The chance to volunteer abroad can be both intimidating and exciting at the same time. There is that fear of encountering unknown forces, but then you also get to experience a whole new world that you have never seen before. This is an opportunity that you should definitely not miss out, so here are some great tips to know before you pack your bags and do your part to help the world.
You should learn to adapt and train yourself to tolerate discomfort because you will likely be placed in really tough environments. Being a volunteer in developing countries means that you have to do away with the luxurious amenities and adapt to a more rustic setting. Your mind and body must be suitably prepared to deal with such uncomfortable situations.
Upon receiving your assignment from the volunteering program you signed up for, your next course of actions should be hitting the books to study everything about where you are going. Get a comprehensive knowledge base on the country you are heading to, as well as getting a handle on the languages and dialects. This will be a considerable advantage if you can learn this before you leave.
While it can be very tempting to treat this whole affair as a vacation of sorts, your primary objective should be to focus on the basics. As such, packing for your volunteer job overseas should be strictly kept to the absolute essentials that can be reused to save on precious luggage space. Resist the urge to bring anything that will only be cumbersome during your trip.
Visit your doctor days before you leave and ask for a medical checkup, plus requesting to get all the important vaccines and supplementary shots done. This is a prerequisite that you must comply because your health and safety should never be compromised when traveling to foreign nations. As an added precaution, make sure to bring your own supply of medicines in case of emergencies.
In relation to the previous point, it is essential to learn some basic medical procedures which you can do by yourself in case of emergencies. You just never know when disasters might strike while being on the job, so you need to be fully prepared for such contingencies. Study up on the basics of first aid, as well as other life saving techniques like CPR or the Heimlich maneuver.
Not everyone you will encounter is your friend, because there will always be those who have malicious intentions towards foreigners. That being said, there are plenty of people who are genuine and truly want to help you out when you need assistance. Strike the right balance between keeping your guard up at all times but also coming across as being polite and friendly to the locals.
Lastly, never make the mistake of not having emergency funds for your extended trip abroad doing volunteerism. Even when you have set aside a preordained budget, chances are there might be times when you will be forced to spend on some things that you did not expect. In this regard, it is prudent to have your credit card or international ATM card at the ready for such contingencies.
Becoming a volunteer is a tough job, but in the end, it is a truly rewarding experience that you will not regret. As long as you take heed of these handy tips, success is definitely in your cards. Above all, have fun with the process and stay positive in the face of adversity.
You should learn to adapt and train yourself to tolerate discomfort because you will likely be placed in really tough environments. Being a volunteer in developing countries means that you have to do away with the luxurious amenities and adapt to a more rustic setting. Your mind and body must be suitably prepared to deal with such uncomfortable situations.
Upon receiving your assignment from the volunteering program you signed up for, your next course of actions should be hitting the books to study everything about where you are going. Get a comprehensive knowledge base on the country you are heading to, as well as getting a handle on the languages and dialects. This will be a considerable advantage if you can learn this before you leave.
While it can be very tempting to treat this whole affair as a vacation of sorts, your primary objective should be to focus on the basics. As such, packing for your volunteer job overseas should be strictly kept to the absolute essentials that can be reused to save on precious luggage space. Resist the urge to bring anything that will only be cumbersome during your trip.
Visit your doctor days before you leave and ask for a medical checkup, plus requesting to get all the important vaccines and supplementary shots done. This is a prerequisite that you must comply because your health and safety should never be compromised when traveling to foreign nations. As an added precaution, make sure to bring your own supply of medicines in case of emergencies.
In relation to the previous point, it is essential to learn some basic medical procedures which you can do by yourself in case of emergencies. You just never know when disasters might strike while being on the job, so you need to be fully prepared for such contingencies. Study up on the basics of first aid, as well as other life saving techniques like CPR or the Heimlich maneuver.
Not everyone you will encounter is your friend, because there will always be those who have malicious intentions towards foreigners. That being said, there are plenty of people who are genuine and truly want to help you out when you need assistance. Strike the right balance between keeping your guard up at all times but also coming across as being polite and friendly to the locals.
Lastly, never make the mistake of not having emergency funds for your extended trip abroad doing volunteerism. Even when you have set aside a preordained budget, chances are there might be times when you will be forced to spend on some things that you did not expect. In this regard, it is prudent to have your credit card or international ATM card at the ready for such contingencies.
Becoming a volunteer is a tough job, but in the end, it is a truly rewarding experience that you will not regret. As long as you take heed of these handy tips, success is definitely in your cards. Above all, have fun with the process and stay positive in the face of adversity.
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