When is the Best Time for a Volunteer Vacation?
Consider the Timing of the Trip and Home Issues When Planning
Aug 4, 2009
Multiple factors work together to make an international volunteer vacation an amazing experience. When is the best time to go? That depends on the schedule of the volunteer and the availability of the project.
The joy of an international volunteer experience occurs when it is planned to maximize the time at the foreign location in a way that does not detract from returning to life back home. As with any vacation, planning the timing and all the logistics can take a while, even up to year before departure.
Vacationing to Fit Family or Work Schedules
The traveler may have only a narrow range of dates for a volunteer vacation. In one way that can be very helpful, as it reduces the volunteer options and at times the choice of destinations to a manageable number.
One suggestion is that if the volunteer vacation will be one to two weeks in length, consider opportunities closer to home or in similar time zones. As beguiling as a volunteer experience on the other side of the world may sound, valuable days of the trip can be spent just getting to and from the destination. Additional days may be spent recovering from jet lag on both ends of the trip. Think about saving a volunteer trip to a far destination for when there is more time to acclimate and thoroughly enjoy the foreign location.
When are Volunteers Needed?
A number of volunteer agencies have been in existence for many years and offer projects that are on going and available all year. Other projects however, are only offered quarterly, seasonally or at very specific or limited times of the year. Some projects are only offered one to two weeks per year or every other year.
When is the Project Available?
Specialized opportunities such as scientific and medical projects may only be available to volunteers when the scientist or professionals will be in the field. Some projects simply end because the research has been completed. Therefore, even if the volunteer placement agency has shown a project on a regular basis in the past, it is recommended to speak directly to the agency about the longevity of the specific program of interest.
Another example of a seasonal project would be a summer camp experience abroad. While the timing of this project may be at the same time as in the home country, remember that the seasons reverse at the equator. Summer in Peru, Australia and New Zealand is during the winter months in North America.
Off Season or Shoulder Season Travel
If the volunteer is able to travel during these seasons, he may experience the bonus of reduced airfares and hotel costs and fewer crowds when touring. That being said, at times these seasons can bring a higher possibility of weather issues, decreased tour availability and reduced access to some attractions.
Traveling During Traditional Holiday Seasons
Many North American volunteers only have the opportunity to take a vacation during the traditional summer holidays or at the end of the year. During these times, the traveler many experience more expensive flights and a higher percentage of travelers or volunteers from home. Sites and attractions may have larger crowds and longer wait times. When evaluating a foreign location, review the calendar of the national, local and religious holidays of the destination. During foreign holiday times, the volunteer traveler may again experience crowds, higher prices or reduction in the availability of tours and services.
The timing of a volunteer experience can have a huge impact on if the trip turns out to be wonderful or a less than satisfactory experience. Consider carefully the amount of time it will take to acclimate back home. To crush a trip into a limited time schedule may not be the best way to allow the traveler to truly enjoy the volunteer experience and return home refreshed and invigorated.
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