When people start to think about travelling and volunteering, the first thing that crosses their mind is usually “how do I volunteer abroad for free?” This question is not as easy as it sounds. So, let’s dive a little deeper into the subject.
Why Volunteer Abroad?
Volunteering abroad can be one of the most rewarding experiences. Not only are you embarking on an incredible personal life-changing experience, your actions are directly benefiting the people and land that you journey to also. We’ve already highlighted some of the rewarding elements of doing so. But just to remind you of some of the best elements:
Part of a Community
One of the most rewarding elements of volunteering abroad comes from the people you help. The most vulnerable communities tend to be the smallest, so you quickly connect with a whole community. They’ll probably feel like extended family by the end of it!
Your Impact Makes a Difference
Doing good deeds is nice, but getting to be part of something that really makes a difference in someone or a whole community’s life is even more rewarding.
Discover Your Passions
Volunteering can be so fulfilling, regardless of what you do. But it may enable you to work on projects that connect with you on a deeper level. You might not know what this is until you try something.
See the World
Volunteering abroad takes you to places you may have never even imagined visiting for leisure. Plus, in your free time, you’re able to explore some of the most exciting offbeat locations! It really brings out your inner adventurer!
Gain Perspective
Sometimes the most mundane things can seem overwhelming in everyday life. When you volunteer abroad, especially in struggling communities, it enables you to gain a better perspective on life. You come back refreshed and with a new sense of appreciation from what you do own.
What Volunteer Work can I do Abroad?
There are many types of Volunteer programs you can do abroad. Choosing the right one can feel like quite the task. Whilst location is typically at the top of people’s lists, it is important to make sure you’re finding the right kind of placement that will be most rewarding for you. Keep up to date with our list here, and we’ve summarised the types of volunteer work for you below.
Volunteering with children
Volunteering with children is one of the most popular forms of volunteering. It is also one that presents several problems to local communities so make sure to do your research! Projects involve the day-to-day care of children who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Whilst it is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding forms of volunteering, it doesn’t come without its inherent challenges. Working with children can be highly demanding, it’s important to consider if you have the energy to care for them on such a high level.
Community building
Community building generally involves working with adults through grassroots organizations in rural villages. The purpose is to help rural populations establish a stable source of livelihood. You could do this by enhancing your skill sets or contributing to the building of community spaces.
Education
Education-based volunteering programs can be rewarding as you know your efforts are directly working towards bettering the lives of individuals you interact with. It’s one of the greatest forms of volunteering to add to your resume. You don’t necessarily always need a teaching qualification to do this either. Just make sure you read the pre-requirements carefully to understand what you need before you apply.
Wildlife and Marine conservation
These types of programs engage more with the inner adventurers. Tasks typically include surveying, rescuing, and assisting with research both on land or in the sea. Some of these programs enable you to gain qualifications (such as diving), so it can be rewarding in this sense too! Daniel Quilter of Fuze Ecoteer shares his thoughts on How to Start a Career in Conservation.
Women’s health, welfare and rights
Similar to community building, women-focused programs focus on the well-being of women. Most typically exist around learning essential life skills like setting up their own source of income to be financially independent. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case in developing nations. It’s a gratifying way to engage with volunteering abroad.
What Programs Offer Free Volunteer Abroad Placements?
Many of us want to volunteer abroad but struggle to do so as it comes at a fee. It’s one of the trickiest elements to overcome with volunteering abroad, and we’ve already offered some guidance on how to do this here.
Whilst volunteering abroad for free is almost impossible these days, there are several fully-funded or partially-funded programs you can apply for to help you have that life-changing experience. Volunteering shouldn’t be restricted to those without the money to afford it, so it’s great to have programs like these to allow you to do so.
It’s important to pay a small fee toward volunteering as you are helping support local people in the long run. It’s also a long-term investment for you, the self-development opportunities of volunteering are huge. Ethically speaking, you won’t be a drain on already scarce resources as volunteer program costs cover basic necessities whilst you’re on the ground just as housing, training and meals.
European Voluntary Service
The EVS is a fully-funded volunteering program for ages 17-30 by the EU commission. They provide up to 12 months of funding in environmental, cultural, or artistic volunteering programs within Europe. It’s pretty competitive, so you’ll need to have a solid application. But it’s a great initiative to look into if you fancy volunteering somewhere closer to home if you’re from Europe.
International Citizen Service
The ICS is a UK Government-funded program for 18-35-year-olds looking to volunteer in Africa, Asia, or Latin America. You don’t need to have any previous qualifications to apply, which is great as the program is part of genuine development goals and sustainability plans. Whilst the majority of the program is funded, you have to raise a sum of £800. To truly connect volunteers to their project, it’s necessary to take on a review project at the end of the volunteering. It’s clearly making a difference too! With every £1 spent on the program, an estimated £5 in social value has been created due to the program. That’s certainly something special to be part of!
Peace Corps
Peace Corps is a fully-funded program based in America. They have programs in over 60 countries, so it’s great if you’re looking to expand your horizons whilst working for a good cause. The only requirement for this program is that you must be a recent college graduate or have a specialist skill that would be useful in the programs available.
You can read more about the Peace Corps here.
UN Volunteers
The UN Volunteering program is perhaps one of the trickiest to get into. But the outcome regarding volunteering opportunities is some of the most extensive. They have a set of fixed requirements you can read about here, but essentially you must be over 25, have a degree or diploma, and have two years of working experience. The volunteering opportunities can last from 6 months to 2 years.
How do I Volunteer Abroad Responsibly?
Volunteering is an incredible opportunity, but it’s important to ensure you’re doing it most responsibly. There are many ways in which you can make sure that you volunteer abroad responsibly. We’ve highlighted some of the key points below.
Do your research
Perhaps the most important element of ensuring you volunteer abroad responsibly comes before you’ve even travelled! The volunteering sphere is flooded with opportunities, many of which are unethical. Doing the right research before you travel is critical. The Learning Service is a great resource that invites volunteers to learn from host communities before trying to ‘help’ them. You should definitely have a look through their site and read the book before you leave on your adventure.
There are easy things you can look out for that identify the most ethical sorts of programs. Firstly, the duration is a key factor to look at. You’re not going to make much of a difference in two weeks. Search for programs with long durations and goals. It’s a better model for operating instead of a continuous cycle of volunteers. Make sure you read the reviews too. Previous volunteer feedback is a great way to assess the experience to see if it really lives up to expectations.
Are local people involved
When you volunteer abroad, you (sadly) can’t be there forever. A volunteer program should be working towards providing a sustainable solution to be ethical. The best way to ensure that you’re connecting with this is by looking for grassroots organizations where locals are involved in carrying on with the work after you’ve gone.
Are you the right fit?
It’s all very well picking a volunteering program that sounds exciting. But it’s important to remember that if you want to volunteer abroad responsibly, you must remember it is more about the community than you. An ethical volunteer program will ensure that you are qualified for the role you’re undertaking. If a program seems to have less of an emphasis on this, then it may not be as ethically sound as it appears to be.
So now we’ve given you the down-low on the types of Volunteer programs abroad and how to access them for free. What are you waiting for? The opportunity to volunteer should not be limited to anyone. We hope this guide will help set you up on the right track to having your own life-changing experience!
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