So you want to travel abroad, huh? You’ve researched all the different opportunities—study abroad, intern abroad, teach English abroad, and many more! You’ve agonized over having too many great choices and finally decided that you want to volunteer abroad! Great choice! The hard part is over now, right?
Well… sort of.
Now you get to agonize over even more questions! Fun! …. Or not. What’s the best way to volunteer abroad? Trying to narrow down the opportunities can be overwhelming! We get it! And we’ve got you. Here’s some awesome questions to ask before volunteering abroad that will help guide you to a program that will be the perfect fit for you.
Why should you be thoughtful about your decision to volunteer abroad?
We know you are probably aching to jump on a plane right this minute — the wanderlust is real! But volunteering abroad is a big deal. Depending on the program, you’ll be spending your hard earned money and giving tons of your time to this experience abroad. You could regret jumping into a volunteer program that isn’t exactly right for you. You’re donating a lot of resources, so it’s a good idea to take time to gather and consider all the information. Carefully reviewing your different opportunities can only improve your experience overall!
So put your phone on do not disturb, grab a cup of tea, and settle in for some serious meditation on these questions. Ready?
8 questions to ask before you volunteer abroad
1. What kinds of program fits my interests and skills?
Do some thinking on your current hobbies and interests! What are you passionate about? Beyond that, what are your skills? Does caring for sick or injured animals sound like your idea of a vacation? And do you have previous veterinary training? Or would you rather scuba dive in tropical oceans to help with surveying and conservation work? (And you’ve got the oceanography degree to back it up!) We bet you’ve got some awesome interests and skills that could easily transfer to a volunteer gig.
GoAbroad lists some of the best volunteer abroad programs in archaeology, health care, journalism, renewable energy, social work, and much more! Dig deep and look widely; the possibilities are endless. Read about some of our favorite volunteer programs to get some ideas!
2. Am I eligible/qualified for this program?
It’s good to be sure that you’re qualified for the program! Make sure you’re aware of requirements like age, gender, and nationality. Some programs ask for volunteers between twenty and thirty years of age, while some are designed for older volunteers, and some have no age limits at all! Keep in mind that there are volunteer opportunities out there for everyone! If you don’t fit the traditional volunteer mold, don’t give up the search! You might find an incredible and unique volunteer program that seems made just for you!
Besides age and gender, some of the best volunteer abroad programs require special skills. You don’t want to sign on for a medical mission to Guatemala unless you have training and background in the medical field! Be sure to check into what exactly the day to day volunteer work looks like to ensure that you’re qualified and fit to do it.
3. Can I afford this program?
Travel funding is hard—we get it! Read about some of our favorite inexpensive volunteer programs here. Volunteer work doesn’t usually earn you the big bucks, but the majority of programs will provide housing and meals in exchange for your work, which is awesome! However, it costs money to run the best volunteer abroad programs and deliver awesome support for you, so it’s definitely okay to pay a small fee to the organization.
Fees like these are pretty standard, so pick a budget range that feels good to you and filter programs out through that! (You’ll probably have to purchase your own flights as well, so keep that in mind :) ) It’s good to know where your money is going though! Volunteer programs will often provide info on where your hard earned money goes within their organization. You’ll have peace of mind knowing your money is being put to good use: giving you this amazing experience of volunteering abroad!
4. Is it where I want to volunteer abroad?
There are so so many places to volunteer abroad! Many programs center around countries in poverty, such as Morocco, Peru, and Thailand. But the sky is legitimately the limit here; depending on what kind of volunteer experience you want, you can find volunteer opportunities anywhere! Do you want to experience the beauty of desert sands in Africa? Or are you excited to try boating down the local market in Thailand? You choose!
Not all volunteer programs are fit for every country, though. The best way to volunteer abroad is to choose a project that is appropriate for the country! You wouldn’t volunteer in the U.K. to build houses for the needy, right? Definitely keep in mind the type of volunteer work you want to do and consider where that work might make the biggest difference.
Another thing to keep in mind here is safety. Not all countries are safe to spend extended time in. For example, Afghanistan currently has a level four travel advisory, which is pretty dangerous! You can check out more of the U.S. travel advisories to help you decide where your dream (and safe!) volunteer experience will take place.
5. What are the program lengths? Do they match my availability?
Once you’ve got your destination chosen, it’s time to decide when you’ll go on this awesome adventure! It’s a great idea to research what the seasons are like to help decide which season you want to volunteer for! Are you more of a hot weather person? Do you want to avoid the rainy season? Weather can also affect the type of volunteer activities, so keep that in mind!
And how long are you going to volunteer? Is it your dream to volunteer for a short, intense, and amazing two weeks? Or would you like to volunteer abroad for more like six months? A short experience is great for testing the volunteering waters, so to speak. It can help you decide if you want to try longer volunteer projects, which are cool too! A more extended volunteer trip gives you the chance to really get a feel for the destination, as well as possibly travel the surrounding area!
6. What’s available to do outside of volunteering?
You won’t be volunteering every single second of your time abroad, so it’s important to make sure you’ll be able to happily fill your free time. This is a good question to self-reflect on the type of traveler you are. Do you want access to cities and urban amenities? (#cantkickthestarbuckshabit) Situate yourself in a more populated area. Want to get away from it all? Rural programs will give you ample down time for wandering, reading, befriending villagers, and more. Want to explore a region? Plop yourself near an airport or easy-access train station. Are you more the introverted type? Maybe consider programs that allow downtime for you to charge up for another day of engaging volunteer work.
Whatever type of traveler you are, you can have wonderful adventures and experiences in your free time by considering this question beforehand. :)
7. Were past participants happy? Can I picture myself happy too?
Remember to check out all the program reviews on GoAbroad from past participants. For example, International Volunteer HQ is one of our top providers of volunteer abroad programs. One volunteer wrote about the experience he had, saying:
“I chose to go on this trip in order to cleanse my soul. I’ve been on trips where the focus was on my own interest so I wanted to do something for others. In return for my service I was rewarded with an experience that you wouldn’t get from any travel agent, delicious food that you would never be able to find through an online review and new found friendships I will cherish.
Outdoor work can be hard at times, from working on a rice field to digging a fish farm for a village, but the hospitality and gratitude that are shown by the people you are doing the work for is priceless. They welcome you into their homes with such love and warmth. Sure there are some aspects where you are “roughing it a bit” but I believe this itself is also part of the charm of doing a volunteer program.
If you want to experience new adventures in life and step outside of your comfort zone, I highly recommend doing a volunteer program through IVHQ as you will have a long list of memories to fondly look back on. And to have fond memories, isn’t that the reason why we choose to travel in the first place?”
Previous volunteers have been through the experience and know first-hand the ups and downs that come with it. Reading their reviews can help you figure out the best way to volunteer abroad. You might find out that they lived in tents the whole time, and if you’re not big on the outdoors, that program would not make you a happy camper! (Get it? Tents? Camper? ;D)
Reviews can also give you a good feel for the company supporting your volunteer work. Did participants have good experiences with the company? Do they provide adequate support, both pre-departure and while you’re there? Sven Trogh wrote about International Volunteer HQ in a review, saying:
“I worked with IVHQ as a volunteer in Santa Elena, Ecuador on the Environmental Education programme. The organisation was great. It provided all the information I needed before making a decision about where and what voluntary work I wanted to do. I never had an issue or a problem during application or registration. All the necessary preparation steps were properly explained. Before arriving the communication was clear and sufficient. All information was provided. In Ecuador the accommodation was clean and had everything I could wish for. Everything was done to make me feel welcome and at ease. The local staff was friendly and helpful. The work itself was also nice and fulfilling. With the work I got to know and help the local community. In short: I absolutely recommend working as a volunteer with IVHQ.”
Reviews can help you choose the type of company you want- whether it’s a more hands-on, personal approach or a minimal contact experience. Either way, reading program reviews can provide some great tips for future volunteers abroad and is an important step to choosing the right program for you!
8. Can this possibly help my career?
Volunteer work is a great experience by itself and it doesn’t have to relate to your career fields at all! However, if you can have a terrific volunteer experience abroad that also helps further your career? Two birds, one stone! Keep this in mind as you search through programs. You might find the perfect engineering volunteer program, helping to rebuild houses and strengthen a country’s infrastructure. That experience could give you an edge in job hunting back home. Could volunteering abroad get any better?!
[View ALL Volunteer Programs Abroad]
Additional resources for future volunteers abroad
Here are some other useful tips for future volunteers abroad!
- Money tips
- Questions to Ask About Your Volunteer Abroad Program Costs
- Funding for Volunteering Abroad 101
- Volunteer Program Costs & Knowing What Fees Include
- Before you go:
- Voluntary Work Abroad: What You Need to Know
- 13 Things To Know Before You Volunteer Abroad
- The Preparation Guide to Volunteering Abroad
- Your Safety While Volunteering Abroad—Places, Programs, Tips & More
- The Keys to Long Term Volunteering Abroad
- The ABC’s of Volunteer Trips Abroad
- Possibile programs
- 7 Ways to Volunteer Abroad
- 13 Best Volunteer Abroad Programs in 2018-2019
- The 10 Best Places to Volunteer Abroad Worldwide in 2018
- Program selection advice
- For after
You’re ready to choose the right volunteer program!
Volunteering abroad is kind of a big deal, and choosing the right program can feel like a daunting task. That’s why it’s important to take the time to really self-reflect. We know our travelers here at GoAbroad are smart and resourceful. You will figure it out! And considering where, what, and how you’ll volunteer is essential to having a great experience.
So put down your cup of tea, grab your phone, and get searching! There are some really great volunteer abroad programs out there, just waiting for you. Volunteering abroad is already fantabulous, and these questions to ask before volunteering abroad will ensure your experience is a perfect fit. You got this!
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