Giving Back: It Starts with Kids
There is nothing more powerful and educational than getting out and seeing the world with your own eyes. For many of us on a career break it’s the first time that we have gone beyond vacation and really traveled – spending time in locations and cultures beyond the high level 'passing through.' We are able to soak up the world around us at a whole new level and pace - forming our own opinions about culture and challenging what we have learned from media outlets. This is one of the many beauties of career break travel.
In a recent interview with AFAR Magazine online, I talked about the fact that I didn’t really have a travel mentor as I was growing up and coincidentally didn’t have a passport until I was 30 years old. Luckily, I have learned that it is never too late to start traveling; however, I also do recognize the importance of adding travel to your life at a young age. Change and understanding in the world will need to start with our youth.
This is why Meet Plan Go! has taken an interest in supporting Learning AFAR - a youth based program run by the AFAR Foundation (the philanthropic arm of AFAR Magazine). Learning AFAR grants international travel scholarships to students who would not otherwise be able to explore the world.
Learning?AFAR is designed to promote cross cultural exchange by sponsoring international travel for students who cannot otherwise afford to experience another part of the world. In partnership with Global Explorers and with support from the Pearson Foundation, Schlumberger and Wimmer Solutions, Learning AFAR integrates science, service, leadership, literacy and culture in a 3-phase program that includes pre-travel curriculum, a life-changing travel experience, and a follow-up service leadership project.
As students prepare for the journey of lifetime, they learn journalism skills from AFAR Magazine staff members, so they may document their travels through writing, photography, and videography. Through their Pearson’s We Give Books, Learning AFAR students engage younger students in the learning process and collect books to create libraries in the communities they will visit on expedition. Learning AFAR prepares young people to act on the passions they discover and equips them to share their passion with their home community.
To celebrate the season of giving this week, for the second year Meet Plan Go! has decided to work with the AFAR Foundation by donating a portion of our ticket sales from our October event to the foundation in San Francisco. This year our San Francisco host Kristin Kent organized the fundraising and happily delivered a check for $1,000 to the AFAR’s Co-Founder Greg Sullivan.
We hope you have a special Thanksgiving holiday wherever you are traveling in the world this week. Give thanks for the ability to travel – it’s a privilege – one you worked hard to make happen, but not one that everyone gets.
See what the some of the Learning AFAR students did on their big trip to Costa Rica:
If you are interested in learning more about Learning AFAR or making a donation, please check out the following:
Leah on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:12 am
I really enjoyed reading your post. I am thirty-two soon and have itchy feet that are ready to try out foreign soils.
It is a fear of leaving the security of the day to day grind of paying the bills and living a safe and non-challenging way of life that has put me on hold for some time.
I hope (as it has I) your post will inspire others to go and follow their bliss – Leah 🙂
Patricia GW on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:54 am
Travel and experiencing a new culture really has put it into perspective, and filled that void with purpose (and joy).
In three weeks I’ll be moving to Paris myself for one month. I have the same feeling – the incredible surreal realization that I’m going to be living there…. it’s thrilling!!
Abby on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 2:11 pm
Oh, Jenny! Escargot isn’t palatable — it’s delicious! I love your writing style; it’s so fun and energetic. Can you believe how far we’ve come? Everyone, Jenny and I were in the exact same industry and have known each other online and via work emails for years and years. But we’ve only met once, many, many years ago. And one of those jobs she was sleeping next to her BlackBerry for was one I’d just left. And now she’s 33 and living abroad, just like I was last year. Kindred spirits. Jenny, you’re a true inspiration — I can’t wait to see how your adventure unfolds!
Debbie Beardsley on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 3:22 pm
Your life in Paris sounds ideal. It is nice to read about people who follow their dreams instead of wishing they had! Enjoy the rest of your journey.
Terriaw on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 1:40 pm
Wow, fabulous and well said! I love your new outlook on like. After experiencing career burnout and feeling a little lost and purposeless lately, you have encouraged me. I look forward to seeing Paris someday!
Jenny on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 6:50 pm
merci for all the sweet comments! @abby we are soooo kindred spirits! well except when it comes to our differing feelings on escargot…;) and congrats patricia on the move! thrilling indeed!
shawna on Thu, 9th Jun 2011 1:32 am
you’ve reawakened my travel bug. must. return. to. france. (someday.) eat a croissant for me!
Weekly Travel Blog Links — LandingStanding on Mon, 13th Jun 2011 6:16 am
[…] how badly I want to go to Paris… If only we could afford living there for an extended period of time during our travels! Any […]
G. Michael Schneider on Sun, 19th Jun 2011 3:36 pm
I am a firm believer in living and working overseas, just as you described. However, many of us actually like our jobs and our homes and are simply looking to renew and refresh our lives, not change it. However, you can have the same type of cultural experience without having to reach into your own wallet and without having to quit your day job–by taking what I call a “working vacation.” My wife and I have done this 15 separate times, from Australia to Zimbabwe, Turket to Tibet, Mauritius to Mongolia. I describe how to do it in my blog otherguysdime.wordpress.com and via Twitter at @otherguysdime. Learn how to have fun without having to have burn any of your bridges behind you.