Why Should You Book A Spot For Volunteering Abroad In Advance?
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Ever wondered why there is a system for booking things in advance? That’s because everyone looks to get hold of the best that is at offer; volunteering abroad is one such activity.
Over the years, the trend has shown that a maximum number of people take up volunteering abroad during their gap year or summer vacations. Today, even the backpackers and those looking for budget traveling, also opt for volunteer trips abroad.
Volunteering Solutions, which has placed more than 12000 volunteers in last 10 years of their international operations, has always advised its volunteers to apply for their choice of program as soon as possible, as the benefits of advance booking a volunteer program are plenty.
Below are few of the benefits that a volunteer can enjoy after booking a spot in advance:
1. Get enough time to prepare
Volunteer travel is the kind of expedition where one needs to be mentally as well as physically fit and flexible. Booking a volunteer program in advance gives you the time to prepare yourself physically for the hard work that will be required out of you at the project site, and mentally to handle the pressure.
If you decide to book early you get to choose from the best available options for you. You can compare not just the price but the companies, their programme offer, insurance policies, destinations and projects they provide. You will have enough time to put in queries and ask questions to find out the right volunteering trip for you.
2. Draw the perfect itinerary
It is a definite fact that you would not want to be one of the lost ones when at the program destination. It is always good to know about the places to explore, things to do and what to eat while in a particular country. Booking your spot in advance means you have finalized your destination and, you can now plan out a perfect itinerary and places to visit once you reach your destination. It’ll save a lot of time and effort (mentally)!
3. Get all the necessary documents ready
For a few volunteering destinations, like Nepal, Tanzania, Thailand, etc., one does not need to apply for a Visa in advance and can avail the same on arriving at the destination. However, for most of the other destinations, it is required by a volunteer to get a valid visa before arriving. Similarly, there are a lot of other necessary documents a volunteer needs to prepare before he/she travels.
VolSol, too, asks for few necessary documents, which are mandatory for a volunteer before getting registered for a program. For example, volunteers opting for Medical and Healthcare Programs need to provide proof of their educational background, and those getting into any program that involves children will have to provide certification for a clear criminal background.
You can put your mind at ease when you have enough time to prepare for your volunteer abroad trip. No last minute rush for travel insurance, mandatory vaccinations or maybe just to pack small things you want to take at your project. You will have enough time to go through your pre-departure booklet and arrange for all things necessary to get the most out of your international experience as a volunteer.
4. Ensure a slot at your desired destination & project
Unlike last minute booking where you have limited placement choices of where you can go and the type of volunteer programs you can choose from, when you book early, you have an abundance of choices. Most projects will have plenty of spaces and choice of start dates if you can get in early. You also have enough time in hand if you need to change your travel dates and get into another available space.
Thus, booking in advance for a volunteer program will ensure that you get to visit the destination of your choice and not to settle for your second or third preferred location.
5. Get the necessary vaccinations done
A lot of countries have made it mandatory for volunteer travelers (or any other tourist for that matter) to get some specific vaccinations before entering into their borders. African countries, for example, require all inbound travelers to take vaccinations for yellow fever mandatorily. Volunteering Solutions guides all its volunteers about what kinds of vaccinations are required for a specific destination.
6. Go easy on your pocket; save money
This is one of the most common and known benefits of booking in advance. Once you have decided on your destination of interest and got yourself registered for a particular program, you know the dates of your travel. Accordingly, you can book your flight tickets for the round trip, which will cost you way less than what it might have cost you, had you booked it at the very last moment!
Everyone knows booking air tickets early on has lots of monetary benefits to travellers. The same ticket can cost more than double if booked closer to the travel date. Frequent travellers know this and always book themselves changeable and refundable tickets early on. If the plans change for any unforeseen reasons, you can always cancel or change your flight dates.
7. Get in touch with your fellow volunteers
Many volunteer travelers like to travel alone. Getting in touch with any of the fellow volunteer travelers, who have registered for the same program at the same destination that you have applied for, gives you the opportunity to find a companion and make plans together in advance. May be this is why they say, “Friends made during a travel expedition are friends forever”.
Connect with other volunteers on our Facebook Group.
8. Get in touch with alumni
Getting in touch with the volunteers from the previous batches, who worked on the same project at the same destination you are about to go to, is always a good practice. You can always get some great advice about what to do, where to eat, how to handle situations and various other useful tips.
So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch with our support staff at [email protected] and book your volunteering abroad spot NOW!
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