naijacutee:

Is there a market for knowledge tourism in Nigeria? i.e people who want to travel abroad not to emigrate, but for the sole purpose of gaining unconventional knowledge (not classroom knowledge). For example, someone travels to Brazil for 6 months to learn Portuguese, experience the culture and learn the way Brazilian people do things. During the 6 month period, the "knowledge tourist" might engage in unpaid/voluntary work (again, just to experience the way things are done there), social activites etc.

Obviously, this sort of tourism costs money as the tourist will not have a sustainable source of income during this period. Also, it is probably most suitable for the unmarried or "unattached" due to the pressures of relationships. However, do the benefits of this sort of activity outweigh the costs? i.e Is it worth undergoing such an activity to come back to Nigeria and have on one's CV "With my work experience in Brazil/Columbia/Cuba for 6 months, I gained X, Y, Z skills and I now speak fluent Spanish".

So my questions are :-

- Do you attach value to gaining knowledge, over gaining cash (especially if the knowledge is capable of helping you gain cash in the future?)
- If you had disposable income, is this an activity you would be interested in undertaking?

Sorry for going off your topic Naijacutee. I made a post on Startups under the Money/Business section and i was auto banned.

My username is: E_force

Thanks

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Well, we saw the (Jewish?) girl that travelled to Ibadan to learn Yoruba. Nigerian languages can be taught.

naijacutee:

Is there a market for knowledge tourism in Nigeria? i.e people who want to travel abroad not to emigrate, but for the sole purpose of gaining unconventional knowledge (not classroom knowledge). For example, someone travels to Brazil for 6 months to learn Portuguese, experience the culture and learn the way Brazilian people do things. During the 6 month period, the "knowledge tourist" might engage in unpaid/voluntary work (again, just to experience the way things are done there), social activites etc.

Obviously, this sort of tourism costs money as the tourist will not have a sustainable source of income during this period. Also, it is probably most suitable for the unmarried or "unattached" due to the pressures of relationships. However, do the benefits of this sort of activity outweigh the costs? i.e Is it worth undergoing such an activity to come back to Nigeria and have on one's CV "With my work experience in Brazil/Columbia/Cuba for 6 months, I gained X, Y, Z skills and I now speak fluent Spanish".

So my questions are :-

- Do you attach value to gaining knowledge, over gaining cash (especially if the knowledge is capable of helping you gain cash in the future?)
- If you had disposable income, is this an activity you would be interested in undertaking?

I don't see why not. Though, expect to get 90% of prospective emigres instead. Most people from poor countries like Nigeria trave abroad in search of a better life, and not for knowledge.

Yes knowledge is power. But the problem with Nigerians is that we lack career people, i mean everybody is just down for the money. Well, it all boil down to poverty and unconscious competition among everybody. As for me, i live your whole write up in my dreamz.

It depends on individuals. Me I will be engaging in that from mid August, I will b traversing Kenya, Zambia and South Africa. I will spending 2 weeks in a settlement few kilometres away from Luanda where I will be joining some volunteers coming in from the U.S and Canada to renovate homes for the poor, we go dig, carry block, plaster, paint, we go dey work from 8a.m-4p.m (mon-sat) the host community go provide food and shelter, evenings and sundays the group go dey go sightseeing and on the last day, the host community go host a feast for us in a big way, then I move to Kenya where I wud b staying in Nairobi in a serene environment for 7 days, my feeding and accommodation go cost me about 14,000 kenya Shillings (about $152) and I get to volunteer in one of the National parks that is a walking distance from where I will be staying, get to work with giraffes

Then I will head down to Cape Town (South Africa) where I will be volunteering with some Catholic Nuns for 2 weeks (they will feed and shelter) and after which I head back to Eko akete, to continue the husslement

My flight tickets go cost me N272,540

faceurbook:

It depends on individuals. Me I will be engaging in that from mid August, I will b traversing Kenya, Zambia and South Africa. I will spending 2 weeks in a settlement few kilometres away from Luanda where I will be joining some volunteers coming in from the U.S and Canada to renovate homes for the poor, we go dig, carry block, plaster, paint, we go dey work from 8a.m-4p.m (mon-sat) the host community go provide food and shelter, evenings and sundays the group go dey go sightseeing and on the last day, the host community go host a feast for us in a big way, then I move to Kenya where I wud b staying in Nairobi in a serene environment for 7 days, my feeding and accommodation go cost me about 14,000 kenya Shillings (about $152) and I get to volunteer in one of the National parks that is a walking distance from where I will be staying, get to work with giraffes

Then I will head down to Cape Town (South Africa) where I will be volunteering with some Catholic Nuns for 2 weeks (they will feed and shelter) and after which I head back to Eko akete, to continue the husslement

My flight tickets go cost me N272,540

man, you're one in a hundred million. I am impressed, really am.

Nigerians shud re-orientate demselves, there is world out there dat is beyond Naira and Kobo. Try move around and no say, the world is bigger than the spot we are standing on. Volunteerism opens us to opportunities, I have been in workcamps with people from diverse race and orientation. We are all born to be free to experience life from different angles, change environment and feel fresh air sweeping through your mind. I have made friends through various work camps (Ghana, Kenya, Botswana, SA). I was invited last month to join them in Macedonia for a building project but couldn't go because of engagements despite they were paying for fare and arranging Visa. They no longer see you as a Nigerian but another willing heart whose hands are willing to serve. Nigerians shud begin to look in volunteerism, you can start from ur neighbourhood, You can volunteer 2 hrs on Saturday mornings to teach kids Maths/English. In Ghana, I with some volunteers from UK, Canada, US, Barbados taught some Street kids English for 2 weeks, the impact was life changing. All it cost me was a bargain N25,400 return ticket to Ghana, the host Volunteer group fed and accommodated us.

That people came from outside Ghana because of them, inspired the kids to focus during the period.

Look at the public schools, kids are not getting anything out of the system (if you want 2 laugh tell them to write a composition ) one can take up a school let say Primary 6, focus on their maths and English for 3hrs every Saturday, I tell by the end of a term, these kids are transformed and would neva 4get u. Some years ago, I volunteered in a public school in Enugu (Lagos public school looks like a private school in comparison to theirs) every saturday I drilled about 16 pupils of Primary 6 on English Language, Verbal Aptitude, Maths and Quantitative Aptitude from the not itoo nterested in education village kids, 2 of the kids made it to Federal Govt Girls College Lejja Nsukka and Federal Govt College, Okigwe.

Make out time, it counts

faceurbook:

Nigerians shud re-orientate demselves, there is world out there dat is beyond Naira and Kobo. Try move around and no say, the world is bigger than the spot we are standing on. Volunteerism opens us to opportunities, I have been in workcamps with people from diverse race and orientation. We are all born to be free to experience life from different angles, change environment and feel fresh air sweeping through your mind. I have made friends through various work camps (Ghana, Kenya, Botswana, SA). I was invited last month to join them in Macedonia for a building project but couldn't go because of engagements despite they were paying for fare and arranging Visa. They no longer see you as a Nigerian but another willing heart whose hands are willing to serve. Nigerians shud begin to look in volunteerism, you can start from your neighbourhood, You can volunteer 2 hrs on Saturday mornings to teach kids Maths/English. In Ghana, I with some volunteers from UK, Canada, US, Barbados taught some Street kids English for 2 weeks, the impact was life changing. All it cost me was a bargain N25,400 return ticket to Ghana, the host Volunteer group fed and accommodated us.

That people came from outside Ghana because of them, inspired the kids to focus during the period.

Look at the public schools, kids are not getting anything out of the system (if you want 2 laugh tell them to write a composition ) one can take up a school let say Primary 6, focus on their maths and English for 3hrs every Saturday, I tell by the end of a term, these kids are transformed and would neva 4get u. Some years ago, I volunteered in a public school in Enugu (Lagos public school looks like a private school in comparison to theirs) every saturday I drilled about 16 pupils of Primary 6 on English Language, Verbal Aptitude, Maths and Quantitative Aptitude from the not itoo nterested in education village kids, 2 of the kids made it to Federal Govt Girls College Lejja Nsukka and Federal Govt College, Okigwe.

Make out time, it counts

You are so right. But in Naija, most of us are slaves to life. People are busy slaving away to support their lifestyles, their ever-demanding families, church/mosque or whatever, etc, etc. That's where all the energy goes. The little space for recreation is filled with meaningless habits like overeating, parties, etc.

I do volunteer. I'm involved with a couple of youth-focused NGOs. But I like your story, and I'd like to do something similar, maybe not now but in the future.
Will look out for volunteer opportunities like this.

faceurbook:

Nigerians shud re-orientate demselves, there is world out there dat is beyond Naira and Kobo. Try move around and no say, the world is bigger than the spot we are standing on. Volunteerism opens us to opportunities, I have been in workcamps with people from diverse race and orientation. We are all born to be free to experience life from different angles, change environment and feel fresh air sweeping through your mind. I have made friends through  various work camps (Ghana, Kenya, Botswana, SA).  I was invited last month to join them in Macedonia for a building project but couldn't go because of engagements despite they were paying for fare and arranging Visa.  They no longer see you as a Nigerian but another willing heart whose hands are willing to serve. Nigerians shud begin to look in volunteerism, you can start from your neighbourhood, You can volunteer 2 hrs on Saturday mornings to teach kids Maths/English. In Ghana, I with some volunteers from UK, Canada, US, Barbados taught some Street kids English for 2 weeks, the impact was life changing. All it cost me was a bargain N25,400 return ticket to Ghana, the host Volunteer group fed and accommodated us.

That people came from outside Ghana because of them, inspired the kids to focus during the period.

Look at the public schools, kids are not getting anything out of the system (if you want 2 laugh tell them to write a composition ) one can take up a school let say Primary 6, focus on their maths and English for 3hrs every Saturday, I tell by the end of a term, these kids are transformed and would neva 4get u. Some years ago, I volunteered in a public school in Enugu (Lagos public school looks like a private school in comparison to theirs) every saturday I drilled about 16 pupils of Primary 6 on English Language, Verbal Aptitude, Maths and Quantitative Aptitude from the not itoo nterested in education village kids, 2  of the kids made it to Federal Govt Girls College Lejja Nsukka and Federal Govt College, Okigwe.

Make out time, it counts

I MUST SAY, I AM DEEPLY INSPIRED. THE LIKES OF YOU MAKE ME A PROUD NIGERIAN. IF MOST NIGERIAN COULD BE RE-ORIENTATED TOWARDS COMMUNITY SERVICE EVEN TO OUR IMMEDIATE ENVIRONMENT, THE SKY WOULD BE A STARTING POINT NOT THE LIMIT [FOR EXPLOITS]. I WISH 'COMMUNITY SERVICE' COULD BE ENTRENCHED IN OUR SCHOOL CURRICULUM. IT WOULD BE A MILESTONE TO ATTITUDINAL CHANGE IN MOST NIGERIAN.

YOU ARE A GREAT PERSON FACEURBOOK, THE WORLD NEEDS YOU

THANK YOU

No better answer yet?

i.e Is it worth undergoing such an activity to come back to Nigeria and have on one's CV "With my work experience in Brazil/Columbia/Cuba for 6 months, I gained X, Y, Z skills and I now speak fluent Spanish".

This question should be for HR people, sometimes it appears they are mostly interested in the class and degree title of the applicant most especially entry level but for experienced hire this could be relevant

For working people or people with disposable income this should be a brilliant idea but perhaps for shorter period instead of the six months

faceurbook:

Nigerians shud re-orientate demselves, there is world out there dat is beyond Naira and Kobo. Try move around and no say, the world is bigger than the spot we are standing on. Volunteerism opens us to opportunities, I have been in workcamps with people from diverse race and orientation. We are all born to be free to experience life from different angles, change environment and feel fresh air sweeping through your mind. I have made friends through various work camps (Ghana, Kenya, Botswana, SA). I was invited last month to join them in Macedonia for a building project but couldn't go because of engagements despite they were paying for fare and arranging Visa. They no longer see you as a Nigerian but another willing heart whose hands are willing to serve. Nigerians shud begin to look in volunteerism, you can start from your neighbourhood, You can volunteer 2 hrs on Saturday mornings to teach kids Maths/English. In Ghana, I with some volunteers from UK, Canada, US, Barbados taught some Street kids English for 2 weeks, the impact was life changing. All it cost me was a bargain N25,400 return ticket to Ghana, the host Volunteer group fed and accommodated us.

That people came from outside Ghana because of them, inspired the kids to focus during the period.

Look at the public schools, kids are not getting anything out of the system (if you want 2 laugh tell them to write a composition ) one can take up a school let say Primary 6, focus on their maths and English for 3hrs every Saturday, I tell by the end of a term, these kids are transformed and would neva 4get u. Some years ago, I volunteered in a public school in Enugu (Lagos public school looks like a private school in comparison to theirs) every saturday I drilled about 16 pupils of Primary 6 on English Language, Verbal Aptitude, Maths and Quantitative Aptitude from the not itoo nterested in education village kids, 2 of the kids made it to Federal Govt Girls College Lejja Nsukka and Federal Govt College, Okigwe.

Make out time, it counts

I'm truely impressed most especially as you actually sort out this information and it cost less than what most students spend on blackberry and weave on! If they only made out time to search for valuable life experiences like these instead of the daily search for 'internet business'.

Dis Guy:

I'm truely impressed most especially as you actually sort out this information and it cost less than what most students spend on blackberry and weave on! If they only made out time to search for valuable life experiences like these instead of the daily search for 'internet business'.

Not just students, all of us.
Those of us earning money are the ones that need to get busy volunteering.
The students are just trying to ape our premium lifestyles.

True everyone should be able to find time to volunteer
if they start as student especially recent graduates It helps inoculate the culture so they
continue with it when they start earning and raising a family the older ones already find it challenging as it wasn't in their plan
before the wife and kids come along even though its still possible.

Hi Faceyrbook,

How can one be a participant on this type of lofty idea you mentioned here?

@Faceurbook

I admire you, it really takes a lot of courage to travel to step outside of one's self and view the world through a wider lens than our everyday lives allow. especially not just only taking pictures when we travel but leaving our footprints behind. It has given me something to ponder on. KEEP IT UP!

Best thread i ve seen on nairaland!!!
i really want to volunteer, i hope they accept my application!!
wat a rewarding feeling one will have for serving humanity.

Especially in in a location where you can do it well witout distractions from family and frds!

AjanleKoko:

I don't see why not. Though, expect to get 90% of prospective emigres instead. Most people from poor countries like Nigeria trave abroad in search of a better life, and not for knowledge.

It can work in Nigeria so long as those involved aren't looking to gouge/exploit the participants. It can be done at local level and bring in reasonable income so long as the end result is achieved i.e. learning the local language and getting involved in local projects. People are hospitable enough and it can work when they see the value it will bring to them locally.

N101:

It can work in Nigeria so long as those involved aren't looking to gouge/exploit the participants. It can be done at local level and bring in reasonable income so long as the end result is achieved i.e. learning the local language and getting involved in local projects. People are hospitable enough and it can work when they see the value it will bring to them locally.

If the promoters are not like Mr Fred of Crystal Services, I'm sure they will do a thorough job of vetting prospective applicants. Why would anyone want to disappear in Malawi? Though I don't put it past our people.

faceurbook:

It depends on individuals. Me I will be engaging in that from mid August, I will b traversing Kenya, Zambia and South Africa. I will spending 2 weeks in a settlement few kilometres away from Luanda where I will be joining some volunteers coming in from the U.S and Canada to renovate homes for the poor, we go dig, carry block, plaster, paint, we go dey work from 8a.m-4p.m (mon-sat) the host community go provide food and shelter, evenings and sundays the group go dey go sightseeing and on the last day, the host community go host a feast for us in a big way, then I move to Kenya where I wud b staying in Nairobi in a serene environment for 7 days, my feeding and accommodation go cost me about 14,000 kenya Shillings (about $152) and I get to volunteer in one of the National parks that is a walking distance from where I will be staying, get to work with giraffes

Then I will head down to Cape Town (South Africa) where I will be volunteering with some Catholic Nuns for 2 weeks (they will feed and shelter) and after which I head back to Eko akete, to continue the husslement

My flight tickets go cost me N272,540

Hi, can i ask, how did you come by this volunteer arrangements?

It depends on individuals. Me I will be engaging in that from mid August, I will b traversing Kenya, Zambia and South Africa. I will spending 2 weeks in a settlement few kilometres away from Luanda where I will be joining some volunteers coming in from the U.S and Canada to renovate homes for the poor, we go dig, carry block, plaster, paint, we go dey work from 8a.m-4p.m (mon-sat) the host community go provide food and shelter, evenings and sundays the group go dey go sightseeing and on the last day, the host community go host a feast for us in a big way, then I move to Kenya where I wud b staying in Nairobi in a serene environment for 7 days, my feeding and accommodation go cost me about 14,000 kenya Shillings (about $152) and I get to volunteer in one of the National parks that is a walking distance from where I will be staying, get to work with giraffes

Then I will head down to Cape Town (South Africa) where I will be volunteering with some Catholic Nuns for 2 weeks (they will feed and shelter) and after which I head back to Eko akete, to continue the husslement

My flight tickets go cost me N272,540

why fly halfway around africa when the same situation you're going to fix, is right there in lagos and other parts of nigeria?

are you nigerian, or am i missing something.

tpia@:



why fly halfway around africa when the same situation you're going to fix, is right there in lagos and other parts of nigeria?

are you nigerian, or am i missing something.

Well, there's not much by way of organized volunteer projects in Nigeria, believe it or not. Just a few NGOs,some of which are merely a bunch of smart alecs trying to take people's money. I've lost some doe in the past to such.

violent:

Hi, can i ask, how did you come by this volunteer arrangements?

Not holding brief for that poster, but you can try www.africanimpact.org.

^^i think habitat for humanity is also in nigeria and besides that, the need in the country is just as great as anything you're going to do elsewhere.

tpia@:

^^i think habitat for humanity is also in nigeria and besides that, the need in the country is just as great as anything you're going to do elsewhere.

Yeah.
But sometimes people want to get out of their immediate environment. Though I do agree there is a lot to be done in Nig.