listed on websites like www . volunteersouthamerica . net . However , the temptation for some grass-root programmes , once they start receiving feepaying volunteers , is to drift from the original aims of the organisation they set up and simply become a means of bringing in volunteer revenue . It is highly important that you
check with previous volunteers for their experiences .
The organisation Learning Service learningservice . info has a number of videos on YouTube designed to help you plan your travel responsibly , and to offer as much value to the culture with which you interact as they give to you . Plan your Volunteer Placement www . youtube . com / watch ? v = 91cvUA2h7Hw and Become a Valuable Volunteer www . youtube . com / watch ? v = yiS0jgqU29A & t = 0s are particularly useful . Watch them for great tips and then enjoy a fantastic experience .
What if you can ’ t afford the time or cost of foreign travel but still want to broaden your experiences ?
Young Reporter MELONIE KING ( aged 14 ) looks at three organisations that can help us broaden our horizons in different ways right here at home .
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Intelligence Squared is a forum for debate and discussion . It was founded in London , in 2002 and offers insight into matters in politics , culture and economics . They have a website where they upload weekly podcasts about recent debates . They have courses to sign up to and hold events to attend . A course I attended was the two-day debating workshop in October . Students from years 5 to 11 can attend and participate in competitions , games and
exercises to practice their debating skills . At most schools , there will be a debating or public-speaking club , but having tried both of these , I can say that the workshop is better . You are judged in your teams and given feedback . If you have a passion for debating , then this is the place to go .
More information about Intelligence Squared : www . intelligencesquared . com
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