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Volunteering
Volunteering|
Latest News
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The decision whether or not to volunteer abroad deserves some careful thought. It is vital that you're clear about financial implications, time commitment and health and safety issues and that you end up doing something that is meaningful and that you enjoy.
Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) recommends that students planning on heading overseas to volunteer consider the following 10 questions:
1. Will you be given a defined role and purpose?
What is the time commitment before and during the project?
Are you clear on what is expected of you?
Does the project fit in with your academic subjects or other skills, knowledge and interests? Ensuring it does means you'll definitely 'add value' to the project.
Are there any skills that you may need to develop (e.g. language skills, first aid skills, child protection training, Aids awareness)?
2. Will you meet face-to-face with your provider and attend a selection day to assess your suitability for the volunteering opportunities and gain detailed information about the structure of your placement?
3. How much will it cost and what does this pay for?
Remember, volunteering over the holidays will restrict your ability to earn; giving up this often vital extra income stream should not be taken lightly.
Aside from covering 'standard' project costs (i.e. accommodation / food / administration / transport / local guides etc), there are usually other costs involved: vaccinations / visas / travel insurance / spending money etc.
4. How will you be supported with training and personal development needs before, during and after your placement?
Is there in-country support for volunteers?
What arrangements have been made for food and accommodation?
5. Is the work you do linked to long-term community partnerships that have a lasting impact? And how do volunteers work in partnership with the local community?
How and why was the organisation set up?
What sort of organisation is it (e.g. NGO, charity, profit-making)?
Is the organisation linked to other reputable companies or does it have travel or government endorsements?
6. Does the organisation you are going with have established offices overseas that work in partnership with local people?
7. Can your organisation guarantee you 24 hour a day health, safety and security assistance?
Ask if you can be put in touch with people who have been on their projects before. If possible, try to speak to someone who has volunteered with the organisation in person rather than trusting testimonials.
Look at insurance very carefully - are you covered for the kind of work you'll be doing and for both baggage and health insurance?
Spend some time researching the country that you want to go to, checking out the political situation, climate etc. Does the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) approve of travel to this country?
Ensure that you have adequate supplies of any prescription medication you need. You may also wish to take a first aid kit.
8. Does the organisation have a commitment to diversity amongst its volunteers?
9. How does the organisation encourage long-term awareness of real development issues?
10. How will your work be monitored and evaluated so that others can build on what you have done?
