Volunteering not only gives you an experience of a lifetime but also gives you the satisfaction of doing something for the society we live in. In the developed cities of the world, it has become quite a trend to take volunteer trips for adults. They open your eyes to the plight of the less fortunate in a foreign land. It brings you closer to the reality a multitude of people are living at another end of the world. So, here is a guide for a successful volunteer trip to a foreign land.
- Do your research about the country you are headed to
When you go to volunteer in a foreign country, you must have in-depth knowledge about the culture, economy, dialect, living conditions, medical facilities and living cost.
You need to research on the vaccines you must take before you step your foot on foreign land. It is only possible for you to be a volunteer if you can stay healthy and fit. For example, if you are travelling to India, then WHO recommends the following vaccines.
- Hepatitis A and B
- Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV)
- Typhoid Vaccine
- Varicella Vaccine
- Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine
- Meningococcal vaccine
- Rabies Vaccine
- Yellow Fever Vaccine
- Consider your budget
You have to understand that volunteer work is done without any expectation of monetary gains. So, you have to make a concrete inventory that must include the cost of your visa, travel, communication, food, accommodation, medicinal facilities, etc. It is a wise idea to pick a developing country like India to volunteer in where the cost of living is quite cheap so you can volunteer there even on a student budget.
- Align your interest and expertise to your volunteer work
Try to find an organization asking for the help of volunteers in a field in which you can make a positive contribution. You have to ask yourself what you can do by volunteering that the local cannot do by themselves. So, if you are an architect or builder or happen to have an interest in designing, then look for an organization that build homes for the homeless or in areas which were struck with the wrath of natural disasters.
- Gather the necessary legal documents
In a foreign land, your passport is your life support. Apart from carrying your passport and visa safely, you should also go through the guidelines given by the organization you are volunteering to know what other legal documents you must carry. Some countries have stricter policies so go through the information given in official government sites thoroughly on what legal documents you should be armed with.
- Pack your wardrobe carefully
This is when thorough research on the societal standards and culture of the country you are visiting comes to play. Apart from focusing on the functionality and comfort of the clothes you are packing, you should also keep in mind what is deemed appropriate in the country and pack accordingly. Try to keep things minimal when you go for international volunteer trips.