So, you want to volunteer abroad? Spectacular! The world needs more people like you. If you’re anything like me, deciding to volunteer abroad was easy (I mean you are currently reading a blog for “idealists” right?). But with so many countries, organizations, and opportunities available, how do you choose the “perfect” international experience? Having agonized over this very topic, I have narrowed down the planning process to six simple steps.
WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY, and HOW
[This is the time when you pull up an excel spreadsheet or grab a piece of paper and a pen to jot down ideas.]
1. Who: This is the first factor to look at because it definitely impacts your options. Do you want to go solo or through an international volunteer/nonprofit organization? Both have their advantages/disadvantages, so, it’s really just a personal decision. Once you have this decided, you can narrow down your options and move on to the next step.
2. What: What type of work do you want to do abroad? Would you like to work with children? In sustainable development? Microfinance? Animals? Health? Additionally, how involved do you want to be in the work? Are you more into group work or one-on-one interaction? Do you enjoy working remotely from the internet or in-person? Need help finding an organization? Websites such as idealist.org are a great tool for exploring various international organizations based on these six factors.
3. When: When are you wanting to leave the country? This is very important as organizations and companies have specific application deadlines and departure dates that you need to look into before making your decision. It is also important to think about your stay in terms of weather. Is it going to be the rainy season/winter in one country and the dry season/summer in another? If so, those factors may influence your location options.
4. Where: This may be the easiest step for some and the hardest for others. What country or region do you want to work in? Are you looking to practice a language? Are you hoping to become a beach bum on the weekends? Can you handle rice and beans on a daily basis (can you tell I chose Costa Rica)? The question is not only what country do you want to live in, but what environment are you honestly comfortable with? This part is huge, and you really need to be honest with yourself. Yes, it sounds more adventurous to live in a rural village with no electricity or common conveniences, but could you really handle that for an extended period of time? Remember, you will actually be living in the environment you choose, so choose wisely.
5. Why: What is your motivation for working internationally? People work abroad to learn a language, to live in a particular country, to gain further experience in a specific field, for adventure, to help others, etc. What are your main goals for your international experience? Additionally, if you want to work through an organization, read the organization’s mission statement or vision to make sure that your goals/motives match those of the organization.
6. How [Much]: What amount of dough, if any, are you willing and/or able to fork over for your experience? There are many opportunities out there, and organizations vary tremendously in what you get/what you have to give for your time abroad. Definitely research this one.
Once you have outlined the six steps you should be well on your way to an awesome experience working abroad! If you want to know more about how I made my decision to volunteer abroad with AIDE working at Casa Luz in Costa Rica, or any other ponderings, you can email me at gryniewi@gmail.com or check out my blog. Happy Travels!
Want to volunteer abroad but not sure where to start? Check out these other La Vida Idealist posts for more ideas on how to take that first step: “Making It Happen for Yourself,” “So You Spin the Globe…,” “It Pays To Do Some Research,” “Panning for Gold: Plucking Out the Nonprofit Gems,” “Volunteering 101: Interview Yourself,” and “Five Things to Think About When Choosing Your Volunteer Location.“
