Volunteer Abroad
Volunteer abroad programs allow you to share your time and skills with a community abroad. They are typically a few weeks to several months in duration and are almost always unpaid. Most are open to students and non-students and don't require any specific skills and language ability.
Expectations
Unrealistic expectations are often the main source of disappointment on a volunteer program. Consider your own experience, language proficiency and familiarity with the host culture as you prepare to volunteer abroad and develop realistic goals. Keep in mind that you may not make an immediate impact that is visible while you are still in the host community.
Some programs will provide details of your placement, housing and other program features before you depart the US while others may provide minimal information beforehand and finalize your specific volunteer placement once you arrive in country. Once in country, some programs may have a very clear and concrete project, like painting a school, while at other volunteer sites the there may not be a project with a specific start and finish to it. There may be times where it feels like you aren’t contributing or “doing” anything. Talking with people from the host community, meeting their families and getting to know one another may be very important in the host culture.
You may end up working on a project different than what you were initially told or different than what you expected. One of the key elements of a good volunteer program is that the project addresses the actual needs of the community, not the preferences of the volunteer. Be flexible and know that there is a great deal to be learned from any project.
Questions to Consider
How long can I stay?
- Volunteer programs typically last a week to three months or more. Some programs, like Peace Corps, offer long-term placements of more than a year. You will need to consider how long you can afford to be abroad without an income, keeping in mind any student loans you have. Also note that your visa may restrict the amount of time you can stay in a country.
How much is the program fee?
- Program fees can range from a nominal amount to several thousand dollars. The amount often reflects the level of support and resources available to you before, during, and after the program. You are encouraged to ask what is included in the program fee and what additional expenses you will pay out of pocket. It may be helpful to ask for a breakdown of how your program fee is used.
- Many students want to know why they have to pay to volunteer their time and energy. In addition to providing your food, housing, transportation, etc., the program fee often supports the project and community you will be working in and provides the administrative support for arranging your placement and ensuring that the project is continued in the future.
- The articles below help explain what your program fee pays for and the differences between volunteering through a program provider versus working directly with a local organization.
- Why Pay to Volunteer Abroad?
- Why Should Volunteers Pay?
Will you work with a US-based program provider or directly with a local NGO?
- Depending on where a volunteer program is based, you may see differences in the level of support and cost. Smaller organizations located in the host country may be able to offer a deeper level of cultural and language immersion but might not have the staff and resources to provide quick responses to your inquiries and may not be able to offer the level of structure and support you need. You may be required to arrange your own housing and transportation with little or no support.
- Volunteer placement programs based in the US may be easier to communicate with and can provide detailed information about the program before you arrive. They may also provide more structure and support before, during, and especially after the program. This type of program, however, may have a higher program fee.
With whom will you work?
- Some volunteer programs involve working alongside other US volunteers while other programs might consist of teams of volunteers from around the world working together. More independent volunteers may want to work more with community members rather than other volunteers, which may or may not require language proficiency. As you investigate program options, be sure to inquire about whom you will be working with.
What level of support will you need while abroad?
- Volunteer programs may differ in the level of support provided and independence required. Consider how much instruction and support you need in the following areas: visa assistance, arrival, transportation to and from your volunteer site, and language translation. These are just some of the areas where the level of support on a program can vary.
Where will you live?
- Some volunteer programs offer homestays while others house volunteers together in a home, apartment, or hostel. Some short-term programs feature more rustic accommodation in a community center or school gymnasium. Your housing option may affect the level of language and cultural immersion on your program.
