But you can get a paying job teaching English as a foreign language if you take the appropriate short course. This would work, not only for young people, but for seniors seeking adventure and anyone looking for a change of pace. (Let me suggest, however, that you do a Google search to see what people are saying about a program before you commit yourself to it.)

http://workingabroad.com/page/4/tefl-and-teaching-abroad.htm

     And, if you are a full-time U.S. teacher or administrator, you may want to check out the FULBRIGHT TEACHER EXCHANGE PROGRAM.

http://www.fulbrightexchanges.org/

     Or an AFS INTERCULTURAL PROGRAM. AFS “provides intercultural learning and volunteer opportunities for students, young adults, teachers and families through international exchange.” They have a program for high school students and ones for people “over eighteen.” Find out more here:

http://www.afs.org/afs_or/home

     The GLOBAL VOLUNTEER NETWORK, based in New Zealand, connects volunteers to communities in need worldwide.

http://www.volunteer.org.nz/

SEE THE WORLD WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

     "Adventure Travel, Habitat Style:" They ask, "Want to change the world - and be changed in the process? Take a short-term, house-building trip to one of Habitat's many destinations around the world and work alongside homeowners and local volunteers of all backgrounds, races and religions."

http://www.habitat.org/hw/dec_2006/feature7.html

     And here's the address for the youth program, which invites young people to spend school breaks helping others get a home of their own:

http://www.habitat.org/youthprograms/int/

     Years after Hurricane Katrina, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY is still hard at work putting roofs over people's heads in Louisiana and Mississippi. (They say, “Gulf Coast recovery is a marathon, not a sprint.”) HABITAT FOR HUMANITY is also hard at work around the world. If you live outside the U.S., I'd suggest you click below to see what programs you might help with:

http://www.habitat.org/hw/archive/archive.aspx