Connecting with the World Around You – Virtually!
Maybe this isn’t the year you thought it would be in the United States, but you can still explore areas of interest, new ideas and expand you mind from a safe location. Below are some great ideas – many of them “tried and true” that can get your brain moving, provide opportunities to learn about U.S. culture, and maybe even inspire you!
Volunteer!
- OnlineVolunteering.org – United Nations Volunteers; all online; opportunities include translation, art & design, writing & editing, teaching, research, advocacy, and more.
- TranslatorsWithoutBorders.org – provide translations
- Smithsonian Digital Volunteers – si.edu/volunteer/DigitalVolunteers – online volunteer opportunities include transcription and correcting / updating Wikipaedia entries
- Zooniverse.org – some very cool research projects you can do online; check out the language projects!
- ReadingPartners.org – once accepted to the program, serve as reading support for a child
- VolunteerMatch.com – search for posted volunteer opportunities
Free Classes of Interest
- VarsityTutors.com
- EDx.org
- Coursera.org
- FutureLearn.com
View Online
No free trials, just download the app and watch something new! All clips or short content in a wide variety of topics. Totally FREE!
- Smithsonian (app)
- History Channel (app)
- PBS SoCal: (public television for all https://ca.pbslearningmedia.org/
- FreeCableTV (app) – Full television shows, including news
Virtual Tourism
- TripAdvisor.com United States Virtual Tour https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g191-c55689/United-States:Virtual.Tour.html
- GlassTire.com – 5 minute tours of art museums in Texas
- VirtualYosemite.org – interactive virtual tourism at one of our greatest National Parks
- VirtualVisitTours.com – 360o views of Ireland’s vacation destinations
- BBC.co.uk – aerial views of Scotland
- GoogleArts&Culture (App) art and commentary at museums all over the world
Go for a Drive or a Hike – IRL
- CaliforniaThroughMyLens.com
- DiscoverTheForest.org