How to find the right volunteering experience

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There are countless volunteer opportunities out there! If you have ever nonchalantly typed the word “volunteer” into an internet search engine, you will be well aware of this fact. The selection ranges considerably according to country, language, cost, length, as well as type of work, schedule, and involvement. Chances are you won’t find your dream placement at the simple click of a button, you may be required to put in a little bit of research. But don’t get put off – volunteering is totally worth it! So, to try and make your life that little bit easier, we’ve compiled a few tips on how to land the best volunteer placement for your travel experience.

First thing’s first Make use of the volunteer-specific search engines on the internet, as well as social media – there are hundreds of outlets! Omprakash, LinkedIn, GoAbroad, Idealist, and Worldwide Helpers to name just a few. If you’ve been having trouble narrowing down the endless opportunities, these websites may well provide what you’ve been missing as they’re often tailored to helping volunteers find projects. Give them a try!

Search according to your interests If you don’t like sport, you’re not going to apply for a placement to teach football to kids, right? That wouldn’t make much sense. Volunteering is actually a great way of engaging with other people through a mutual passion. For example, if you love knowledge and learning, teaching English to budding young students is a great project to get involved in as it’s likely to engage you and consequently make a big impact on the children. What’s more, many potential volunteers seek to build upon existing skills that they have; medical students often like to work in health projects in order to gain experience and share their knowledge with the community they become involved in, business and marketing students may look to complete internships within an NGO in order to add to their professional skills. Whatever you do, you’re going to want to enjoy yourself and gain from the experience. It’s important, therefore, to prioritise your interests. Find a passion – be it teaching, food, sport – and include those words in your initial search for the best results.

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” Now that you’ve decided what type of project you’re looking for, it’s time to move on to the next stage. A big part of volunteering is stepping out of your comfort zone, especially if you’re going abroad. While it’s important to match your interests to a project, make sure you don’t shy away from the unknown. If a project description is perfect but for one little sentence, don’t cast it aside immediately. This could well be your chance to conquer that fear, master a skill that has previously defeated you, and really enrich your travel experience. Considering new opportunities may seem daunting at first, but they will be the things that change you. These unforgettable experiences will stay with you many years into the future – and they’re sure to be great stories to tell to anyone you meet and want to impress!

Do your research! Once you’ve found that elusive yet ideal placement, you have to get a bit serious. In order to ensure you have landed a reliable and established project, you need to do some thorough research. Investigate how your potential project has evolved over time – when it began, who runs it, read some testimonials from past volunteers if possible. Learn all you can about the organisation in general, not just the project you’re hoping to join, by delving deep into their website archives and maybe even asking the organisation leaders any questions you have floating around at the back of mind. Make sure it is the right place for you. If you’re going to be travelling abroad, far from your home comforts and family and friends, you need to be confident that the organisation will look after you and provide you with what you need during your travel experience. The world is quite a big place, and your safety and happiness are paramount.

Delve into the culture before you go Finally, before sealing the deal, it’s a good idea to try and understand why you’re needed as a volunteer. Research the cultural climate in which the problems facing your project were created. Learn about the region and/or country, study the current political and economic situations, glimpse into the future. This will help you to become aware of the challenges that await you. If you want to make a difference, you need to understand exactly what work needs to be done and why the issue exists in the first place. Volunteering is a highly rewarding experience; being able to contribute to society and improve the lives of others is a feeling like no other. To turn the experience into a life-changing adventure, we recommend taking a few extra minutes to search with a purpose and to learn as much as you can about your project and its destination. It might well be the difference between a great time and an unforgettable experience. Remember - don't be disheartened if you don't find that perfect project straightaway. Volunteering is itself a commitment, so be committed to your planning. Follow these tips and you'll be well on your way!

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