VIA Global Community Fellowship

Why did you decide to volunteer abroad with VIA in China?

Sarah: My decision to choose VIA over other volunteer organizations was primarily because of its location of posts in rural western China and it's partnerships with local grassroots NGOs. Also, the cost of the program is low compared to other volunteer programs and we are given a stipend and apartment. I was initially wary of volunteer programs that required you to pay a program fee, but I now understand that being apart of VIA gives the volunteer a lot of support in the field. VIA has also given me a very accessible network of other volunteers, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations to work with in the immediate area and throughout China. This added support and connections, and feeling of a volunteer community, is what makes VIA unique.

Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.

Sarah: I live in Xining, a city of about 2 million in western China, on the edge of the Tibetan plateau. My job as a volunteer is to teach at the local university and be an english resource for an NGO run by local Tibetan women.

In a week, my work as a volunteer has a wide range which keeps things interesting. I might spend the morning teaching a class on exercise physiology or the history of the U.S. Civil War to university students, then go to the office of one of the small NGOs I work with in the afternoon for a staff meeting or to work one-on-one with a staff member editing a report. Or I might judge an English speaking competition at the university, or I might be spending the day working from home, lesson planning or editing an autobiography that a graduated student is working on. Of course, there is a set schedule for teaching at the university, but there are many other things in Xining that the volunteer can be involved in.

This is not your average "English teacher in China" job-- this is work that has much more purpose and provides the volunteer with the opportunity to truly be involved with the community.

How has this experience helped you grow personally and professionally?

Sarah: Professionally, I have learned a lot through experience, most of which I think would be impossible for me to do in the U.S. without the correct requirements. Although there is sometimes limited professional guidance, I feel confident and capable doing the work that I am doing. There are many members of the local community that have helped me to learn about the area and helped me to improve.

I have slowly learned how to teach university-level classes and I have gained valuable experience working with local NGOs, learning a lot about international fundraising and grant writing. And new opportunities are always unfolding: next year, I will work as the project manager for a project called Orphanage Without Walls, working with staff from 6 small local NGOs to find opportunities for orphans in rural areas to go to school and support their foster families.

Before going to China with VIA, I felt I had the ability to do great things, but I couldn't get a better job than working as a cashier in a hardware store without going to school or somehow getting experience.

However, I honestly think the best part of my experience here has been the long-term, in-depth relationships with people. It is also great to be living a life where I can (and must) constantly be learning new things.

What position do you hold at VIA Programs and why do you like working there?

I’m the Senior Asia Programs Director at VIA, which means I focus on all the programs we run in China and Southeast Asia. Working at VIA is my dream job because I’m constantly meeting and working closely with incredible people in the U.S. and abroad, all of whom share a commitment to making the world a better place. I’ve been at VIA for five years, which has allowed me to develop strong relationships with amazing community leaders across Asia.

Did you volunteer abroad? If so, where and what inspired you to go?

I've taught and interned in China, South Africa, and Peru. Responsible volunteering has always been an important tool for me to learn more about the most important issues in the world and help cement my worldview. Every time I visit a new community, I'm able to learn something that will influence my future decisions. I've always been inspired by the potential that international collaboration has to address issues that can be simultaneously local and global.

How does your organization differ from other ones in the industry?

VIA started in the 1960s and is one of the pioneers in creating ethical and authentic service experiences. In most of the places we work, VIA was one of the first U.S. organizations invited by the host government to send volunteers. Early access has allowed us to build decades-long relationships with host communities, partners, and governments.

VIA is also unique in regards to our alumni support. Most of our funding comes from alumni donations and many alumni are able to find job opportunities through the VIA network. Finally, we’re leading the way in multiple country exchanges. To the best of our knowledge, our Sports for Social Change Program in Vietnam and Cambodia is the first three-country exchange program to use sports as a pathway to peace building.

Can you tell us a story where the volunteers' work impacted the local community, either as a whole or as a particular individual?

One of our longest partnerships in Burma (Myanmar) has been with a school that provides a bridge for talented high school graduates for receiving full scholarship opportunities to study at universities across the U.S. Our volunteers and fellows have taught hundreds of students who were then able to get a world-class education.

Most of them have returned home to Burma as the country opens up and reform takes place across all sectors. These talented and hard-working students and recent graduates are soon going to be leading the way to a more prosperous and inclusive country and we’re proud to have helped play a supporting role in this process.

What does the future hold for VIA Programs - any exciting new programs to share?

VIA has a thriving two-way exchange between Asia and the United States. In addition, to sending Americans abroad, we run programs in Silicon Valley and San Francisco for emerging leaders across Asia.

With 50 years of history and alumni, our next priority is connecting the ecosystem of changemakers across the world. We’re also designing more three-country experiential learning and service programs so that our participants can get connected to multiple cultures when they join VIA.