Giving Back!

A major component for my travels will be to work with nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations throughout the world.  I am hoping to have a better understanding of the issues facing the international community through travel, conversation, conferences and volunteering.

I have decided that I wanted to work at least three times with the Habitat for Humanity International's Global Village program.   "Habitat for Humanity International's Global Village trips gives participants a unique opportunity to become active partners with people of another culture. Team members work alongside members of the host community, raising awareness of the burden of poverty housing and building decent, affordable housing worldwide. As partners, team members help build a true 'global village' of love, homes, communities and hope!"  For more information about Habitat for Humanity's Global Village program- go to http://www.habitat.org/gv/

I also want to continue my learning through interacting with nonprofit and academic leaders through out the journey.  I was fortunate to be part of a Michigan State University delegation visit to Nigeria this past February.  We worked with University officials and I had the opportunity present a workshop with others on nonprofit management best practices.

I have had the opportunity to attend two international conferences on nonprofit issues and civil society.  Working with organizations like the International Association of Voluntary Effort and CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, I am expanding my understanding of international issues and the context of how the US nonprofit sector and government can be a supportive partner in helping international development.

Though the journey is about making my dream of seeing my worldlist happen, it is an opportunity to grow and expand my understanding of global issues.  The money for the journey could have been used to get my masters degree in business administration; instead it is going to my personal "masters of the world."