Top 5 Spring Break Destinations

Spring break is known to be a time when college students take a break from the books to let loose and party in tropical locations before the final stretch of the semester. What most students don’t realize is that they can experience an exotic, foreign location while at the same time lending a helping hand to service various communities abroad in need. This week away from the classroom and personal obligations is the perfect opportunity to not only help others, but to learn more about yourself. Instead of lounging around, why not spend the week across the world where you have the opportunity to become immersed in a foreign culture, help strengthen a community and have time to explore and engage in adventurous excursions?! Here are the top 5 volunteer abroad Quest destinations provided by United Planet for Spring Break 2014.

Peru – Ever wonder what it would be like to explore the ruins of Ancient Inca civilizations? This is your chance! When participating in a Quest to Peru, one of the included excursions is a visit to Machu Picchu, one of the seven wonders of the world and one of the most remarkable sites to explore. Pictures do not do this ancient masterpiece justice. Amidst such unforgettable sightseeing, you have the opportunity to participate in community building quests that include working with children and helping to revive harmed wild animals. On a side note, March is considered to be a part of the Peruvian summer and the average climate during this time is a warm and comfortable 66 degrees. What wouldn’t you enjoy during a week stay in Peru?

Nepal – Have you ever heard of Mount Everest, that really tall mountain in Asia? Well, that mountain can be found here in Nepal, a country that is bordered by China and India. Nepal is a place of diverse cultures and religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism and a variety of languages , including Nepali and Maithili, along with English which is prevalent in both government and education. Volunteer opportunities include working at an orphanage and teaching in a classroom. Although the average temperature in March is around 44 degrees, the cooler weather is conducive for trekking through the snow covered Kathmandu valley, an excursion offered by United Planet. Keep things interesting by traveling to a cooler destination rather than a sweltering one!

Romania – The first thing that may come to mind when you think of Romania is the eerie story of Dracula you heard as a child. By participating in the Quest to Romania, you have the opportunity to visit the castle in Transylvania that Dracula is based on, bringing this childhood story to life! Romania, located in Eastern Europe, contains a peaceful landscape outlined by the stunning, vast Carpathian Mountain region. The volunteer opportunity offered in Romania is an unforgettable experience in an orphanage, part of a larger community that includes a marginalized population of abused women, families in need, those with disabilities and homeless pregnant women. Taking part in a Quest in Romania is a fulfilling experience in a country rich in culture and scenic beauty.

Costa Rica – Participating in a Quest in Costa Rica embodies the more traditional Spring Break experience while at the same time offering the volunteer experience as well. Costa Rica, located in Central America, is known for being a lush paradise full of natural beauty and biodiversity along with a year-long average temperature between 71 and 81 degrees, March being one of the warmest months. Costa Ricans are famous for living the “Tico” lifestyle; they are relaxed, kind, welcoming and hospitable. Pura vida is a commonly used phrase directly translating to “pure life” but actually meaning “plenty of life” or “full of life”. It is used as a greeting and to let others know that all is well. The volunteer opportunities in Costa Rica include environmental Quests having to do with ecotourism and wildlife conservation and also a sea turtle conservation project. How could Spring break be better spent than servicing the community in the tropical environment of Costa Rica?

Ecuador – Ecuador, located on the northwestern coast of South America, has so much to offer, including: mountains, beaches, the jungle and ruins of ancient Inca civilizations. The volunteer opportunities in Ecuador are located in the city of Quito, famous for being located on the exact line of the equator, at 0 degrees latitude. Quito is also the capital of Ecuador and is located in the central part of the country. The average temperature in March is in the mid-60s, a perfect temperature for working outside and for exploring the city during allotted free time. The volunteer opportunities consist of community development quests including work at a day care center in a low income neighborhood and child development.

This is your opportunity to experience the Spring Break of a lifetime! Enroll in a week-long, Short-Term Quest to either Peru, Nepal, Romania, Costa Rica or Ecuador to receive the benefits of visiting a foreign location while servicing a community in need. And if you enroll prior to January 31st, you will receive a $100 discount on the Quest of your choice!