Volunteering is proving in recent years to be increasingly popular amongst the under-24 demographic. With the recession making competing for university places and graduate jobs tougher than ever, more and more young people are turning towards overseas work to help boost their CVs and expand their employment potential.
Volunteering abroad, however, is not only beneficial for high school, gap-year and graduate students. It is also a great opportunity for career-breakers to put their skills into practice in a new setting, as well as learn new ones.
What are the Pros and Cons of Volunteering?
The personal benefits of volunteering are manifold both in practice and on paper. It develops confidence, independence and social awareness. It helps candidates to speak freely during job interviews and demonstrate examples of valuable attributes put into practice. As well as engaging in an activity that is beneficial to the country which they are staying in, volunteers have the opportunity to taste a new culture, live like a local, make new friends and perhaps even learn a new language.
Homesickness and culture shock are common gripes when far away from home. Unfortunately, there is no sure-fire way of knowing how a traveller will react to an unfamiliar country until they get there. However, it helps volunteers to engage with their peers, who are most probably in the same boat as them. Most work abroad agencies will have officers on hand to deal with any concerns and complaints. Volunteers are also encouraged to learn the language of the country they are staying in, as well as its culture and traditions, as a useful combatant against the travel blues; maintaining an interest in their surroundings should help them reap the learning benefits that living in a foreign country brings.
What Does it Take to be a Volunteer?
Volunteering takes you out of your comfort zone. Ideally, volunteers must be able to meet fresh challenges and adapt quickly to unfamiliar surroundings. Being able to use own initiative is a useful tool, as in many cases, they are expected to be able to plan, organize, and take responsibility of a group. Sometimes volunteers work together rather than independently, in which case, the ability to work well in a team is a vital attribute.
Above all, volunteering is as much about serving society where it is needed, as it is about personal development. A sensitive and thoughtful disposition is therefore paramount when working in a country whose social and cultural history one might be unfamiliar with.
What Kind of Volunteer Projects Are Out There?
Volunteering projects range from the religious to the secular, from the humanitarian (social care, AIDS awareness, crop farming etc.) to the vocational (e.g. journalism, medicine, teaching etc.). As there are literally dozens of international volunteer projects available, run by thousands of different agencies, there is bound to be something for everyone.
Where Do I Start Looking for a Volunteer Scheme?
A useful place to start is an internet search portal like Transitions Abroad or Volunteer Abroad where the contact details for schemes are listed and organized through countries and projects of interest.
What Should I Look Out For when Choosing a Volunteering Agency?
Be aware of a price limit as costs for volunteer travel vary widely. However, the cheapest option isn't always the best. When investigating prices be sure to ask the agency for a breakdown. Most volunteer agencies will charge a lump sum that covers travel costs, medical insurance, accommodation, food, and project training, so it is worth knowing what (and how much) you are paying for. Bear in mind that sometimes self-booked travel arrangements are the cheaper option.
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