These days, a person wanting to volunteer abroad has the luxury of real choice: a wide range of opportunities exist, offering different types of work experiences and building various job skills. Navigating and understanding the various options can be tricky, even overwhelming. As volunteering abroad has become more popular, challenges in this sector have come to light. Choosing an ethical experience that aligns with your interests, motivations and expectations requires some time and research. This section will help you understand and explore the different options available, so that you can make an informed decision and choose the ideal experience to develop your skills.
Below we will review some of the advantages and disadvantages of going through an organization or organizing a placement on your own. We will also break down the different types of placements and service providers to help you determine what type of experience makes the most sense for you. Finally, we’ll tackle some sticky issues, like why you should consider paying to volunteer and which types of experiences you might think about avoiding. This should give you a better sense of what option will be the best fit with your personal situation and career aspirations. Answering some key questions before you dive into the research can also help you narrow down the field and ensure you are focusing your time and efforts effectively.
Volunteer through a sending organization
Today, the majority of volunteer assignments are facilitated through organizations. These range from nonprofit and for-profit volunteer-sending agencies, to faith-based organizations, to corporate employee engagement programs. Volunteering through a reputable organization can provide many advantages. Usually they will identify a placement suitable for you, design and coordinate your placement with the host organization, take care of in-country logistics such as accommodation, meals and transport and provide support before, during and after your placement. Most volunteer sending organizations have response plans in place, should any kind of emergency take place - from personal or medical issues, to natural disasters or civil unrest. Having someone else responsible for these tasks may give you (or your family!) peace of mind and allow you to better focus on your volunteer activities, skills development and learning—especially if you do not have significant experience living abroad.
Developing strong relationships with staff from your sending organization may lead to future employment prospects. You can use the opportunity to build your professional network, starting from the application process. Upon your return, your sending organization may be able to assist you by acting as references, writing letters on your behalf or helping with your job hunt in other ways. Overseas contacts may also be able to assist you in these ways, especially if you decide you wish to extend your stay or return to the country; however, this may be more challenging to coordinate once you are back home.
There are some issues to be aware of when selecting an organization. Program fees may vary widely and can be costly. The level of support you may receive or what is included with those fees may also differ quite considerably. Finally, the thoughtfulness of the volunteer projects and their impacts on host communities can vary widely.
If you decide to go through an organization, take the time to do your research by speaking to staff, past volunteers and reading online websites and blogs. Our How to Choose section will help guide you through the process and a comprehensive directory of opportunities can be found using our Program Search Tool.
Types of volunteer placements
Broadly speaking, volunteer abroad placements with an organization can be sorted into three different categories, though the boundaries are not always clearly defined. Understanding the differences between them and where to situate yourself is a good place to start. Once you have a better idea of which type of experience is right for you, you can start to explore the different types of organizations.
Long-term skilled placements
These types of placements provide a great way to build your global experience and career-related expertise in a strategic and substantive way. They require a real time investment--often six months to two years--and are usually highly competitive. Most, if not all, costs are covered and a small stipend is usually offered to cover living expenses. You will be required to work full-time and your volunteer activities will be your primary focus. If you have specialized skills or a strong background in a particular sector or issue, are able to train or teach others and have a desire to deepen your experience in a global context, this type of placement may be for you.
Most of these opportunities are provided by non-profit volunteer sending organizations and government sponsored programs. Examples of these are CUSO, the Peace Corps and UN Volunteers. If you are considering a career in international development, these experiences may be counted towards an overseas work experience requirement and can be a critical way to get your foot in the door. Spending a substantial amount of time in another country can also offer valuable opportunities for networking and language acquisition.
The following is a non-exhaustive list of some commonly sought-after areas of expertise (often at the Master’s level): education, health, sanitation, financial management, law, engineering, agriculture, logistics and ICT. Similarly, experience in areas such as health promotion, capacity building, training, working with marginalized groups, governance, informal education and language skills are highly valued.
Short-term skilled placements
Some short-term volunteer opportunities require the help of highly skilled volunteers to achieve specific project outcomes in a short period of time--usually a few weeks to a couple of months. These programs are generally competitive, though the level of skill and experience required can vary widely and will depend on the sending organization. Requirements can range from a Masters degree with some basic experience in a certain field to executive level with 10+ years experience. Fees may be lower than more general placements and/or some costs may be covered, although this is not always the case.
This option may be ideal if you have specific education and expertise but limited time or international experience. It may also be helpful if you are considering a career transition into an international context or are looking to contribute your skills in a meaningful way, while reassessing your current priorities. There has been an increase in these types of placements in recent years as organizations are recognizing the desire to volunteer in many individuals who may be unable to undertake long-term assignments.
Short-term general placements
There are many, many short-term volunteer abroad opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds, interests and skill levels. These opportunities are usually geared towards those with little to no international experience and they are generally more focused on the volunteer experience, which may be reflected in how the programs are designed. They may be organized as individual or team assignments and can be a good option if you want to explore an interest in working abroad but don’t yet have the experience for a skilled placement.
These types of programs almost always require you to pay a fee to volunteer and have varying eligibility requirements. Some organizations may ask for soft skills, such as adaptability, flexibility and communication skills, or experience with a specific issue. Others might only need you to meet basic health requirements and be able to pay the fee.
Many different types of organizations offer these kinds of experiences, including nonprofit and for-profit volunteer-sending agencies, faith-based organizations and schools. Even some travel companies and hotels are getting into the mix. Opportunities range from volunteer vacations and voluntourism--which combine travel and volunteer service--to longer, more project-focused volunteer activities. You might have an opportunity to spend a few weeks working with a local organization in Vanuatu facilitating basic hygiene workshops or assist with turtle conservation at a research station in Costa Rica. To make the most of your experience, try to find a program that is ethical and relevant to your career aspirations in some way.
The emphasis, quality and sustainability of these programs can vary widely, so it is especially important to do thorough research if you are leaning towards this type of volunteering. In particular, try to speak to a returned volunteer (or two) to get a realistic picture of what a given program actually looks like on the ground.
Types of organizations
There are many kinds of organizations that offer volunteer abroad programs. Familiarizing yourself with the various types will help you understand and navigate some of the differences between opportunities and narrow down your options based on which programs and organizations best align with your motivations and expectations. As always, do your research! Each category has some great organizations and some that are best avoided.
Nonprofit volunteer sending organizations:
Nonprofit volunteer sending organizations are classified as either registered charities or nonprofits and are dedicated to furthering a specific social cause. Any profits are invested back into the organization.
Examples include: Cross Cultural Solutions, Global Volunteers, Canada World Youth, WUSC, Youth Challenge International
For-profit volunteer sending organizations:
These organizations are classified as businesses and generate a profit for their owners. Many are focused on doing social and environmental good and some may be set up as social enterprises.
Examples include: Projects Abroad, Volunteer Abroad, Me to We
Government agencies/sponsored programs:
Many countries fund large-scale volunteer sending programs. In the United States, the Peace Corps is actually an agency of the US Government. The Canadian government provides millions of dollars annually to registered charities that engage in international volunteer-sending. There are also some special programs that have the majority of their funding come from a consortium of countries, such as UN Volunteers.
Examples include: The Peace Corps (United States), CUSO (Canada), VIDA (Australia)
Schools:
Many high schools, colleges and universities in Canada and the United States offer short-term service learning trips for students to combine volunteer activities with learning opportunities. Study abroad programs and language schools are also starting to incorporate volunteer service alongside their main programs.
Examples include: World Learning
Companies:
Some companies offer opportunities for their employees to volunteer abroad through in-house employee engagement programs or through partnership with volunteer sending organizations. These programs are often limited to larger multinational corporations.
Examples include: IBM, Deloitte partnership with CUSO
Faith based organizations:
Faith based organizations send numerous volunteers each year and represent one of the oldest types of volunteering abroad. Some organizations connect their religion to their development work, but many groups do not proselytize or have any religious message or faith requirements, operating much like any other non-profit.
Examples include: Mennonite Central Committee, Ve’ahavta, Samaritan’s Purse, Catholic Network of Volunteer Service
Volunteer Vacation/Volontourism Operators:
These organizations may be for profit or nonprofit and often offer short-term opportunities that combine travel/tourism and volunteering.
Examples include: Operation Groundswell, G Adventures
Arrange it yourself
Can’t find a program that fits your interests or timeframe? Some volunteers choose to organize their placement directly with an overseas organization. This route can provide some distinct advantages and disadvantages when compared to going through a structured program. Since there is no “middleman”, you may be able to tailor the experience more precisely to your specific interests and career goals. You will have greater control over your time and money and know exactly what your funds are being spent on. Volunteer activities can be integrated with studying and travelling abroad and completed on your own schedule.
However, arranging your own experience requires extensive research and is probably not recommended if it is your first international foray. If challenges arise while you are overseas, you will be responsible for dealing with them yourself. This might not be a huge issue if you get sick or even lose your passport, but dealing with a bad placement, visa issues or civil unrest can be pretty tricky to navigate in a foreign country, even for seasoned travellers.
Before you choose to pursue this type of experience, consider your potential impact on the local organization. What resources will they need to invest to support you? Do you speak the the language? What other types of help might you need from them? If your objective is to be of assistance, it’s important to critically assess your net potential contribution to ensure you do not end up being a drain on the local organization’s resources. This is especially relevant if you are planning on volunteering with an organization that does not have a lot of experience hosting international volunteers, as they may not be aware of the work involved. Before you begin to work, take the time to work with your contacts: clearly define your role and the expectations on both sides to ensure that it is a mutually beneficial experience and that you are, in fact, adding value to the organization.
Finally, consider your own level of motivation and experience. Arranging your own volunteer experience will test and develop your abilities of research, analysis, organization and cross-cultural communications: you will be facing these challenges independently, and it will be your responsibility to troubleshoot any problems that arise. Rising to this challenge can be a great way to develop skills relevant to the job market, but it may not be wise for your first foray into international work.
Even if you have been overseas before, arranging a placement independently may not be the best option for you. Some people do better in a structured environment, and volunteering outside of a program on their own may result in them not taking the experience as seriously as they might otherwise. Be honest with yourself, and consider the potential impacts of your decision - both for yourself and for the organization you end up volunteering with.
Why should I pay to volunteer?
For many potential volunteers, this is the first major hurdle for them to overcome--both psychologically and practically. It might seem strange to have to make a financial investment in your volunteer experience while at the same time donating your time and skills. However, there are good reasons why volunteer-sending organizations need to charge fees—and the personal and professional return on your investment can be immense.
It takes significant resources to manage projects and volunteers. When you consider everything that goes into designing and facilitating a successful volunteer experience, paying will start to make a little more sense. This is especially the case for short-term placements, which require a lot of investment on the part of the sending organization (recruitment of volunteers, training, supervision, etc.) when compared to the length of service. If a local organization had enough money to cover the costs of an international volunteer, it would almost certainly be more cost-effective for them to hire a local, who knows the language and culture already, for the position.
To give you a better picture of how your money might be spent, here are some of the key costs associated with sending and hosting volunteers:
- Design and development or programs that benefit volunteers and overseas organizations
- Development of partnerships with overseas organizations
- Salaries for in-country project staff
- Staff to recruit, prepare and support volunteers
- Development of pre-departure and re-entry resources for volunteers
- Training of volunteers and staff
- Costs to recruit and screen volunteers
- Insurance and risk management (what happens if you need to be evacuated?)
- In-country accommodation, travel, food
- Monitoring and evaluation of projects
- Financial contributions towards the projects
Some registered charities require or encourage you to fundraise your program fee (rather than pay out of pocket) and may be able to provide tax receipts to your donors, which can be a real help. Fundraising is a great way to develop your organizational and communications skills, increase your financial literacy and gain some experience raising awareness about the issues you will be working on. In international development, there are often entry-level fundraising jobs available and this can be a great way to break into the field. Raising money to fund your trip will give you tangible experience and enhance your job-related skills before you even get on the plane.
Every program and organization is different, so be sure to get a detailed and transparent breakdown of what costs are covered so that you can accurately compare options. If this is difficult to procure, it might be a red flag. Our What’s Included Worksheet might be a helpful way for you to analyze and compare fees across programs. Prices vary widely, whether the organization is nonprofit or for-profit.There are ethical and reputable organizations on both sides as well as ones that could do a better job of providing safe, sustainable, quality experiences. If you do your research, you should be able to find an organization whose mission and opportunities are right for you.
Volunteer work to consider avoiding
As we’ve discussed above, there are lots of opportunities to find meaningful, relevant volunteer work that will help you launch your career. However, your desire to make a difference and gain experience and skills should always be tempered with a realistic expectation of what kind of work you are capable of doing. Sending organizations provide varying levels of coordination and support and while you can’t always know what kind of impact your work will have--on you or your host organization/community--you certainly want to make sure you don’t cause any unintended additional hardship or harm.
Unfortunately, research has documented that this has and does happen. Instances of local builders having to fix manual labor done by unskilled volunteers is more common than we would like to admit. More problematic is some research done into the impact of untrained volunteers working with vulnerable children in residential care settings, such as orphanages. The 2014 Better Volunteering, Better Care report found that volunteering in these settings can cause negative impacts on the children by increasing the expansion of these kind of centres, creating attachment problems in children who bond with short-term visitors, providing opportunities for abuse where regulations are lax and perpetuating the myth that these children are orphans, when many actually still have their families close by. It even calls for an end to all short-term volunteer work in these settings and strict guidelines for long term volunteers.
As you do your research, you may come across the term ‘voluntourism’, which refers to programs that combine volunteer work with extensive recreational and leisure activities, generally in a supportive group environment. Many short-term general placements that are geared towards gap-year students and recent graduates are designed in this way and emphasize the volunteer experience instead of specific project activities and outcomes. This type of volunteering has been criticized in the media and by development professionals and some host communities as being ineffective at best and in some cases quite harmful, as illustrated by the examples above. This is not to say that all short-term volunteer abroad opportunities are detrimental or ineffective, but rather a word of caution and a reminder of the importance of asking yourself some tough questions about your desire to make a difference.
To help you avoid these and other less than desirable situations, here are some questions to consider when looking at potential opportunities.
- Would I be qualified to do this work at home?
- Is this work sustainable? Who will continue it after I have gone?
- Does this placement take away local paid jobs? What impact will it have on the local economy?
- Am I going to be working with vulnerable groups? Does this make sense given the length of the assignment? What screening processes (e.g., police checks) are in place?
- What are some potential unintended consequences of my presence?
Volunteering abroad in an ethical way requires that you take the time to understand the different types of opportunities, programs and organizations and complete your due diligence to ensure you find an experience that will help you meet your goals and positively impact the community you are living in.
