenya, Ghana, Nepal, China and India. Their programmes include volunteering, internships, study abroad, language study, and 3-week 'Cosmic Journeys'. Participants from all countries are welcome. They can stay from one week to one year, with the option to combine countries and programmes.  Their mission is to experience and learn about non-western cultures in a unique way. It's not about building resumes. It's about getting outside of one's comfort zone and seeing what's out there in this universe of ours, and making a meaningful contribution to some of its citizens. It's a big universe indeed.

 

Cosmic Volunteers is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization registered with the US government.  All participant fees are tax-deductible for US taxpayers. Cosmic Volunteers is not affiliated with any political, religious, or governmental organisation.  Cosmic Volunteers was founded in 2001 by Scott Burke who served as a volunteer English teacher in rural Nepal. Cosmic Volunteers' programmes are run entirely by local professionals, who have the experience, contacts, and motivation to not only place volunteers in great situations but to provide support and guidance to them throughout their stay. 

Orphanages - This is our most popular programme. There are orphanages in all of our programme countries where you can volunteer. The most valuable activity sought by orphanages is for Volunteers to teach English to the kids. Books can often be scarce at orphanages, especially in rural areas, but the staff usually can provide you with a standard lesson book to follow. Depending on your own skills and interests, though, you can also teach songs, music, dance, cooking, or any number of activities, and generally just spend quality time with the children.

 

Teaching - Volunteers in this programme usually teach English to children in government schools or at orphanages. However, they accept teachers from all disciplines, including math, science, music, geography, art, dance, etc.

 

Medicine - Medical professionals and students can take a three-week Medical Tour or do actual volunteer work in rural and urban medical facilities. Participants should be doctors, nurses, medical students, or other trained medical personnel such as EMT's.

 

Media Internships - Work as an intern in radio, television, newspapers, or magazines. Depending on the internship, your work could include writing, reporting, researching, conducting interviews, photography, video, broadcasting, graphic design, editing, and coming up with ideas for stories/features.

 

Conservation/Environment - We've partnered with true grass-roots local organizations in our host countries who provide hands-on, meaningful work for volunteers who don't mind getting a little dirty. You can work with endangered species, reforestation, organic farming, working at a national park, assisting veterinarians at rescue centers, cleaning up beaches, helping design and develop new programs.

 

Cosmic Journeys - Our three-week Cosmic Journey programmes let you experience local cultures in an organized and meaningful way. You'll have one week of language classes, one week of volunteering, and a one week sightseeing trek. It's available in the countries mentioned above, and we're adding India in September 2004.

 

Business - Interns can work can work at a local company in one or more of the following fields: accounting, advertising, architecture, consulting, engineering, finance, general administration, hotel management, media / journalism, information technology, law, management, marketing, public relations, sales, travel/tourism.

 

 

Costs:  Please go into:  http://www.cosmicvolunteers.org/costs.html for details about programme costs.

 

 

For more information on Cosmic Volunteers and their programmes, please fill in the form below: