Youth International - Africa

- Multi-Country

,  Various cities in each country

  Botswana

  Kenya

Nairobi

  Namibia

Swakopmund

  Tanzania

Arusha,  Dar Es Salaam

Durations of Program: 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Dates: Sept. to Dec. and Feb. to May

Description: The world becomes your classroom and experience your greatest teacher!

Through a combination of volunteer work, home stays, outdoor adventure, and intense developing world travel each Youth International participant is set up for a dynamic first hand learning experience about the region they are travelling. At the same time, they are presented with a unique environment and opportunity for self discovery.

Teams of up to 14 people between the ages of 18 and 25 travel together, with two group leaders. For a full 12 week semester they explore three different countries in one region of the world.

Youth International has been sending groups on learning adventures abroad since 1997, and offers three separate trips: Asia (Thailand, India, and Vietnam), South America (Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador), and Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, and Namibia).

All three trips are offered twice each year: once in the fall semester which runs from September to December, and once in the spring semester which runs from February to May.

(*Youth International does not affiliate with, or adhere to, any specific religious or philosophical doctrine, and has no political affiliations or agenda.)

Highlights: Live with an African tribal family while helping their community build tanks for clean drinking water, roam the savanna on safari in search of wild animals, hike to a peak on Mt. Kenya, and much more... These are examples of just a few highlights on a trip that holds new adventures around every corner!

Youth International sends teams to Africa every year from Sept. to Dec. and Feb. to May. Each team travels together for 12 weeks through Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, and Namibia.

A sample itinerary for the Africa program is as follows:

Colorado:

Orientation: For three days team members will live together in residence at the YMCA of the Rockies Conference Centre in Estes Park, Colorado. In the midst of this spectacular Rocky Mountain setting they will take part in a series of workshops covering topics such as team building, health and safety, cultural sensitivity, and more, in preparation for their time abroad.

Kenya (Four Weeks)

Nairobi:
Two days of site seeing and free time in Kenya's capital city.

Bomet:
In this beautiful, remote village the team will spend two weeks living with local families while helping with a community project such as building water tanks or a community library.

Masai Mara and Nakuru National Reserves:
For four days (three days in Masai Mara and one day in Nakuru) the team will search for and observe wild animals from elephants to giraffe to lions and much more in some of the most impressive national wildlife reserve land in the world.

Mt. Kenya:
For one week the team will camp on the slopes of Kenya's highest mountain, Mt. Kenya, hiking through thick rainforest up to high alpine terrain.

Tanzania (Two Weeks)

Village Home Stay:
Ten day stay with families in a remote, rural Tanzanian village. Members will take part in daily family activities, and will help with a local community project(s).

Dar es Salaam:
One day of site seeing and free time in Tanzania's capital city.

Zanzibar Island:
Three days to swim, snorkel, relax, and enjoy Zanzibar's incredible beaches, and to explore the winding streets of the old stone town of Zanzibar.

Botswana (Two Weeks)

Village Home Stay:
Ten day stay with families in a remote, rural Botswana village. Members will take part in daily family activities, and will help with a local community project(s).

Okavango Delta:
The team will travel in Mokoros (small wooden dugout boats) for four days through the spectacular wetlands of the Okavango Delta, exploring the abundant wildlife which inhabits this unique corner of Africa.

Namibia (Three and a Half Weeks)

Windhoek:
Two days site seeing and free time in Namibia's capital city.

Okonjima:
Overnight camp and learning about this unique cheetah and leopard rehabilitation centre.

Kaokoland:
One week home stay in a tribal village in this northern region of Namibia. Team members will take part in daily family activities, and will help with a local community project(s).

Skeleton Coast and the Sand Dune Sea:
The group will spend three days exploring, by vehicle and by foot, the rare and spectacular desert landscape of Namibia's coast and inland region.

Omaruru:
One week home stay in a rural, tribal village near Omaruru. Team members will take part in daily family activities, and will help with a local community project(s).

Fish River Canyon:
Four day hike, and camping, in Fish River Canyon, one of the largest and most beautiful canyons in the world.

Qualifications: Anyone who will be between 18 and 25 years of age when travelling is welcome to apply to join a Youth International trip. (*Some flexibility with this age restriction does exist.)

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: US$8,500

The only costs that the program fee does not cover are personal items and individual free time activities. Personal items would also include health insurance and any medical expenses, travel visas, as well as transportation to and from orientation, in the USA, at the beginning and end of the program.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Q: What types of people join Youth International teams? A: This is a very common question, and is perhaps the most difficult to answer as there is really no "typical" Youth International participant. Each is unique! Our participants bring with them a wonderful diversity of backgrounds and interests. Team members share a like mindedness, and bond well, through their common interest and enthusiasm toward the activities and ideals which have drawn them all toward the Youth International program. All, in some way or another, are eager to step outside of the path they are on at the moment. To challenge themselves to get out and learn more about the world, and about who they are in relation to that world. Many are taking a "gap" year, or semester, off in the middle of college, or between graduating high school and beginning college. Several have recently graduated college, and want to experience some of the world before starting a career or going on to graduate school. A few are taking time out from a career. The vast majority of our participants come from the United States. From all corners of the country. We also have several participants join from across Canada. Youth International also has some members that have joined us from a number of other countries around the world.

Age Range: 18 to 25 years

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups of up to 14

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad

Youth International's Mission Statement: Youth International opens the doors for young people to actively explore and discover a broader perspective on the world while developing a deeper understanding of who they are and what their place is within that world. Developing more personally and socially aware future leaders, Youth International also hopes to take small steps toward bridging the gap between people and nations and making the world a better, more peaceful place to live.

Year Founded: 1995