Whether you are thinking about taking a gap year, a break from adult life or just looking for some new adventures, volunteering abroad should be on your to-do list. There are many projects around the world that are looking for young volunteers, and most of them offer good deals. If you ever thought about this, or you already applied to something, but don’t know what’s next, we got you. In this article we’re going to share some advice about volunteering abroad, some tips and tricks of how to make your experience better. Pack your bags and your sense of adventure and get reading.
Options
The first thing you have to keep in mind is that not every volunteering offer is going to be a match for you. When choosing the right option, make sure you consider your skills and your time availability. If you decide to take up a WorkAway for example, you have to make sure that you’re up for all the tasks. Some of these programmes include physical work, while others require certain language skills. You don’t wanna exhaust yourself trying to keep up with the work volume, so make sure your volunteering deal is one that suits your skills. Of course, you can go for learning new skills, but you should choose something that you know you can do.
Comfort
When it comes to volunteering, the life you live is always on the road. Comfort is something that won’t be present 100% of the time in your journey and you should acknowledge that from the beginning. A way to fight this is to ensure your comfort through clothes. If you pack some high quality items that make you feel cozy and good, sleeping in a hostel or randomly taking a night trip won’t be such a huge problem. Go for Wool items, as they will be ok for any adventure and any weather. Volunteering is about the experience rather than the luxury or holiday vibes, so be prepared for fun times.
Social Life
The last and probably the best part about international volunteering is the social life. Imagine that you are by yourself, or maybe with one friend, in a new country, working for a couple hours a day and having the rest of the time to explore. You’re going to meet a lot of new people, some of them volunteering as well, some just traveling and some locals for sure. Even if it seems scary to be away from home and far from your friends, you should know that the social life of travelers is always interesting. You are spending a limited amount of time with people that you might never see again so the question “why not?” is often the answer to any new adventure. Make sure you expose yourself to meeting new people and listening to their stories because that’s the best way to make the most out of your experience abroad.
