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93%Overall
Rating
Program Description
Cross-Cultural Solutions - Volunteer Programs in Russia
Description
Volunteering abroad is the opportunity of a lifetime, and our flexible short-term programs let you design your ideal experience in Russia. Volunteer from 1 week to 3 months in meaningful projects that will let you work side-by-side with local people and experience the Russian 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.
Ratings and Reviews
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Amazing!
90%Overall
Rating
3 of 5 people found this review helpful
When in Russia!
100%Overall
Rating
While I was in Russia, we worked at an orphanage. We would work with the children and when they went inside to nap for the day, we would paint their playground with brightly colored paint. Although the language was difficult, there were other means of communication. To see the smiles of the children when we arrived was priceless and an image I can never erase. These children who have no parents or their parents are on drugs or who are alcoholics, or even beat them. To see the bruises on a 2 year old's face ripped my heart and made me cherish them so much more. It never seemed like we were going to work, but we rather looked forward to it and never wanted to leave.
The program provided us with many opportunities to see the country and experience the great Russian culture and it's people. The history is so rich and what a great way to spend my summer. The translators that were provided for us were incredible and taught us not just book smarts about Russia but street smarts too. I would gladly go back.
12 of 26 people found this review helpful
Better Late then Never
90%Overall
Rating
I went to Yaroslavl about nine years ago through CCS. Anytime I reflect on the experience I feel the profound impact the program had on me. The children in the orphanages I spent every afternoon with left an impression of generosity, spirit, and the basic good inside all children that will always be with me. I think we connected even with some language barriers. The program director and translators were very helpful always, and for whatever reason though I was told to be nervous in Russia, I felt very comfortable there. The citizens I met also left quite an impression of intelligent, soulful, fascinating people, proud of their heritage. I so enjoyed my time in Yaroslavl, I anticipated traveling to other parts of Russia when I had some free time, but chose to only visit Moscow one weekend and spend my free time in Yaroslavl.
Alumni Interviews
Interview with Sucheta Rawal, CCS-Russia alum
GO: Why did you decide to volunteer abroad with CCS in Russia?
Sucheta: After traveling to a number of countries, I wanted to do something different. I came across a volunteer travel organization, Cross Cultural Solutions that organizes 1-8 week trips to many different places. I thought what a neat idea! I get to experience the local culture, eat home cooked food, and work in an orphanage. The reason I picked the trip to Yaroslavl, Russia is because I have always wanted to volunteer in an orphanage. Growing up in India, I was aware of how many children don’t have homes or families. If I could make any difference in their lives, I wanted to do so.
Sucheta volunteering in Russia
GO: What made your volunteer abroad experience unique and special?
Sucheta: The best part of my experience was the interaction with the people and realizing how similar we all are, no matter what our ethnicity, background or country of origin. In addition to the orphanage, I also spent some time in an old home and a women’s mental hospital. The women at both places were so eager to speak to me and share their stories with me. I don’t speak any Russian and the women didn’t know English, so we managed to communicate through a translator. I asked them about their lives and they asked me about mine. I found out that some of the women were intuitionalized because they had illegitimate love affairs or couldn’t cope with the death of a parent. Their problems were that of anyone, anywhere.
GO: How has this experience impacted your future?
Sucheta: It was revolutionary to see how the people I met in Russia had the same needs for a good career, love, family and a nice home. Even though they are a country far & we think of them as being different, we are really not. That changed my perspective on life and then on I view all human beings as equal.
Sucheta has since started the website, Go Eat Give, which encourages others to learn about different cultures through food and community service. Check it out!
As I did not know the language I was wondering how would it be possible to work with people who did not know English. I realized that love conquers every obstacle and we were able to do our work without any problem.
I had a wonderful director who knew that I was a former priest and managed to get an interview with a priest, who gave us his whole story and showed us his church. As I specialized in substance abuse she took me to a meeting where alcoholics were treated. The following day I was interviewed by the director of the alcoholic program.
On our weekend we went to St. Petersberg. We spent the night in the train with very little sleep as some soldiers were drunk and disturbed every one. When we arrived early in the morning, we all rushed to get a showed and were amazed that there was no water. We visited many places but the best place was the summer palace.
On the last day our director took us to her summer house (dakha ?) where I prepared chicken curry to the group.