Are you looking for a life-changing experience? If so, then Volunteer Abroad! Volunteer abroad programs offer incredible opportunities to make a difference in the world while also exploring a new culture. But not all volunteer abroad programs are created equal. So, what should you look for in a program? Here are a few qualities of a volunteer abroad program that will change your life!
- A Volunteer Abroad Program with Accommodations that Feel Like Home
You’ll be spending a lot of time at your volunteer placement, so you don’t want to dread going home. Find accommodations in the same areas as your host family or dorms to ensure transportation isn’t an issue, and make sure you have wifi access since we all need our internet connection! If possible, find accommodation options near local restaurants and shops for convenience when grabbing dinner after work or picking up groceries on the way back from volunteering at night.
In addition to these amenities, look into having access to laundry services (free machines provided by housing management companies or cheap dry cleaning).
- A Volunteer Abroad Program with Meaningful Projects
It can be frustrating to spend all of your time volunteering without making much difference. Make sure the volunteer abroad program you choose has meaningful projects that impact the community.
A great way to measure this is by looking at how long the project has been running and whether or not it’s sustainable (meaning it doesn’t rely on volunteers coming in every few months). That being said, shorter-term projects are also valuable if they target a specific need that longer-term projects cannot solve. For example, many short-term medical volunteer placements focus on providing urgent care in areas with a lack of resources.
- A Volunteer Abroad Program that Provides Flexibility
Often, people find volunteer abroad programs and are excited about the project but don’t have time to go overseas for a few months. Look into options like weekend service trips or even just signing up as an individual traveler instead of going with an organization through which you might be able to arrange your schedule by contacting local organizations directly (if possible).
This is especially important if you can only take off one week per year or less than two weeks at once because not all companies will allow this kind of flexibility in their volunteer placements!
- A Volunteer Abroad Program with Opportunities for Professional Development
When volunteering, it’s important to be aware of the areas in which you can grow as a person. Some volunteer abroad programs provide opportunities for professional development by offering training on topics like conflict resolution and leadership skills.
Others offer more hands-on experiences such as teaching English classes or helping build schools in impoverished countries—both of these activities will allow individuals to improve their communication abilities while also learning about different cultures around them!
- A Volunteer Abroad Program with a Comprehensive Support System
No one knows everything, and that’s okay! A great volunteer abroad program will have a comprehensive support system to help volunteers when they need it. This includes providing access to resources like online manuals and training videos, as well as having staff available through email or telephone for questions you might have while volunteering.
