Whats the Canadian equilivent of the Peace Corps? Is there one?

Question

Don't say greenpeace. The Peace Corps sends volunteers overseas to make a difference, while Greenpeace just organizes ralleys and protests.

I'm interested in traveling overseas after university (I'll have a Bachelor of Technology; Environmental Studies, if thats relevant). Just to take a year or so to make a difference somewhere else before I carry on with my life here.

But I'm Canadian, not American. Please help!

Answer 1

Haha, why would someone say Greenpeace? Greenpeace and the Peace Corps haven't got a single thing in common. Greenpeace is an environmental group...

Anyway, the Canadian version is VSO - Volunteer Service Overseas. You can also look at CUSO.

If you have a bachelor of tech, you should look into Engineers Without Borders Canada. You don't have to be an actual engineer to volunteer with them, but they're another excellent group to look into.

Answer 2

VSO, definitely the way to go. But you need more than just those degrees. Do you also have volunteering experience locally, doing what you want to do overseas? Can you speak a language other than English?

Here is a web site that can help you learn more about the skills and experience desired by long-term placement organizations such as VSO:

http://www.coyotecommunications.com/volu...

(and Greenpeace DOES involve volunteers overseas, but they must be highly skilled with very specific areas of expertise; they also involve volunteers at the local level, in advocacy efforts -- and not just rallies and protests).