Study abroad or plant trees?

deathcookie

deathcookie

Active member
I got accepted into a program where I will learn about economic development while working with an NGO in the middle of nowhere in Bolivia for three months. The program will pay for 70% of my costs, excluding tuition.

I am also thinking about planting trees in BC and going down there on my own (I really want to get my Spanish skills up).

If I do the international service learning program I get to spend a month skiing/biking in Whistler before I go, which would be awesome. Have any of you done a program like this, where you spend your summer working with an NGO in a third world country? How was it?
 
if you get the chance to go and work in south america for several months, definitely go for it. every single person i know who has been there had such incredible experiences.
 
I'd do the south america thing. Once you get back you can always do the tree planting thing any ol' summer, the other one seems like the sort of thing that doesn't come around too often.

Plus telling chicks about your "travels in south america" could get you laid..
 
Planting trees in Canada has nothing to do with saving the planet. You are working on a farm, with a crop that has a very long crop rotation.

Depending on how fit/motivated you are and how quickly you pick it up. As well as where you end up working and how long you choose to work for (most inexperienced planters only work 8 weeks or so) dictates how much money you will make. Don't expect to break the bank your first year (or two) planting. Sure, there are some people who pick it up really quick and make some good coin their first year, but they are the exception.

Honestly, I say go to Bolivia man. Tree planting is NOT worth your time if you are planning on just doing one season. Two seasons of planting minimum to make it worth it.

That being said, I am a 'career' planter and if you ARE planning on doing it for more than one season, I say go planting. Just don't get mad at me if you end up with a shit company making no money in a shitty living environment.
 
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