<p>I am considering volunteering abroad during summer in order to improve my ECs. I am thinking of places such as China, India, or Japan. Will this be a bad sign when applying to college? Will this show I only have a lot of money (which is not the case!).</p>
<p>No offense, but this is honestly a stupid question. It will not look bad. In fact it will look very good since it shows your adventurous and caring nature for all people.</p>
<p>If you can really dedicate yourself to your activities, then I would consider it a hook. Make sure to mention it in your essays.</p>
<p>i read somewhere that some college admisssions will regard you as rich and privileged if you go abroad to build houses in Africa.. but personally i think you should do it!! its good that you want to give back :)</p>
<p>The OP clearly states he is doing this to pad his resume,</p>
<p>So my message to you is, Think about the people in the countries you are considering helping...</p>
<p>No offense, but why do people worry so much about what colleges think about every move they make. If your questioning your involvement in philanthropic affairs in other countries because, your doing it solely for your own personal gain. Why even bothering traveling half way across the world and giving those that are less fortunate than you a false facade of hope as you help them when you don't genuinely care about what your doing.</p>
<p>From a slightly more objective point of view (though I agree 100% with Corey above), do you really think that going abroad to relatively well-off countries like China or Japan is going to be that THING, that HOOK or whatever that gets you into Harvard? Jeez, even going to underdeveloped countries like South Africa is sending the wrong messages these days and you think going to those places will help you out? Obviously you're doing <em>something</em> over the summer, but I doubt it will help you in the way you want, ESPECIALLY if you're Asian which I'm guessing you are from your pick of countries and your username. </p>
<p>And did you know that enjoyment diminishes once you're paid to do what you should naturally enjoy? It's called the overjustification effect in psychology, and that's exactly what you're trying to do. You're doing the right thing for the wrong reason. </p>
<p>...BUT that's my philosophy. YOU do what YOU want - it's your life and your money.</p>
<p>Thanks for your the answers guys.</p>
<p>Sorry for not mentioning this earlier, but I also genuinely want to travel the world and experience different cultures. But it's true I am planning to do this also to improve my application. I don't think pursuing those two objectives at the same time a bad thing.</p>
<p>I agree that no one should go out on an insicere trip like this just to impress AdComs. I'm just worried they would get the wrong impression on my intentions.</p>
<p>to be totally utilitarian, i'm sure the people whom you're helping don't honestly care why you're here, as long as they're being taken care of. but realistically, make sure you're being truly genuine. i was in a similar situation as you and opted not to volunteer abroad just because 1) while it was interesting and i genuinely wanted to experience the culture i would be immersing myself in, i would never be able to communicate my interest accurately because it's fairly superficial. and 2) i had other activities interfering.</p>
<p>"No offense, but this is honestly a stupid question."</p>
<p>totally agree</p>
<p>^^^second that.</p>
<p>ahhhhhhhhhhhh, college admissions make the smartest people so crazy.</p>
<p>if you dont have a lot of $$ how could you go to those countries in the first place?? airplane tickets are expensive these days</p>
<p>has anybody heard of the global leadership adventures? can anyone tell me if it's actually real, safe, and good? i am interested in going but i am worried about human trafficking and such.</p>
<p>Never heard of it. You should do a google search or something like that, but if it were me, I'd just go with the more commonly known programs...AFS, SYA, Windsor Mountain, etc...</p>