I received a letter in the mail from Youth Challenge International,
asking me to plug the organization to new prospective volunteers. I had
forgotten about it until a good friend of mine asked me how I went
about to going to Costa Rica last summer.





In my opinion, YCI is more about developing your own self than helping
out other communities. Keep that in mind. It is almost half funded by
the Canadian government, essentially to build leadership, experience
and life skills for those who are willing to work to get it. No matter
which program you choose, from Central and South America, to all over
Africa to Vanuatu in the South-West Pacific, you'd come out of this an
entirely different person, as one would expect.



I went to Costa Rica in summer 2008, simply because, at he time, it was
the country that offered "construction" as work, as opposed to
teaching, helping out with women's issues or HIV awareness. I still
thought highly of those causes, but I wanted to play to my own
strengths (I have since learned that said social issues are much more
important and rewarding fields in which to work).



I won't bore anyone with any anecdotes, but I have absolutely no
regrets from embarking on the project. I say that, even though it cost
me about $5000, with airfare and all other expenses, and three months
of employment (a lot of cash). I was one of the lucky ones who weren't
homesick I took the longest project, but there are shorter ones, I was
barely ill during the summer and I didn't mind the repetitive diet, not
did I have a girlfriend at home. However, it's not called Youth Easy
International.



You come out of this experience with a well-fortified personality, a
sense of self-confidence and pride. You will forge lifelong bonds and
maybe learn a language. Your perspective will shift, and your long-term
goals may shift. I know one thing's for sure, I only live once: and to
not allow myself such an opportunity would be a crying shame.



There's my well-biased take. I would be more than happy to answer anybody's questions pertaining to the programs offered.



Cheers!








www.yci.org