The field of international volunteer travel has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few years. Volunteering offers travellers a unique way to experience another culture — giving back to the local community by contributing your time and skills while also providing a window into the day-to-day life of another country and culture.
But the increased opportunities and hundreds of different ways to organise an international volunteer experience can be overwhelming! When organising an international volunteer placement, the most important step is to research, research and research. Organisations that arrange volunteer placements target different locations, vary hugely in price, have diverse missions and styles, and offer different standards of volunteer support. When doing your research, you will want to consider the following:
– In-Country vs. International Organisations: Large international organisations offer volunteer opportunities around the globe, and they are often smoothly run from a Western perspective. Their understanding of on-the-ground operations and local conditions, however, may be limited. In-country organisations tend to be somewhat smaller and more focused in scope. They may be harder to navigate due to language and cultural differences, but they are frequently cheaper, and they offer more direct contact with local organisations and grassroots work. Be sure to understand which category the organisation you choose fits into, and pick one that you feel comfortable working with to arrange your volunteer experience.
– For-Profit vs. Non-Profit: Most of us are naturally drawn to the idea of a non-profit organization, jumping to the logical conclusion that if the organization is not collecting profits, the in-country projects must be the primary beneficiaries. Be careful of this! Though many do worlds of good, some non-profits charge higher prices than for-profits, and the extra cash is not necessarily being given to your project site. Ask companies about their humanitarian programs and the allocation of program fees. Transparent, ethical companies will be happy to share this information with you, no matter what tax category they are in!
– Do-It-Yourself vs. Organised Volunteering: For the cheapest international volunteer option, you can build your own programme by researching in-country organisations that need volunteers. In addition to navigating language barriers, you will need to arrange your own logistics — airport pick-up, travel to remote areas, home stays, and food. You must be prepared to tackle the experience on your own and take personal initiative at your work site. For the experienced traveller, this can be a great route, but first-time volunteers may want to try out a more organised volunteer option.
– In-Country Support: Be sure you understand how much support you can expect to receive during your volunteer programme. Some organisations will meet you at the airport, provide a great home base for you to meet other volunteers, provide free internet, language classes, and have bi-lingual staff available to help resolve any problems or emergencies. Others take a more hands-off approach, organising only your initial airport pick-up and accommodation, but leaving you largely on your own. Remember that you will be travelling in a country where you may not speak the language or fully understand how to get things done. It is important you feel comfortable in order to ensure you have a great experience, and of course in case of an emergency.
Once you have those basic points down, the fun begins! Now you can begin thinking about that one place you have always wanted to see, like the Amazon Jungle, Andes Mountains or the beaches of Central America. You can also begin thinking of the perfect type of work to highlight your skills (teaching English or volunteering with children), to share your professional expertise (in a hospital or at a construction site), or to experience something completely new (working with turtles or leading a photojournalism project).
Do your research, find a good fit, and have fun spreading good in the world!
Try researching Maximo NIvel (www.maximonivel.com), International Volunteer Headquarters (www.volunteerhq.org), and Global Volunteer Network (www.globalvolunteernetwork.org) for samples in some of the categories discussed above.
(Featured image by Arno & Louise Wildlife)
