Options for Volunteering Abroad
Finding the Correct Position for International Volunteering
Sep 23, 2009
Volunteering in a developing country is a big decision. All volunteers have their own reasons; many are motivated by the desire to "make a difference," others are looking for a more authentic traveling experience, and for some it is a chance to get some attention grabbing work experience for their resume.
Once committed to the decision, whatever the reasons, finding the perfect opportunity can be a complex and headache filled task. There are so many possibilities, so many websites listing opportunities, and so many companies promising an experience of a lifetime. Where to start?
The Pros and Cons of Paid Volunteering Experiences
Probably the easiest way, but by no means the cheapest, is to sign up through a company or charity that specializes in volunteer opportunities abroad. There are many advantages to this, and for a lot of people it is the most time effective and fun way to have that once in a life time experience. Gap Year is a great resources to start any search.
When volunteering through a company, either as an individual or as part of a group project, almost everything is pre-arranged. Sign up with a reputable firm, pay-up, and rest assured that the trip is insured if the worst should happen: that paying customers have recourse if the experience has been misrepresented; that there will probably be some cultural training before departure; and that flights, visa and accommodation will be arranged .
Perhaps even more importantly, the project will (usually) be well run, worthwhile, and generate a great sense of achievement. What’s more, when in a group, lasting friendships can form and volunteers often experience a unique sense of camaraderie.
Opportunities like this exist in some of the world’s most beautiful and exotic places, and present the chance to do some extraordinary things. From working with rescued Orangutans in Borneo to saving marine life in Madagascar; from teaching children English in Nepal to building hospitals in Malawi. In short, volunteers can do things that can seem impossible and out of reach of everyday life. Trips can last from 2 weeks to 6 months, and can be tailored to meet any age, skill set or fitness level – but all this comes at a cost.
How to Volunteer Independently
Volunteering through a company is particularly appealing for volunteers who are short on time or organizational skills, but it’s not for everyone. For people without the money, or who have a taste for adventure, independent volunteering can provide a unique, at times exhilarating, often extremely frustrating, and ultimately very rewarding experience.
Finding an independent opportunity can be a Herculean task in itself. There are two ways to approach this:
- Choose a country to help, and then search for charities and NGOs based there.
- Choose an area to get involved in, and go to the location that has that opportunity.
There are obviously pros and cons to both – choosing a charity by country might result in volunteers working in a field they are not interested in, or a charity that is poorly run. Choosing a country by charity might leave volunteers in a war torn zone.
Idealist is a website that offers the chance to search for opportunities by either of these criteria, and is a good place to start searching.
But the reality of going it alone is that it’s not easy. Volunteers are left with the complexities of organizing virtually everything themselves: flights, insurance, accommodation, funding, and sometimes even visas. It’s a big commitment to take on; forgetting something important might lead to volunteers finding themselves lost and alone in a country without proper roads, healthcare facilities, and where the local language is completely alien.
But the rewards can be great. There is no better feeling than knowing one has made a difference. Volunteers will find themselves completely immersed in a different culture, gain a completely unique insight into working across cultural and linguistic barriers, and most importantly, have the time of their life.
How to Pick the Best Organization to Improve a Resume
The key to having a successful volunteering experience is to do a lot of research. Volunteers should email potential charities and NGO’s, speak to former volunteers, and discover what really interests them before even applying.
With so many options available, everyone will surely find an opportunity that is just right – and that will look great on a resume.
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