Orthodox Countries & Education?

[JamesR]

Well, my graduation from High-School is about only a year and a half away, and lately I've just been feeling like I'm too lucky. Why do I get to live in a first-world country with really no religious persecution whereas most Orthodox Christians live in backwards parts of the world full of poverty, revolutions and religious persecution? In a sense, I feel like I want to join them--at least for a little while. The thought of perhaps staying in one of these backwards places for a couple years--maybe for college--interests me a bit. Who knows what I could do? I could offer them encouragement, tell them stories about the developed western world, face trials and cry with them, live in the gutter with them, have a spiritual awakening and maybe even meet someone special and take her back to the west with me. Are there any good opportunities or suggestions/ideas you fellows can give me?

[Anastasia1]

Temporary volunteer experience:
Little Lambs-Ukraine, works with Orphans
Peace Corp includes East Europe
YWAM Youth With A Mission, Christian organization that includes Orthodox countries
If you have a heritage in one of those countries, you might look into a Birthright program that lets you volunteer there and helps support your trip.

Long term career work:
Missionary work
Non-profit work
International business development

I don't know much about them, but there are study abroad scholarships and the like.

[augustin717]

Is this for real? Because I can only read it in an ironic key

[JamesR]

"Little-Lambs"? that sounds very interesting. I could work with orphans--I deal with my two younger siblings all the time.

[JamesR]

Is this for real? Because I can only read it in an ironic key

This is for real. I want to do something good in my life other than getting a job and living the stereotypical American life while all the other Orthodox Christians struggle.

[augustin717]

They don't all struggle I imagine. Plus they are the only ones that can help themselves through direct political action . Just like everywhere else.

[Romaios]

In a sense, I feel like I want to join them--at least for a little while. The thought of perhaps staying in one of these backwards places for a couple years--maybe for college--interests me a bit. Who knows what I could do? I could offer them encouragement, tell them stories about the developed western world, face trials and cry with them, live in the gutter with them, have a spiritual awakening and maybe even meet someone special and take her back to the west with me. Are there any good opportunities or suggestions/ideas you fellows can give me?

Do it after you're done with college, if you must. Otherwise you might blow up your own God given chances at a decent existence, as well as "hers".

Plus, with the materialistic rage everywhere (including/especially in backwards Orthodox countries), being a young American volunteer full of noble intentions might not make you exactly eligible. As for 'stories about the developed western world', the attic is full of them, as a saying goes.     

Never take such major decisions on impulse - 'without counsel' (Prov. 15, 22) from people who matter. 

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