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Duration

Volunteer programs can be as short as one to two weeks or as long as two years. Between these two extremes there is a wide variety of programs that last for several weeks or months, a summer, or half a year. Volunteer programs are generally flexible with start dates and time commitment. Short-term programs are usually easier to arrange and require less preparation; long-term programs may offer a better chance of more responsibility and possibly receiving room/board or a living stipend.

Program Fee

Program fees can range from fifty to thousands of dollars. Some programs have no fee. Many smaller organizations rely heavily on program fees to support their work and the community they work in. Higher program fees might be used for administration, orientation, and on-site support. Fees may or may not include airfare, room/board, health insurance, in-country transporation, visa fees, etc. You should ask for a breakdown of how the fee money is spent and what it includes so you know which expenses are covered by the organization and which expenses are your responsibility.

Organizational Structure

US-based organizations are often easy to contact and may be more capable of providing pre-departure information such as visa requirements and immunization and flight information.

Organizations located in-country are often smaller, less expensive, and may provide more opportunies to work directly with community members. Volunteer organizations administered overseas may be more difficult to communicate with and may not be able to provide as much structure and assistance for incoming volunteers.

Some volunteer programs are actually a combination of these two types of structures. A US-based organization may act as a liason between volunteers in the US and a locally administered volunteer organization.

You should research the organizational structure of prospective organizations thoroughly and choose one that matches your needs for communication, in-country support, and cultural immersion.

Co-Workers

Some volunteer programs involve working alongside other US volunteers while other programs might consist of groups of volunteers from around the world. Depending on the program, you might be doing most of your work alone or in small groups. More independent volunteers may want to work more with community members than with other volunteers, which may offer more opportunity for cultural and language immersion. As you investigate volunteer options, be sure to ask who you will be working with.

Organizational Affiliation

Students should check into any religious or political affiliations an organization might have and to what extent those affiliations influence the type of work it does. It also might be helpful to know where an organization receives its funding.

Last modified on November 21, 2008