A lot of non-profits exist around the world, and it seems like more pop up every day. These organizations run on very little funding, and typically rely on help from volunteers to function. If this kind of work appeals to you, read on to find out the basics of volunteering abroad.
Why would I volunteer?
This is probably the easiest question to answer, um, ever. As ironic as it sounds, the rewards of a volunteer position are seemingly unending. You may not get paid, but you will have the opportunity to:
Go anywhere, do anything.
You can volunteer pretty much anywhere in the world, including a lot of places that aren't quick to hand out work and/or tourist visas. And given the varied nature of NPOs, you can find a job that suits your needs in terms of structure. Sign up for a program that will get your plane ticket and visa for you, pick you up from the airport, and organize your entire trip for you, or find an organization that accepts "walk-on" volunteers and just let them know you want to come and when.
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| Hitting the beach with some fellow volunteers at Campamento Cresta del Mar in Panama. |
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Make amazing friends.
If you volunteer at a non-profit or a similar organization, you will make great friends, guaranteed. Why? Because they, like you, are volunteering of their own free will. No one is only there for the money, meaning everyone is there solely because they want to be. There aren't many jobs out there that can boast the same.
Spend next to nothing.
Depending on the position, you can spend just about no money while volunteering abroad long-term (over 3 months). Practically every NPO will cover your food and lodging, and some will pay for travel expenses as well. Meaning sightseeing and souvenirs are all you need to budget for.
Note: Some NPOs, particularly those run by Christian or other religious groups, will ask you to raise your own support. Although this takes time and effort, in the long run it often allows for more freedom than simply relying on the organization for all funds. For any of you interested in mission/outreach work, this is the perfect opportunity for you to get some experience "on the ground" with seasoned missionaries.
Do something that matters.
Volunteering is potentially the most rewarding job out there. Unlike better-paid hospitality positions, your day-to-day work will be deeply meaningful (and hopefully a lot of fun!). So if you want your time abroad to be about more than just "finding yourself" and "experiencing the world," if you want to impact the lives of others in a real, tangible way, go for a volunteer position. You might just find you will find yourself and experience the world in the process.
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| "Working" with some Panamanian schoolchildren on a short-term volunteer trip to Cresta del Mar. |
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How do I volunteer?
If you think volunteering might be for you, the next step is to explore the options and find one that fits. There really isn't any rhyme or reason to this, so just pull out all the plugs and see what happens. Use the internet, talk to friends who've done this kind of thing before, ask your church/place of worship if they could connect you with any missionaries they support, etc.
Again, narrowing your search is key, so try to form a vague idea of what you want to do and/or where you want to go. If you want to have some spending money once you get there, it's also a good idea to start setting some aside now, you know, while you're still making money.
This whole process might sound scarily unstructured and difficult, but trust me, it's a lot easier to convince a non-profit to let you help them for free than to find a paid job overseas. So no more excuses. If reading through this post stirred up a longing inside of you to give of your time and energy in service of the less fortunate, stop longing and get going. Like right now.
P.S. - Check back soon for Part 4: Hostel-Hop!
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