RIGHTS

The sad truth about the world is that not everyone is granted even basic human rights. In many countries, social class, race, and gender play a large factor in the uneven distribution of rights. Whether your interest lies in helping women find freedom from sexual oppression or narrowing the gaps between social classes by volunteering in education, many international organizations exist to help you fight the good fight, all while further fueling your travels.

ALL ABOUT THE PEACE CORPS

The Peace Corps was created in 1961 to promote world peace and friendship by offering the helping hands of Americans to countries in need. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers have since served in over a hundred different countries.

Since the organization is so well established—and pretty selective—being a Peace Corps volunteer has become a rite of passage and an excellent résumé builder for anyone interested in a career in global development. A two-year stint in a foreign country with travel, food, and living expenses all taken care of does sound pretty sweet. But it isn’t all peaceful handholding and love hugs. We’ll shake down everything about this government-run program so you can better see if you want to climb up the Peace Corps tree.

THE MISSION

The agency asks for twenty-seven months of your time: three for in-country training on language, cross-cultural, technical, and health skills, and the remaining twenty-four for spending in an appointed host country fulfilling your duties. In return, they’ll pay for your travel to and from the country, cover medical and dental expenses during service, provide you with living quarters, and give you a monthly allowance large enough to cover food. On top of that, you get a nice chunk of change (currently $8,000 before taxes) when your service is complete. As a Peace Corps volunteer, you can try your helpful hand at educating the world’s youth; creating shelters, jobs, and opportunities; and keeping the planet green.

APPLICATION PROCESS

There are six separate fields in the program, all emphasizing education. You can apply for specific positions in Education; Health and HIV/AIDS; Business and Information and Communication Technology; Environment, Youth, and Community Development; and Agriculture. As long as you’re an of-age US citizen you can apply, but since getting accepted has become fairly competitive, at least some background (college degree, prior experience, etc.) in a designated field will make you a much more appealing candidate. Jobs cycle fast, and the application process takes months, so get on it quick if you’re game.

SOMETHING TO CONSIDER

In theory, the Peace Corps is a fantastic agency set out to better the world. In practice, many people have found their service to be a bit sketchy at times. Not all communities welcome wide-eyed Americans with open arms, and many have their own preconceived notions about our culture (or lack thereof). Manage your expectations, and—like you always should when traveling—stay alert. Many places that need help from the Peace Corps need it for a reason. They can be dangerous, unstructured, lawless lands, and, as a Peace Corps Volunteer (PVC), it’s up to you to stay tight on your shit. Volunteers have had their gear stolen, gotten sick throughout their service, fought with locals who sometimes aren’t as friendly as you’d imagine, and—the Peace Corps’ largest looming problem—have even been raped. Worst of all, among these unforseeable issues, is that the Peace Corps itself can be unresponsive and unhelpful. Try to envsion twenty-seven months of service before you sign up, ’cause it’ll be a long time until you’ll be back home dreaming about traveling again.

The Peace Corps definitely has its ups and downs. It won’t exactly be fun or easy, but the best experiences never are. Some days will be long and grueling; others will be positively life changing—for you and those in your community.

THE HAPS WITH HABITAT

Habitat for Humanity is a Christian organization that’s been at the forefront of building housing for those in need since the mid-’70s. Initially, Habitat aimed to build affordable housing for low-income Americans through the use of donated funds and labor. In 1984, former president Jimmy Carter participated in a building program in New York City that gave the organization a PR boost and caused Habitat’s popularity to skyrocket. With the help of volunteers, they have built over half a million homes worldwide. You don’t have to believe in Noah and his ark to volunteer your biceps’ strength and hammering skills. International programs run from six months to a year and are available in countries all over the world.

SEX SELLS SLAVES

All tassels aren’t created equal. There are currently nearly thirty million slaves in the modern “free” world—more than at any other time in history. Thriving off of the reality that “sex sells,” human trafficking is a severe, global atrocity that still goes largely unnoticed, despite the fact that it often takes place in plain view. Fortunately, there are many ways to be part of the solution, beginning with learning about the situation.

The human sex trade is a $32-billion-dollar-per-year business. Simply stated, slavery continues to exist because of greed and poverty. Sex is a profitable market, second only to illegal drugs, with many “businessmen” dipping into both sex and drugs to double the financial gain. Like any sharp businessmen, human traffickers gauge their industry and pounce on opportunity. Wherever there is an extreme tragedy forcing victims into homelessness or desperation, there are lurking predators waiting in the wings to offer “assistance.” Promising the poor and hungry a chance to eat and make money, these scumbag traffickers lure downtrodden women and men into working in brothels, massage parlors, and strip clubs, or onto the streets, where they work off their “debts.” Most of the victims are women under the age of eighteen. Many are children handed over by their own parents, who are tricked into believing that they are sending their kid to learn a legitimate trade that will eventually bring money into the household. Human trafficking is prevalent wherever there is poverty, but especially throughout Southeast Asia, Africa, India, Eastern Europe, and South America.

GIVING WOMEN REAL CHOICES

Numerous organizations are attempting to abolish modern slavery by empowering victims to financially sustain themselves and their families and providing them alternatives to selling their bodies to survive. Various organizations are working toward a solution by providing a space for women to sell their handmade items and showcase their other skills. Global Mamas (Global Mamas.org) empowers African women from various regions by creating a global marketplace around their handmade goods like traditional batik fabrics, glass beads, shea butter, and recycled plastic accessories. Other organizations like Not For Sale are partnering with sister groups around the globe to set up job-training programs for human-trafficking victims. These programs also offer safe shelter, holistic healing classes, and day care to help victims transition.

WAYS YOU CAN HELP

It is important to remember that, without demand, there is no need for supply. We’re not suggesting that you never go to a strip club again, but disengaging yourself from the activities that perpetuate the problem will lessen the demand. Sex tourism in places like Thailand encourages people to travel to certain destinations solely for the opportunity to meet underage girls and boys. If something seems creepy, it probably is—hands off! There are hundreds of ways to get involved in the movement to end modern slavery. If you fancy yourself a writer or designer, contact one of the many organizations like Not For Sale and donate your talent and time. Next time you have a gift to buy in countries where sex trafficking is prevalent, seek out items handmade by women and make purchases with a purpose.

NAKED AWARENESS

Prostitution and stripping are not always tied to modern slavery. People often make an educated, empowered choice to participate in these professions, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But for those whose “choice” is a life-or-death situation, their bodies and lives are no longer their own. As backpackers who love a good, sexy time, we need to be aware of this dehumanizing atrocity and start becoming part of the solution. No effort is too small—except no effort at all.

WILL WORK FOR FOOD

While everyone’s interpretation of what makes a good meal varies culturally, one thing is universal across the board: we all need to eat. The problem is, over a billion people around the world don’t (and can’t), due to factors like lack of access to adequate food sources, droughts, natural disasters, or civil conflicts. The benefits of dropping off a bowl of rice and beans (an approach taken by some relief organizations) are short-lived, and volunteer programs are often too temporary to make a real difference. Building your career around alleviating world hunger—now that’s a tasty idea that sits well in the stomach.

GET YOUR CREDS

Devoting your life to combating hunger starts with getting a degree in the field. The main umbrella for this sort of work is known as International Development, and you can study the field at all levels (BA, MA, and PhD). If you want to get more specific, there are programs that go into the economics of food scarcity and security, agricultural development, nutrition, and logistics (moving food from developed to developing countries), among others.

START SMALL

If you like getting down and dirty, there are plenty of opportunities to work directly with local communities on a smaller scale. If you want to be outdoors, check into small sustainable farms that need help with planting, reaping seasonal harvests, and transporting food to markets. Working at food banks (both at home and abroad) will usually put you in direct contact with those who need a helping hand. If you’re obsessed with food documentaries and read books like The Omnivore’s Dilemma, put all of that food knowledge to use and teach nutrition classes in communities that have high rates of malnutrition. If Fair Trade is your game, find organizations that advocate for fair wages paid to small farmers in exchange for their quality produce.

FUCK IT, GO BIG!

An industry giant, the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) is first to respond when disasters strike and wipe out food sources. These guys also work to prepare for emergencies before they happen, as well as educate communities worldwide on nutrition and agriculture. Another huge NGO that dominates the field is the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. The FAO focuses on everything from sustainable farming practices to researching water scarcities. Both organizations are constantly looking for internationally-minded individuals with varied skills, and offer opportunities that place employees and interns on projects all around the world. Pick up some creds working in the field and apply to the opportunities these big shots have available.

FIVE BEST COUNTRIES TO STUDY ABROAD FOR POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJORS

If you’re studying to be one of our country’s political greats, gaining a worldly perspective puts politics into a broader context. Once you’ve sorted your Washingtons and Hamiltons stateside, check out a political science program abroad to add international knowledge to your think bank. Take advantage of our local study break suggestions but keep in mind that it’s easy for people to blackmail you with foreign debauchery when you run for governor.

EUROPE: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

The global fondue melting pot of Geneva is one of the world’s most important cities financially and diplomatically. It’s home to the second-biggest United Nations office (after New York City) and many other intergovernmental agencies. Most poli-sci study abroad programs here focus on international relations (you know, because of the whole Geneva Convention thing?). Known as the “Capital of Peace,” the Swiss capital’s army is equipped with tweezers, a toothpick, nail file, and corkscrew that all fold away into a nice red pocket knife. You’ll be safe.

Study Break!

Situated between two lakes and surrounded by dominating mountain ranges, Interlaken is the adventure sports capital of Europe. Whether you want to skydive, bungee jump, go canyoning (see page 26), hang glide, or scale a glacier, this is the spot for good, old-fashioned shit-your-pants adventure.

AUSTRALIA: CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA

One hundred years ago, presumably over a Fosters, an old convict from Sydney met with an old convict from Melbourne and pitted each respective colony’s best boxing kangaroos against each other in a death match that would determine which city would be Australia’s capital. When the match ended in a draw, a random location between the cities was chosen, and Canberra became the capital. Here, you can learn more about this and other fascinating Australian law-making processes in the Parliamentary Internship Program—a program that lets you work directly with members of Australia’s Parliament for a full semester of college credit.

Study Break!

Fraser Island in Queensland is the world’s largest sand island. College students flock to party here with water so turquoise it looks Photoshopped and sand so powdery white it would excite, confuse, and ultimately disappoint Scarface.

AFRICA: GABARONE, BOTSWANA

Botswana has a stable, well-run government in a continent where corrupt governments are as plentiful as blood diamonds. You’ll study the politics of Botswana as well as Africa’s role in world politics at a top African university.

Study Break!

The massive Okavango Delta attracts a dense concentration of Africa’s big mammals with its expansive crystal clear water channels. You can row around in dugout canoes and camp in the open among wildlife with no fences or cages. It’s like a weekend camping trip to your local state park—if your local state park had elephants, hippos, lions, hyenas, rhinos, and zebras roaming freely.

SOUTH AMERICA: SANTIAGO, CHILE

The capital of one of the fastest growing economies in South America, Chile is home to a trio of universities with world-class political science programs and was rated the second-best city for students in Latin America. All courses are held in Spanish, so you’ll get plenty of practice in the language with the most native speakers in the world outside of Chinese.

Study Break!

Head way south to Torres del Paine National Park in southern Patagonia. On the four-day trek you’ll see jagged snow capped peaks, avalanches crumbling down mountainsides, icebergs calving off glaciers, and the iconic granite towers. The entire trek is near sea level, so there’s no threat of altitude sickness.

ASIA: HONG KONG

As East Asia lines itself up to be the center of the global economy, Hong Kong offers a unique perspective with its combination of Western and Eastern influences. You can get a study abroad two-fer as many poli-sci programs here emphasize bilingualism and biculturalism.

Study Break!

Take a ferry across to Macau, Asia’s Las Vegas. Make a few short-term investments at a casino, and then blow your winnings at a club. Remember to save a bit for the Macau Tower bungee jump—the highest in the world at over 760 feet.