Volunteering Abroad

Voluntary projects abroad are a popular way to spend gap years and summer vacations. There is an
overwhelming amount of information and opportunities available on the internet. This leaflet aims to help you
identify what you are looking for, consider some of the issues involved, and provide some tips.

Things to consider
 Your reason for volunteering. If your main motivation is to travel, your free time will be restricted due to
volunteering and you may only be able to do a limited amount of travelling.
 Location and length of placement. They can range from few a weeks to a couple of years.
 Type of work e.g. community development, education, environmental, social welfare, health/medical
 Requirements. Some projects have specific age, skill, or education requirements.
 Can you cope with basics? You’ll have to eat unfamiliar food wherever you travel to. Facilities in places
vary. Will you be able to adapt to accommodation without showers or even electricity in some
circumstances?
 Personal qualities e.g. respect and tolerance of differences between cultures and other volunteers,
patience and flexibility (attitudes to time and organisation can be very different abroad), a sense of
humour, ability to cope with home sickness, independence, professionalism and commitment. You’ll
be expected to fully participate; arrive on time and attend when expected. If you’re looking for a holiday
this may not be for you.
 Cost. What is your budget? How long it will take for you to raise the funds? Find out exactly what the
fee covers, such as flights, accommodation, food, transfers etc. Find out a recommended budget for
other expenses, when and how you will have to make payments, and what happens if you cancel. We
recommend you get written confirmation of all this before you commit to a project.

Research organisations
This is an essential step that is often missed. It can have a significant effect on your experience. Don’t pick the
first programme that fits your criteria. As well as comparing what’s available from different organisations:
 Check reports from past volunteers.
 Ask for the contact details of alumni so you can ask specific questions and speak to those who may
have had a less positive experience.
 Google the name of each organisation to look for ‘unofficial’ information you wouldn’t find on their
websites.
When you have found projects that meet your criteria make a list of questions and contact the organisations.
Here are some examples:
 What is an average day like for a volunteer?
 What responsibilities will you have?
 Will you be working with other volunteers or with local people? Will you be the only British volunteer?
 How many participants are on the programme (those that have booked with the organisation that you
are dealing with, as well as others that have arranged it through alternative companies)?
 What is the age range of the other participants?
 Will you be able to make changes within the programme?
 How much free time will you have for leisure/travel?
 How safe is it? Check the political situation of the country yourself before you make any commitment.
 Can they guarantee 24 hour health, safety, and security help?

Finding an ethical organisation

There are so many different options when it comes to volunteering abroad. How do you know those
organisations with genuine concern that you and the local communities benefit from the project from those
that are just looking to make a profit? Don’t always go for big companies; small ones can be better. They may
not offer the same variety but may focus on building stronger relationships with partners in a specific country
leading to a higher understanding of the needs of the local community and a better knowledge of what your
project will involve.
  Ask if you will have a defined role and purpose when you are volunteering. This allows you to check
that you will be doing what you want to be doing. It indicates whether you are going to be truly needed
when you get there. If the project is constructive and properly planned, precise details and contacts
should be available.
 Those companies that have a selection/interview process are usually more interested in the quality of
volunteers, rather than the numbers that makes more money.
 Look for organisations that match your skills with the project. Be wary of those that are willing to let you
do anything, for example, allowing a volunteer to teach if they are not a teacher or not qualified, is not
in the best interest of the local community.
 Check whether you will get any training before or during your trip. This means you can do a better job
when you’re there and demonstrates that the company are still interested in helping and preparing you
after you have paid the fee.
 Find out exactly how much of your fee goes to the project.
 Will your volunteering be monitored and evaluated so that future participants can build on what you’ve
done? This will suggest whether the work you do has a lasting impact.
 Has the programme been assessed or visited by the organisation?
Organising your own programme
Most organisations providing voluntary programmes abroad have highly inflated prices since they are
businesses aiming to cover their own administration costs and make a profit. If you want a trip with more
flexibility at a fraction of the price then organising your own may be the answer. However, this requires much
more time and effort on your part as you need to contact the organisations abroad directly and make most of
the arrangements yourself.
 Local organisations in foreign countries probably won’t have up-to-date websites. You will need to
search hard on the internet and send lots of emails to various projects.
 When contacting them ask EVERYTHING; don’t make any assumptions.
 Once you’ve decided on a project make sure it’s either refundable, or negotiate a trial period (such as
2 weeks) that you pay for in advance, then extend if you like it.
 Once you find a project that suits you ask the organisation for help finding accommodation if it is not
included (e.g. ask what previous volunteers have done, who you can contact to arrange it, cost etc).
Extra preparations
Once you have arranged your project there are still some things to take care of. Make sure you plan ahead as
it may take more time than you realise to get vaccinations, apply for visas etc.
 Find out at least 6 weeks before you travel what vaccinations/medication is required. Some need to be
administered a specific amount of time in advance.
 Confirm whether insurance is included in your fee. Does it provide adequate cover?
 Check whether you or the company you booked through is responsible for organising your visa(s) and
find out how to apply as this varies depending on the country.
 Make extra copies of your passport, visas, tickets, insurance policy, contact details and keep them in
separate bags when you travel in case one is lost or stolen.
 Leave a copy of your contact details and itinerary at home in case of emergency.
 Take enough money in as many different forms as possible in case you have difficulty accessing it.
 Read up about the culture before going so you know what to expect and learn some basic phrases.
 Check local customs and laws so as not to offend people or break the law unwittingly. Foreign &
Commonwealth Travel Advice is a useful website.

Careers & Employability Service

Tel: 0 151 794 4647 | careers@liverpool.ac.uk | www.liverpool.ac.uk/careers | Twitter/Facebook: livunicareers

© University of Liverpool Careers & Employability Service, August 2014.

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