Well, in today’s day and age we can reach far and wide with the amazing little contraption that is sitting on our laps, wherever we happen to find ourselves. But along with amazing potentials for volunteering organizations and virtual volunteer services worldwide, it can be difficult to know which ones to choose. 

There’s no doubt that we are absolutely spoiled for choice in this world! In a lot of ways that can lead to less fulfillment and satisfaction, in my experience. Personally, I have lived in rural Cambodia for the past seven years and as an American ex-pat my views and approach to global issues has been completely transformed. You see, I live in a world where gratitude is instinctual, acceptance is key, humility keeps us bonded and sharing is our nature. In many ways, we have been led astray from our basic human instincts with the programming of fear from media in the western world.

The Remote Internship

Luckily for us, there’s so many virtual volunteer opportunities and remote internships. The craziest part about them is that we can have these experiences from our own living rooms! We can actually interact with cultures across the world in little tiny villages and go on the greatest journey of all, the journey within!

But with the various online volunteering opportunities and remote internships abroad, how can we know that the opportunities we find will meet our needs? Not something generic but a ultimate learning experience that is filled with self-exploration and first-hand experience with other cultures? As a person who runs these programs, I will tell you that it’s not necessarily an easy thing to accomplish! Small logistical things like getting Internet out to these rural communities has proven quite difficult… But it’s these places that are off the grid and away from all the ads and social expectation. I have found the most beneficial and thought-provoking stimulation for my own personal development. 

It is in the small and ordinary responses that I get from our Cambodian students that can send me into two days of reflection. The interaction that I get from this culture mixed with gurus of science and spirituality has led me down a path of self-awareness that has molded me into the kind of leader that our world needs.