Home And Garden Tips and Info

Volunteer Programs Abroad make a difference only if people get involved.  Most of us would consider ourselves to be good people at heart, but when was the last time you gave back to your community? This question isn’t meant to make you feel bad, rather to really think about your impact on the world. If you feel you could be doing more, you should think about volunteering abroad. Yes, there are opportunities to help out right where you live, but there are so many places in the world that don’t have volunteers in the area. Underprivileged countries such as Nicaragua and Ghana are in desperate need of your aid. Even countries with strong economic growth like India and China are seeking volunteers year round. The sense of accomplishment you’re left with will stay with you for years to come after you participate in a volunteer program.
 
If you’re not swayed yet, have you considered the bonuses of volunteering? First off, you’d be traveling for a very attractive rate. Most volunteer organizations only require participants to pay for the cost of their lodging and meals, if applicable. Volunteering is also a great way to beef up your resume for graduate school or your next job. While abroad, you’re not just giving back to the community, but also gaining relevant work experience. This looks great on your resume because it gives you another job position, more references, and also shows the viewer that you adapt well to unfamiliar environments and welcome the challenge, as the position was taken on voluntarily. Lastly, volunteering is a great way to make new friends or tighten the bond in an existing friendship if you decide to travel with pals.
 
It’s very easy to get caught up in the excitement of the idea, but the decision to participate should not be made in haste. Lots of planning goes into organizing a volunteer program, and a sudden cancellation can disappoint the organization planned to host you. But, if you’re 100% certain that you want to volunteer abroad, it’s best to get start planning your trip as soon as possible.
 
The easiest way to organize a program is to go through some sort of volunteering agency that specializes in programs abroad. If your Internet searches do not yield any results, your local travel agent may be of some assistance. Once you’ve found your agency, it’s time to decide what you want out of your program.
 
First off, where do you want to volunteer? There’s no shortage of organizations that need your help, so you’ll have your pick of any location in the world. If you like beaches, Costa Rica would be best. If you like mountains, Bolivia or Peru are top choices. Looking for something a bit more exotic? Why not volunter in Nepal?
 
Next, you need to consider the time frame you could work. Keep in mind, some programs require you to take a preparatory language courses at a language school.  This requirement could be anywhere from one week to one month, so schedule accordingly. If you want to jump straight into volunteering, consider volunteering at an English-speaking placement or in a country where you already have a fairly advanced knowledge of the local language. If you’d like to focus on language courses, a part-time volunteer program would be your best bet.  In these programs, participants take courses in the morning and volunteer in the afternoon. Be sure to consider that your expenses aren’t limited to just your spending abroad; you will still be accumulating bills and rent in the States, so budget accordingly.
 
Look into any application or pre-departure requirements. Some programs require additional documents when applying, such as a resume, passport copy, essay, references, etc. Make sure you can prepare all these documents before applying, so you don’t delay the process once your application has been submitted- remember, the great placement that’s available now may not be available in a few weeks! Also, be sure that you have the proper visas or passports before departing. Some programs may provide a letter of invitation, while others may leave the responsibility on you, so be sure that everything is taken care of in advance.
 
Finally, congratulate yourself for taking the first steps in bettering the world. You can rest easy knowing that by deciding to put others before yourself; you will be making a real difference in someone’s life.

 

Tags: volunteer programs | volunteer programs | volunteer in Nepal | volunteer in Nepal | volunteer abroad | volunteer abroad | Nepal Volunteer | Nepal Volunteer | voluntary work | voluntary work

del.icio.us Digg Furl Reddit

This entry was posted on Friday, March 7th, 2008 at 5:14 pm and is filed under Education resources. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.