retired_nini59

are you at Uni? go along to the careers centre, they should have stuff.

retired_ks reddy

Jersey should start paying tax, you mean?

retired_olechka

I went to Glasgow a couple of times. Shocking stuff.

retired_rockstar

That's sharp, Bert :thup:

retired_nini59

Jersey should start paying tax, you mean? </BLOCKQUOTE>

retired_summergor

my hero.

retired_rachelst

Downtown Kingston was just about as bad as anyplace I've been, including sub-Saharan Africa. Off every affluent street the place is a mess and you're expecting a shooting at any time. First night I got there a couple people killed each other on a bus, fighting over a seat one guy stabbed the other, who then shot him back. Didn't help that I stuck out like a sore thumb. Buses would drive by and people would shout "**** that Jamaican girl good white boy!" Or they'd just call me "Hong Kong" and asked if I did Kung Fu

Anyway loads of opportunities available, but you'll not find much with the UN. Best thing to do is look for NGOs. Most of them you'll have to pay to volunteer with, as they appreciate your money more than any help you can give (since a noob will just get in the way more often than not). Unless you're in medicine in which case there will be loads of opportunities.

A few of my friends have worked with various NGOs in Rwanda, which I've heard is just about the toughest place in the world to be. Stories are really crazy and emotional *sniff* *sniff*. If you're really interested, I can get suggestions of NGOs, but they're mostly US or Canada based, so you'd be better off looking for UK ones (shouldn't be hard). If you're looking for a longer term thing, there's Peace Corp in the US, or whatever the equivalent is in the UK.

There are also easier options like Sri Lanka as well. I have some friends whose parents started a charity there after the tsunami, because the mother's Sri Lankan. It seems like hard work, but I don't think it'll wreck you (emotionally) nearly as much as a place like Rwanda. You'll also be able to have a good time there as there are loads of cool tourist things to do.

Anyway definitely go for it if you're even thinking about it and you can devote the time. It's changed everyone I know for the better that's done it. Also good for CV stuff if you care about that.

retired_globalmall

dont go to the 3rd world. Its not very nice I'm in India at the moment and food is going striaght through me :/

retired_jhr2211

Jersey should start paying tax, you mean? </BLOCKQUOTE>

We do pay taxes, although with only a meagre £5m a year dedicated to overseas aid i can see your point.
Still not bad for 80,000 people.

retired_the gizmo

there's not many organizations that would deal with such a short term scenario as one month. the processing, paperwork, orientation, shots and travel would be too high to pay.

a better bet would be to choose a country, read up on it, try to get in contact with a local clinic or ngo, offer your services and pay your own way.