GSC’s two- to three-Introduction to Service-Learning Program is ideal for those with limited time to volunteer abroad. Although these service-learning introductory programs often seem to fly by, they offer a great introduction to the international service-learning experience.

It is important to note that the Introduction to Service-Learning Programs are designed to be primarily an educational experience for the participants and therefore include less substantial community training than our longer GSC volunteer overseas experiences. For more comprehensive international volunteer service and community training opportunities, GSC suggests our 4-6 week Short-term Volunteer Abroad Assignments or our 9 week to 6-month Long-term Volunteer Abroad Assignments and International Internship Programs.

Thailand Introduction to Service-Learning: Two- to Three-Week Programs

In Thailand, GSC’s Introduction to Service Learning Programs are offered as options within the following Thailand volunteer experience:

• Buddhist Immersion

All Thailand volunteer abroad programs begin in Bangkok, Thailand where a GSC representative will greet you upon arrival at the airport and escort you to a Bangkok hotel. You and your fellow volunteers will then be given a two-day tour of Bangkok before traveling to the beautiful White Wat 60 miles west of Bangkok. Here, GSC host monks will provide you with a five-day orientation and training that includes Thai language training, Thai and monastery culture, technical training in teaching English to Buddhist monks, and a tour of the local  area. During this first week you will begin to interact with the monks and nuns while learning about Buddhism and meditation. You will  begin your service work of teaching English to monks during the second week. Meditation training as well as opportunities to participate in meditation, chanting, or ritual celebrations at the wat are also provided.

Tanzania Introduction to Service-Learning: Two- to Three-Week Programs

Tanzania volunteers can choose to participate in GSC’s Introduction to Service-Learning in the following Tanzania volunteer programs:

• Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Program
• HIV/AIDS Prevention and Nutrition Education

All GSC Tanzania volunteer programs begin in Arusha, where a GSC representative will greet you upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro International airport. You and your fellow volunteers will then participate in one week of cultural orientation and theoretical training followed by the next week(s) of activities specific to your program. Participants are housed in a hostel near the GSC office and training center the first three nights and are then welcomed into their homestay on Wednesday afternoon. The HIV/AIDS Prevention and Nutrition Education Program includes technical HIV/AIDS training followed by participation in one or two weeks of training a community group in HIV/AIDS prevention and nutrition. Topics covered include AIDS transmission and treatment, gender and stigma issues, and the importance of HIV testing and counseling. The Sustainable Agriculture Program includes theoretical training in bio-intensive (sustainable and organic) agriculture followed by one or two weeks of hands-on participant training at the GSC demonstration plot. The two-week Sustainable Agriculture Program is primarily an introductory educational experience and may not include substantial training of local farmers.