We have a record number of volunteers heading to India for our 2 week summer special programs for high school students. While the farthest I went on my high school summer vacation was to Chicago it is surely a sign of the times as well as my age that younger and younger volunteers are going further and further afield in the world for volunteering and community service and this is a great thing! Zanique went to India with us last year on a 2 week summer special program and wrote in with some really helpful advice and some things to expect. Do any other alumni have some advice for the new volunteers in India this year? - Will

Volunteers with some children

By Zanique Albert

My experience with Projects Abroad in India was one of the best in my life.
I learned more than I ever thought I would, saw some amazing places and
things, enjoyed some wonderful food and returned home with new friends. I
was lucky to have such a terrific experience, and there are some things I
would recommend to anyone traveling there now.

I have seen many impoverished places and come face to face with incredibly
hard-to-stomach situations, that said, India was still shocking and
difficult to adjust to. I would recommend that any volunteer keep an open
mind and embrace the experience. Most likely you will be with other
volunteers adjusting to the shock as well- so you aren’t alone!

Zanique with a patient

I felt incredibly safe the whole time, though the program does a wonderful
job of transporting volunteers and giving them instructions on proper
behavior for Indian culture, I found that one of the more proactive ways of
feeling safe was wearing traditional clothing. Wearing the conservative
clothing was comfortable in the heat, respectful everywhere I went and a
good conversation starter. I have blonde hair and blue eyes, so it helped me
fit in too! One item I couldn’t have gotten by with out was a shawl/scarf. I
also ended up letting my roommate borrow one a lot. It was great for
covering your mouth on a dusty rickshaw ride, for covering yourself in
temples and in public, and for shielding spontaneous monsoons.

The doctors gain a respect for you if you express interest in their lives
and their profession, and in turn let you in on more experiences. Many
people I worked with invited me and other volunteers into their homes to
meet their children and have chai or dinner. So make sure to be friendly
because that is a wonderful opportunity!

Volunteers on a weekend excursion

In conclusion, my experience was wonderful, after 9 weeks in India ( 4 with
projects abroad) I was ready to return home to my family. Being away from
the usual comforts gets tedious, and though I was ready to return, I would
go back in a heartbeat. Best wishes in your travels!