The world has gone global! From improvements in technology and transportation to the constantly evolving currents of immigration, the world is smaller than it was a mere decade ago. So what are you doing to engage with the world brimming beyond the borders of your hometown?
As the business world grows more globalized and international travel becomes more and more accessible, it is important to consider our place in global society. Despite cultural differences, every country is part of a greater network. As members of humanity, we’re not just Canadians or Spaniards but global citizens!
But how can we learn to identify with our international citizenship? What makes us more globally aware, more open to ideas other than our own? The easiest answer is to go see for ourselves—to travel. Cross-cultural experiences teach us what classrooms cannot.
Who said you were too young?
But when should you go abroad? Whenever is the blunt answer. Seeking cross-cultural exchange at any age helps us become more educated in an international context. When we open our eyes to the world around us, we are more likely to treat all types of people with respect and compassion.
However, teens are often told that they’re too young to be jet-setting around the globe. Traveling during high school is sometimes stigmatized as irresponsible or unrealistic. High schoolers are young and impressionable. They’re not used to caring for themselves. They’re still figuring out who they are!
And my retort is exactly! Widening your worldview is a valuable part of becoming an informed, confident and empathetic young adult. Traveling is a formative step in “figuring it out.” Volunteering abroad can help teens learn more about the world at large, and in consequence, their place in it.
Becoming an international volunteer before entering university or choosing a trade can help high schoolers navigate a pivotal moment in their lives. How can we expect teens to choose a career path before they’ve even stepped foot outside their hometowns? The answer is we can’t! Or rather, we shouldn’t.
Encouraging high schoolers to think beyond football finals and calculus tests helps them invest not only in their futures but also in the betterment of our world. There is more to becoming a well-rounded member of society than being on the honor roll!
Each of us has a lot to contribute to the world and a lot to learn from it. So are you interested in serving the international community? Are you curious about other cultures? Enter experiential learning.
What opportunities are out there?
You don’t have to wait until university to get involved in service learning. International volunteering is an ideal way for young travelers to get a taste of the world in a safe and sustainable way. You’ll expand your worldview while meeting communities’ real needs.
There’s really no better way to learn about another culture than working alongside the local community. However, as teen travelers, it’s especially important to do some research before setting out on your own.
Volunteering through a program tailored to your age group ensures that someone has your back during your time abroad. Breaking outside your comfort zone is an excellent way to grow, but there’s no point in putting yourself in danger’s way.
Organizing your trip through an educational travel company brings structure to your experience abroad. Services like in-country support, emergency resources and pre-departure training are particularly helpful for high-school-age travelers.
If your parents are skeptical about sending you into the unknown, find a company that arranges transportation, accommodation and volunteer placements. For example, Maximo Nivel’s service learning programs are a great way for teens to test out the waters of foreign travel in a supportive environment.
With a parental waiver, 17-year-old students are welcome to enroll in any of Maximo’s study abroad programs in Costa Rica, Peru or Guatemala. From animal care to working with kids, you can choose from a wide variety of community development projects.
But if your 17th birthday is around the corner, you’re still not too young! See what resources are available at your high school’s career center. Many schools already partner with international organizations. Maximo hosts high school groups across Latin America several times a year.
And if you’re concerned about fitting a volunteer trip into your busy schedule, you can also check out summer programs abroad. Maximo holds a Spanish immersion camp for teens in Costa Rica every summer. The point is: you have options.
What will the future hold?
Don’t let your age or even money limit you. Many educational travel companies and high school counselors can help you find financial aid resources. So what are you waiting for? Is there anything still holding you back?
Maybe you’re running on three hours of sleep right now and think I’m crazy for suggesting that you add international travel to your agenda. I know that high school can be a stressful time especially with the increasingly competitive nature of college applications.
However, don’t rule out volunteering abroad in high school. Because, yes, high school academics are important, but international volunteer experience could also be what sets you apart from your peers. Travel is an excellent teacher.
So take the time to research areas of the globe that interest you and decide for yourself! Before you enter the fast-paced world of job applications and college degrees, look around you. What might the world have to offer? And what do you want your role in it to be?