How to Choose the Right Volunteer Program
Volunteering in another country can be a rewarding experience, as well as an excellent opportunity to connect with others who are passionate about the same causes you are. If you have always wanted to travel, it might be difficult to decide which country you should visit.
Identifying Which Volunteer Program is Best for You
If you are a passionate person who has a heart for helping others, it can be difficult to pinpoint which organization is best to work with or which country would be the best to volunteer in. Even if you are the responsible type who has already scheduled your shots, updated your passport and checked on long term travel insurance options, you must identify which goals are most important before you can sign up for the right program. Try to define what you are most interested in, whether it is helping people recover from a disaster or spending time with kids who live in an orphanage.
Finding Placement
Once you have decided which country you would like to volunteer in, finding placement can be a challenge without getting outside help. There are plenty of reputable organizations that can assist you in the process from beginning to end. A good way to separate reliable organizations from ones that might not be trustworthy is to examine how many staff members they have, whether they have agents in place in the other country and how well their activities are managed.
Discuss the Important Details
Once you have found a great organization to volunteer with, get as specific as possible and discuss important details with them. You can ask them how they handle emergency situations, if they will provide you with a list of contacts in the other country and how many years they have been in operation. One of the most important things to inquire about is how your family can contact you while you’re away.
Preparing to Leave
In addition to your travel papers and visa, there are other things to remember to take care of before you leave. Cancel or forward your mail to a friend’s house and alert your bank about the fact that you will be out of the country for an extended period of time. Many organizations offer support that can aid in this process as well.
