Table of Contents

Title

Page……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….1

Table of Contents……………………………………………………………………………………………………2

Section #1 PBS Untold Stories Project……..………………………………………………………………3

Section #2 Information Literacy-Code of Cultural Behavior……………………………………...8

1

Section #3 Mountains Beyond Mountains Essays…………………………………………………….18

Section #4 Midterm Online Survey………………………………………………………………………….23

Section #5 Internet- Project Implicit……………………………………………………………………….24

Section #6 Internet- VolunTourism…………………………………………………………………………29

Section #7 Final Online Survey………………………………………………………………………………..38

Section #6: VolunTourism

Summary of Articles:

5. Next, read the five articles that are posted on our Blackboard course management

site for this assignment (click on “Online Work”) and summarize each of the articles (two to

three paragraphs for each). Add to your portfolio.

2

The Events That Shaped & Influenced VolunTourism in Decade 1.0

This article briefly discusses the events that motivated many VolunTourism

programs around the world. The spread of VolunTourism was a major event that helped

shape the decade 1.0. VolunTourism advertising became popular and was advertised in

magazines, traveling websites, and newspapers. Travelocity launched a program to “Travel

for Good” in 2006 that set a trend for traveling and providing community service.

Publication was probably the most notable event that shaped VolunTourism but

natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina in 2005 are the most dramatic influences for

volunteer tourism in Decade 1.0. Voluntourism became recognized as a strategic travel

initiative to assist in the socio-economic recovery of the state of Louisiana shortly after the

devastation. After a decade of lending assistance in disaster relief, VolunTourism has

grown to be more popular in the Decade 1.0 and will be even more popular in the future.

VolunTourism 2020 Vision

The expectant number of voluntourists will reach 160 million by the year 2020 as

stated by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). 160 million put into

3

more unrealistic terms is 1.6 billion people volunteering all over the world. The

VolunTourism organization expects to achieve this number by implementing two

motivational guidelines for success. The first will be to create “Destination-Specific

Voluntourism Web Portals” to gain secondhand experience and knowledge straight from

those who have traveled to that one unique destination. The process will include creating a

joint web portal to provide more recent and applicable information for those who are

interested in traveling to Jordan.

The second is the Dragonfly Effect, which is a method to stir social change and

generate desire in many to volunteer. It requires four wings to be accomplished which

include: focus on a goal, grab attention, engage in connection, and take action. The analogy

comes from the idea that one traveler equals one volunteer will inspire the dragon to fly.

Voluntourism information can spread rapidly through social media outlooks such as

Facebook and Twitter and the Dragonfly affect should rise by the year 2020.

Wisdom and Insight: Brain Fitness, Cognitive Health and VolunTourism

This articles talks about the brain response and stimuli to the VolunTourism

community in relation to brain fitness and cognitive health. It is beneficial to engage with

the local community and lave your comfort zones while you are voluntouring in a foreign

country. The brain needs to rewire itself and adapt to the surrounding changes, which is

called neuroplasticity.

The founder of Sharpbrains.com, Alvaro Fernandes, gives insights on the

importance of exercising your brain so you can learn new languages, new experiences, and

new ways of living while voluntouring. Exercising your brain and nourishing your mind is

just as important as nourishing and taking care of your body.

4

The Age of the Transformation Economy

Voluntourism has reached a new transformation where voluntourists aim to assist,

grow, and learn. The host communities are the ones who evoke such aspirations.

Individuals no longer act in accordance with their likes and interests but on how much it

will transform them as a person. People are starting to search for personal internal growth

and meaning instead of just external gratification. The number of voluntourists every year

is continuing to grow dramatically. People want to help and assist while traveling rather

than just traveling for leisure and relaxation. Many people transform themselves as well as

their lives along their journey. The Transformation Economy will certainly change for the

better because having themes of active participation, purpose and meaning, and desire for

transformation, will benefit a person and create a unique experience and value for them.

Here Comes the Sun

Dr. Larry Beck PhD wrote this article to highlight his experience while voluntouring

in Peru. This article is very similar to the steps to take before choosing a program for

VolunTouring. Dr. Beck traveled with Globe Aware, an organization that forged a

philosophy to offer adventures in service that focus on cultural awareness and

sustainability. There were several projects that Dr. Beck participated in which included

working with children and teaching them how to read and speak English. The benefits of

volunteer tourism compared to ordinary tourism experiences are enormous. Being a

regular tourist limits the interactions with the country that you are traveling to and does

not allow you to totally immerse yourself into the culture or traditions. Being a volunteer

allows you to experience the best of both worlds with volunteer opportunities as well as

tourism opportunities. You get the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others as

5

well as getting to experience a new destination and atmosphere. There is a balance

between helping oneself and helping others.

6

VolunTourism for You?

6. Finally, is VolunTourism something you would consider in future travel plans?

Why or why not? Add to your Portfolio.

VolunTourism is definitely something that I would consider in future travel plans.

When I first learned about what VolunTourism was, I was immediately interested and

wanted to learn more. I have always wanted to help out as much as I could and in any way

that I could because I want to try to make a positive impact and a positive difference in

someone’s life. VolunTourism lets you do that in many places around the world and I would

love to be a part of such a wonderful experience.

7