How to Volunteer Abroad as a Student Without Breaking the Bank
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Are you a high school, college, or university student, thinking of volunteering abroad to make a difference, but wondering how to do it without breaking the bank? Well, we’re here to help you out and answer all your questions.
First, let me tell you that an international volunteer trip can change the way you look at life. As you travel to a new country and engage with the local communities, helping them live a better life and learn more about their heritage and culture, you’ll also tend to push yourself out of your comfort zone and grow as a better human being.
You can choose to volunteer for turtle conservation in Sri Lanka empower women in India, be a soccer coach in South Africa, or work at a charity shop in Ireland – but no matter what you choose to do and how small your step might seem, you’ll always end yo making a big impact.
In the last couple of years, more and more people have embraced volunteering abroad as a sustainable means of traveling. But there are a lot of times, students wonder why they have to pay to volunteer abroad.
Why volunteering abroad isn’t free?
When you sign up for a volunteering program abroad, you are not only donating your time and efforts, but you are actually buying an experience. The program fee that you’ll pay will cover your accommodation, meals, local transfers, etc., as well as offer you 24*7 support while you’re there.
Apart from that, a portion of that fee goes to support the program, as Volunteering Solutions works with local NGOs in all the host countries. None of the programs are externally funded, and it entirely depends on the fees paid by the volunteers. As an organization, we take full responsibility for the volunteer’s safety and security and also focus on the positive impact on the local communities.
When you pay for a volunteering program, you also ensure sustainable growth of the project – and even after you leave, your contributions are valued. By opting for a volunteering program abroad with Volunteering Solutions, you’ll be investing in a structured support system.
How to volunteer abroad on a budget as a student?
If you’ve been worrying about the expenses all this while, then here’s how you can travel and volunteer abroad as a student, in a budget-friendly manner:
1. Choose the destination wisely
While Volunteering Solutions offers meaningful and affordable programs across 25+ destinations across the world, it goes without saying that some countries are comparatively cheaper than others. So when you plan to volunteer abroad, it’s very important to choose the destination wisely.
Volunteering programs in Southeast Asian countries like India, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam are comparatively cheaper than those in Australia, Spain or Ireland. But having said that, if you’re living in Europe, then your travel costs would be lower if you take a flight to any place within the continent than flying to a far-off destination.
2. Fundraise to volunteer abroad
Once you decide to volunteer abroad, you can start fundraising for your journey. You can host dinners for your friends and family, where you can tell what inspired you to volunteer abroad and the difference you can to make, and ask them to contribute towards fulfilling your dreams of making a positive impact. You can also use your creative skills to earn money – like hosting a bake sale, etc.
Other than these, you can also use platforms like GoFundMe, where you can put up your story and tell people about your mission trip, asking them to contribute. Crowdfunding, to be a honest, is a great way to raise funds for a volunteer trip abroad.
3. Apply for grants from your educational institute
Most colleges and universities support the efforts of their students to volunteer abroad for a meaningful cause.
You can always check with international office or service-learning department of your educational institution, and ask them for a grant. You need to provide a good (and convincing) narrative mentioning why you think this volunteering trip is important for you, and if you go it well, your college/university might offer you a grant to travel and volunteer abroad.
4. Plan your volunteering trip ahead of time
Starting planning for your volunteering trip at least six months before your journey schedule. This will give you enough time to choose the destination wisely, fundraise or get a grant, and you’ll also get to save money by booking your flights early.
5. Convince your friends to join a group volunteering program
Group volunteering is perfect for students, and if you can convince your friends to join a group volunteering program, you can also get a discount, which will further reduce the cost. Group volunteering will also give you the chance to work together and make a bigger impact, because as they say, “Two is better than one”.
Volunteering abroad as a student doesn’t mean you’ll have to spend all your savings! You can also plan thoughtfully and make the effort to travel in a budget-friendly manner. Remember, it’s not about how much money you spend but the impact you make and the memories you create.
List of the most popular volunteering programs for students:
1. Street Children Volunteering Program in India
This is one of the most popular volunteer programs amongst students, being a part of which you will get to work at a childcare center in New Delhi and spend time with underprivileged children. You’ll have to teach basic English and Maths, play with the kids, take them for excursions and most importantly, shower them with love and care. You simple actions can immensely affect these little ones, who are otherwise devoid of the love they need from their families.
Program starting at 301 USD for 1 week.
2. Teaching Volunteer Program in Nepal
In order to be a volunteer teacher in Nepal, you don’t need any TEFL certification, and thus, as a student, you can easily join this program and spread the lights of education among the marginalized communities living in Kathmandu. You’ll be working alongside the local teachers in public schools, and focus mainly on teaching English.
Program starting at 275 USD for 1 week.
3. Healthcare Volunteering Program in Tanzania
If you are a pre-med, medical or nursing student looking for a mission trip abroad, then this would be a perfect choice for you. As a healthcare student, it’ll be a great opportunity for you to work alongside professional doctors and nurses in a clinic/hospital. It’ll also give you the chance to know more about the healthcare system of the country, and serve the local communities.
Program starting at 375 USD for 1 week.
4. Childcare Volunteering Program in Kenya
Traveling to Kenya is nothing short of a dream, and as student volunteer abroad, it’ll be a great opportunity for you to work at a local childcare center in Nairobi, spending quality time with the underprivileged children. You can help the staff with cooking, feed the children, play with them, wash their clothes, and also teach them basic English and Maths.
Program starting at 350 USD for 1 week.
5. Kindergartens Teaching Program in Peru
Travel to Peru as a student volunteer and volunteer for the Kindergartens Program, being a part of which you’ll have to spend your time with the little ones in the city of Cusco. Your main task as a volunteer would be to provide teaching assistance to the in-house faculty and help provide proper education to the underprivileged children.
Program starting at 495 USD for 1 week.
So what are you waiting for? Make that move to stay ahead of your peers – pack your bags, prepare your heart, and take the leap – you’ll come back richer in experience and purpose!
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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