Why Volunteer Abroad

Home
>
Resources
>
Why Volunteer Abroad

Though the concept of volunteer travel or voluntourism has existed for decades, it is relatively new in North America, yet is fast becoming increasingly popular. Corporations are starting to see the benefits of taking on employees who not only have a bit of ‘life experience’ but have also acquired the confidence and knowledge that comes from living in a new culture. Parents are also increasingly keen to encourage their children to see the world whilst doing something useful and learning a new skill at the same time. By volunteering abroad you will get the opportunity to see and help a new part of the world and gain some amazing experience for your future employment or studies; and what better time to do it than after high school, college or as a sabbatical from work?

However, when planning your overseas volunteering adventure, we at Global Vision International would advise you to do your planning and research carefully. A number of overseas volunteering organizations have recently sprung up that seem to offer individuals the volunteering trip of a lifetime, yet not all organizations ensure that you get a safe, and well organized experience that is beneficial both to the individual and to the host country. There are many ways in which you can establish the quality of a particular organization. See the downloadable guide for pointers of what questions to ask and things to find out.

There are a host of things you need to consider before you book yourself onto a volunteer program. For example, some questions you may wish to ask yourself are: Why are you volunteering? Where do you want to volunteer? How long do you want to volunteer for? Do you need any specific skills? Who will you phone in an emergency? There are also practical points you need to consider, such as preparing yourself pre-departure, booking flights and insurance, buying the necessary kit and raising the funds for your program. Some great resources, both online and in the library, will provide you with some fantastic information to get you started. Answers to many of your questions can also be found in our Volunteer Travel Guide. Volunteering abroad can be one of the most rewarding and exhilarating experiences of your life, so it really pays to do a bit of research.

Click here to read GVI's Guide to Volunteering Abroad

What Next?

	On a gap year? Find out what a GVI volunteering program can offer you
	Looking to get into working abroad? GVI can help you gain valuable experience and qualifications