The Ultimate Guide to Teen Volunteering Abroad: Benefits, Opportunities, and Tips
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Are you a high school or undergrad student looking for a teen volunteering opportunity abroad? Well, Volunteering Solutions is here to help you out, so that you can embark on a meaningful journey and make the most of your time, by contributing towards social change while gaining valuable first-hand work experience.
As a teen volunteer abroad, not only will you get to make a positive impact, but you’ll also have the chance to meet like-minded people and explore the world.
Truth be told, teens who volunteer abroad always stand ahead of their peers, as they have exposure to new cultures and a unique way to look at the world.
In this article, we will talk about the important aspects of teen volunteering opportunities abroad, in ways that classrooms can’t always provide.
What are the benefits of volunteering abroad as a teen?
1. First-hand international work experience
When you volunteer abroad as a student, you gain first-hand experience while working under professionals as well as understand the field through practical exposure. Volunteering abroad as a teen will give you the chance to gain valuable skills like communication, leadership, time management, and teamwork.
2. Personal growth
Volunteering abroad will not only push you to move ahead in your career graph, but it will also enhance your personal growth. As you step out of your comfort zone, you’ll get to embrace the joy of independence and feel more confident about traveling alone and working with a bunch of fellow volunteers.
3. Gain global awareness
No matter which volunteer program you choose and which country you travel to, your global awareness and cultural sensitivity will definitely get a boost after this trip. Over the years, we have seen that living and working in another country allows teens to immerse themselves in different cultures, helping them understand diverse perspectives and cultural practices.
For example, if you are a pre-med student on a medical mission trip to India, you will surely know how the healthcare system functions in the country, what are the major challenges, etc. This will eventually increase your awareness, and help you in your career ahead.
4. Making a difference
As a volunteer, you will be making a difference in the lives of underprivileged communities by addressing critical issues like education, healthcare, women empowerment, wildlife conservation, and environmental preservation.
5. Build a strong resume/CV
When you volunteer abroad as a teen, you earn incredible brownie points that will always keep you ahead of your peers. You will have a better chance of grabbing opportunities when it comes to higher students, and of course, your future employers will always consider you to be a valuable resource. Your volunteering journey will always speak for itself, and it will also show your commitment to social causes, maturity, and a willingness to take on challenges.
Which are the best programs for teen volunteers?
1. Childcare Volunteering Programs:
If you love to spend time with children, and have the zeal to engage with the little ones living in underprivileged communities, then this is your chance to add some sunshine to their lives. As a volunteer, you’ll have to engage in the day-to-day chores of the childcare centers like cleaning, cooking, feeding the kids, etc.
You can also take up some admin work, like managing the resources, raising funds, etc. Other than that, you can also focus on activity-based learning, teaching basic English, Maths, and rhymes to the kids.
2. Teaching Volunteering Programs:
To volunteer abroad as a teacher, you don’t need to have any prior teaching experience, neither do you need a TEFL Certification. All you need is the passion to spread the lights of education among those who are keen to learn.
As a teacher, you’ll mainly work in public schools which are highly understaffed. You can teach English, Maths, History, Geography, and other subjects that you are comfortable with. You can also assist the teachers while they take their classes, and help them with activity-based learning modules. You can also engage the kids in extra-curricular activities.
3. Community Development Programs:
Over the last few years, we have seen that a lot of teen volunteers have shown interest in community development programs, and for all of the right reasons. These projects focus on building infrastructure, helping with food waste management, running charity shops, etc., and as a teen volunteer, you can help in most of these projects, depending on your skills and interests.
4. Environmental Conservation Programs:
If you love to spend time amidst nature, and wish to contribute towards protecting Mother Earth, then these would be perfect for you. As a volunteer, you’ll be working alongside professional conservationists, gaining incredible work exposure. Not only that, but you’ll also learn about environmental challenges faced globally and contribute to sustainable practices.
5. Wildlife Conservation Programs:
A perfect program for wildlife enthusiasts, these programs are extremely popular amongst teen volunteers, being a part of which you’ll be working with rescue centers, wildlife sanctuaries, and animal-care shelters.
You can opt to volunteer in Sri Lanka for turtle conservation or in Thailand, with the elephants, taking care of them and spending time learning about their life. You can also choose to be a part of the marine conservation program in Bali, wildlife conservation in South Africa, and more.
Essential Tips for Teen Volunteers Abroad:
1. Research and choose your program wisely:
A volunteer trip is not a vacation, so be mindful while choosing your destination and the program. Do your research, speak to our Program Advisors to know more about the programs, and read about the destination and the people before you finally embark on your trip.
2. Prepare for the cultural differences:
I won’t say you’ll essentially face a ‘culture shock’, because let’s be honest, in today’s day of social media, we nearly know about everything around the globe. But having said that, on a volunteer trip, you’ll mostly be working with the locals, hence it’s advisable to learn about the customs, traditions, and social norms of your destination, respect local etiquette, and practice cultural sensitivity.
3. Keep a note of your journey:
Your volunteer trip will definitely be one of the best trips of your life, and I would rather suggest that you keep a note of your entire journey, so that years later, you can look back and cherish those memories. You can carry a journal and follow the old-school methods of handwritten notes. Otherwise, you can also start a blog, or make a series on your social media. You never know, you might just end up inspiring others!
4. Learn a new language:
Make the most of your time in a new country and learn a new language! Even a few basic phrases in the local language can go a long way, and it’ll shine brighter on your CV.
5. Be open-minded and flexible:
When you join a volunteer program, it’s very important to be open-minded and flexible. You’ll be meeting people from different backgrounds, and you’ll be working in a completely new set-up, so you’ll have to be extremely adaptive.
6. Be open to learning new things:
A volunteering journey is all about gaining new experiences and learning new things. The more you get involved, take initiative, and communicate with others, the better will be your chances to learn and grow.
Trust me when I say this, your volunteer experience will surely change the way you look at life.
If you are a teen looking for a volunteering opportunity, then now is the time to set sail and be the change you wish to see in the world. To know more about our programs, write to us at [email protected] and our Program Advisors will connect with you.
Also, follow us on Instagram to know more about what our volunteers are up to, and connect with our past volunteers to learn about their experiences.
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