By: Zachary Laranang
Unlike in the European Union (where the majority of the population is multilingual), only 18% of Americans report speaking a language other than English. The emergence of English as the global language is undoubtedly at least one of the reasons for this abysmal fact. Why go through the trouble of learning another language when the rest of the world is bending over backwards to learn yours? Although I don’t think I am guilty of harboring this attitude, I must confess that I am among that 82%.
My monolinguism has been a problem from the moment I arrived in Buenos Aires (marking my first time outside the US). My first experience after stepping off the plane at Ezeiza International Airport was being misunderstood by a taxi driver, and having trouble getting to the Volunteer House. Another time, a simple trip to a camera store located a few blocks away from my accomodation somehow ended up with me 30 minutes outside the heart of the city. In addition to these unpleasant experiences, everyday activities like shopping, ordering food, or finding an address remain a struggle.
The frustrations of being in a country where one does not speak the native language are obvious. Simply getting by is difficult, and there exists a difficulty in communicating one’s thoughts and feelings to those who do not speak English, let alone display the full breadth of one’s personality. Floundering, rather than flourishing, is the usual state of affairs. Spoken word may be relegated to only 10% of communication, but it is an incredibly important 10%. Faced with these difficulties, the selfish American in me wants to give up.
The benefits of learning a foreign language are legion. As I’m sure every college student knows by now (due to the fact that it has been repeated ad nauseum by administrators, employers, and the media), knowing multiple languages distinguishes oneself in the job market, and is a necessity in today’s global economy. More importantly, the primary purpose of learning a language is to socialize with people from different cultures, says Lorena Belcastro, the director of the Buenos Aires Spanish School (BASP). Without at least a basic level of fluency, it becomes almost impossible to go about daily life, let alone connect with others. Learning another language provides insight into another way of thinking, allowing one to appreciate culture, connect and build relationships, and experience that important quality of humanness that makes visiting a foreign country a truly special and memorable experience.
However, the inevitable frustrations often discourage many from even attempting the endeavor. It is important to remember that frustrations are assured, but they are not impossible to overcome. They can even be empowering. Simply taking a successful trip to the supermarket can be an exciting learning experience that gives a foreigner the small victory they need to persevere and continue learning the language.
On my way home last week, I experienced a small victory of my own. Wary of Argentinian cab drivers after my first experience coming from the Airport, I was hesitant to hail another one. However, I relented, and a black and yellow car quickly stopped to pick me up. When I got in, the driver was very friendly, and attempted to make conversation. Luckily, I had my Spanish phrasebook with me, and I answered him back as best I could. I discovered that his name was Christian, and that he was a proud father of two, a fan of the Rolling Stones, and a lifelong native of Buenos Aires (among other things). I talked with him for the entire cab ride, asking about his life and telling him about my own. When we arrived at my hostel, I expressed my sincere gratitude, and we parted ways. This small yet successful interaction with another human being whose language I did not speak energized me and filled me with a mixture of joy and relief. Although I still have a long way to go until I reach fluency, the promise of similar human connections and fulfilling experiences drives me past my frustrations and obstacles and forward to a more enriching existence.
Par Jéremy Guérin et Christine Rivest
Alors que le taux de chômage dans l’Union Européenne atteint les 10.9%, ce ne sont pas moins de 26% des jeunes européens qui sont à la recherche d’un emploi. La France détient un taux de chômage très proches de la moyenne européenne, tandis que le taux de chômage dépasse les 25% pour l’ensemble de la population et s’envole à plus de 54% pour les jeunes vivant en Espagne et en Grèce. (“Unemployment Statistics.” Eurostat. European Commission 2013)
Dans ce contexte, la compétition pour décrocher un emploi se fait dure et il faut trouver un moyen de sortir du lot pour que son CV soit retenu parmi tant d’autres. Parler plusieurs langues est très souvent un atout pour se faire remarquer auprès des employeurs ainsi qu’acquérir de l’expérience bénévole ou associative. Alors pourquoi ne pas combiner les deux et faire du bénévolat à l’étranger? En effet, le bénévolat à l’international constitue une très bonne arme dans la bataille des CV. Une expérience dans le monde du travail en tant que bénévole permet de tester ses intérêts pour un domaine particulier, sans engagement.
‘’95% des volontaires à Voluntario Global avaient comme motivation d’apprendre l’espagnol tandis que 70% voulaient accomplir cette expérience afin de gagner de l’expérience de travail.’’ –Statistiques Voluntario Global
De plus, si trouver un emploi pour un jeune n’est pas aisé, trouver son premier emploi l’est encore moins. Les entreprises exigent de l’expérience et pour avoir de l’expérience il faut travailler. Les ONG peuvent alors constituer une bonne opportunité d’avoir cette première expérience professionnelle.
Généralement, le travail en ONG est bénévole, sans rémunération. Il y a donc beaucoup moins de candidat pour le même poste que dans une entreprise et la sélection se fait donc moins rigoureuse. Pour les mêmes raisons, une fois dans l’organisation, on se voit attribuer beaucoup de responsabilités.
“J’ai des amis en France qui font des stages dans de grandes entreprises et ils n’ont presque aucune responsabilité. Ils exécutent ce que veulent leurs patrons et puis c’est tout. À Voluntario Global, je me suis tout de suite vu assigner la politique de communication française, alors que je n’avais encore aucune expérience.” -Jéremy Guérin, France
Ses tâches apparaitront sur son CV et feront très certainement la différence lorsqu’il cherchera son prochain emploi.
“ Voluntario Global a été mon premier stage, et la première fois que je travaillais tous les jours pendant plusieurs mois. Mon temps à VG avec l’équipe de communication est la partie la plus importante de mon CV et dans chaque entretien on m’a posé des questions sur mon travail là-bas et sur mon espagnol.” - Andrew Furnes, Angleterre
Si le fait qu’il y ait moins de volontaire pour le poste aident à avoir plus de responsabilité dans l’organisation, il faut souligner que la structure des ONG joue aussi son rôle. En effet, le travail de groupe y est très important et la hiérarchie des rôles y est beaucoup moins marquée. Si les entreprises valorisent l’initiative, les ONG l’exigent.
“Durant mon bénévolat, j’ai vraiment senti que je faisais partie de l’équipe, que mon avis comptait et qu’on m’écoutait.” –Jéremy Guérin, France
Lorsque les employeurs regardent les CV, ils sont souvent à la recherche de signes de motivation, de volonté chez les candidats. Quoi de mieux qu’une expérience de bénévolat pour montrer votre motivation? L’employeur comprendra que vous avez donné gratuitement de votre temps pour une cause humanitaire. De plus, le fait de vous être aventuré loin du confort de la maison, dans un pays qui ne parle pas votre langue fait ressortir votre capacité d’adaptation et d’apprentissage, deux autres qualités très recherchées sur le marché du travail. Tous les éléments que l’employeur veut entendre à propos d’un candidat peuvent être énumérés grâce au bénévolat; la confiance en soi, l’intégrité, le désir d’apprendre, la volonté de se donner des objectifs, l’ouverture aux changements, la créativité et la capacité de travailler en équipe.
Une expérience à l’étranger est également l’occasion de rencontrer des gens du monde entier, et ainsi créer de précieux contacts qui pourront certainement être utiles un jour. Même s’il est difficile de s’en rendre compte, les liens tissés aujourd’hui peuvent s’avérer de beaux tremplins demain.
Faire un volontariat à l’étranger permet également de développer des qualités et des compétences qui pourront être utiles dans les prochains emplois. Une expérience hors de son pays, permet de comparer les aspects du travail sous plusieurs angles; voir les ressemblances et les différences, prendre du recul sur la situation actuelle et sur sa mentalité permettant de développer une meilleure capacité d’observation et d’analyse. Une plus grande ouverture d’esprit vous aidera à relever les prochains défis que vous réserve la vie active.
Le bénévolat est aussi une bonne occasion de mieux se connaître, de savoir réellement quels sont ses intérêts et parfois de savoir ce que l’on veut ou ce que l’on ne veut pas faire dans la vie. Il arrive parfois que des personnes commencent un volontariat en ayant une idée bien arrêtée de ce qu’ils veulent faire, et repartent avec une idée totalement différente.
‘’ L’expérience est excellente pour ma carrière parce que ça m’a inspiré à faire ce que j’aime. Être entouré de tant de gens travaillants et passionnés, faisant ce qu’ils font pour créer une différence m’a vraiment fait réaliser quel est le vrai pouvoir du travail communautaire. […] Le bénévolat m’a fait réaliser que j’aime enseigner et que je voudrai être une enseignante pour la vie.‘’ -Arpine Hovasapian, États-Unis
Pour conclure, il ne faut pas sous-estimer l’expérience d’être bénévole, d’autant plus si c’est une expérience à l’étranger. Ce que vous y apprendrez, vivrez et ressentirez, vous rendra service dans les futurs recherches d’emploi. http://voluntarioglobal.org/
Is it easy to integrate yourself to a new culture while volunteering abroad?
Written by Jesica FrancoAn interview with our volunteer Charlotte from Denmark
Our volunteer Charlotte Braas, speaks a little bit about her time as a volunteer in Buenos Aires. Originally from Denmark, she came to Argentina to volunteer for five weeks in the soup kitchen project, where she describes her challenges of integrating to a culture vastly different from her own. She speaks about her struggles with the Spanish language, as well as highlights the importance of having initiative in her project, despite the challenges she faced day to day.
Your project was in the soup kitchen, so what did you do before you were a volunteer?
“I have been working for the last year, before that I finished university I did three years where I studied physical education and Spanish. I finished that but decided that I wanted to do something else because I was supposed to be a high school teacher. I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, so that’s why I decided to do some volunteer work.” So you studied Spanish in school? “Yes, I studied for three years in high school and one year in university.” Was it easier or harder, the initial process of integrating when you first came here? “It was quite hard because the things you learn at school are mostly grammar and the history, and I realized that I can read Spanish much better than I can understand it verbally, because we don’t talk as much at school, I only had one subject that was actually speaking Spanish, and it wasn’t even mandatory it was voluntary if we wanted to do it, so you don’t speak as much Spanish as you do reading and learning to write with correct grammar and things like that. So that made it more difficult because I thought my Spanish was good because I was good at reading it, but it’s a different experience hearing it, and hearing the locals talking and not just a teacher who knows they have to talk slowly and pronounce their words clearly.” What were your initial expectations, being that you have never been to South America, what were your preliminary view on this part of the world?
“I had the same views, sort of, as I do of Southern Europe in that it´s a much more open society, but I didn´t have too many expectations because I wanted to have an open mind because I thought, well you´re going to be there for four weeks, so I didn´t want to come with any prior opinions. I thought the first week was very difficult, not just at my project but trying to figure out where things were and trying to catch on to the pace of the city. Its such a different mentality here; I went to the introductory meeting with Jimena and she told me, well I have to take a bus, so I asked is there a bus schedule? And she said no, there is no such thing, the buses just kind of go and you need to be there. Which is very different for me because in Denmark, all the buses run on a schedule, they´re always on time, and if there is ever a demonstration in the street here they just close down like 5 blocks and the bus goes another way and you're like where do I go now? You just have to get used to a different kind of structure.”
Do you think your experience in the soup kitchen helped you integrate a little better as well as help your Spanish?
“Yes, I would definitely say so, especially because they were very open to me, extremely nice, and a lot of them invited me back to their homes to eat with them or invited me to do things with them after my hours at the community center. Some people tried to talk to me in English, and one day I actually sat down and tried to teach a few people who wanted to learn the Danish alphabet that has letters that don’t exist in English or Spanish, like “Ø”. I think even though I thought my Spanish would get a lot better, which it has but not as much as I hoped, but I think it’s because I had the idea that I was better than I really was. Like I can sit down and read a paper and understand all of it, but when someone is talking it´s so much different. If they speak slowly and address me, I can understand, but when two native speakers are having a conversation I pick up very little.” So since you have integrated between two cultures, what kind of tips do you think you would have for anyone else who is going to start such a completely new experience?
“I would say the big thing is to be open minded, to have the mentality that i'm here, I want to do something, I want to help, and just do it. Because its so easy to just sit around and wait for someone to tell you what to do, but if you try and take initiative for yourself, they'll appreciate it more and they'll make you a bigger part of it. I learned that throughout the first week, because the first few days just sat there, but I took initiative and they appreciated it and made them understand that I wanted to be there, not just because I wanted the experience but because I wanted to do something and wanted to be a part of their project.”
What are you going to do when you go back?
“I really don’t know yet, but I'll probably start a whole different education after this summer. I just think that you learn a lot about yourself when you go far away from home, and so far away from your own culture. You learn a lot about them, but you learn more about yourself.”
By : Jéremy Guérin and Christine Rivest
Translated by: Luke Liddy and Matt Friedland
While the unemployment rate for young persons (under 25) in the European Union reaches 23.5%, other areas in Europe are much worse off, as the unemployment rate in Greece and Spain soars to over 56%, according to the European Commission ("Unemployment Statistics." Eurostat. European Commission 2013). These tough circumstances incite ruthless competition in finding jobs, forcing young job hunters to look for other ways to improve their résumé or CV. The ability to speak several languages is often an advantage in the job application process. Additionally, acquiring volunteer/work experience through a non-profit organization can often help CVs stand out as being unique. Gaining a global perspective by donating time and effort abroad provides the chance to test various interests in a realistic situation.
“95% of volunteers at Voluntario Global decided on Argentina to learn Spanish, while 70% wanted to gain work experience” – Statistics given by Voluntario Global
To show that you are qualified to fill a job position, having previous experience and a depth of knowledge about a subject is a good place to start. Almost all employers prefer, or even require, that applicants have previous work experience. A great way to gain this experience for the first time is to work with an NGO. It provides a fantastic opportunity to develop your own style of working as well as allowing you to begin to acquire preliminary skills in your career field of choice.
Because working for an NGO isn’t a common choice for most people, the application process is less competitive. And by that same token, once you’re accepted, you are given a lot of responsibility. Most NGOs are short-staffed, so volunteers can take the initiative and start organizing their own projects. This facilitates many valuable on-the-job learning experiences.
“My friends have internships with large companies back home, but they are bored because the companies give them very few real responsibilities. They are only assigned simple, menial tasks that have no effect on current company projects. However, at Voluntario Global, I was immediately assigned tasks specifically related to my area of interest, communications and marketing, despite my sparse work experience.” -Jéremy Guérin, France
When interviewing for their next job, ex-volunteers can give specific details of projects and tell of the many applicable skills that they’ve learned.
“Voluntario Global was my first internship. It was first time that I had a consistent job and worked for several months straight. My time with the communications team continues to be an integral part of my CV, and every interviewer has asked questions about both my volunteer work and my Spanish skills.” - Andrew Furness, England
The lack of a strict employee hierarchy within many NGOs is one of the reasons that volunteers feel that they have been able to contribute so much to their respective organizations. Group work is highly emphasized and required for all projects. Through this style of working, everybody plays a role in the projects’ development and can learn many new skills throughout the process.
“As a volunteer, I felt like an integral part of the organization. People really listened to me and took my opinions seriously.” –Jéremy Guérin, France
Employers are always looking for ambitious, motivated individuals to join their companies. When they see previous volunteer experience, they understand that you have dedicated your time to a humanitarian cause in a very tangible way. Furthermore, by showing your willingness to immerse yourself in foreign cultures shows your ability to adapt, learn, and get outside your comfort zone. Volunteering exemplifies all the elements that an employer looks for in a candidate: confidence, integrity, willingness to learn and set goals, openness to change, creativity and the ability to work in a team.
Working abroad also provides an opportunity to meet new people from all over the world. Not only does this allow you to form new contacts, but it also exposes you to perspectives and experiences that you otherwise may not have even known existed. Intense cultural exchange fosters increasing comfort with foreign cultures, which is a valuable experience to draw upon when searching for a job and also in other aspects of your life. By gaining new perspectives, you learn new approaches to solving problems and become more open to new ideas. That openness may allow you to uncover new possible careers and experiences; you may discover new passions that you never knew that you had.
‘’ The experience was life changing because it inspired me to do what I love. Being surrounded by so many hardworking and passionate people genuinely trying to make a difference really made me realize the power of community work. Volunteering helped me realize that I like to teach and that it is what I want to do for the rest of my life.’’ -Arpine Hovasapian, United States
To conclude, we must not underestimate the intrinsic value of volunteering and the impact you can have by dedicating your time. Volunteering is an incredible commitment and serving others brings genuine satisfaction of all those involved. What you will learn, live, and feel will serve you well in both searching for a job and discovering your passions. http://voluntarioglobal.org/
Everything is a Surprise when there are no Expectations
Before I arrived here in Buenos Aires, everyone was always asking me what my expectations were and what I am most excited about with my trip. Honestly, I had no expectations, and I had very little understanding about what it was going to be like. Some of the other volunteers living in the VG House have told me that they did a lot of research before they came, reading books and surfing the web to gain insight on the experience that was to come, which is a completely valid venture, but just isn’t really my style. I have traveled before, with many preliminary expectations and impressions about the places I’ve been, some being met beyond my wildest dreams, and others falling short completely. So this time, before I embarked on my trip I decided I would keep my mind completely clear of expectations, and let the experience unfold as I step one foot in front of the other.
My first experience in Argentina was absolutely hilarious. While going through customs a woman got her duty-free bag stuck in the scanner’s conveyor belt, packed completely to the brim with goods she had just bought. The unknowing customs officer kept shoving bags into the scanner to keep the line moving, so all of the woman’s things were being completely destroyed by the immense suitcases piling up as she struggled to pull her bag free. As a result, the first glimpse of Argentine culture that I got to experience was one of absolute rage, a woman screaming the foulest words imaginable in the Spanish dictionary in her furious Argentine accent, while the customs officer insults her back and denies her entrance into the country. For me that was kind of an eye opener, that I wasn’t here on some tropical vacation in Hawaii where all the resort workers have bright and smiley faces greeting me hello. I was in the city, and no one, especially not the customs officers, was there to hold my hand on this journey.
In the last 3 years I have lived in 4 different cities, Buenos Aires being the one that caught me off guard the most. I didn’t expect such development, especially after living in Panama, where the bus system was graffiti painted school buses, where street names don’t exist, and where traffic signals have absolutely no significance. Buenos Aires reminds me a lot of Brooklyn, New York, with grey buildings very close together, flocks of pigeons eating on the sidewalks, and being able to feel the rumble of the subway beneath your feet. Another aspect that surprised me, along with most newcomers to Argentina I’m sure, is of course their Spanish dialect. I knew it was different, but I wasn’t sure how different. When someone is speaking rapidly it sounds like they are singing in Italian, replacing their y’s and ll’s with sh’s. Their tone is a lot lighter too, almost as if every sentence is a question, whereas in the Central American dialect their pronunciation is a lot more defined, with a heavier emphasis on certain vowels and words. 
The final aspect, which I had absolutely no idea beforehand, was the work that me, and the other volunteers do. I enjoy the luxury of being able to sleep most of the day, getting up and riding the subway for 5 minutes and being at the doorstep of my heated office where I work to try and enrich the communication and marketing of Voluntario Global through the internet and to the public. Other volunteers however, such as those who I had the pleasure of experiencing their job first hand, get up early in the morning and travel sometimes hours by train to small, impoverished towns, to teach at schools or take care of kindergarten children. I got to actually see the work that all the volunteers are actually doing, and how our combined efforts in many different projects, however small they may be, sum up to a large scale change and the betterment of the world of tomorrow. 
Voluntario Global introduces its Ambassadors around the world
Written by Voluntario Global
Voluntario Global is building an Ambassador Community with a group of selected former volunteers who have previously given of their time, knowledge, and effort to help the organisation to support and develop its sustainable development initiatives and collaborations with different projects in South America. We are more than happy to introduce our first ambassadors around the world!
Soon we will have a special page with their information, activities and contact details of them in our website.
Michael Mekhael Michael is an exuberant friendly volunteer from the United Kingdom. When working for Voluntario Global he volunteered in the extra-curricular English school in the rural town of Pablo Nogués on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. After his Argentine adventures, Michael returned to England to study Biochemistry at the University of Birmingham and is enjoying himself greatly! In his spare time Michael enjoys watching (a lot) of films and drawing.
Plymouth / Birmingham, UK
Arpine Hovasapian 
Arpi is a doctoral student at University of California, Irvine and is studying towards a PhD in Psychology. She does research on emotions and memory and plans to be a college professor one day. Arpi spent a summer in Argentina teaching English with Voluntario Global, which strengthened her interest in the non-profit sector. On her spare time, she likes to travel, dance tango, and practice her Spanish. Irvine, California USA
Ana de Velde Harsenhorst Ana Lucinda de Velde Harsenhorst is a 22 year old Dutch student that volunteered for VG in 2012. She greatly enjoyed the work and would like to continue contributing by being an ambassador. Right now she is doing a master in International Development Studies at the University of Amsterdam, where she also finished her bachelor's degree in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Andrew Furness 
Andrew volunteered with VG in 2011-2012 in the communications team. He is currently back in University of Liverpool studying Spanish & Politics graduating in 2013. A keen Tennis Player and a huge interest in music. Andrew also enjoys writing as a result of his work on the VG blog and you can see some of his recent articles at www.aceliverpool.co.uk Liverpool, UK 
Bernadette Hoste
Bernadette is a French teacher for children and adults. She studied Social Sciences at University in Brussels. She loves teaching, travelling, meeting friends, going to the cinema, learning languages. She has a passion for dogs. She is the volunteer who keeps coming back every year to volunteer in different projects in Buenos Aires.
London, UK
Ryan Long 
Ryan graduated from the University of Minnesota in May of 2013 with a degree in Spanish Studies and Applied Economics (focused on the environment). In his spare time he enjoys playing guitar, exploring the Midwestern USA, hanging out with friends, fishing, reading, and traveling. From teaching english in Buenos Aires with Voluntario Global, to his travels throughout Central America and Europe, Ryan relishes the opportunity to speak with others about his experience with voluntourism through Voluntario Global. Minneapolis, MN, USA
Lisa Andersen Lisa loves the diversity of South America, and after traveling throughout the continent, she decided it was time to spend some time exploring a smaller area. This decision brought her to work on the Voluntario Global's communications team for four months in 2011. She graduated from university in 2012 with a masters degree in Culture, Communication and Globalization and currently works as a language specialist with Booking.com in Copenhagen where she lives
Copenhagen, Denmark
Tessa McLean 
Tessa is a Chicago native with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications. After graduating from the University of Iowa she ventured to Buenos Aires, Argentina to pursue her love of the Spanish language and further her experience in communications work. She spent five months working with Voluntario Global, volunteering and working with the communications team. She now works as Editor at GirlsGuideTo.com and is excited to be with another dynamic and rapidly growing company. Chicago, Illinois, USA
Steven Page Steve studied Spanish and French at university and worked in advertising and market research before gaining a post-graduate teaching qualification. He has been teaching Spanish for 16 years to students aged 11 to 18. Steve has supported VG since 2007 and has volunteered three times in 2008 09 10. Some of his students have returned on their own to volunteer in 2010, 20 11 and 2012.
Portsmouth, UK
Angela Nuhn Angela is an Art Director, Web Designer and Multimedia Artist. She studied at the Ontario College of Art and Design where she obtained a Bachelors in Design and majored in Advertising, Branding and Communication Design. Her passions include travel, dance, fashion and health. She actively supports and promotes women's and children's rights and opportunities. Angela is currently the graphic designer for Voluntario Global.
Ontario, Canada
By Max Brenssell
The popularity of volunteering Nowadays, there are many explanations as to why volunteering is so popular. One important aspect is the role of the media. In today’s globalised World, it is very easy to obtain lots of information. For example, we read daily of the poverty in South America, famine in Africa or war in the Middle East. This rising social awareness results in the readers’ urge to try their hand and reform. But volunteering may not only be motivated by altruism, its advantages are multifaceted. Doing volunteer work has, for example, become an important election criteria for universities and is generally considered helpful to improve your CV. Also, as for the majority of university courses you will have to complete an internship, many students consider applying in NGOs. Jeremy, for example, a student from Paris who is currently volunteering at VG, says that he enjoys diversifying his compulsory internship by simultaneously helping other people. A further reason for the popularity of volunteering could be the rising youth unemployment in developed countries. Due to the recession and economic decline in many countries around the world, many young and motivated people are unable to find a job. Therefore, the young population has the enticing possibility of volunteering at their fingertips. 70% of volunteers are female
According to a recent data gathered by Voluntario Global, it is possible to confirm the long-term persistence of this trend. In 2011, 72% of volunteers were female and in 2012, 84% of the volunteer applicants were female. Approximately 70% of volunteering women are between 18 and 25 years of age, indicating that they have recently, or almost, completed their academic education and are likely to be unemployed, or generally uncommitted. Is volunteering a female activity? But why do women seem to prefer volunteering? Again, there are various possible reasons. Do women generally have more spare time than men? In Western societies, unemployment among women is not usually higher than among men. The only exception is in Arab states, where on average only 28% of the workforce is female. This means indicating that women do not generally have more spare time. Is it possible that women prefer it because they have a greater sensibility towards the needs of others? From a historical point of view, it is possible to argue that, in most societies, women have had the task to raise and care for the children. Therefore one could conclude that women have more of a natural tendency towards helping others than men do.
Furthermore, education has only in recent years been standardized for boys and girls. In systems that offer gender-specific education, girls may still be taught more towards working in the service sector. This consequently affects the employment in the educational sector, resulting in the majority of employees being female. This is especially true for nursery and primary schools, or more generally jobs involving the supervision of very young children. In this period of early childhood we absorb all impressions we receive from our environment, as our personality just starts developing. Thus, it can be argued that at an early age we already learn to recognize helping others as a female attribute. Nevertheless, it is still difficult to pinpoint the reason why there are more female volunteers than men. Maybe this issue needs to be evaluated from a different point of view. Instead of asking why women seem to prefer volunteering, one might wonder why men seem to prefer not to volunteer. Once more, there is no simple answer to these questions on gender in the social structure of society.
However, an important aspect might be the conservatism of our societies. Argentina, for example, is frequently described as a “macho-society”, but this expression can equally be applied to many other countries. According to volunteers interviewed, men will usually be expected to work and provide for their family in their home country. This may put pressure on young men to start a career rapidly, so as to begin earning money. This thesis is supported by the fact that almost 70% of volunteering women are between 18 and 25 years old, an age distinctive for laying the foundations of a successful career. Ironically, as previously mentioned, volunteering is likely to help you improve your CV, enter a good university and ultimately benefit your career. Overall, it is not possible to determine one specific reason for female predominance in volunteering. A symbiosis of human history, our education and the structure of our society all contribute to why the large majority of volunteers are women. Perhaps the final question is, why do so many men do not appreciate or recognize the long-term benefits and advantages they might receive from volunteering?
5 trucs pour éviter le choc des cultures en volontariat à l’étranger
Written by Jesica FrancoPar Polly Hughes
Traduction par Jerem Guérin
En arrivant à l’étranger, presque tous les volontaires passent par une sorte de choc culturel. Lorsqu’on est complètement immergé dans un nouvel environnement, il arrive souvent de se sentir seul, nostalgique, ou perdu. Cela peut prendre quelques minutes comme quelques jours ou plusieurs semaines avant de s’en aller, mais avec l’aide d’autres volontaires j’ai compilé quelques trucs pour vous qui peuvent faciliter l’arrivée dans un nouveau pays.
) Parler avec d’autres volontaires
Il est toujours rassurant de découvrir que tous les autres ont traversé la même chose que vous- contrairement à vos amis et famille restés à la maison- d'autres volontaires comprendront exactement comment vous vous sentez et pourrons vous faire des suggestions qui vous aideront pendant les premiers jours. En outre, vous serez submergé d'invitations à sortir, à voir des spectacles, à goûter des spécialités locales dans l'un des nombreux restaurants bon marché, ou tout simplement à se balader.
2) Interagir avec les gens du pays
La meilleure façon de s'adapter à la vie du nouveau pays est de se faire des amis parmi les habitants locaux. En provenance de l'Angleterre, j'ai d'abord été surpris par la gentillesse des argentins, il semblait que tout le monde, des chauffeurs de taxi aux caissières de supermarché, s'intéressaient vraiment à d'où je venais et ce que je faisais. Avoir des amis locaux qui vous font visiter la ville n'est pas seulement un excellent moyen de pratiquer votre espagnol, mais c’est aussi le meilleur moyen de voir le côté le moins “touristy” de la ville. 3) Impliquez-vous dans votre travail de volontaire
Plus de temps vous consacrez à votre travail en tant que bénévole, plus rapidement vous sortez du “choc”. En plus d'être un moyen extrêmement utile de passer votre temps, il permet également de vous occuper, aide à oublier la maison, et faire quelque chose de bien permet toujours de se sentir mieux!
4) Apprendre quelque chose de nouveau
Bien qu'il soit impossible de profiter de tout ce que le pays a à offrir, l'apprentissage d'une nouvelle habileté redonne toujours le sourire. Les leçons de danse, par exemple, sont très populaires parmi les volontaires à Buenos aires. Les classes de langue, sont également l'un des moyens les plus efficaces pour lutter contre le choc culturel. Non seulement elles vont vous faire oublier votre nostalgie et vous aider à vous sentir plus concerné, mais encore le sentiment d'accomplissement sert à contrecarrer toute incertitude sur son voyage à de milliers kilomètres de la maison.
5) Partez à la découverte
Il y a toujours quelque chose d’intéressant, quelque chose de nouveau à découvrir, des artistes locaux, des rues typiques, des restaus rustiques, et ainsi de suite. Errer dans les rues, sous le soleil, avec un verre de jus de fruit fraîchement pressé au bord de la route est un moyen idéal pour découvrir la ville et apprendre à aimer son architecture et ses gens sympathiques, toujours prêts à aider un “stranger” perdu.
Día de la Memoria was celebrated in Buenos Aires between Congreso and Plaza de Mayo last Sunday, a national holiday which remembers and asks for the return of those who disappeared during the Dirty War. The same mothers who walked the streets 30 years ago during this massacre could be seen on this day, celebrating, lamenting and fighting for justice - springing forth for their usual post at the Plaza de Mayo every Thursday.
During the holiday, people from all over the county held their flags and marched from one monument to the other, drumming, chanting and singing. To be sure, the hands of passion drumming on the street floors of this city come to a full crescendo on this day.
Die Iguazu-Wasserfälle: Befolgt die Argentinische oder die Brasilianische Seite die Richtlinien des nachhaltigen Tourismus?
Liron Baur & Max BrenssellAls wir am letzen Februarwochenende beide National Parks der Iguazu Wasserfälle (einer in Argentinien und der andere in Brasilien) besucht haben, ist uns, außer natürlich der atemberaubenden Natur und den beeindruckenden Wasserfällen selbst, aufgefallen, wie unterschiedlich die beiden National Parks mit dem Thema Umweltschutz in dieser Region umgehen. Es hat uns sehr überrascht, dass die beiden Nationalparks komplett unterschiedliche Methoden zur Sensibilisierung hatten und dass die Ergebnisse ihrer Bemühungen in den einzelnen Parks deutlich sichtbar waren.
Für diejenigen von euch, die noch nie von den Wasserfällen gehört haben (keine Sorge, bevor wir anfangen haben unsere Reise nach Argentinien zu planen wussten wir auch nicht, dass diese Wasserfälle existieren, obwohl sie unglaublich schön und in Südamerika sehr bekannt sind –sie sind eines der neuen 7 Weltwunder!), hier ein kleiner Überblick auf Fakten und Geschichte der Iguazu-Wasserfälle und der beiden Nationalparks: Die Wasserfälle liegen an der Grenze von Argentinien (Misiones) und Brasilien (Paraná) und stammen aus dem Iguazu-Fluss. Sie haben eine Gesamtbreite von 2,7 km und eine Höhe von 60-82m. Aufgrund des tropischen Klimas in der Region beherbergt der Regenwald rund um die Wasserfälle mehr als 2000 Pflanzenarten, 400 Vogelarten, unzählige Insekten (pass auf die Mücken auf!) und viele andere Tieren. Der argentinische National Park wurde im Jahr 1934 gegründet mit dem Ziel der Erhaltung der Wasserfälle und der Artenvielfalt um sie herum. Rund 900.000 Besucher kommen jedes Jahr in den Park.
Der brasilianische National Park, der 5 Jahre später gegründet wurde, ist Heimat von vielen bedrohten Tierarten, darunter der Riesenotter. Rund 800.000 Touristen besuchen den Park jedes Jahr. An unserem ersten Tag, nach der Ankunft in Puerto Iguazu am Freitagabend, haben wir beschlossen, den argentinischen National Park zuerst zu besuchen, da er größer ist als der brasilianische und man dort viele der Wasserfälle aus nächster Nähe betrachten kann und dort der Zugang zur berühmten Schlucht "Gargantas del diablo "(Teufelsschlund) ist. Beim Betreten des Parks, als wir in Richtung des ersten Besucherpfades liefen, sahen wir einige Warnschilder mit Informationen über die verschiedenen Tiere und Aufforderungen sie nicht zu füttern. Uns wurde geraten, vor allem auf die Nasenbären aufzupassen (Waschbär-ähnliche Tiere, die keine Angst vor Menschen haben und es darauf abgesehen haben das Essen der Touristen zu stehlen!), weil sie bei der Witterung von Lebensmitteln aggressiv werden können und dich angreifen könnten.
Es gab auch Schilder, die die Besucher baten keine Abfälle herumliegen zu lassen, was sehr effektiv zu sein schien, da es auch um die ‚Essenbereiche’ herum sehr sauber war. Entlang der Gehwege (es gibt zwei Gehwege: den oberen und den unteren), waren viele Infotafeln angebracht worden, die den Besuchern historische Fakten über die Region bieten, Informationen über die verschiedenen Pflanzen und Tiere des Dschungels, der die Wasserfälle umgibt und Infos über die ökologischen Veränderungen, die sich in dieser Region ereignen. Wir waren von den Bemühungen, die gemacht wurden um Umweltbewusstsein zu schaffen und die Erhaltung der Natur um die Wasserfälle herum anzuwerben, beeindruckt. Die andere Besonderheit des Parks, die von dessen Engagement zum Schutz der Umwelt zeugt, ist der ökologische Zug, der die Besucher vom Ausgangspunkt der Gehwege bis zu dem Punkt, an dem der Zugang zur ‚gargantas del diablo’ Kluft ist, transportiert.
Am nächsten Tag besuchten wir den brasilianischen National Park, der einen gesamt Überblick über alle Wasserfälle neben einander bietet, der uns den Atem raubte. Aber leider haben wir auch festgestellt, dass die Touristen hier nicht so rücksichtsvoll waren, denn wir bemerkten Cola- und Bierdosen, Plastiktüten und Verpackungen, die achtlos neben den Gehwegen, im Wald liegen gelassen wurden. Eine andere Sache, die unsere Aufmerksamkeit erregte ist der Hubschrauberlandeplatz und die Hubschrauberflüge über die Wasserfälle, die der Park anbietet. Zusätzlich dazu liegt ein großes Hotel direkt neben den touristischen Pfaden innerhalb des Parks. Während diese Einrichtungen Arbeitsplätze für die Einheimischen der Region schaffen und die Wirtschaft anzukurbeln, sind sie eine große Belastung für die empfindliche Umwelt.
Die Tatsache, dass die beiden Parks das Problem der Bewahrung unserer Umwelt, so unterschiedlich behandeln, erinnerte uns an die Verantwortung, die wir als Touristen tragen, dafür zu sorgen, dass unser Verhalten der Umwelt nicht schadet und dass wir immer versuchen sollten interkulturellen Austausch mit unseren Gastgeber-Gemeinschaften zu schaffen. Der Besuch der Iguazu Wasserfälle war eine unglaubliche Erfahrung und wir können euch allen nur empfehlen, dorthin zu reisen, während ihr in Argentinien seid und die Chance dazu habt. Die Schönheit und Kraft der Natur dort, hat unsere Perspektive im Hinblick auf unsere Umwelt und wie uns um sie kümmern sollten, wieder zurechtgerückt.
VOLUNTARIO GLOBAL
Voluntario Global helps local communities by being available to discuss anything that local organizations need, and offering ideas for further change and development.
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