Meet New People on a Volunteer Vacation
The Right Mix of People at a Work Site can Greatly Increase the Fun
Jul 2, 2009
Volunteer vacations draw participants from a wide range of ages and nationalities. Each of the host agency, the foreign organization and the type of program can determine the age range, nationalities and even the sexes of the participants. While there is no way to guarantee the exact demographics of people during a specific trip, there are ways to find the preferred demographic mix of co-workers. Consider the following when deciding where to volunteer.
Age Ranges and Groups of People at a Volunteer Site
Volunteers that travel for vacation may range in age from six years to over 80.
Domestic and international volunteers can be made up of single people, married couples and at times, families that can include elementary, middle school, and high school students. While a large number of volunteers seem to come from the college-age community or retiree population, volunteers of any age can be found.
The type, style and location of a volunteer placement can have a major impact on who volunteers for a specific project. For example, while not exclusively true, active outdoor placements have a strong following among the late high school through recent graduate volunteers into career workers. If wanting this type of experience but hoping for a sedate pace, ask the agency about the usual age range for volunteers before making a deposit.
Volunteers Only From Home
Agencies with an office or offices in only one country may attract volunteers predominantly from that country. For example, placements coordinated by a U.S.-based agency with a single office may not draw a range of nationalities at the volunteer worksite.
Volunteers From Around the World
Agencies with offices in more than one country have been known to attract volunteers from a range of nationalities, sexes and ages.
Men Versus Women Volunteers
The type, length of project, time of year and proximity to the volunteer site can affect the ratio of men to women on a specific volunteer vacation. Ask the placing agency about their statistics in general and more specifically about the exact volunteer site under consideration.
Volunteer Placements that Attract Families
Time of the year plays a big part on when families can go abroad to volunteer. During traditional summer vacation season and end of the year holidays, you might expect a larger number of families or volunteers under the age of 18.
Demographics of Local People
It is not uncommon for an international volunteer to work with local people and international professionals in addition to other foreign volunteers. This can be an excellent opportunity to get a taste for the local community, develop friendships and increase cultural understanding.
Finally, find out the age range of the people to be served at the site. These can include infants, toddlers, school children up to grade 12, college students, working people, retirees and seniors. When a volunteer has a definite preference, knowing this in advance can assist in narrowing the options when comparing projects.
The mix of people during a volunteer vacation can make the experience feel like a neighborhood block party or a meeting of the United Nations. Researching in advance helps the traveler find the agency, specific placement and time of year that offers the best chance to connect with the desired community at the work site for a unique and fulfilling volunteer vacation.
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