Why Volunteer
How to Volunteer Abroad to Make a Difference
Have you ever thought about going overseas to make a positive social impact? In a fractured world, where conflict seems to be the norm, seeking to do something positive for others is a great step forward. As many people know, when they volunteer abroad, it’s a chance to do good. For one, you make an impact in relation to the cause where you volunteer. But you also receive something in return because you earn the satisfaction that comes from doing good.
If you’ve ever considered how you could volunteer abroad for the climate, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will give you what you need to do to make a positive impact regarding any social issue—through volunteering. You’ll understand the process of volunteering abroad and how to research and find a reputable volunteer organization that will provide you with a fantastic experience.
If you’d like to skip to sections in our volunteer guide, you can click into one of the sections below and quickly scroll through the jump link. Of course, you can also read this guide from start to finish. With that, let’s get started and make your experience of volunteering abroad fantastic right from the start!
- Understanding the Importance of Volunteer Work
- Volunteer Organizations: Choosing the Right One
- Preparing for Volunteerism: 10 Essential Steps for a Fulling Experience
- Embarking on a Transformative Volunteer Journey
Understanding the Importance of Volunteer Work
For generations, people have traveled overseas to do volunteer work. There’s a simple reason why so many have traveled this road. It’s a pivotal way to make a social impact and help others overcome challenges worldwide. As we know, when we all work together, it helps others, but it also helps us. It gives us a feeling of fulfillment and pride after doing a good deed. Volunteer work goes beyond immediate assistance. It helps to support sustainable development and empowers people. Let’s explore some of the benefits of volunteer work.
1. Building Sustainable Communities through Volunteer Work
As we all know, we’re dealing with an existential climate crisis. As reported by the World Resources Institute, the damage to the climate due to our collective carbon footprint is more significant and severe. Fortunately, NGOs and the global population continually push for substantial change since no Planet B exists. If you’re interested in doing volunteer work, you could help fight the effects of climate change. But you could do more. For instance, you could work on solutions that are sustainable environmentally, socially, and economically.
2. Fostering Cross-Cultural Understanding through Volunteerism
While the rise of social media and tech has been a boon, they’ve also created challenges. The Center for Humane Technology lists a ledger of harms. Still, when we sit in the same space, human to human, great things happen. As a result, one of the great benefits of participating in volunteer organizations is that you help promote tolerance and understanding. You have the chance to immerse yourself in another population. In the process, you help others, but you also learn from them through their cultures and traditions.
3. Enhancing Personal and Professional Development
Another plus you get when you volunteer abroad is a tool for growth. The fact is that volunteering places you squarely outside your comfort zone. As a result, you develop resilience and hone skills, such as teamwork, leadership, and adaptability. Going abroad propels you to develop your independence, and resourcefulness, and in the process, it builds your self-confidence. In turn, these essential soft skills enrich your life—and your resume. You gain a global view and a renewed sense of self when you volunteer abroad, and that’s attractive to employers.
Volunteer Organizations: Choosing the Right One
Are you ready to go on your volunteering adventure abroad? Well, if the answer is a resounding yes, that’s a great thing. The next step in the process is to create a list of volunteer organizations from which to choose. Of course, you want to select a reputable organization for your experience abroad. But there are more things you want to consider so you align your goals with the experience. By researching and considering essential factors, you’re better positioned to maximize your impact when you volunteer abroad.
1. Researching Volunteer Organizations for Authentic Experiences
As you start your volunteerism research, and before you commit, you want to do your homework. Take the time to create a list of organizational prospects with a proven track record. For instance, you want to ensure that the organization adheres to ethical practices for volunteering. You also want to know about the experiences of those who’ve volunteered with them. So, read reviews and testimonials from people who’ve volunteered in the past. Doing so will allow you to get insights about a volunteer organization before you commit.
2. Assessing Volunteer Program Suitability
The reality is that depending on your goals and aspirations, not all volunteer programs are equal. So, what makes for an excellent volunteerism opportunity for someone might not make one for you. Therefore, when you’re exploring a volunteer abroad opportunity, take into account your skills, interests, and favorite causes. For example, you could work on wildlife conservation, healthcare, or education. The aim is to find the right program that aligns with your interests and values for a rewarding experience.
3. Examining Organizational Partnerships and Local Community Involvement
The best volunteer organizations have solid partnerships and relationships in the communities where they operate. So, as you develop your short list of organizations, explore what activities and partnerships these entities have with local communities. Make it a point to look at news articles and speak to members of the teams where you’re considering joining for a volunteer experience. Proven organizations should be able to provide you with concrete community-driven programs that meet the needs of local populations.
4. Financial Transparency and Accountability
A critical indicator of a trustworthy volunteer abroad organization is transparency. You can discover their financials depending on the country where you’re exploring the organization. For example, in the United States, Candid’s Guidestar platform exists, and other nations have their own financial transparency platforms. Look to see how funds get allocated and get a clear understanding of an organization’s program fees. In short, volunteer fees are used efficiently to support the intended communities and volunteers.
5. Evaluating Health and Safety Measures
It’s also essential to do volunteerism with an organization that prioritizes your health and safety—as well as that of their teams and the local communities where they operate. So, when you start to have a handful of volunteer organizations, make it a point to discuss health and safety protocols before making a decision. In your conversations, include discussions about their emergency response plans, medical support, and even the accommodation standards. A reputable organization will ensure volunteers feel secure and supported.
Preparing for Volunteerism: 10 Essential Steps for a Fulfilling Experience
Once you’ve made the decision to pursue an experience with volunteerism and have been accepted, you then have to prepare for your journey. Chances are you are filled with excitement, which is terrific. Still, you may have some nerves, which is natural. And the way to get around that is simply to prepare for what’s bound to be a genuinely fulfilling experience. Let’s explore 10 steps to prepare for the journey of a lifetime.
1. Cultural Sensitivity Learning
One of the first places your volunteerism journey begins is at home. Learning about other cultures should be one of the first steps on your journey. A place to start to learn about other countries is with their cultures and traditions. Take the time to read the host country’s customs and special holidays or events. By doing so, you ensure that you’ll appreciate and integrate well with the local population. Also, as you research, find out the social customs in the host country to create a respectful foundation for your interactions.
2. Language Proficiency
It may not be mandatory, but learning some basic language skills will significantly enhance your interactions and experience. Take the time to discover and practice some essential words and phrases to help you with simple conversations and so you can express yourself. Fortunately, you can download many language apps to your mobile, which you can practice at any time on demand. When you learn a bit of the host country’s language, you help to break down language barriers and ensure more rewarding volunteer work.
3. Researching Local Customs and Etiquette for Volunteerism
As mentioned earlier, understanding the specific customs and etiquette of the host country is vital in volunteerism. More broadly, you want to learn how people greet each other. It’s also important to know local dress codes and the nuances of social interactions. When you take the time to understand local customs, social nuances, and etiquette, you demonstrate to people in the host country that you respect their community. Even if nothing is said, it’s something the locals will notice and appreciate.
4. Familiarizing Yourself with Your Volunteer Work Project Details
Of course, when you choose to volunteer abroad, it’s essential to understand the work you’re doing. So, find out everything you need to know about the project you’ll do. Familiarize yourself with the goals, timelines, and outcomes of the program. If you happen to do something for the environment, as an example, do more research and find out the impact of sustainability in the communities of the host country. By taking the time to inform yourself, you ensure you create a much richer experience because you understand the impact you will make.
5. Health Precautions and Vaccinations
Depending on where you decide to experience volunteerism, it’s important to prioritize your health. For instance, it is necessary to ensure you’re up to date on your vaccinations or even obtain other vaccines. You should check if there are specific health measures recommended for the region you visit. Also, you want to ensure you know things as common as water. Depending on the host country, or even region, you may want to know if water is safe to drink or if you need filtered water for drinking and bathing.
6. Packing Essentials and Cultural-Appropriate Attire
When traveling for a volunteer abroad opportunity, it’s essential to pack mindfully. For one, you have to consider the climate. But you also need to know about the cultural norms of the destination. So, take the time to learn what you’ll want to pack—or not. Don’t forget to include essentials and comfortable clothing. Make sure you have comfortable and durable footwear. And if your project requires any specific items, make sure to include those as well. In short, prepare to adapt your regular attire depending on the situation.
7. Understanding Local Infrastructure and Amenities
Depending on the country you plan to visit, you should research the infrastructure and available amenities. Remember that the host country is another country. As someone seeking to volunteer abroad, you should familiarize yourself with local transportation options in the host country. You should also understand the local health facilities in case of emergency. And if you plan on going out with fellow volunteers, find out what the locals do for entertainment. Knowing these things will help you to navigate better where you’ll spend your time.
8. Establishing Communication Channels with the Volunteer Organization
When you select the volunteer organization where you’ll go abroad, creating an open communication channel is essential. Remember, you may have doubts and concerns, which are normal. The volunteering organization will allow you to clarify your thinking about the program, accommodations, on-the-ground support—and more. By creating clear communication channels, you’ll feel better and more secure as your travel date draws near. Their team will provide you with the necessary support throughout your volunteer journey.
9. Building a Support Network
If and where possible, connect with fellow volunteers before the start of your journey. Of course, you can get to know others in any pre-travel events the volunteer organization hosts. But you can also find informal ways to get in touch with other volunteers. For example, you can connect with others through social media, online forums, and virtual meetups. By getting to know other volunteers, you’ll have a chance to create a support network for yourself with your peers. In turn, this will enhance your sense of community.
10. Mental and Emotional Preparation
Finally, preparing yourself mentally and emotionally for volunteering abroad is essential. When you travel to another country, especially for an extended period of time, it’s necessary to realize that the experience will be unique. But it will also bring challenges. Cultural differences, living conditions, and the nature of the work may present both joys and difficulties. Therefore, it’s vital to develop an open mindset. Ultimately, your volunteering experience will provide new experiences, so keep an open mind.
Embarking on a Transformative Volunteer Journey
If you’re considering volunteering abroad, you’re taking a big step toward making a difference in the world. This kind of experience allows you to contribute positively. Moreover, it’s a chance for you to grow and find fulfillment. In short, the act of volunteering is a powerful source of good. Not only do you add your efforts to countless others looking to make the world a better place, but you also have a chance to gain a sense of pride and fulfillment.
The fact is that when you volunteer abroad, it’s about something other than an immediate impact, although it could be something you see and experience immediately. For example, you could have the project of building something tangible, like a school building or classroom. However, more often, it’s about creating sustainable communities and friendships. Volunteers are crucial in shaping a more resilient and environmentally focused world. The collective efforts of volunteers are essential in creating a better future.
