Is Volunteering abroad right for you?
If you have already found this webpage then you
are probably already in the process of considering whether volunteering in another country is right for you. The aim of this particular information guide is to
help you make that decision by giving you some advice and a bit more information before you hopefully choose to commit to an exciting volunteer project.
Anyone can volunteer and if you have the desire, enthusiasm and the want to make a bit of a positive difference feeling then I would strongly suggest you follow that impulse and volunteer as you already have some fo the vital qualities.
I have listed below a few points that you might want to consider if you are not sure that will hopefully help you decide.
By the way, do not forget to visit the rewards of volunteering abroad section to see what some of the benefits are of being
a volunteer abroad.
Helping you to decide to be a volunteer
Number 1 - being a volunteer is a lot of fun, but it also carries with it a level of responsibility as you are helping others or contributing to important projects around the world that are relying on people like you in order to survive and continue. There are fantastic volunteer opportunities and some will appeal more than others so choose wisely and think about what you can do and how much time and money you can commit to your volunteering exerience. The more doubts you have the more research you should do before choosing the right project and making a firm commitment.
Number 2 - volunteering abroad is likely to cost you money. Look at various projects, what they do, compare their costs and check what is included in the price and what you have to pay for. For example you will probably have to pay your own air fare and this in itself can be quite expensive depending upon your destination. Our sections on funding and fundraising should give you more information and some ideas about how you may be able to raise money if you are unable to pay for some or all of the costs of the volunteering trip yourself.
Number 3 - as a volunteer you will probably see countries and parts of the world that tourists would not ordinarily see. This is part of the whole fantastic volunteer experience and is usually fun and very rewarding. You will meet lots of people who will want to get to know you. It can sometimes be a little difficult, however, and you may observe things that you do not feel comfortable with, such as poverty for example, or cultures that have traditions that you may not necessarily agree with. How you deal with such scenarios depends on your personality but it can on occasion be a little distressing. Conversely you may observe traditions and cultural quirks which not only enlighten you to what happens elsewhere, but which you find entertaining, positive, fun and memorable. Overall the volunteer experience should be fantastic but you should bear in mind that you will encounter many things that will certainly surprise you.
Number 4 - the rewards that come with volunteering abroad are second to none in my opinion. Seeing the joy on people's faces when you help and assist them, getting to know other cultures and languages, eating new foods and sampling new experiences are all part of the adventure that you undetake as a volunteer. There is so much to gain from being a volunteer abroad, both in terms of your own personal development and the benefits to those that you help, that this alone could be enough to persuade you to be a volunteer. You will have a few downs, but you will have a lot more ups and when you look back it should be with a fondness of a time that you will never forget.
Time to Decide?
I hope that has helped a little. I personally hope you decide that it is something you would like to do as, speaking from personal experience, I am sure it is something you will enjoy and remember for the rest of your life. Ultimately of course it is your decision. I did not have to think too long about it because I knew it was something that I just wanted to do and that I would not feel settled until I had done it. Now that I have been a volunteer I am already considering my next venture...
Don't forget there are a wealth of resources on this site to help you plan and prepare your volunteer trip such as our comprehensive volunteer guides and our list of volunteer organisations. Read the guides, contact the organisations and then make the decision! Good luck!
If you have any comments regarding this information guide on helping you to decide about volunteering abroad, please do contact us. Thank you!