Why it's cool: Live as part of the Hopi community in Arizona's Painted Desert while working to construct a youth center for the reservation's underserved children. During a one-week stay, the villagers of Shungopavi will introduce you to such traditional trades as basket weaving, desert farming, and jewelry design.
How to spin it: Layoff victims can take inspiration from the Hopi people's resilience in the face of adversity. Participating in the tribe's spirit of cooperation and innovation will enhance your team-building skills and your ability to rebound from setbacks.
Why it's cool: Embark on a 34-day spiritual journey through Tibetan mountain ranges, witness a Hindu full-moon festival, and take time for meditation and self-reflection at high-altitude sacred sites.
How to spin it: Sometimes perspective is the best antidote to overanalysis and overreaction. An employee who can separate the truly significant from the truly mundane will help any company as it faces the turbulent times ahead.
Why it's cool: Let the waves rolling off Costa Rica's shoreline wash away your woes. On this monthlong excursion, expert guides help novices and veterans alike stay on top of some of the world's best ocean swells.
How to spin it: New surfers demonstrate the ability and willingness to learn on the job and to persist despite wipeouts. Experts show their readiness to meet new challenges and build upon their existing skill set -- even while swimming among sharks!
Why it's cool: Ghana's rain forests and savannas provide exhilarating forums for imparting and collecting business wisdom. For up to six months, help local entrepreneurs achieve financial success by leading seminars on such basics as record keeping and product marketing.
How to spin it: If your dotcom lost track of reality during the Internet boom, a refresher course on the rules of business will help get your feet back on the ground -- and in the door at a globally minded company that can use your hands-on experience at teaching strategies for success.
Why it's cool: Stay in an 18th-century château in the French countryside while learning the native tongue and preparing culinary delights. Language classes last for up to four weeks, and French cuisine courses require just one additional week. Family and significant others are welcome to join in the cultural immersion.
How to spin it: Your classroom is the world. Rather than sitting behind a desk with a pencil and paper, you prefer to jump right in and experiment. Take this daring attitude with you to job interviews -- along with homemade crepes or quiche -- and you're sure to feed any employer's hunger for innovation.
Why it's cool: In the tropical climate of southern China, novice volunteer teams will help Dr. Zhaoyuan Li save two of the rarest monkey species in the world. Track the monkeys' behavior, analyze their habitat, and draft a management plan to ensure their survival on this two-week environmental expedition.
How to spin it: This animal-conservation mission will teach you how to focus on the details as you monitor behavior, examine environments, and forecast changing conditions. In short, it will sharpen your ability to observe and understand unfamiliar communities -- and to recognize monkey business in the workplace.
Anni Layne (alayne@fastcompany.com) is the Fast Company senior Web editor. Christine Engelken, a former Fast Company intern, is a student at Northwestern University.
Email
Digg
StumbleUpon
Facebook
Buzz Up!
LinkedIn
