People go abroad for different reasons, and I think I have fairly enough experience of what these reasons may be. Some people just travel for the sake of travelling, precisely because that is what they enjoy. Some go abroad because of important meetings, conferences, and what-not in places outside of the country. In fact, I actually know someone who flew to Japan because he had needed to attend some comic-book-conference there. Now that is very important.
Meanwhile, a few choose to lead the noble life and work in Dominican Republic as a volunteer. Life in the Dominican Republic may be as terrible as in its neighboring Haiti, but life here still has a lot to improve on, as more people desperately need the help of energetic souls who are willing to share their lives with the Dominicans. For example, in this country of nine milliong people, there are still areas where access to clean drinking water is nearly impossible to achieve. The Dominican Republic is even recorded to have the third worst standard of living in the Western Hemisphere.
Fortunately, there are foundations in the Dominican Republic that will allow your expertise to be tapped and used in this poverty-stricken country. Among these foundations are The Dominican Foundation, which offers volunteer packages for interested expats.
Don't worry if you think you cannot handle a particular volunteering activity. There are various volunteering opportunities that will be offered to you. For example, there are medical health missions for health experts, while the rest can assist the Dominicans in establishing their very own business ventures. Once in a while, there are also some special volunteering events that you could join. Just refer to the foundation's website for more details.
So you think the Dominican Republic is all about beaches and jungles? Then think again. Volunteer and change other people's lives. It's the most fulfilling kind of vacation ever.
