First, we're now going to have Podcasts. That's right - not only will you be able to follow our bloggers' experiences through their posts and photos, but you'll be able to hear their adventures, too. There should be a new one every week.

Second, the bloggers are going to compete against each other in a season-long contest loosely based on The Amazing Race. But they're not the only ones who get to have all the fun: There will be a contest for you, our loyal readers, as well. The winner will receive the eternal admiration of his or her peers, a solid fifteen minutes of fame, and (the real prize, the one we here at BlogAbroad.com headquarters have been ogling since it arrived) a brand-new iPod Nano...or maybe something even better!

In fact, if you're reading this newsletter, you're already participating in the contest. How's that possible? Well, each edition of the BlogAbroad.com Express, the e-mail newsletter you're reading right now, will offer clues to the answer of the final question. Maybe this issue's clue (or clues) are in this very sentence. Kinda makes you wonderÉ

So if you read every issue we send, you'll be that much closer to winning the grand prize. (It sure is amazing how much music you can fit in that tiny iPod NanoÉ)

Meanwhile, today's newsletter will focus on part one of our two-part series on volunteering abroad. Cross Cultural Solutions, a terrific non-profit organization offering international volunteer programs, has supplied us with first-hand content designed to showcase the value of pursuing often overlooked volunteer abroad opportunities, which can gain you credit, build your resume, and give you great work experience. It also tends to result in that warm fuzzy feeling people seem to get when they help others.

Enjoy the ride!

Sincerely,

The BlogAbroad.com Team

By Carleen Kunkel, retired teacher and eight-time international volunteer

So, you're thinking about volunteering abroad?

Volunteering abroad will not only satisfy your desire to make a difference in this world, it will help you understand life in another country and culture. By volunteering abroad you are stepping outside your comfort zone and into the rhythm of daily life in another country, where you will develop new perspectives, have new experiences, and ultimately have the time of your life! I have volunteered abroad eight times in five countries, and each time I've gone abroad it was new and exciting. But no matter where I go or what I do, the experience is always inspiring.

There are so many organizations to choose from. You will find organizations dedicated to a specific cause or affiliated with a specific religion, or that require you to have a certain skill set or degree, and, of course, those organizations committed to disaster relief abroad. The good news is that you have choices!

But before you go, I urge you to think carefully about your needs, your interests, and your concerns. Unlike working at a soup kitchen or attending a local blood drive in your home town, international volunteering comes with a host of unknowns. Where will I stay? What will I do? What if I don't speak another language? How do I know if my work will make a difference?

Any research you do, and any questions you ask before you commit to go, will greatly increase your chances of having a successful international volunteer experience. Below are five of my top ten questions to ask when considering an international volunteer program. I've found these questions to be very useful in my own search for an organization that's right for me. I hope they'll help you as you choose to volunteer abroad. Enjoy, and good luck!

1. Is it a non-profit organization, and who is it affiliated with?
Check if the organization is a charitable one (a.k.a. non-profit) where any profits or surpluses they may have would be used to further its charitable purposes. In a non-profit organization, its owners, members, or any other individual or group would not benefit from a surplus. If there is a program fee and you are a U.S. resident, all or part of the fee may be tax-deductible.

Ask about the history of the organization, and if other organizations endorse it or are partnered with it. If the organization has a religious or political agenda, make sure you are well-aware of it in advance.

The charitable status of an organization, or its affiliations, may play a role in how it is viewed in the local community where you will be working.

2. What are the organization's objectives? How do volunteers make a contribution?
You can learn a lot about an organization if you can find a clearly articulated mission or vision statement. Review the organization's objectives, how they prepare volunteers, and how they develop relationships in-country. Learn how you will be involved in achieving the objectives of the organization.

The local communities will see you as a representative of the organization you volunteer with, as well as a representative of your country. Ask how the volunteer work has evolved over time, and what impact the volunteers have had on the communities they have served.

3. Where are the organization's offices located? How do they provide support to the volunteers?
Some organizations are based in the country where they send volunteers. Others have a headquarters abroad with offices in the country. Still others only send part-time staff in-country on a seasonal basis.

If the organization does not offer a full-time staff and 24-hour assistance in-country, ask who will be available to help with questions or concerns that may arise.

4. How does the organization ensure my safety? Is medical insurance provided?
If the organization does not offer travel medical insurance, research how to obtain it and what the coverage includes. Having an emergency situation is difficult enough. Often the fee for medical insurance is minimal compared to the challenge or cost of dealing with the emergency on your own. Ask about how the organization has dealt with other volunteer emergencies.

5. Does the organization coordinate lodging and meals?
Lodging arrangements vary. Many organizations place volunteers in individual home stays or hotels. Other organizations have a central residence where volunteers live together. Inquire about the neighborhood where you will reside, the quality of accommodations, and if meals are included. Given differing food standards across the world, the accessibility of healthy food and clean water can be a real concern. Be sure to know whether the water is safe for you to drink.

Read the final five questions in the next issue.

"He's 5 years old, can you believe it?" whispered a Guatemalan woman in broken English about Pedro, a young boy in the Fundacion Pediatrica (Pediatric Foundation). The English-speaking Guatemalan nurse caught me off-guard, as I had not yet heard English spoken at the clinic, my volunteer placement during a recent six-week medical internship in Guatemala City through Cross-Cultural Solutions. What made Pedro's age so unbelievable was his mere 20-pound, malnourished stature and his inability to walk, talk or stand up. By the time Pedro entered the clinic, he was desperately in need of medical attention.

Pedro was one of many eye-opening and heart-warming patients I encountered while working at the Fundacion Pediatrica. Each child contributed to my education, enrichment, and world perspective, and each one reminded me of how fortunate I was. This was made possible because I dared to venture out of my comfort zone - this "bubble" - I have lived in my whole life. While many of my fellow college students pursued domestic summer internships, I was able to experience an international one - service and cultural immersion all at the same time!

My goals in embarking on an Intern Abroad program with Cross-Cultural Solutions were: to gain an understanding of Guatemala's health care system (both its strengths and weaknesses) as I consider a career in medicine; to learn Spanish, a language I knew could be useful in my future work at home or abroad; and, most importantly, to provide a helping-hand where needed, in a culture from which I could learn. The Fundacion Pediatrica in Guatemala City was a fabulous place to accomplish these goals.

As a health intern, I was an active part of the clinic's daily tasks, taking the height, weight, and temperature of the children, while observing the daily routines of a bustling medical facility. I shadowed nurses and doctors, gained an appreciation for the administrative demands on a clinic in a low-income neighborhood, and developed a sense of the integrity and character required of such dedicated medical practitioners. I recorded my insights in a daily journal, charted my progress in meetings with an Intern Supervisor, and tapped the clinic and Cross-Cultural Solutions staff at every turn for additional enrichment opportunities.

In addition to learning a great deal about Guatemala's health care system, I also learned an enormous amount about their unique culture. I observed and experienced Guatemalan social interactions, cuisine, and traditional dress and dance (the nurses were always willing to help me with my Salsa moves). My co-workers, mostly local Guatemalan women, typified the warmth of Guatemalan people by their encouragement of me, the patients, and other health care workers. I have never been in a more loving environment.

When Pedro entered Fundacion Pediatrica in mid-August, I remember feeling so powerless; I could barely move to take his measurements. I was overwhelmed by what seemed like the insurmountable physical and emotional obstacles he surely faced in his life. What could I do to help him as an American college student who was only beginning to understand his culture and language, much less his medical needs? After speaking with the nurse for a short time, she turned to me and said, "Thank you for helping my country." It was then that I realized I was helping, and that stepping outside of my comfortable American life and venturing to Guatemala for this internship was the first and most important step toward doing so.

My experience in Guatemala has lit a fire in my heart to inform others about their capacity to help, specifically in Guatemala. Most importantly, it has inspired me to resist the tendency to remain in my "bubble" of a comfortable home and routine. There is, in fact, too much to learn outside of that ÒbubbleÓ to risk staying inside it.

Article courtesy of Cross-Cultural Solutions. Contact Cross-Cultural Solutions for more information about international volunteer or intern opportunities at www.crossculturalsolutions.org or 1-800-380-4777.

So much has happened since we last chatted that we couldn't even come close to covering everything. So we're going to give you a very quick snapshot of all the adventures our bloggers have been on, and you can fill in the details by reading their blogs.

Jon is back in Texas, trying to readjust to his home while simultaneously attempting to deal with the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina. His whirlwind adventure through Australia is a great read, as are his touching and moving posts about leaving what he considers his new home to return to his old one. We dare you to keep a dry eye as you read this prose that teeters on poetry.

Nessie is stirring up some controversy as she writes about America's involvement in the Vietnam War. She traveled all over Vietnam and is currently in Hong Kong, regaling us with fascinating tales of giant shopping malls and even bigger Buddha statues. These posts should not be missed.

Keri is currently traversing Europe and Amy is out of graduate school and is offering any help she can in Mississippi.

This train isn't called the Express for nothing. It continues moving whether you hop on board or not. So make sure you get in before the doors close. Is that a whistle in the background?

All aboard!