I was wandering around the Matador site today and came across an interesting photo essay by Peace Corps volunteer, Chris Miller, who lives in a rural Ukrainian town. The pictures perfectly show the juxtaposition of the industrial empire aspired to by the Soviet Union and the quiet countryside left all these years after it’s fall.

In what country have you seen similar juxtapositions of old and new; urban and rural. Let us know!

I remember reading The Rugged Altruist by New York Times op-ed columnist David Brooks earlier this year and wanted to share. My love of the times and its op-eds is steady and true. Ever since middle school when I prematurely became interested in politics and humanitarian issues, I have been reading the Times and its opinion pieces before I pick up my Vogue and Vanity Fair issues (which I love equally to the Times).

This article really caught my attention, as I consider myself an altruist—as I’m sure many of you do—but not particularly rugged. I also didn’t really know what classified an altruist to be in the “rugged” category or the more civilized one.

I often liken this feeling to those restless leg syndrome commercials—which I’m sure is an awful condition—where it is all I can do to continue to sit in front of my well-traveled laptop and decide, just for today, to live vicariously through the person writing that all-too-familiar story. But why do we travel? What separates those who constantly feel the need to escape out of their element and those who are content to read about the world in a book or magazine? I don’t know if it is nature or nurture or some other biological phenomena, but visiting sites like World Hum illustrate the fact that I’m not alone in my struggle to fight the “travel bug.”

One of the regular contributors to World Hum asked this very open-ended question last year at the New York Times Travel Conference to see what the professionals had to say:

So, why do you travel? That first leap to go abroad, especially if it is by yourself, is always the hardest. What made you finally make the move to go abroad and what was your experience that first time you got off the plane in a new country? And what was the point that made you realize you were going to be a life-ling traveler?

If you are interested in going abroad (maybe again), check out InterExchange Working Abroad’s programs.

The Backpack-O-Pet can be found at: http://www.celltei.com/waterdog50lbs.html

So, if you or anyone you know has a dog (or I suppose a very fat cat), you know how hard it is to travel anywhere. Even going across town is hard if you are without a car or in an urban area. So, in the spirit of the Holiday season, I am suggesting this (slightly uncomfortable-looking) backpack to be added for the dog enthusiast on your list. I found it while perusing the great blog Cool Hunting.

The backpack is called the Backpack-O-Pet — which may possible be the worst (but really best) name for a backpack for your dog. I guess it describes the product for itself.

Let us know what you think about this gift for the animal and traveler lover. Have any other travel-worthy gift ideas? Let us know!

Picture from www.Good.is

don’t have any excuse not to use them. But, there are those times when we are out and just need a caffeine or H2O pick-me-up. And sometimes while living or traveling abroad, especially in developing communities, bottled water can be a necessity.

So, if you are anything like me, you will buy plastic bottles when needed and then religiously recycle them (always remember to remove the cap!). But, what if you can’t recycle them? Or you forget? With so many articles and information about communities and their overwhelming plastic bottle consumption, I think there is something, especially in developing communities, we can do!

In comes Good, one of my favorite resources for all things new and opinionated in the world of social and environmental responsibility. The very week I was starting to panic about the spiraling lack of self-control by me and my other plastic-gluttonous peers, I read this little blurb about how communities are in Guatemala are using plastic bottles for good, not evil.

Check out the great ideas of one Guatemalan-based organization HERE

So, just like the JR post from last week, we are all faced with that moment of “to act or just to read and appreciate, and then go back to watching the new Breaking Bad.” Whether you live in Brooklyn, Omaha, the highlands of Guatemala or the towns of Spain, what can we do with the effects of our over-consumption? Does your community need a new school like in the article? Or perhaps a greenhouse for a community garden. Can you make a community-based art project with the left-overs of our plastic bags and bottles? Do you have the energy after all of the turkey to climb out of the tryptophan-induced haze and make this an “action” day?

Today, I’m all tryptophaned-out. But maybe tomorrow……..

Credit: Insideoutproject.net and TED

I have been a fan and follower of the Parisian street artist and photographer JR for years now. And much to my joy (and I must admit, chagrin), his incredible work has finally reached the international stage with a 2011 TED Prize win for his “Inside Out” project. JR and his team started this project — where people from all over the world can send in pictures of themselves and receive back a blown up, black and white version to paste as visual street art wherever they want — after the social and commercial successes of his other projects in the Middle East, Africa, South America, Asia and his home city of Paris.

Addressing social injustices, misconceptions and the fact that we are really all the same despite our differences, JR took picture of Jews, Christians and Muslims in Israel and Palestine and pasted them side-by-side in the towns and neighborhoods that see the most social and political tension. This project, called Face2Face, gave JR’s “social art” a lot of attention in the cultural and non-profit circles of the world. Another project — Women are Heroes — saw beautiful portraits of women pasted on trains in Kenya, rooftops in the favelas of Rio and the markets of India; places where women are traditionally marginalized. Women are Heroes was also turned into a film that follows JR and his team through the process of shooting and pasting these evolving art pieces throughout the world — and some of the inspiring women they met along the way.

Now, with his Inside Out social movement, JR has sent moveable photo booths to communities around the world. One of the most impressive and impactful turnouts was back in Israel, where thousands of Israelis and Palestinians took portraits of themselves and posted them in their communities, sharing their thoughts about their country and their hopes for its future. Check out this TED blog post about it: http://blog.ted.com/2011/09/21/photos-inside-out-project-in-israel-and-palestine/

So InterExchange Working Abroad participants, alums and prospectives, how can we do something incredible like this in our own communities? Sometimes I forget how useful art is in bringing people together and spreading a message of connectedness and hope. What are your ideas of smaller-scale projects like this that could get your community engaged and thinking about solutions to some of the problems it faces?

Let’s share ideas! And if you do happen to plan any projects like this, let us know with stories, pictures and videos!

Are you interested in going international with InterExchange Working Abroad? Learn more or apply now for the adventure of a lifetime!

Machu Picchu anyone?

The numbers keep piling up in favor of gap years for new high school graduates. Seen as one of those “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunities to travel, experience another culture first-hand and even make some money, a gap year also gives students the chance to mull over what they want to major in while gaining that ever-elusive “real world” experience. And you can do all of this instead of spending money your freshman year pursuing a major that will eventually change. InterExchange Working Abroad has many different opportunities for your gap year. Check them out here.

A traditionally European notion that was never really cemented in the American frame of thought, the gap year is starting to become more and more popular as the benefits of international exposure begin to surface in the consciousness of American parents and their college-bound kids.

But besides all of that practical stuff, a gap year can be an amazing experience! Climb the stark mountains of northern China; volunteer at a fair trade weaving co-op in Guatemala and learn Spanish; try guinea pig in Peru on your way to Machu Picchu with a people completely connected to their ancient ancestors in a way Americans could never be. The world is your literal and figurative oyster!

For an amazing first-hand account of a successful gap year, check out a blog post from New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof’s son – Gregory Kristof – as he recounts his experiences in China.

But, hold on a second. I know, it sounds like an amazing adventure to travel across the world. And it is! But, keep in mind that there are several things a gap year most certainly is not. And it is important to know the good and the (not really that) bad before committing to a couple of months to a full year in another country. A gap year can be used as a year of volunteering, working as an au pair, as a WOOOF farmer or as an intensive language-learning year. Really, you can do whatever you want. InterExchange has incredible opportunities you can apply to in Europe, Africa, South America and Asia. You will probably have more responsibility than you have ever had before. People will be counting on you and your year probably won’t involve the carefree café scenes in Paris or shopping sprees you have seen on Gossip Girl! But, would you rather go shopping, or explore little towns on a volcanic crater lake in Guatemala?

I think Guatemala might just trump cafés!

Whether you choose to take a gap year, study abroad while in college (or both) or go abroad after you graduate (or all 3!), the time spent living and working in another country will be one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of your life.

Check out InterExchange’s Working Abroad programs for information on volunteering, teaching, becoming an au pair and working abroad and fill out an application. And even if you are past the gap year stage, our programs are great for taking time off of university or working while traveling after you graduate! Now, go explore!

During this especially difficult time, we at InterExchange would like to reach out to any of our participants or cooperators who need additional support or assistance.

As always, we encourage you to contact us with any questions or requests.

InterExchange Working Abroad
1.800.597.3675 (U.S. Only)
+1.212.924.0446
workabroad@interexchange.org

InterExchange offers work and travel and au pair programs in New Zealand

Aotearoa…Middle Earth…New Zealand.

Many countries inspire visions of snow-capped peaks, deep blue lakes and rolling green hills but few countries can claim such diversity of terrain as New Zealand, which has all of these and more. Have you ever wanted to climb on a glacier in the middle of the summer, then take a short drive and kayak in the most pristine waters you’ll ever find? Or maybe you’re seeking the thrill of going to the “adrenaline sports capital of the world”?

The New Zealand is Open campaign has been launched to remind visitors and work and travel participants that New Zealand is a great place to visit! Chief Executive Kevin Bowler said one of the best things people could do to show support for Christchurch in light of the recent earthquake is to visit New Zealand. “A strong tourism sector is vital for the New Zealand’s economy and a strong economy will help Christchurch get back on its feet faster. We want visitors to know that the reasons behind New Zealand being considered among the top two places in the world to visit in 2011 are as valid today as they were when CNN said it in January.”

If you are looking for a new challenge and are eager to explore the many delights of New Zealand, InterExchange Working Abroad offers work and travel and au pair programs in New Zealand.

Submit your full application to Working Abroad by May 15, 2011 to be entered into a drawing for a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card. You can apply it toward a new travel guide to use during your Working Abroad adventure!

Become a fan of our InterExchange Working Abroad Facebook page to learn more about our amazing programs Down Under and become a fan of New Zealand 100% Pure on facebook, the official page for New Zealand tourism. Check out the incredible pictures and start planning your Working Abroad adventure today.

Advisory statement

• U.S. citizens currently outside the U.S. Working Abroad participants and Foundation grantees are advised that U.S. consular offices will only be open to provide services to Americans in distress during the shutdown.