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!