I am happy to write about our first in-person pre-departure training for United Planet’s long-term volunteers. These volunteers will take off in August 2009 to spend six months or one year volunteering at local organizations in their host communities. Their destinations include Brazil, Colombia, Belgium, Switzerland, Uganda, Taiwan and more!

The three-day training was held in Rowe, nestled in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains in Western Massachusetts. We stayed at a comfortable old New England farmhouse, originally built in 1776. We ate the freshest and healthiest gourmet vegetarian food you can imagine! The kitchen’s delicious cuisine and willingness to cater to special diets, from vegan to high protein, really impressed us all. Their hands nurtured our bodies, as their hearts nurtured our souls.

This training was a great forum for the volunteers to meet each other, share common interests, and get to know the United Planet staff. They received answers to their questions on what life would be like abroad and were able to process their expectations, fears and excitement for their upcoming adventure.

Our activities and discussions covered a range of topics including culture shock, international volunteering, identity abroad, health and safety, and more. We asked the volunteers to explore challenging topics on many levels, to look for and analyze cultural patterns, and to step outside their comfort zone. These simulations aimed to give the volunteers a sense of the complexities they may encounter overseas. While everyone appreciates this experience now, we know the real value of the training will come once they arrive in their host communities and have to put these new skills to the test!

We look forward to sharing some of their stories with you once they have embarked on this challenging and rewarding experience abroad!