Charity Volunteering Abroad – Why You Should!

Globalteer Answers: Why Volunteer With a Charity Abroad?

Volunteering is always a big undertaking but doing it internationally is a life-changing one. Working with a charity abroad means understanding foreign places to a deeper extent, forging new connections, and simply growing in a way one cannot in a classroom or office. Have a look at some of the reasons to help a volunteer charity abroad below:  

Just a few of the sites that can be seen abroad."
Siem Reap's bustling nightlife."
Argentina Animal Sanctuary"

Get to Know a Place

Tourism sites are enjoyable – and we have no shortage of placements close to them – but there is always more to learn about a new country. That is why our partners abroad range from locally run animal sanctuaries to schools to all kinds of community programs. Working with natives who are passionate about their cause gives a volunteer perspective and sheds light on how people all over are moving to make positive changes in their community. By confronting some of the challenges a place may face, we become equipped with a better understanding of the values and culture that makes a nation so special on an intimate level. Charity volunteering can last from a week to a few months but no amount of time on a charity trip abroad ever feels wasted.

Volunteers socializing in Cambodia"
Charity volunteers and interns in Cusco"
Volunteer abroad house in Cambodia"

Make Friends All Over

A commitment as big as international volunteering attracts like-minded people. While helping charities abroad, you’re destined to meet individuals from all over with similar values. It takes a certain kind of person to dedicate their time to an entirely new country with the attitude of both a helper and an explorer. But remember that volunteering is not just for the young traveler or the gap-year student; during your time, you’ll likely meet charity workers of all ages and backgrounds. You might consider an organization that provides housing if you wish to have something closer to a home environment with your fellow volunteers.  

(Author’s note: I just moved into the Cusco Globalteer house a week ago and love the inclusive environment! I share a home with people I never would have met but am certainly glad I did. Plus, movie and game nights are run democratically.) 

volunteers in cambodia"
An intern at the Cusco dog shelter"

Get to Know Yourself

Curious to see which service ignites a passion in you? Wondering how well you’d adapt to living abroad and breaking down language barriers? Charity volunteering abroad is a learning experience. Immersing oneself in another country and facing its local challenges head-on requires sympathy, respect for other cultures and the ability to adapt. Put simply, these trips shape us in a way that sitting at any desk in our home country can’t. Growth happens outside our comfort zones and the right volunteer organization will be there for you as you step out of it. 
 

charity volunteering abroad"
volunteering"
volunteer abroad"

A Note on Responsibility:  

You’ve probably heard of “voluntourism” - a trend in which for-profit companies funnel dispassionate “volunteers” who do more harm than good. It’s true that this is an issue and the only way to combat it is research in your selection process. So take steps to ensure that your charity volunteering experience is good for everyone. Remember to investigate an organization’s standards for participants and relationships with in-country partners. Also, look into how they allocate their money (especially if you’re being solicited for a fee). If you’re interested in child or animal welfare, remember that these subsets have their own protection measures to evaluate.   
 
For an overview of the measures we take as a leader in responsible volunteering, check out this page. 
 

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