Consider the Options
By Jill Lengré
Women of all ages are volunteering their time abroad. Making the decision to volunteer abroad is a personal one, and for every person there is an individual answer to the question: "Why volunteer internationally?"
The primary motivation is usually the desire to help others but another reason is often personal growth. Volunteering overseas can be an intense experience, one that pushes you to reevaluate your own cultural context and how you see the world you live in.
Volunteering overseas helps one see the world in a different light. Living in another country, truly integrated into the local population, is an eye opening experience. Day to day living as the local people allows one to understand better that population’s beliefs and values, which may be different than our own. Also communicating in another language allows one to better understand how these people view the world and the way they live in it.
Volunteers learn that there are multiple ways of doing things and viewing the world around them. One learns to let go of their perceptions about what other people need and what they should do.
International volunteer opportunities come in all shapes and sizes and occur in virtually every country on the planet. As you begin exploring possibilities, it is important to know yourself and consider the kind of overseas volunteer experience you want to have.
- Do you want to go for a couple of weeks, a few months or a few years? Some organizations require a certain time commitment.
- Are you interested in being part of a team or would you rather work on your own?
- What skills do you want to contribute? Construction? Teaching? Medical aid?
- What kind of structure and amount of direction or freedom do you want on the project?
- What part of the world do you want to live?
- Where do you want to be based? An urban area? A rural village? In the wilderness?
- Do you want to use a foreign language or your native language?
- How much money can you fundraise or afford? Some organizations charge a program fee and airfare while a few others cover airfare and necessary living expenses.
Now that you have answered the questions above, you will find that there are many organizations that will match what you are looking for. Review the list the Volunteers section, or search the internet for international volunteer opportunities. |
