There are close to 200 countries in the world and way more cultures, ethnic groups, languages, traditions, ways, and ideas of life that we remain unaware of for the most part of our lives. To be able to travel miles across and experience what’s unknown is a privilege that not many of us get but should.
From traveling to far-flung lands to getting an opportunity to live in a new cultural setup and help people in need, people can have different motivations to volunteer abroad. But what’s your motivation and how do YOU know that it is for you?
Are you one of those want to live in a country that you’ve never been to before? Do you dream to check traveling to a country far away off your bucket list? Do you believe in doing more than just holidaying and getting to know an unknown land – up, close and personal? Do you also have it in you to give back more than you take to the places you travel to? Well, then volunteering abroad is tailor-made for you.
The two primary components of volunteering abroad are – volunteering, an act of kindness, an act done by a responsible global citizen and the second is ‘traveling abroad’, which again is a meaningful exercise that expands our limited horizons in countless ways.
Ideal for budding travelers, gap year enthusiasts, students just out school and college goers – Volunteering Abroad is catching up with people across the globe and to make sure that more and more people join the club, we have a comprehensive guide for you.
Read on to find out the nitty gritty of Volunteering Abroad and get set for your life-altering journey.
If you’ve just graduated from school and are looking for some fresh perspective on life and want a journey full of stories and memories, opt for volunteering abroad. If you are looking to develop skills that help you get into college next year, then the international volunteer work experience and a formal civic engagement are apt for you. On top of it, getting some hands-on work with the local community, living in local homestays, meeting travelers from across the globe and most importantly, getting out of your shell should ideally be your motivation to volunteer abroad.
Volunteering Solutions, a 16-year old international volunteering organization that has placed more than 13,500 volunteers abroad, aims to simplify this experience for you. Choosing the right project and destination for yourself, to make logistical arrangements such as flights, visa, accommodation etc. can together become very daunting. Thus, make a note of these quick 8 steps and you’ll be closer to your volunteering destination sooner than you think.
There are two distinct ways in which in you can volunteer abroad – one is independently in which you contact a social organization overseas and make all logistical arrangements by yourself and second is through an organization that is already working internationally and specializes in placing volunteers in different countries.
While one would presume that doing it all by yourself may reduce costs for and give you more independence in designing your trip but that’s hardly ever true. It’s not easy to plan your first volunteering trip from scratch and also to find a spot in a reliable social organization overseas is challenging. From finding a safe accommodation to not having a dedicated in-country support, doing it all by yourself is never devoid of risks and thus, not recommended. Therefore, to reach out to a reliable volunteering placement organization is desirable for a safe, secure and rewarding journey.
When you opt to go for your volunteering trip with an organization, first and foremost your project placement gets taken care of. Be it working for an orphanage or a wildlife conservation project, there is a spot for you in a verified project that is safe and has appropriate work for you. Furthermore, your accommodation, in-country support, pre-departure preparation and information, meals, visa arrangements, affordable insurance options and also in-country travel gets taken care of by professionals.
Administration costs are the ones which are used by the intermediary organizations and others are used for secure and safe logistical arrangements for the volunteers. Thus, paying for your volunteering trip has a rationale that can seldom be ignored.
Do you have a penchant for helping people and are zealous to explore a new country? Then you have what it takes to volunteer abroad. While there is certainly a lower age limit of 17 years minimum at the time start of volunteering project, exceptions can be made on a case to case basis if you are not too far away from attaining the required age at the time of starting the project. Ideally, all potential volunteers should have the following qualities:
Available in 24 different countries across continents of Asia, Africa, South America, Europe and Australia with wide-ranging opportunities, VolSol has something for all aspiring volunteers. Projects can be broadly be divided into the following categories:
Volunteers who are keen to work with children should opt for child care and orphanage projects. Available at almost all destinations, these projects require volunteers to have a clean criminal background and also be creative, imaginative and affectionate in their approach.
Apt for volunteers eyeing teaching certifications, this project can be opted by all volunteers who either have some background in teaching or have a keen interest in teaching kids. A good opportunity to teach English to students from developing countries, teaching projects are some of the most rewarding ones.
NOTE: Teaching Monks Projects are available in certain countries of Asia.
Designed for volunteers who are enthusiastic about women’s issues and want to work for the upliftment of women in developing nations must opt for our women empowerment projects. From sourcing ideas for Microfinance projects to helping women pick up some employable and English speaking skills, these projects are tailor-made for some of our most enthusiastic and passionate volunteers.
Recommended for students in the medical area or medical practitioners, the Medical and Healthcare volunteering projects require a reasonable exposure in the said field and a resume has to be furnished before for applying for the project.
Suited for volunteers who are passionate about children and people with disabilities, this project is a great opportunity to contribute to the lives of these people. A work experience in the area of disabled care is although desirable but not mandatory to participate in this project.
Tailor-made for nature lovers who want to spend their time in the countryside, the wildlife, and conservation project is made available at several destinations across Asia, Europe, Africa, and Australia. Volunteers are expected to work with the conservationists already at the site and relevant orientation and training are handed out for the same.
For all the sports enthusiasts out there who want to spread the spirit of sports and contribute to the lives of kids interested in sports should opt for this project. Available in Ecuador, South Africa, and Ghana, in areas of Football, Basketball, Surfing, and Swimming, this is an out and out sports nut escapade abroad.
This project is ideal for volunteers interested to pursue their careers in the non-profit sector. In association with local NGOs and social institutions, community development projects encompass a wide array of projects with start dates available all around the year.
Especially interesting for language and culture enthusiasts, the language and culture orientation projects are recommended if you are looking to deeply immerse in local culture, know local customs, learn a little bit of the local language amongst other assimilation exercises. The Spanish Immersion Week, for instance, is ideal for volunteers looking to work on their Spanish before heading out to volunteer in South America.
Designed especially for High School and College Students, the Summer Volunteering Programs which last for 3-weeks are offered in Nepal, India, Thailand, Cambodia, Tanzania and Ghana which combine volunteering and extensive traveling across the destinations.
For people who need a volunteering cum travel experience in a compact period of time, the 2-Week Specials offered in different destinations across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America are ideal.
Additionally, customized group volunteering options for Office Groups, University Students, Families, Friends are also provided. Some of our previous university groups include students from Swinburne University, Georgia Tech University, amongst several others.
The costs of the project are primarily dependant on three verticals.
i) Inclusions – VolSol provides participant volunteers with several facilities for their project that includes:
Over and above the project placement fee, there is an application fee of USD 250 which is used to secure a spot for the participant and for the administrative purposes such as website maintenance, staff salaries, and marketing costs.
Other than that, the program costs are used for the volunteer’s logistical arrangements and the placement fee.
ii) Nature of Project – Depending on the nature of the project, costs vary. Projects that focus solely on volunteering cost lesser than the ones which are combine volunteering and travel.
iii) Duration – Offered between 1-24 weeks, volunteering project is offered on a per week basis and the costs vary accordingly.
Additionally, insurance is an important constituent of the costs and VolSol has tie-ups to make sure that your insurance costs are affordable and inclusive of any unforeseen emergencies.
Exact cost details can be viewed here.
NOTE: Groups can get in touch with the information desk at for special discounted group rates.
The fee that you pay for volunteering covers your accommodation, most meals (depending on the project), you project placement costs and in-country assistance. Besides that, if you choose to head out for eating, exploring the city you are placed in, taking weekend travel options will add to your existing costs. Additionally, it is important to note that since volunteering projects are located in developing countries, everyday living and traveling costs aren’t sky high and you can get by reasonably well in $50-$80 per week.
There are several portals that offer funds and assist in volunteering trips overseas. From GoFundMe, Fundly, iCharity to FundRazr amongst others, you can create a profile on several such portals and seek financial assistance for your project. You can also do some more online research on how to fundraise for your trip. Additionally, volunteers can also seek scholarships and research grants for their projects especially if there are specific academic/non-profit goals.
There are several countries that offer Visa On Arrival, E-Visa and/or a Visa Free Stay for a minimum of 90 days. Countries such as Ghana, Nepal, India, Thailand, Spain, and few South American countries have a fairly easy application process.
For instance, US Citizens can travel for an initial 90 days without a visa in most South American Countries. Similarly, Spain lets American Citizens in without a visa for business and travel purposes for a maximum of 90 days. Similarly, Portugal, which is also a member of the Schengen Visa Agreement has the same guidelines for US Citizens.
Furthermore, Canadian and Australian Citizens to do not need a visa, just a passport valid for a minimum of 3 months beyond the period of intended stay for traveling and volunteering in Spain and Portugal for a maximum of 90 days. All the Passports (or equivalent travel documents) issued more than ten years before the date of travel, may not be accepted.
Stay for longer than 90 days requires a more elaborate visa application process and embassy websites of the desired country can be logged in for the required information.
NOTE: Volunteering Solutions helps all its volunteers with the visa application process and sends across relevant invitation letters/documents, if needed, to apply for the visa.
Staying safe requires a significant amount of homework which includes taking the right vaccinations and packing journey essentials before it starts and once the journey begins, you need to cautious about in-country safety precautions that include traveling, staying and eating safely. VolSol, therefore, provides you with an extensive pre-departure information kit which prepares you for your packing, accommodation, transport, and information for everyday navigation.
Volunteers are guided and assisted by in-country program coordinators and in-country support staff from the moment they land at the destination. Placed in verified and centrally administered accommodations, which although basic, are secure and offered on a same gender sharing basis. Even though the nature of accommodations varies from location to location, they are usually dormitory-style or with vetted and verified host families. Lockers/Safe Spaces for valuables are provided.
Participants can contact the information desk for videos/photos and reviews of in-country accommodations and in-country support.
Travel Vaccinations and Immunizations are a must when traveling abroad, especially in the developing countries. Diseases that are unheard of in the United States may very well be a concern in the developing regions, especially at large gatherings. Therefore, it is strongly advised to be safe than sorry. Vaccinations against Yellow Fever, Cholera, Diphtheria, Measles are usually recommended before heading out.
Note – Destination specific vaccination recommendations can be found here.
Volunteering abroad comes with experiences and offerings that seldom has an equally enticing match. From taking weekend add-on tours to taking out and out summer volunteering and travel projects, there are several tips that you can use to make the most of your volunteering journey. Participants also have the advantage of getting to do both touristy and non-touristy things during the course of their journey. Some of the activities that volunteers can take up include :
VolSol offers teen volunteering options and extra care is given to such participants. From guided group volunteering options to a 24×7 in-country support staff, with the option of contacting the senior management at any given moment is made available.
Volunteering Solutions receives participants from around the globe but majorly from the United States of America, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Proper verification and clean criminal records are solicited for all projects to ensure the safety of one and all. We recommend all parents to explore our reviews section for feedback on the programs, accommodation, meals and safety arrangements. Email of the past volunteers is made available for direct feedback upon request.
Furthermore, an Emergency Action Plan is crafted and updated on a timely basis and dedicated staff is appointed for the same. In order to facilitate constant communication between parents, internet connectivity is made available wherever possible. In the case of rural expeditions, where 24×7 communication options are not possible, local staff is prepared and facilitated with resources to pass on urgent information.
NOTE: Volunteers who are aiming to volunteer for a longer period of time and need Academic credits can contact the information desk for details. Several of our past volunteers who have worked for a long period have claimed academic credits for the work that they’ve done.
Jessica, from Belgium, who volunteered for 2 of Summer Projects – One in Thailand and one in India reviewed:
“I’ve spent my summer in Thailand and India with the organization volunteering solutions. And I have to say, my summer was amazing! India as a country really surprised me. I didn’t know there were so many beautiful buildings, temples, and castles! During the summer program, I had the chance to visit a lot of them and still am not satisfied, I want to see more! 😀
I’m happy that I visit India by volunteering solutions. For me, India was a faraway country which I would never just go visit by myself. I was very pleased with the organization. I was picked up at the airport. The accommodations where we stayed where always nice. I loved the house in Delhi, the hotels during traveling were amazing and the volunteer house in Palampur, especially build for volunteers, was really nice and safe too!”
J Smith, from Sydney, who volunteered in Cambodia wrote:
“Found VS on Google and knew that this was the program I wanted to do. Everyone was helpful and emails were answered almost instantly, which was great! The program placement was very nice. It was the most amazing experience of my life. 3 weeks was too short though! The accommodation and meals were very nice. I was very well taken care of by the host family. Overall, It was a unique experience to teach but I loved playing with the kids too! The river cruise was lovely and meeting the other volunteers was great.”
If you’ve made up your mind and want to get more information regarding your project or the application process, feel free to contact us at info@volunteeringsolutions.com
You can also connect with our past volunteers and dig out their experiences on our Facebook Group Here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/volunteeringsolutions
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