Testimonials
"I'm sure when I ponder my life experiences, during the twilight of my years, I will regard my six weeks in Thailand as six of the most sensational weeks of my life... I traveled to Thailand hoping for an enriching experience. What I found exceeded my wildest expectations."
Chris Cox, International Health Program, Thailand
LOCAL COUNTERPARTS: A NETWORK OF SUPPORT
There is no doubt that an experience volunteering abroad can be significantly enhanced by understanding the cultural and local traditions, lifestyles and needs through the eyes of someone living within the local community. The pairing of GSC volunteers with local counterparts is another way GSC differentiates itself from other volunteer abroad and service learning programs.

In both Tanzania and Thailand, the experience of GSC volunteers is greatly enhanced by their daily interaction with local counterparts. Volunteers and counterparts, whether a nurse at a hospital, a teacher at a school, or a college-bound translator at one of the day camps, build mutually beneficial and often long lasting bonds of friendship. GSC has developed a cadre of counterparts that are strongly committed to helping volunteers understand the cultural and technical aspects of their service project and integrate into the local community.

Thailand

Counterparts for volunteers in the Teach English Program and HIV/AIDS Prevention Program are most often English teachers who regularly also act as homestay hosts. In the shadowing portion of the International Health Program counterparts are Thai doctors and nurses. Nurses also often act as homestay hosts and love socializing with volunteers. Counterparts in the Buddhist Immersion Program are usually English-speaking monks who add much to the monastery experience.

Tanzania

Counterparts for volunteers in the HIV/AIDS Prevention Program are students on their way to or already attending college. These counterparts join the volunteers in every aspect of their project work, including the orientation and training sessions. In the shadowing portion of the International Health Program counterparts are Tanzanian doctors and nurses. Counterparts for volunteers in the Sustainable Agriculture Program are GSC Tanzanian staff trainers with years of experience and strong connections to the rural communities where volunteers work.

In both Thailand and Tanzania, counterparts assist volunteers with obtaining local transportation, finding the best local restaurants, learning local language phrases, meeting community leaders, and giving tips about and often participating in social activities. Counterparts play a vital role in providing a true cultural immersion experience while helping to insure that the volunteers’ interaction with and service to the community is appropriate and effective.