How to volunteer abroad

What are the benefits of volunteering abroad?

If you’re thinking about volunteering abroad, it might be helpful to make a ‘pros and cons’ list. At WorldRemit, we’re all ‘pro’ whatever helps you see this beautiful world we live in! So here are a few benefits to get you started:

• Volunteering provides a strong sense of accomplishment - You’ll finish out your time feeling like you’ve truly done ‘good’ for yourself and others.

• It's a unique experience - Depending on what you choose to do, you might see the world through totally new eyes when you come back.

• It allows you to gain valuable work experience - Employers love to see CVs and resumés that highlight the kinds of transferable skills you’ll pick up while volunteering, like leadership, organisation and communication.

• It helps you to develop knowledge and sensitivity of other cultures - If you choose somewhere you’ve never been before, you may be introduced to new languages, or customs that previously seemed alien to you. You should also try reading our other blog on how to overcome culture shock to help you settle in.

It can have a positive impact on the local economy - Volunteering is a lot like taking on a professional job in that, while you develop skills for yourself, you also often generate income for the local communities.

How to find a volunteering abroad program that’s right for you

Of course, finding the right opportunity is not as easy as it sounds. There are thousands of volunteer abroad programs in dozens of countries, and to find the perfect experience for you means asking yourself a few questions:

• What are your interests?

  Are you looking for something environmental or humanitarian? What experiences do you have that you can draw upon to guide you to the right opportunity?

• How long do you want to volunteer abroad for?

  Taking off work for a long period of time might not be on the cards for you, unless you’ve got a bit of money saved up. Think about how long you can reasonably afford to give your time to volunteering.

• Will your trip impede your job?

  This leads us into our next question – if you already have a job, will your employer support long-term volunteer work? They may have a sabbatical program or generous holiday allowance, so try not to get too discouraged if the solution isn’t immediately apparent!

• Does your preferred volunteering destination require vaccinations?

  Medical considerations are just as important as monetary ones. Depending on where you go, you may be required to undergo additional vaccinations, or procedures to ensure you’re travelling through the country safely (for both yourself and others).

Most common volunteering opportunities abroad

There are a variety of volunteering opportunities that you can find abroad, but we’ve found that most can be put into a few key categories:

Wildlife & conservation volunteering abroad

There are many animals who are finding their habitats threatened, leaving them endangered. You can volunteer to preserve their way of life by working with a wildlife and conservation trust, of which there are many to choose from – depending on which continent you want to land on!

Medical & hospital volunteering abroad

You may already be familiar with popular NGOs– like Médecins Sans Frontières (aka Doctors Without Borders). If you have dreams of one day working in the healthcare industry, volunteering with an organisation like this is a great place to start.

Teacher volunteering abroad

Teaching is one of the oldest and most valuable professions that there is. You can give back your time by helping children to learn core subjects like STEM or languages. Many countries welcome volunteers who serve in this capacity because it means the next generation can grow and thrive under your tutelage.

Can I volunteer abroad for free?

When you hear the word ‘volunteer’ you may think that all of the associated opportunities involve working for free. In fact, some programs require you to pay a fee in order to participate. This is because volunteer-abroad projects will often have operating costs that they need to cover.

You may also need to pay additional costs for your travel to the project and for your accommodation. However, you may be lucky enough to find an opportunity which has room and board covered, so don’t let it deter you from serving if your heart is truly set on volunteering!

WorldRemit makes travelling abroad easier

The WorldRemit app makes travelling abroad easier by allowing you to send money back home. When you’re considering volunteering abroad, often you’ll still have financial obligations in your home country like bills to pay and rent that’s due.

By sending money through WorldRemit, you can ensure that no monetary deadlines are missed. And once you get back to your home country, you can always choose to support the project that you volunteered with by sending money back to them! It goes both ways, which is why it’s such a handy app. Sign up in seconds and try it for yourself today.

How to volunteer abroad: FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions about volunteering abroad.

How old do you have to be to volunteer abroad?

You may be searching for volunteer abroad opportunities for under 18s because you’re looking to gain real world work experience. Or you may be trying to get a new lease of life by volunteering abroad for over 50s. Either way, there are volunteer opportunities to suit every age range.

Do I need travel insurance for volunteering abroad?

Yes, it is highly recommended that you obtain travel insurance before volunteering abroad. This is because you never know what might happen – and being covered in the event of stolen goods or sicknesses is always a good idea.

Does volunteering abroad actually help?

That’s up to you! The more you input into a project or cause, the more you can do to better the lives of the people (and ecosystems) in global communities. It truly is down to you to make a world of difference.

The contents of this blog post do not constitute legal or financial advice and are provided for general information purposes only. If you require specific legal and / or financial advice you should contact a specialist lawyer or financial advisor. Information true at time of publishing.