Volunteer Travel Abroad

by Michael Shepherd
(Paros, Greece)

photo by Karin Shepherd

One popular form of adventure travel is volunteering to work abroad. Many people find this a personally satisfying and economical way to have a holiday or vacation, make new life-long friends and accomplish good deeds all in one go. An overseas experience in your career field also enhances your job or advancement prospects.

Yet it can also be a mine field of good intentions gone wrong and can cost more than a luxury cruise. In this field here are many deserving and well-run charitable organizations and competent specialist companies but there are even more incompetent or downright fraudulent groups out to take advantage of your desire to do good. Perhaps that is the adventure, will you have a meaningful learning experience or weeks of pure hell that someone will make into a "made for television" horror story?

The answer lies in research. Do you make your own travel and hosting arrangements over the Internet or contact a well-known charity or program, perhaps working through your school or professional organization? Look into everything, learn which questions to ask, dig out any hidden costs, see photos of your living accommodations. Finally communicate with people who have been there; not those references provided by your contacts but the independent reviews and forums that abound on the Internet. Their experience can make your experience better.

Anything worthwhile takes effort. Your effort in finding the right volunteer opportunity to suit you will pay dividends throughout your life.

Start your research with this Volunteer page