There is so much to experience and learn in the world. Studying through books and the internet can give you a taste of all that there is out there. Taking classes will also introduce you to new cultures and countries. Even travel is a great way to begin to experience the world.

Getting just a few bits and pieces of cultures is not the way to know the whole picture. Taking time to study abroad and to live in that country and culture is the best way to gain the full experience of all it has to offer.

Best Reasons to Study Abroad

• Students who take the time to study abroad gain new insight in to their own lives and cultures. It brings your own cultures and traditions into greater focus and can give you a greater appreciation of who you are, where you come from and even all that you have in family, possessions and freedoms.

• Living in a different culture where you are immersed in a country and people that speak a different language will help you gain an understanding of that language. Students who have studied that language will gain a great fluency in that language. Having a second language will give you more opportunities in your education and in your future.

• Studying abroad opens up an understanding of politics and histories of other countries from a first hand perspective. See the sites, hear the sounds and meeting the people can help you to better understand the how and whys of it all.

The opportunity to study abroad is more than just a chance to go to school in another country. The experience can open up your eyes to appreciate where you come from, where you are going and give you greater tools to get there.

New Zealand offers adventure junkies the ultimate outdoor playground when it comes to heart pumping, adrenaline rushing activities and attractions. Tourists to New Zealand can expect to find numerous adventure tourism operators spread across both the North and South Island. Check out the following vacation activities and attractions visited by thousands of holiday goers each year.

Leap from the Sky Tower in Auckland, New Zealand

Unlike bungee jumping, this jump allows you to leap in a standing position from a height of 192 metres at a speed of 85kph from the highest building in the southern hemisphere! Experience the thrill of free-falling while attached to a wire. A definite ‘must do’ activity if in Auckland!

Off Road Track Four Wheel Driving at Spring Loaded Fun Park in Bay of Plenty, NZ

Get amongst dirt tracks, bumpy hills and plenty of mud while behind the wheel of a specially designed four wheel drive vehicle. Test your driving skills on the parks 3 km course and tackle the 12 challenges. An exhilarating experience if visiting the Bay of Plenty.

Wicked White-Water Jet Boat Rides at Rapids Jet in Taupo, New Zealand

Rapids Jet take you on New Zealand’s biggest and longest rapids that spill from the Aratiatia Dam daily. Located in the Central North Island each trip is 35min long with 10 passengers per boat. For a hold on to the edge of your seat guaranteed adrenaline rush like no other be sure to book your seat on one of these rides.

Extreme Flying Fox Rides at Mokai Gravity Canyon in Taihape, New Zealand

Fly above the ground at speeds of up to 160kph with one to three other people over a river canyon. Undoubtedly the world’s most extreme flying fox that will quite literally take your breath away, located in New Zealand’s Manawatu-Wanganui area in the North Island.

Adrenalin Forest in Christchurch, New Zealand

For a unique kind of adventure, conquer your fears on this aerial obstacle course up to 20 metres off the ground. The course offers 6 pathways of progressive difficulty over 2km in length and covering 4 hectares of forest. With 100 high wire activities and challenges available, Adrenalin Forest located in the South Island of New Zealand promises a jam-packed day of adventure.

Abseil & Adventure Caving with the Wild West Adventure Company in Greymouth, NZ

This West Coast tourism operator located in the South Island of New Zealand offers tours that are not for the faint hearted! An above average fitness level is required, along with a reasonable level of abseiling experience. This tour takes you 178 metres underground – the longest underground abseil in the Southern Hemisphere. Be sure to enquire well in advance of your planned New Zealand vacation as this trip requires a few months of preparation.

No matter what time of year you have planned your New Zealand vacation, you can be assured of finding and experiencing unforgettable action packed activities.

Volunteering opportunities can be found everywhere you look so why travel abroad? Culture, adventure, excitement… need more reasons? Read on…

If we’re honest we can’t think of many reasons not to volunteer abroad, but then we’ve read all the volunteer stories and seen what a great experience everyone has had! There aren’t too many things that are fun and worthwhile and fewer still take you to some of the world’s best locations. As hard as it is, we’ve narrowed down the list of reasons to volunteer abroad to a top 5. If we’ve missed off your top reason for slinging on a backpack then let us know!

There are plenty of worthwhile things to get involved in without going abroad to do it, but why not do both? Our hope is that volunteering abroad will give you a real taste for it and that you’ll continue in the same vein once you return home. While it’s true that volunteering is something that can be done at home, it is also true that the wider world is the battleground for the biggest issues in the fight to stop climate change , protect traditional communities and increase social development .

1. Make a difference to people
If you’ve watched many Hollywood films you’ll be familiar with the basic story; traditional culture is swept aside by big business and erected in its place are huge constructions better equipped to shake the last few lira from the tourist’s pocket. Unfortunately it’s not just fiction, but a very real problem for countries around the world. Helping to create sustainable tourism by taking part in volunteering projects helps make international travel work for tourists and locals. Volunteering abroad is your chance to get to the heart of a quintessential problem of the modern world; how can somewhere survive economically without losing its traditional way of life?

2. Make a difference to the environment
There are people around the world living in poverty that we can’t possibly imagine and places of extraordinary natural beauty in real need of volunteers. It’s a real irony that the areas of the world that attract the most visitors are normally those least equipped to deal with them. The world’s most beautifully lush places are mostly found thriving in the tropical heat of developing countries which lack the infrastructure to either protect them or survive without the tourist industry. Add to that the fact that the most diverse and stunning eco-systems are often the most fragile and you have a recipe for disaster. All of these reasons make it essential that more of us donate our time and effort to helping the most vulnerable places around the world.

3. Personal development
Traveling is not just great fun; it’s also the best way of developing personal skills (unless you’d rather tackle assault courses on a company bonding weekend!) Managing difference, dealing with new places and overcoming the inevitable twangs of homesickness will furnish you with the confidence to tackle most things in your life. How difficult can a new job be when you’ve helped build houses in the monsoon or taught a classroom of noisy children?

4. Get recharged
They say a change is as good as a holiday, but why not do both! There’s nothing like doing something entirely different to put the spring back in your step. Whether it’s the clean fresh air, the excitement of traveling independently or the inspiration you get from making a real difference in people’s lives, we find that people who go traveling return with even more enthusiasm for their lives at home.

5. Make friends and have fun
Volunteering abroad is a great way to make friends because it brings together people with the same interests and places them in a situation where teamwork is essential. Whatever the nationality or age of the people you meet, the chances are you will have plenty in common; they will be people who care about the world, want to do something positive with their lives and enjoy traveling. One of best surprises volunteers get is just what good friends they make while they are away and so many of them tell us that they’ve kept in touch long after they returned home. Make a good impression on volunteers from around the world and you may even get some free holidays!

East London, the Eastern Cape, South Africa is one of the loveliest destinations in South Africa, aside from being a holiday destination it is also a region enjoying a wonderful commitment to growth, here is a little story that might entice you to travel to this sunny region. If you are interested of further information contact the writer at the mail address below.

Imvomvo is the IsiXhosa name for the Aloe flower, to some the flame of the colored bloom sends its message of defiance to the drought that descends daily as we wind our way through a dry winter, to others it signifies hope and dreams. Led by the indefatigable Thoko Mlonyeni, the Imvomvo team tirelessly towards their goals. Imvomvo is a Section 21 Company, an NGO funded primarily by the Australian Government, specializing in the provision of training and all services relevant to the development of physical activity and sport in communities and schools and with the Aloe flower representing their commitment to supporting all branches of the local community.

Having identified the shortcomings of the existing school sport facilities and the need for committed assistance, Imvomo offers training courses, facilitates tournaments and mentors community members including parents, teachers and the elderly within the immediate community to become a trainers. At the same time giving aid and assistance to children of all levels, building skills and building dreams. Imvomvu has formed a symbiotic association with the local community and sports clubs where they often share facilities, together playing an important role in youth development projects by running junior rugby and netball tournaments in Mdantsane. Attempts are being made to revive these sports amongst the youth in the area and to encourage youth to get involved in sport in order to improve their day-to-day circumstances. Working from their Berea office in East London, Thoko and her team are supported by a highly qualified Board of Directors. The Board consist of community leaders in their fields and monitor the strategic direction and vision implemented by Imvomvo her staff, coordinators and volunteers.

With many successful projects behind, such as the Ginsburg Pilot Club project, life skills and self-esteem training for youth including HIV/AIDS programs, Imvomvo plays a significant role in assisting the less advantaged members of our Eastern Cape community to reach their personal development goals. But as with any meaningful project of this nature, there is simply no end to the assistance that is required. Applications are currently being considered by the Department of Sport and Recreation in Bisho. Thoko and her team would certainly appreciate further support from committed local business, the needs of the poorer section of our community are so vast, South Africans are passionate about both sport and community development, this is an opportunity to get constructively involved in the betterment of the community. By example, with the kind assistance from Continental meats, a local butchery, Imvomvo runs a soup kitchen where they serve one meal per day. The soup kitchen facilitated by the elderly volunteers of the immediate community who have been taught to grow vegetables to support this project. Empowerment, a key word in the mission statement, empowerment through learning and skills development, with a vision of becoming a key player in uniting South African communities through sport and leisure programs.

Alan Hawkins – CEO