i'll second the exotic locale.
volunteer with a good org. in costa rica or something. i helped at an orphanage and helped clear land in a jungle so they could build a hospital there.
it takes you out-of-yourself and shows you how other people live day-to-day, with what they have. i'd bet you could get a solid month or 2 on $4k living in hostels and doing volunteer work. the local people are pretty inspiring too
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