Introduction to VolunTourism - Assignment Example

VolunTourism Voluntourism Section Where Do I Want to Go? I have always wanted to travel to Asia, and finding a place there to volunteer, while still being able to experience the culture and enjoy myself, certainly sounds appealing. I have heard that Thailand is a beautiful country with many things to do and see. That would be a place to go and volunteer, while being a tourist at the same time. Question # 1 As I would be traveling alone, I do not have many expectations as far as accommodation. In order to remain safe, however, I would like to have my own bed and bathroom. At the end of the day, I would like to have some alone time to reflect on the work I have been doing, and to enjoy those moments of solitude. Aside from that, however, I would not need much more. Question # 2 I obviously realize that a trip of this nature will not be cheap, but at this same time my expectations are that it would be more affordable that a traditional tourism only vacation. That being said, I would expect to be able to pay for all of my food and drinks, comfortable and safe lodging, and incidentals. At the same time, I would want to have some extra money to be able to enjoy some side trips and have a reserve set aside in the unfortunate event that I have a medical or personal emergency while traveling. If I cannot have such a reserve, I should wait to go until I do have that cushion, or I would not feel comfortable with the trip itself. Question # 3 If I am going to do a trip like this, I would want to the focus to be on volunteering, while still being able to experience the sights and sounds of Thailand since I might not be able to go again. That being said, I would want to look for a balance of maybe 65% volunteering and 35% tourism related activities. Question # 4 To be honest, at this point in my life I have not had much exposure to people with severe forms of physical and emotional problems, in addition to extreme poverty and malnutrition. As such, I am not quite sure how I would react, but I would like to think that I would be sensitive to their needs and be able to react in a positive manner. That being said, I would see myself more of a volunteer suitable to helping clean up a temple or teach English to children, while gradually being exposed to the more desperate side of society in an attempt to better appreciate where I come from and be able to give back over time. Question # 5 In regard to climate, I have spent periods of time in both cold and hot and humid climates. As I would see myself going to Thailand for this trip, I would need to be comfortable in humid surroundings, likely with lots of bugs to deal with. I feel I am prepared for this and it will not bother me tremendously. While I have spent time in the cold, I cannot say that I really like it, but that would not really be an issue in Southeast Asia. Question # 6 Since I love all kinds of food, I would view this as an adventure. I have also read that Thai food can be very spicy, and I do enjoy hot foods. While I am not naive to think that Thai spicy is similar to what I am familiar with, I am certainly willing to try anything once and then tailor my dietary needs accordingly over time. Question # 7 I have lived around people from different cultures most of my life and it has made me appreciate all different kinds of people. Because of this, I feel that I can interact and enjoy being with people in Thailand. Different ways of life do not bother me. In fact, I think I get along well with others, am respectful and courteous, and feel that we can both learn a great many things from each other. Question # 8 I currently have a great deal of domestic travel experience, but my international travel experience has been limited to neighboring countries. Domestically, however, I have been to each region of the country and have encountered different ways of life when doing so. I think my first international experience would be eye opening, to be sure, but am ready for the challenge and adventure. Question # 9 I have done various things through the years, from volunteering at local food banks, to helping out at a local children’s home. Question # 10 While I have not volunteered doing any type of outdoor physical labor, I have done this in my personal life and feel that I would be capable to doing something like, for example, working around temple grounds to help them with various projects. Trip Preparation The section on trip preparation is quite beneficial The first area that is of benefit is to have a good list of items that should be reviewed prior to leaving home. The first among these is to make sure the traveler makes copies of all pieces of identification and leave them with key people. Make sure that originals are up to date as well. It is also helpful to make sure the individual has suitable travelers insurance, particularly when going out of the United States for any length of time. It is also important to consider any major medical conditions, such as food allergies, that could cause problems and also limit the locations where the person should consider traveling to in the first place. Processing Experiences One insight that I gained from the ‘Processing Expectations’ page is to be ready for abject poverty. It is quite likely, depending on where in the world I would go, I will encounter people in conditions of poverty unlike any I have seen or even knew existed. It is important to process these experiences. It is also important to be ready for areas of drought. In such areas, I would likely need to be more resourceful and also be ready to difficult living conditions. One other experience that I need to consider is the change in weather. As I mentioned before, I think I am ready for hot and humid climates, but the conditions in the tropics are likely different than anything I have experienced before, so this will be a learning experience that I will need to process as well. Post-Trip Returning home from this trip does not mean that the experience will end. One insight gained from the section is the concept of re-entry. Depending on how long my trip is, there will be some adjustment upon returning back home that I will need to deal with. I will also want to focus on my newfound enthusiasm for helping others and consider what I can do to explore this desire even more with future trips. Finally, I learned from this section the importance of sharing my experience with others, but also realizing the not everyone will share the enthusiasm that I have. Summary of Articles One of the assigned articles to read was the Volun-Tourist Newsletter. In a recent edition, a synopsis from the publisher was included, tiled “The Events That Shaped and Influence VolunTourism in Decade”. This reading was rich in providing details about just how far this industry has come in just a decade. Seen as a relatively new phenomenon and idea and travel a mere 10 years ago, volunteers are now mixing their skills with leisure travel vacations in record numbers. This struck me as a change tide of young people and middle aged adults who truly desire to do something more than remain in their own comfort zone year after year. Individuals today still want to have fun on vacation, but they also want to try to do something both useful and unique with their time. In so doing, the publisher points out that the recent innovations, natural disasters, and social turmoil experienced by countries worldwide in recent years has contributed to the overall growth and envelopment of voluntourism. In addition, these eventshave created an expanded awareness of the possibilities that exist to combine leisure travel with volunteer work. Finally, this article reminds me that recent advances in voluntourism has created a true interest in pursuing and participant in such trips, and I am certainly now interested as well. Another article from the publisher touts a “VolunTourism 2020 Vision: 160 Million VolunTourists”. This is quite an ambitious and workable plan. Based on this article, there certainly appears to be a need for an influx of travelers willing to conduct some volunteer work while on holiday. This is based on the estimate that about 1.6 billion people are currently traveling every year, so advocates of VolunTourism are hoping that a mere ten percent of those will engage in volunteer work for at least a portion of one of their trips. Not only could this goal be met, but individuals are waking up to the reality that much of the world is desperate for help. One of the ways to see the developing world, for example, and to better appreciate the struggles that the people there are facing, is to complete some form of volunteer work among the people. This can then be supplemented with various leisure travel activities that can truly create a trip of a lifetime that will be both memorable and fulfilling at the same time. A third article that was recently published in the newsletter was in the Wisdom and Insight section and titled “Brain Fitness, Cognitive Health, and VolunTourism”. This was actually a fascinating read, as focused on neuroscience as a means of demonstrating why there has been a surge in volunteer tourism related endeavors. In essence, the concept is that such activities make us feel better, contributing to our emotional and spiritual health in ways that leisure travel along cannot necessarily accomplish. As we age, we develop new habits that preclude us from doing many of the things we once enjoyed, so we need to work on rewriting our brains to stay active and relevant in society. Another article that is interesting is titled “VolunTourists and VolunTourism Providers as ‘Aspirants and Elicitors’: Have we reached the Age of the Transformation Economy?” Within this article, the benefit of turning tourism into an experience was explored, and many appear to be jumping on the bandwagon in this regard. A great graphic details how a VolunTourism trip can be both memorable and extraordinary. This really strikes a chord with me as I would be interested in a trip that provides an opportunity for me to not only experience a new culture, but to give a little of my own self to them as well. At the same time, the individuals I volunteer with and will most likely teach me so many things that I never would have experienced, and my life will be much richer as a result. That is my hope, anyway, and the objective that I would have if I do decide to take such a trip in the future. A final article that was read was titled “Here Comes the Sun”. The author states that here that “VolunTourism is shedding light on the potential of travel and tourism in ways never before thought possible”. In essence, this reveals to me that traditional forms of leisure activities have grown stale and mundane to many people. While individuals still desire to see and experience new places, they are desiring something more from their activities and the way that they spend their leisure dollars. The advancement of VolunTourism has shed a light on the possibilities that exist throughout the world that enable travelers to accomplish both objectives simultaneously, and enable them to go places and do things that a traditional leisure only traveller would likely never even consider, nevertheless even be able to accomplish. VolunTourism is for Me VolunTourism is certainly something I am interested in. It seems like a great way to not only see the world, but to also do something useful with my time as well. The world is in need of a bit of compassion these days, and I think such a trip will enable me to do my own small part to make this more of a reality. Read More