Why Volunteer Abroad?

An international volunteer

We all know volunteering benefits you and the community you’ll work with. But exactly what impact does your work have? Is there more than the feel-good aspect? Let’s take a look at how volunteering abroad benefits you and your host community, and how much influence it can have for the long-term.

You’ll have a structured placement

Many volunteer abroad programs assist you with every aspect of your trip, including airline and flight time suggestions, packing lists, in-country transportation, accommodations and meals, and orientation, training, and support. Not to mention volunteer trips often cost less than a standard vacation!

You’ll make friends from around the world

Not only will you meet individuals from your host community—maybe they’ll work alongside you on the project or provide a home stay for you—but you’ll also work with other volunteers worldwide.

You’ll experience a new culture

Along with making new friends, you’ll engage in cross-cultural exchange. Working in a new community encourages you to interact with and confront the issues they find most important.

You’ll go outside of your comfort zone

Volunteering abroad is an amazing experience—but it also can be frustrating. You might not speak the host country language, or you might not agree with some aspect of their cultural norms. The program might have slow periods, or you’ll feel you’re not making much progress.

But confronting these frustrations as opportunities to learn and grow helps you develop skills you didn’t know you had, and even utilize ones you didn’t think you’d need.

Along with making new friends, you’ll engage in cross-cultural exchange. Working in a new community encourages you to interact with and confront the issues they find most important.

Volunteers in Ghana

You’ll contribute to their economy

Most volunteer programs ask that you pay for some part of the project—this can cover food and housing (often provided by locals), training and support, and supplies that allow volunteers and the community to keep the program running. As well, purchasing souvenirs and attending events or engaging in guided tours all contribute to an underserved area’s growth, and you help make it happen.

You’ll contribute your time and expertise

This is especially true for long-term or professional volunteer projects, but also is quite important for short-term and unskilled projects, like construction or public space revitalization programs. Sometimes all it takes is an extra hand to make all the difference. Traveling abroad and building on your existing skills can be invaluable to the community in which you work.

You’ll engage in cultural transfer

This is your opportunity to show how totally friendly and awesome you are, and to share interesting stories and insights about your neck of the woods—all while interacting with other friendly and awesome people with a lot to say about their own communities. You might be the first person from that country to work in the host community; think of it like really small scale international diplomacy.

You’ll further your education

If you’re a student, you might consider coupling volunteering with your study abroad program for a great service-learning experience. Or you may even apply your volunteer program as a semester-long internship. And when you return home, you might apply to a school that looks for students with international experience; and you can pay for it through scholarships for those who’ve engaged in international service.

You’ll further your career

Professional volunteer programs offer you the opportunity to contribute your skills and expertise to an underserved community. Projects can range from teaching to medical care to business development and more.

Later on, adding volunteer experience to your resume can be seen favorably by employers. International service experience makes you stick out, and highlights something you’re passionate about.

You’ll promote the spirit of volunteerism

Whether you continue volunteering or not, you’ll still talk about your trip, and people will still ask you what it was like to volunteer in another country. And sometimes, hearing a story is all someone needs to sign up for his or her own volunteer abroad experience.