Volunteering 101
Answers to some frequently asked questions
Compiled by Abroad View Editors
What type of accommodations can volunteers expect?
What types of projects to volunteers typically participate in? Do you need particular skill sets?
What type of accommodations can volunteers expect?
It depends on the type of program and cost. Often, less expensive and often longer-term programs have accommodations such as camping, hostel, shared housing owned by program, dormitory (with cafeteria-style meals), shared hotel room, host family…. In Europe some programs, like Rempart or British Conservation Trust, house volunteers in special interest accommodations such as castles, monasteries, period houses, etc.
Voluntours or more exclusive options may have accommodations such as 3- or 4-star hotels, B&Bs, luxurious camping/tenting set-up, etc. You should check if the program’s cost is based on a shared room, as this is often the case.
Many of the companies that run volunteer programs or vacations charge high fees for the experience to volunteer. Why pay to volunteer?
Although a few (longer-term) projects pay a stipend to volunteers, you’ll have to pay a program fee to participate in most volunteer programs, and some can be costly. Program fees range from $50 to $3,000+, depending on the program's degree of involvement and the accommodation provided. Generally, a short-term trip with a U.S. based program operator costs around $1,000 and covers accommodation, meals, in-country transportation, medical insurance, project materials, direct financial contribution to the community, and coordinator expenses. Airfare is extra. If the program is run by a registered non-profit organization you can check if the fee is tax deductible.
Although some programs have higher fees, volunteer vacations often offer good value because their prices reflect living conditions more consistent with those of the host country rather than traditional vacations. For example, meals are more likely to consist of local foods (you may even prepare them yourself) and accommodations are often modest. Some may offer a surprising level of privacy and physical comfort—with air conditioning, private rooms, and cooks. Some provide educational lectures and activities in the evenings, or organized group excursions to explore surrounding areas on days off.
At the other extreme, some organizations charge high fees of a few thousand dollars and upward (Service-learning programs are generally more costly and consistent with traditional study abroad programs, because they offer the chance to earn academic credit in a structured educational program that also includes service.). But, in return for higher fees often comes the comfort and safety you pay for: extensive pre-trip reading materials, someone to escort you from the airport, security when using public transportation in high risk areas, on-site training, hotel accommodation, prepared meals, a volunteer coordinator on-site at all times, assistance dealing with local officials, etc. As well, some of these organizations will use part of your program fee to pay for supplies donated to the community being served.
Other reasons for the costs are:
• The local organizations and projects with which you volunteer abroad have limited resources and are seldom able to subsidize your trip or cover the costs of hosting you. (These costs include housing, feeding and transporting you.)
• Identifying appropriate host organizations overseas and working with them is time-consuming, takes resources, and requires an experienced and professional staff.
• The process of preparing, training, transporting, housing, feeding, and supervising volunteers is not cheap. Additional services such as health care, re-entry assistance, travel medical insurance, and more, all add to the expenses of a program.
•The costs of overhead and operating expenses.
As a general rule of thumb, if a program charges a high fee, you want to ask where its revenues go. Ideally, only 10-15% would go toward general and administrative costs, while 85 to 90% would go toward field expenses, program development and management, and volunteer coordination and outreach. This is even better if local persons, suppliers, and operators are being employed.
A less expensive volunteer option is often referred to as a “workcamp.” These exist in locations around the world and allow people to live and volunteer together for a few weeks on grassroots projects often organized by local sponsors. Such volunteer projects are often most beneficial for the community, since income remains local and the cost of training volunteers is very low.
Searchable databases or directories:
Volunteers for Peace has a searchable database of workcamps which cost in the hundreds, not thousands. The International Workcamp Directory lists a variety of workcamps worldwide. WWOOF (World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) is also interesting. You join, and then are provided with a guide to organic farms around the world. The details are up to you and the farmer, but usually you exchange your labor for room and board.
Depending on the organization and the amount of time you will be away, you may be able to, or sometimes required to do, fundraising. Volunteers who have gone this route have often done so successfully and report that fundraising brings them closer to their home community and helps them take the commitment more seriously. You may want to ask your prospective volunteer organization about this.
What is the average or recommended length of time for volunteering? Are there a variety of time period options?
When you talk about duration of volunteer projects, it’s important to understand there are many varieties. At one end, for example, is the Peace Corps, which is a 2-year commitment. In addition to Peace Corps are other long-term options, such as 2-year and 1-year programs. A good book that lists many of these these programs is called "Alternatives to the Peace Corps."
Between long-term and short-term are many options from 1-month to 6-months, but of increasing popularity are short-term volunteering and “voluntours.” These are hybrid experiences that combine some traditional sightseeing, free time, and/or the chance to learn about the culture and activities of your host country with the opportunity to volunteer. These can be anywhere from one afternoon to 1 to 3 weeks. Some are trips where you don’t actually volunteer in a hands-on way, but the trip has a service component, such as delivering books, school supplies, or medicine, and more opportunities to engage with the local people, and sometimes even stay with the local families.
One example is Heifer International, which takes travelers to see the local communities that Heifer donations help. Travelers bring livestock gifts to the people and learn firsthand how the livestock benefits the local families.
i-to-i has Meaningful Travel tours that combine sightseeing and activities with volunteering.
Cross-Cultural Solutions has 1-2 week options as an alternative to its longer programs, and it is a very well respected volunteer organization.
There are many examples of short-term volunteer vacations in the book Volunteer Vacations by by Bill McMillon, Doug Cutchins, and Anne Geissinger. A short experience can be a great way to test whether you enjoy it enough to commit to a longer duration.
What happens if I get there and find out the experience is really not for me or that I am not ready to handle it?
Make sure you check with the organization or program about its refund policy in the event that you are unable to make the trip. Also, be sure you really consider and research the environment you are about to enter. If you are preparing to be on a particularly rugged program or in a remote location, it may physically be very difficult to leave quickly and easily. If you have not volunteered before, it may be better to pick a location that will be more comfortable for your first time or that will at least allow you a quick exit if necessary. You don’t want to find yourself in the middle of a jungle or desert, with a day’s bus ride to a city with an airport; even if you make it to that city, keep in mind that from some parts of the world flights don’t run as regularly and often as they do from U.S. cities.
Do volunteers have free time?
Each program arranges free time differently, but most build in time for processing and sharing stories, gripes, and joys with other volunteers. And many give you opportunities to explore the local country and culture. Some arrange activities such as learning to cook, dance, speak the host country’s language, etc. Some have free time available during afternoons, most evenings, and every weekend. The local staff can also give you suggestions for places to visit, or you can create your own agenda. During your weekend you can take excursions to other parts of the country, or you may choose not to travel, and stay in town to get to know the community better. You may also choose to travel before or after the program. If having free time is important to you, you should ask the program how much unstructured time there is.
Who typically volunteers?
It is best if you talk to your program about the type of people who typically volunteer with their program. Ask for a profile of their average volunteer. It will be important for you to get along well with these individuals as you may be working on projects as a team and possibly sharing accommodations. You also should check whether the organization has a religious affiliation or particular philosophy.
What types of projects to volunteers typically participate in? Do you need particular skill sets?
Volunteer projects are incredibly varied. Generally you do not need skills, but if they are required the program will indicate what it is seeking (e.g. language skills, carpentry skills, teaching credentials); even on a project through Habitat for Humanity, where you would be building houses, the project coordinator can often teach you what you need to know to provide basic assistance. In fact, an often-touted benefit of volunteering for a project is actually learning a new skill set.
Scientists on research expeditions will teach their volunteers what they need to know to assist, although certain advanced research (or credentials like scuba certification) may require that you have some training, and, again, this should be indicated in the program descriptions/requirements.
There are a number of programs that combine language-learning with volunteering. You may want to work with animals or wildlife, and there are specific organizations focused on these interests. There’s children’s issues, community development, the environment, poverty, social justice, teaching English, HIV/AIDS awareness training, caring for the disabled or elderly, women’s empowerment, and many other types of projects.
How do you prepare for a volunteer experience? If you sign up for a volunteer program will the organization offer training?
On a logistical level, you must decide the type of volunteer work for which you are best suited. It is very important that to make sure that you have both the interest and the physical ability to volunteer for a particular project, and this requires some self-analysis. You must also take into account many of the practical issues you will encounter abroad as a volunteer and plan how to handle them.
Once you’ve chosen a program, find out if it has an orientation or if it offers a reading list. You should also raise any concerns or questions you have with program advisers/managers before you go. It is further advisable to speak to previous volunteers (this is a good way to evaluate a program before making a decision).
If you’ve never experienced cultural shock it can be tougher than you would think, especially when you add a challenge such as volunteering. Read about culture shock ahead of time so that you know what type of emotions and obstacles to expect.
As you would before traveling anywhere, read everything you can to learn about the culture and country you are visiting. Research the country’s basic history and religion. Ask your sponsoring organization for cultural tips. Learn at least a few basic phrases in the host country’s language—you’ll be surprised by how much goodwill this will help establish upon arrival. When volunteering, especially if dealing with serious issues like poverty, malnutrition, social justice, etc. read about customs and cultural norms to understand more about the people with whom you’ll be interacting in very personal situations. In some cultures getting assistance (i.e. "aid") is seen as a source of shame. It is important that you understand the culture and social dynamics so that you can be sensitive and respectful to the people—and also so that you don’t take anything personally that might otherwise upset or offend you.
On a practical note, you may want to ask your program or host whether you should bring gifts, and what types, for people in your host community, especially if you are staying with a host family.
One often repeated piece of advice from returning volunteers for prospective volunteers is not to go abroad with unrealistic expectations. Many people volunteer to "make a difference" or "save the world," but often they get disappointed or discouraged by their inability to affect change or they struggle with not accomplishing a lot. Before you go, spend time self-reflecting and thinking about why you want to volunteer. The book How to Live Your Dream of Volunteering Overseas has a few excellent chapters on this topic: "Is Volunteering Overseas Right for You?" "The Big Picture: International Volunteering in Context," "What to Do Before You Go," and "How to Be an Effective International Volunteer." Also read the Abroad View articles at www.abroadview.org/going/volunteer/index.htm, such as Good Intentions and Making a Difference, Not a Disturbance.
Overall, it’s important to be realistic about what can be accomplished in a couple or few weeks. Doug Cutchins, author of Volunteer Vacations, says:
"Don’t try to become an expert or eliminate all of the surprises. Unless it will be several years before you depart, odds are you will be frustrated. In a worst-case scenario, you might actually set up false expectations that aren’t fulfilled. Second, you will want to savor the surprises that come with discovering the nuances and delights that every country and culture has to offer.
Spend some time in intentional reflection before you go. What do you want to gain from this journey? How do you hope this experience changes you as a person? What are your goals, both personally and as a community servant? What are you most excited or nervous about? Start your journaling several weeks before departure, and be sure to chronicle both what you’re doing to prepare and what you’re feeling as you get ready.
Once you’re off on your volunteer vacation, try to lose yourself in the experience as much as possible. Your time is likely to go quickly, and you’ll be on a plane home before you know it. So embrace that fact rather than fight it.
In interacting with the host culture, don’t demand too much. And remember that you are a guest. Don’t just follow the golden rule; follow the cross-culturally updated version: Do unto others as they would have you do."