Socially Responsible Tourism
With Socially Responsible Tourism at the heart of the program, Chandra NIwas Travels is able to offer more than just top-ranked travel experiences for our guests. Our mission is to create a positive impact on the community by making meaningful cross-cultural connections, providing jobs for local villagers, and giving our guests from all over the world a true understanding of India.
Check out our partner organization, The D.A.A.N. Foundation, started by Chandra Niwas Travels’ founder, Dr. Samvit Audichya. Cultural Exchange participants have the opportunity to get involved at local youth centers. Those who have demonstrated a strong understanding of the culture and our mission will have the opportunity to apply for a helper position at the completion of the program.
Check out our partner organization, The D.A.A.N. Foundation, started by Chandra Niwas Travels’ founder, Dr. Samvit Audichya. Cultural Exchange participants have the opportunity to get involved at local youth centers. Those who have demonstrated a strong understanding of the culture and our mission will have the opportunity to apply for a helper position at the completion of the program.
Top 10 Reasons Why Cultural Exchange Will Help You Get Ahead
Cultural Exchange provides a more engaged form of travel, in which both participants and host communities are able to benefit from the experience.
# 1: Improve Your CV/Résumé and Increase Your Employability
Getting involved in a community based program is a great way of making your CV/résumé stand out. It shows that you are willing to step outside your comfort zone in order to make a difference in the lives of others. This is something greatly appreciated by employers, along with value the life experience, skills and cultural understanding that you will gain through your participation.
# 2: Gain Professional Orientation and/or Clarification
In-depth participation in another culture gives you the opportunity to take time out of your regular routine and think about what you really want to do with your life. By being involved in an area you are interested in pursuing, you will have the opportunity to solidify your goals and career path. Alternatively, you may choose to explore new career possibilities.
# 3: Improve College Admission Chances
Colleges and universities are increasingly looking for candidates with more life experience and, by extension, international travel experience. They perceive community based participation as a ‘productive’ way for young people to step outside their comfort zone, mature and broaden their horizons.
# 4: Improve Chances of College and University Success
By taking time out to associate with a Cultural Exchange Program at a community level, you will also increase your chances of success at college or university by giving yourself the time to mature and focus your interests. Should you choose to study subjects related to your program, you will also have an increased level of motivation, due to having experienced the real-life value of your studies.
# 5: Experience Improved Self-Esteem, Self-Confidence and Life Satisfaction
Involvement with a community from another culture facilitates personal development, which can take the form of improved self-esteem, self-confidence and life satisfaction. By pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone and immersing yourself in a different culture, you are likely to feel a sense of empowerment and also begin to reflect on what you really want from life.
# 6: Avoid Burnout
One of the reasons why universities support candidates taking a year off before entering college life is that they recognize the need to avoid student ‘burnout’. Twelve consecutive years of classes can take a toll on young upcoming college students, therefore before embarking on a major and pursuing a degree program, it may be time for a break. By taking a year off before returning to school you will afford yourself the opportunity to approach the next phase of your education with a fresh start and renewed vigor. The same can also be the case for those about to enter, or indeed already in, the world of work.
# 7: Gain New Knowledge and Work Experience
Community based involvement in another country will provide you with the opportunity to gain knowledge, experience and skills, which you may not be able to acquire at home. The obvious example is learning a foreign language much faster than you could at home by total immersion in the local environment.
# 8: Learn About the World and Different Cultures
Participation in another culture at a community level is a very different experience to that of being a tourist. The emphasis on forming relationships with local people provides an invaluable opportunity to learn about different cultures, develop an understanding of the issues facing the host communities and cultivate a sense of global citizenship.
# 9: Meet Like-Minded People
One of the most long-lasting benefits of participation in grass-roots projects are the friendships you will make during your time abroad. You will meet people from all backgrounds and all walks of life, but the challenges you will overcome together will often create life-long bonds.
# 10: Have an Incredibly Rewarding Experience
Most important of all, immersion in another culture within the local community gives you the chance to give back, which results in an incredible sense of fulfillment. You can be sure that the local people you are meet are learning as much from you as you are from them, so contributing to the development of global citizenship. It’s a symbiotic relationship!
Our programs are designed to be practicable on a Tourist Visa, however we cannot keep up with the constantly changing regulations for every country. We recommend you consult the appropriate government body to find out which is the right one for you.