When you take part in a volunteering project abroad through Concordia, you
can be sure you’ll be making a real difference. To a community, and to
yourself.

You’ll be with people from all over the world. You may miss some home
comforts, but you’ll have a lot of fun. You’ll get an experience you will carry
with you forever. And maybe even some great friends for life.

The Concordia difference

Unlike some, we’re in it for passion, not profit. Unlike voluntourism
operators we ask for just a small contribution towards our administration costs.
But that doesn’t mean you’ll have less of an experience. Quite the opposite
actually – we don’t spoonfeed and do everything for you. You’ll be really
hands-on, living and breathing your project, solving problems as a group.
Discussions can be lively!

For nearly 70 years now, we’ve provided volunteering and work opportunities
overseas and here in the UK. Today we work with partner organisations from 60
countries. Each one understands the realities of life in their own
community.

We each organise projects in our own countries, and then ‘swap’ the volunteer
places. So every project ends up with a rich mix of nationalities. You’ll learn
stuff you could never get from reading or the internet, not just about the place
where you volunteer – but about the different habits, attitudes, foods and ways
of life of many countries. We believe there’s no
better way to promote real, lasting understanding across cultures, continents
and political divides.

And if you fancy volunteering for the odd day closer to home in the UK, we
can arrange that too. Either for individuals, or for businesses looking to put
back into the community.

Why not search for a project and see where volunteering could take you? Or
for inspiration, check out the latest stories on our volunteers’ blog

Concordia is featured in the Game Changers 2011 cover story of Metropolis magazine with “Rebuilding New Orleans Schools,” an article on the firm’s approach to community engagement and Nexus planning for the public schools of New Orleans.

Click to read: Link

Concordia is a charming north Portland neighborhood. Right near many of the best parts of Portland, it still exudes a laid back, off-the-cuff aesthetic that many other neighborhoods have been lacking in recent years. With lots of history and a polished feeling, Concordia can be a good first step when visiting Portland.

Northeast of downtown Portland, Concordia sometimes feels like a forgotten neighborhood. Many people visit the parks, nearby Alberta Arts District, and the popular Kennedy School restaurant, but not everyone can identify the neighborhood. Even longtime city residents have a hard time putting the name “Concordia” on a map.

Despite not being a household name, the neighborhood contains many great parks, including Wilshire Park, Fernhill Park, and others. They vary in size, but most offer off-leash areas as well as lots of green space to relax with a book in the sun or have a fun picnic.

Concordia also houses a private, Concordia University. This university was founded 1905 and has a variety of newer buildings as well as older, ivy-bound buildings.  The university also serves as the neighborhood’s namesake despite being a small college of only 2,000 students.

Ainsworth Street can be a great street to stroll down. With a large, tree-filled median, it makes for a lovely weekend walk with your family and pets.

The neighborhood’s official boundaries are between 22nd and 42nd Avenues with Columbia Boulevard marking the north boundary and Alberta or Prescott the southern boundary. Portlandneighborhoods.com explains that “many homes have been revitalized and improved and this is a charming neighborhood with plenty of shopping, dining, and other amenities in the area.”

One of the best ways to experience the neighborhood is on foot. While it is not serviced by the MAX train, numerous TriMet buses also run through the area. Many of the buildings are a mix between mid-century construction and older homes.

With numerous coffee shops, restaurants, and local shops to choose from, it can be a great extension on a trip to the Alberta Arts District or other northeast Portland destinations.

HelloPortland: Looking for outdoor fun? On the third Thursday of every month, the nearby Alberta Street Fair offers great local goods, art, and fun

Library Resources for Distance Education Students

The Concordia Library has an extensive collection of online materials and is a member of several library networks that will allow you to find materials relevant to your distance course-work. Please email us at library@concordia.ab.ca to learn more about the options available to you.

If you have questions after reading this page, please contact us.

Circulation Services

Borrowing Books from the Concordia Library
•If you are a member of a NEOS library (including Concordia), you can request items through Concordia WorldCat (our library catalogue) and have them delivered to most NEOS libraries (Concordia Library is unable to ship materials directly to patrons).
•Items must be borrowed using your Concordia Library card (Student ID card).
•Items can be borrowed from and returned to most NEOS libraries.

Borrowing Books from Alberta Libraries

The Alberta Library (TAL) Card
•Students will receive a TAL card with registration.
•Concordia students can borrow up to 5 books in person from any TAL participating library in Alberta.

COPPUL Card
•If you live near a participating COPPUL library, Concordia will include a COPPUL card with your registration package.
•Concordia students with a valid COPPUL card can borrow materials in person from participating COPPUL libraries across Alberta.

Borrowing Books from Across Canada
•With a valid COPPUL card, Concordia students can borrow materials in person from participating COPPUL or OCUL libraries across Canada (except for: Ontario College of Art & Design and the University of Toronto).
•Find a COPPUL (Council of Prairie and Pacific University Libraries) library in your area.
•Find an OCUL (Ontario Council of University Libraries) library in your area.
•Find a CAUL (Council of Atlantic University Libraries) library in your area.

Loan Periods on Concordia Materials
•Two week loan period.
•Reserves (in-house use only; loan periods vary).
•Reference materials, journals and oversize materials cannot be borrowed.
•Curriculum, media and recreational reading materials are available for local loan to Concordia patrons only.

Loan Periods on NEOS Materials
•Two week loan period.
•Reserves may borrowed in-house only.
•Reference materials cannot be borrowed.
•Journals cannot be borrowed.

Loan Periods on TAL, COPPUL and COPPUL/OCUL Materials
•Consult with lending library.

Renewal of Library Materials
•Normally, Concordia materials may be renewed four times, by Concordia patrons, unless the material is requested by another user.
•Normally, NEOS materials may be renewed twice, unless the material is requested by another user.
•For renewal of TAL, COPPUL and COPPUL/OCUL library materials, consult with the lending library.

Fines
•Fines for Concordia non-reserve items is $1.00 / day.
•Fines for Concordia reserve items is 50 cents / hour.
•Fines for items from other NEOS libraries vary.

Photocopy Services
•Students may photocopy journal articles and sections from books in person. A copier is available on the main floor of the library and copies cost 20 cents per page.

Interlibrary Loans
•You may contact your local public library for Interlibrary Loan services.
Electronic Resources

Journal Articles
•Concordia students can access Concordia’s collection of full-text journal articles through one of many databases on the library website.
•Find articles related to many topics by choosing a subject category at the E-Resources page.
•Some resources may require a user name and password. You may phone Information Services for this information or email the Information Services Librarian.
•Access to journal articles is limited to those available online through Concordia. Articles will not be mailed.

Electronic Books
•Concordia students have access to Concordia’s electronic book collection of over 200,000 titles.
•These books are accessed through our E-Books page or through Concordia WorldCat.
•To access these resources remotely, you need to provide the 13-digit barcode number and PIN (last 4 digits of your phone number). If you are a Parish Services student, your PIN will be the last 4 digits of your student ID number.

Information Services

You can ask questions of a Concordia Information Services staff member using online instant messaging or contact the Information Services Librarian.

Concordia was founded as a charity in 1943 with the aim of recruiting British volunteers to pick fruit and crops as part of the war effort. Nearly 70 years on, and we have grown considerably. Whilst we are still very much a non-profit organisation, we are now internationally recognised, providing workers and volunteers from over 50 nations with placements in the UK and abroad.
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A non profit organisation with a caring ethos behind everything we do. By introducing much needed workers and volunteers to the communities and farms who need help, we hope to encourage an understanding of different beliefs and cultures and promote harmony between nations. We also hope that everyone involved gets to make new friends and enjoys themselves along the way.

We are always looking for new ways for people from different cultures to live, learn and experience through work, education and volunteering. If you think you can help Concordia, why not email us ? info@concordia.org.uk