Yuppies abandon lifestyles for voluntary work abroad.
So went the headline in a recent newspaper article. Apparently, growing numbers of young professionals are becoming so disillusioned with their lifestyles that they are abandoning their jobs for voluntary work abroad. Katrina Nevin-Ridley, for VSO, said that it had been surprised by the dramatic surge of interest. An analysis of applicants' reasons revealed that many felt that the fast-paced, consumer lifestyle prevailing in Britain, did not allow them sufficient time or space to lead a fulfilling personal life. Other triggers of interest in volunteering were the turn of the millennium, an increased sense of society and personal responsibility, and better awareness of globalisation.