Volunteering is a willing service to humanity, the community, our neighbors, organizations, and the government. We have decided to give details on best programs to volunteer abroad in this article. Read on to find out more.
Volunteering also can take form in formal and informal organizations of people with a joint goal to take on a task.
Volunteering isn’t restricted to those we are familiar with or have known in the past. They must not be in our communities, and they necessarily must not have some financial benefits as there are paid volunteering programs where expenses like transportation, feeding, and living allowances are taken care of by the hosts, and unpaid volunteering programs where all expenses come from the free will of the volunteer.
Volunteering has proved to be of great importance in countries on every part of planet Earth as the need for Volunteers keeps rising. Schools, churches, hospitals, communities, environmental organizations, political campaigns, and non-profit organizations are some of the formal organizations that are in constant need of Volunteers and make use of them in the most extensive ways.
Some might wonder why Volunteering is on the rise and is becoming fiercely widespread and one of the reasons is the people involved. From the early age of 16, volunteers start to eye various Volunteering opportunities.
Young people with the enthusiasm to travel and explore new lands, make new connections, learn one or two new concepts, and utilize their youthful vigor have taken over the various Volunteering opportunities and are constantly enrolling in Volunteering programs abroad and within their vicinity.
This although hasn’t pushed away the older ones with the enthusiasm to live less mundane lives and get more from life. Older Volunteers who must have retired or taken work leaves engage actively in Volunteer work which they use as an avenue to make more out of living by assisting those in need of their help.
Volunteering programs are available in our local communities and vicinities and can also be done Abroad. Many Volunteers are now looking out for programs to volunteer abroad in countries needing their free service.
Developing and underdeveloped countries are those who benefit most from it as their needs are all piled up and will require extra hands to meet.
Also, Volunteering programs in developed countries are expensive to go through because of the cost of living especially if the duration of the program is a lengthy one and their currency is quite greater in value than that of your own country.
How To Apply For Volunteer Programs Abroad
When applying to a Volunteer program abroad, there would be things to consider, steps to take, procedures to go through, and documents to submit.
When submitting to a funded or non-funded Volunteer program abroad, the first thing to consider is :
What You Can Offer As a Volunteer
Identifying what you can do and the services you can offer should be what crosses your mind first. As much as there is a wide range of Volunteering programs, there are also a massive number of participants numbering over sixty-three million annually.
Education, Community development, sports, healthcare, conservation, construction, agriculture, business, disaster relief, and many more are such places where you can consider offering your free and selfless services as a volunteer.
Duration Of Volunteer Programs Abroad
Many people enroll in volunteer programs abroad while keeping track of their extra schedules. Some are students taking the opportunity to volunteer during summer holidays, while some might be social or public workers, nevertheless they all have one thing or two to do with their time.
The minimum duration of a Volunteer program abroad is at least one week, though there can be more weeks to months of Volunteer commitment. So before applying, you can check in with the program overview to know where you stand.
Location Of Volunteer Program Abroad
Statistics have shown more volunteer programs in Africa, Latin America, and Asia and a massive turn up for these programs in volunteers of all age groups.
Knowing the country, its climate conditions at that time of the year, how well your health conditions can adapt to such an environment, and the living cost of these environments can give you a clear view of your Volunteer work and how to schedule your prep week.
These destinations offer not only an environment with new things to learn but also a precise understanding and close relationship with their cultures. Some of the most famous destinations for Volunteer programs abroad are South Africa, Costa Rica, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Nepal, Kenya, Japan, etc.
1. Get Ready for Your Passport
You can never get your passport too early as it is ideal to set things, especially travel arrangements in order so as not to make preparations in a rush.
You are expected to get a passport at least six weeks before the time and if you already have one, it also should be valid for up to six months past your date of departure and also have pages that are blank on it.
2. Visa
The need for a visa sits on a case of probability as you may or may not need a visa for a Volunteer program abroad.
This also should be gotten for up to six weeks before departure.
Citizens of the United States of America are allowed to stay in a country on a tourist visa for nothing more than ninety days. A longer stay would require the application for a visa extension
3. Booking Of Flight Tickets
While booking flights, you’ll be given a Youth discount if you’re under the age of 25 as it saves you cost on traveling depending on your flight. This should be done five weeks before the date of departure also.
4. Vaccinations
Within a month before your departure schedule, you’ll be required to obtain certain vaccinations before you’re granted access to the country.
This is one of the safety precautions of countries to cut down the spread of diseases.
5. Travel Insurance
Most travelers have made the mistake of excluding travel insurance in their Volunteer program fees.
Many unwanted and unexpected events happen every day so it’s a very supportive move to get travel insurance to cover you Incase of trip delays, baggage loss, property damages, medical emergencies, etc
This should be done at least two weeks before the scheduled date of departure.
6. Secure Mobile Communication
Some countries have phones locked to work only within the boundaries of the country while some don’t.
Also, sim card registration and mobile device activation would all need to be sorted out. This is very important for people staying for lengthy periods or those who need to be in constant contact with either personal or professional engagements back home.
7. Contact Your Bank
Before the scheduled date of departure, you’re expected to make sure international transactions, all special features of International banking, and necessary cards for banking are activated.
These are the things to consider and the steps associated with enrolling in one of the best Volunteer programs abroad.
Other questions will come up in your mind like what are the people of that country like? Are they hostile? Are they known to be racist, are the citizens or locals in the middle of a civil/social war, etc?
Some Volunteers were people who have gone through tough situations like wars and climate disasters but were usually not in the middle of such events except as trained personnel.
Best Programs To Volunteer Abroad
Some programs have proven to be popular and offer incentives or stipends in the form of covering living expenses while others are all self-supported and together make lists upon a list of volunteer programs.
In this article, we have filtered out some of the best programs to volunteer abroad for you.
#. Volunteer In Zanzibar
Key Information:
Cost: $540
Duration: 1-12 Weeks
Location: Nungwi and Jozani
Age: 16 years+ along with families
Certification: B Corporation-certified organization
Website: www.volunteerhq.org
#. Volunteer In Kenya
Key Information:
Date: All Year Round
Duration: 1-24 Weeks
Location: Nairobi
Age: 17 years+
Certificate – Offered upon Program completion
Website: www.volunteeringsolutions.com
#. Volunteer In Ghana
Key Information:
Date: All Year Round
Duration: 1-24 Weeks
Locations: Accra, Axim & Tamale
Minimum Age: 17 years+
Certificate – Offered Upon Program Completion
Website: www.volunteeringsolutions.com
#. Volunteer In Tanzania
Key Information:
Date: All Year Round
Duration: 1-24 Weeks
Locations: Arusha & Zanzibar
Minimum Age: 17 years+
Certificate – Offered Upon Program Completion
Website: www.volunteeringsolutions.com
#. Volunteer In Sri Lanka
Key Information:
Dates: All Year Round
Duration: 1-16 Weeks
Locations: Galle & Wasgamuwa National Park
Age: 17 years+
Certificate – Offered Upon Program Completion
Website: www.volunteeringsolutions.com
#. Volunteer In Thailand
Key Information:
Dates: All Year Round
Duration: 1-24 Weeks
Locations: Chiang Mai,Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Krabi, Sangkhlaburi & Surin
Minimum Age: 17 years+
Certificate – Offered Upon Program Completion
Website: www.volunteeringsolutions.com
#. Volunteer In Bali
Key Information:
Date: All Year Round
Duration: 1-12 Weeks
Location: Bali
Minimum Age: 17 years+
Certificate – Offered Upon Program Completion
Website: www.volunteeringsolutions.com
#. Volunteer In Australia
Key Information:
Dates: All Year Round
Duration: 2-12 Weeks
Locations: Gladstone, Tasmania & Yackandandah
Minimum Age: 18 years+
Certificate – Offered Upon Program Completion
Website: www.volunteeringsolutions.com
#. Volunteer In India
Key Information:
Dates: All Year Round
Duration: 1-24 Weeks
Locations: Delhi, Dharamsala – Palampur & Jaipur
Minimum Age: 17 years+
Certificate – Offered Upon Program Completion
Website: www.volunteeringsolutions.com
#. Volunteer In New Zealand
Key Information:
Date: All Year Round
Duration: 1-8 Weeks
Locations: Auckland, Christchurch, Punakaiki & Wellington
Minimum Age: 18 years+
Certificate – Offered Upon Program Completion
Website: www.volunteeringsolutions.com
#. Volunteer In Costa Rica
Key Information:
Date: All Year Round
Duration: 1-24 Weeks
Locations: Puerto Viejo, Puntarenas Province, Pacific Coast, Caribbean Coast, Santa Barbara De Heredia
Minimum Age: 17 years+
Certificate – Offered Upon Program Completion
Website: www.volunteeringsolutions.com
#. Volunteer In Spain
Key information:
Date: All Year Round
Duration: 2-16 Weeks
Locations: Bilbao & Valencia Región
Minimum Age: 17 years+
Certificate – Offered Upon Program Completion
Website: www.volunteeringsolutions.com
#. Volunteer In Peru
Key information:
Date: All Year Round
Duration: 1-24 Weeks
Locations: Amazon & Cusco
Minimum Age: 17 years+
Certificate – Offered Upon Program Completion
Website: www.volunteeringsolutions.com
#. Volunteer In Uganda
Key information:
Date: All Year Round
Duration: 1-18 Weeks
Location: Kampala Region
Minimum Age: 17 years+
Certificate – Offered Upon Program Completion
Website: www.volunteeringsolutions.com
#. Volunteer In Program
Key Information:
Date: All Year Round
Duration: 1-12 Weeks
Locations: Lisbon, Miranda do Corvo & Porto
Minimum Age: 17 years+
Certificate – Offered Upon Program Completion
Website: www.volunteeringsolutions.com
#. Volunteer In Cambodia
Key Information:
Date: All Year Round
Duration: 2-24 Weeks
Location: Phnom Penh
Minimum Age: 18 years+
Certificate – Offered Upon Program Completion
Website: www.volunteeringsolutions.com
#. Volunteer In Malaysia
Key Information:
Date: All Year Round
Duration: 2-2 Weeks
Location: Borneo
Minimum Age: 16 years+
Certificate – Offered Upon Program Completion
Website: www.volunteeringsolutions.com
#. Volunteer In Morocco
Key Information:
Date: All Year Round
Duration: 1-24 Weeks
Location: Rabat
Minimum Age: 18 years+
Certificate – Offered Upon Program Completion
Website: www.volunteeringsolutions.com
#. Volunteer In Greece
Key Information:
Dates: All Year Round
Duration: 2-16 Weeks
Location: Ionian Islands
Minimum Age: 18 years+
Certificate – Offered Upon Program Completion
Website: www.volunteeringsolutions.com
#. Volunteer In Madagascar
Key Information:
Dates: All Year Round
Duration: 2-12 Weeks
Location: Nosy Komba Island
Age: 18 years+
Certificate – Offered Upon Program Completion
Website: www.volunteeringsolutions.com
#. Volunteer In Ireland
Dates: All Year Round
Duration : 3-12 Weeks
Locations : Clonmel & Cork
Minimum Age: 18 years+
Certificate – Offered Upon Program Completion
Website: www.volunteeringsolutions.com
Volunteer In Vietnam
Dates: All Year Round
Duration: 2-12 Weeks
Location: Hanoi
Minimum Age: 17 years+
Certificate – Offered Upon Program Completion
Website: www.volunteeringsolutions.com
Volunteer In Nepal
Dates: All Year Round
Duration: 1-24 Weeks
Location: Kathmandu
Minimum Age: 17 years+
Certificate – Offered Upon Program Completion
Website: www.volunteeringsolutions.com
Volunteer In Ecuador
Dates: All Year Round
Duration: 2-24 Weeks
Locations : Don Juan, Pedernales, Puyo, Quito, and Intag Valley
Minimum Age: 18 years+
Certificate – Offered Upon Program Completion
Website:
Volunteer In Philippines
Dates: All Year Round
Duration: 2-24 Weeks
Location: Tacloban
Minimum Age: 17 years+
Certificate – Offered Upon Program Completion
Website:
Volunteer In Belgium
Key Information:
Duration: 1-6 weeks
Location: Brussels
Certification: B Certificatified Organization
Age: 18+
Website:
Skills Volunteers Must Possess
Volunteering programs are existent because of the free will of people and their benevolence in one way or the other, but that also doesn’t mean that the programs are at the mercy of just anybody and anyone.
Sometimes, you’ll have to be evaluated, though not officially, on your character and a range of other criteria.
Things like age, physical fitness, mental fitness, and Skills. Some skill sets are needed depending on the role of the Volunteer.
Volunteer works In ranches, farms and reserves require more physical skills while healthcare centers, relief missions, and educational Volunteering would require brain and heart work.
We’ll be listing some of the skills that would be required of Volunteers both domestically and Internationally.
- Teamwork
- Compassion
- Ethics
- Time management
- Leadership
- Problem-solving
- Communication
- Interpersonal skills
- Training
- Commitment
- Confidence
These skills are highly required depending on the nature of the Volunteer opportunity and role but generally, the core skill of Volunteering is compassion.
What Are The Best Volunteer Abroad Organizations?
There are many nice Volunteer abroad organizations that offer Volunteers the opportunity to be matched with Volunteering programs and projects beyond the horizons of their country. Some of these organizations include:
- American Hiking Society: americanhiking.org
- BUNAC: bunac.org
- Worldwide Opportunities On Organic Farms: wwoof.net
- GO ECO: www.goeco.org
These organizations have specific types of Volunteer programs for those available for enrollment. Some for farms, some for academic exchange programs, and some for healthcare facilities.
What Are The Benefits Of Volunteer Programs abroad?
Volunteer programs abroad benefit people in so many ways, especially those seeking one way or the other to improve themselves for better career placements.
Also, if you’re looking for an opportunity to meet up with new people, explore new lands and give back to society through a charitable cause, then there are a lot of benefits to receive from volunteer programs and they are :
- Provides you with a sense of camaraderie
- Offers a sense of community
- Offers you networking Opportunities
- Helps to improve one’s social skills
- Boosts self-esteem and confidence
- Development of valuable skills
- Is generally, a fun experience
What Is The Need For Foreign Volunteers?
The main reason why countries seek the willing and selfless services of volunteers is because of a shortage of manpower.
Other reasons will be for reasons like exchange programs, political influence, and fostering national coexistence.
Foreign volunteers are specially cared for by the host country and are looked out for during the whole course of their program.
Conclusion
International volunteer programs are ways for countries to cooperatively help each other through exchange Programs and share international bonds.
Volunteer programs abroad are also ideal as it allows the volunteer to gain So much wealth of knowledge for personal, professional, and national development.
The need for volunteers and volunteer programs can never be over-emphasized as there will always be the needy among us. Helping out in your way, giving for a cause to aid humanity as it has recently approached a dark state where it can barely survive, and changing the world in your little way is why we are all here as volunteers.
We Also Recommend
References
- www.rosterfy.com -15 volunteer skills that can help you land your dream job
- nonprofitssource.com– Volunteering statistics and trends for nonprofits
- www.gooverseas.com – The Ultimate Guide on How to Plan a Volunteer Trip Abroad