Service Trips
Through support from the Office of Volunteer Services, students have many unique opportunities to volunteer throughout the United States and in developing nations. You can download the application for the Winter 2012 trips to Calcutta and Vietnam by clicking here: Service Trip Application.Winter.2012
Students initiated the establishment of each of the service trips that we offer. These trips provide students with the opportunity to act globally and to understand the challenges facing people living both in other parts of the world and in the United States. Participants are selected through an application process several months before the trip. The group, which includes a faculty/staff advisor for the international trips, holds weekly meetings in preparation to serve the community where they will travel. Upon return, students are expected to share their experiences with the campus through presentations and informal discussion. The cost of trips are $350 for WAB trips and $3000-3500 for international trips. For more information or to receive an application, please e-mail .
International Service Trip Overviews
City of Joy- Calcutta, India
Founded by a WFU student in 1995, the City of Joy program creates opportunities for students to witness, know, love, experience, and serve the poorest of the poor. A team of ten students, a returning student leader, and a faculty/staff member travel to India over winter break and volunteer for two weeks in conjunction with the late Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity.
Helping Hands- Moscow, Russia
The Helping Hands program provides an opportunity for students to live and work in an orphanage for a two week period. A team of ten students, a returning student leader, and a faculty/staff member travel to Moscow and work primarily on minor construction projects such as painting, spackling, sanding, etc.
Vietnam
The Peacework Ambassadors program provides an opportunity for students to help build a school in a small town outside of Rach Gia, Vietnam for a two week period. A team of students, a returning student leader, and a faculty/staff member travel to Rach Gai, Vietnam and work primarily on minor construction projects such as painting, spackling, sanding, etc. Participants will also spend time with the children playing games and doing crafts. Educational excursions through the town, Rach Gia, Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Quoc Island are also included. The trip is organized through Volunteer Services and Peacework International (http://www.peacework.org/) and departs shortly after the Christmas holiday.
Wake Alternative Break (WAB)
WAB organizes annual service-related spring break trips for students. In the past, students have traveled to rural parts of South Dakota, Oklahoma, Florida, and South Carolina. Students have also volunteered in urban settings including Washington D.C., New Orleans, Charleston, and Boston.
For Faculty/Staff interested in advising a trip
Each international service trip is lead by a past trip participant, and this student leader selects the faculty/staff advisor for the trip. The advisor assists the student leader in charge of the trip and attends the weekly meetings, which enable the group to learn about the country, culture, complete necessary paperwork, and for team building. The faculty/staff member’s expenses are paid for by the Office of Volunteer Services. If you are interested in being an advisor or would like to receive more information, we would love to hear from you! For more information, please contact .