Tom Connors, Global Volunteer - an AgeVenture profile


Front Page	Headlines	Lifestyle	Links	Tests	Books

Tom Connors' Asian Exchange
Some consider the Terra Cotta Warriors, outside Xi'an, China to be the 8th Wonder of the World. But volunteer and China visitor, Tom Connors was much more fascinated by the eager students he tutored in the center of Xi'an. Tom, a native of Boca Raton, Florida, was part of a team of volunteers, coordinated by Global Volunteers, who opted out of the traditional role of tourist. While the volunteers provided area students with vital practice with native English speakers, they were able to learn about and experience China as insiders. Until recently, English was only deemed necessary for diplomats. However, now that there is an enormous effort to open trade and affect progress, Chinese students and business people are strongly encouraged to learn English. Global Volunteers' six year partnership with the Sino-American Society of Xi'an has resulted in not only greater English fluency, but a greater understanding of "real" Chinese people and "real" Americans by both students and volunteers. The volunteers worked in school settings, with a Chinese student on hand for translation when necessary, for four to five hours a day. Volunteers and students shared stories about friends and family, learning about each other's cultures along the way. The volunteers were also the guests of honor on an English-speaking call-in radio show. Free time allowed the volunteers the opportunity to explore on their own, sightsee, shop, and experiment with the local cuisine. Global Volunteers is a private, nonprofit organization that sends volunteers to 19 countries at the invitation of a local host organization. Volunteers work with, and under the direction, of local people. No special skills are required, just a desire to be of service and learn about the life of a different culture. Programs are two-three weeks in length, and fees range from about one thousand to two thousand dollars, excluding airfare. For additional information, call: 1-800-487-1074. Photo credit: Global Volunteers, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Tom Connors' Asian Exchange

Some consider the Terra Cotta Warriors, outside Xi'an, China to be the 8th Wonder of the World. But volunteer and China visitor, Tom Connors was much more fascinated by the eager students he tutored in the center of Xi'an. Tom, a native of Boca Raton, Florida, was part of a team of volunteers, coordinated by Global Volunteers, who opted out of the traditional role of tourist. While the volunteers provided area students with vital practice with native English speakers, they were able to learn about and experience China as insiders.

Until recently, English was only deemed necessary for diplomats. However, now that there is an enormous effort to open trade and affect progress, Chinese students and business people are strongly encouraged to learn English. Global Volunteers' six year partnership with the Sino-American Society of Xi'an has resulted in not only greater English fluency, but a greater understanding of "real" Chinese people and "real" Americans by both students and volunteers.

The volunteers worked in school settings, with a Chinese student on hand for translation when necessary, for four to five hours a day. Volunteers and students shared stories about friends and family, learning about each other's cultures along the way. The volunteers were also the guests of honor on an English-speaking call-in radio show. Free time allowed the volunteers the opportunity to explore on their own, sightsee, shop, and experiment with the local cuisine.

Global Volunteers is a private, nonprofit organization that sends volunteers to 19 countries at the invitation of a local host organization. Volunteers work with, and under the direction, of local people. No special skills are required, just a desire to be of service and learn about the life of a different culture. Programs are two-three weeks in length, and fees range from about one thousand to two thousand dollars, excluding airfare. For additional information, call: 1-800-487-1074.
Photo credit: Global Volunteers, St. Paul, Minnesota.

AgeVenture News Service, 21946 Pine Trace, Boca Raton, FL 33428 USA. Dr. David Demko, Editor, E-mail: demko@demko.com