5 of the most worthwhile things you could be doing

If you’ve been sitting at your desk recently, thinking about getting out there and doing something worthwhile, there are plenty of things you could try. One of the best ways of making a difference is to go on a volunteering project with an organisation such as www.projects-abroad.ca. You’ll have an experience of a lifetime and be doing something to benefit others. In this guide you can read about five of the top experiences on offer to you.

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Teach children in foreign countries

You can get involved in teaching abroad without formal qualifications. As long as you have a good standard of English, you can play a part and help enrich children’s lives. English teaching projects are available all over the world, so whether you want to head to Africa, Asia or South America, you can. If you would rather work with over 18s, there are plenty of projects offering this opportunity too.

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Get involved in environmental and cultural programs

Getting your hands dirty helping local communities is a really memorable experience. If you’ve been sitting at your desk, longing to get outdoors, this is a good option for you. You could help farmers in Argentina or Ghana, get involved in eco-development projects in India, or even play a role in conservation projects all over the world.

Work in an orphanage

Volunteering in an orphanage is a humbling and life-changing experience. This is your opportunity to have a hugely positive impact on children and help them learn life skills that will be a massive benefit to them. All you have to be is compassionate and show your caring side, and in return you will get a rewarding experience. There are opportunities to volunteer in orphanages in many different countries around the world, including China, Ghana, Jamaica, Sri Lanka and Mongolia.

Take part in community projects

Taking part in community projects gives you the opportunity to do something worthwhile and to really soak up the atmosphere and culture of your chosen destination. You’ll work with locals and can get a placement in programs, such as arts and crafts in Mexico, nomad projects in Mongolia and disaster management projects in Jamaica.

Coach sport abroad

Sport has the unique power of bringing people together. If you have a sport that you are passionate about and able to coach, you can use your skills to help teach those at a disadvantage. It might be a school program, community sports project or individual courses, and again there are opportunities all over the world.

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If you feel the time’s right to go and do something worthwhile, there are many websites that can give you more information about specific projects. Then you can start planning your memorable experience!

Resource Box

Volunteering: make your time really count - Article about volunteering on your travels

Graduate: A Volunteer Abroad - First-hand account of someone’s experience of volunteering abroad

Do you dare take a sabbatical? - Article about taking time off work   

Singapore really packs a punch

An amazing place

Singapore is one of the most interesting places in South East Asia. Commonly thought of as either a stop over on the way to Australia or as a business hub, but there is so much more to it than that.

Whether you are on a business trip or on a stop over. Don’t miss out on what this amazing city has to offer. Although Singapore is a very small place, with only 5 million inhabitants, they have an extremely high GDP per capita of $59,936. The wealth of the nation means that they have invested heavily on making it a great place to spend time.

Singapore is mainly a Buddhist nation and this influence is clear throughout the city but it has not hindered their passion for innovation. One of the marvels of Singapore is the MRT, this is the same concept as the London underground however it is organised to perfection and with wide, air-conditioned carriages and light airy platforms, it is a pleasure to use.

No matter where you are staying, it is always possible to find one of the 90 MRT stations that cover the city. Even during winter Singapore is a very hot and humid country and this should be taken into consideration with everything that you do. Always have a bottle of water to hand and make sure you give yourself enough time as not to rush.

The Flyer

To get the best view of the city, you should take a ride on the famous Singapore Flyer. It is the largest of its kind and gives you a wonderful perspective of the city in an unparalleled way. You will get a completely different perspective at night compared to day but I would highly recommend it. If you are a budding photographer, don’t forget to take a tripod for the night shots as it is close to impossible to get a good shot without one.

An extraordinary if not bizarre experience is a trip to Sentosa island just off the coast of the city. With a large array of attractions it is well worth the trip, not to mention, the journey there is on a fantastic cable car ride. You can spend the afternoon on the beach or inside the butterfly park. This really is a place that everyone can enjoy, just visit with an open mind and you will have a great time.

Night Safari

Something for the evenings is a trip to the Night Safari, this is an experience in itself as the animals react completely differently at night. Just remember to forget about taking pictures and just enjoy the ride, it is far too dark to take any good pictures and there are no flashes allowed for obvious reasons. They have a great area for relaxing and enjoying a bite to eat that has some extraordinary fire shows.

Chinese Gardens

Singapore has one of the most amazing Chinese Gardens, located in the east of the city, this is a great place to get away from the busy city and just relax and enjoy the sun. The gardens were designed in 1975 and is populated by beautiful architecture in both buildings and bridges. In the middle of these vast gardens, there is an amazing Bonsai garden, with trees ageing over 200 years old but still only a few inches high. A little known fact is that the smaller the leaves the slower growing the tree.

If you are not sure where to stay in, there is a huge range of options, from 5 star hotels to holiday apartments in Singapore from the owner, there is something for everyone. A great place to find accommodation is Wimdu.co.uk; they have a wide range of apartments and bed and breakfast deals all year round.