How to Choose?

Choosing an ethical volunteer opportunity that will provide the experience you are looking for can be challenging and will require a combination of personal reflection and research along with a willingness to take a leap and embrace the unknown. 

In this section we’ll guide you through a series of questions that can help you narrow down your search from what can often be an overwhelming number of options. You’ll have a chance to consider your personal interests, needs and temperament to get a sense of what factors are most important to you in a volunteer experience. This information will help you focus your initial search to quickly scan for opportunities that fit your criteria. Our Program Search tool can be a good place to start.

After you’ve narrowed it down to your top few opportunities, you’ll need to do some in-depth research on your options. As a starting point, we’ve compiled a list of questions for you to ask and a tool that will help you compare your top options. You should spend some time reviewing the organization’s websites, contacting them with follow-up questions and, maybe most importantly, getting in touch with past volunteers. It may seem like a lot of work, but not all volunteer experiences are created equal. Making an informed decision is an essential step on your journey to volunteering abroad.

Narrowing down your options

Take a minute to imagine your ideal experience overseas. Where are you? What are you working on? What does your average day consist of? What time of year is it? Are you alone or in a group? You might already have a good idea of what you would like your future experience to look like or you may not. The what, where and when are some of the key factors that define an international volunteer experience and provide a good starting point for consideration before you delve too deeply into the research.

Depending on your past experience, some of the questions below may be hypothetical and some you may have direct experience with. It can be hard to predict how you will react in a new situation, but the process of thinking through what’s involved with the experience can be a helpful one to set realistic expectations.

Of course, keep in mind that it is often the element of surprise and new learning that is one of the most valuable parts of an overseas experience, so don’t overthink it! Nevertheless, if you’re not already clear on specifically what you want to do, read on and use this tool to help you focus your search by examining and prioritizing which of these factors are most important to you.

What do I want to do?

What type of work you are interested in? What broad issues do you want to engage? What specific tasks do you envision doing? Many volunteers find their skills best utilized in a 9-to-5 work day in an office. Others prefer early days in the rainforest collecting specimens or working late at a health clinic facilitating programs for youth. Think about what you have to offer, what you are hoping to gain and what sort of experience would best suit your interests and temperament.

You may want to put your education into practice, perhaps in an area you would like to find work in the future. Or, if you are a mid-career professional looking for a change, you might choose to volunteer in an unrelated field. You might be able to narrow it down to a specific issue or type of task or choose a few that are of interest.

Be strategic with your choice and look for an experience that is both meaningful and relevant to your future plans and aspirations. Determine what type of experience best fits your personal situation--a long-term skilled assignment or a shorter skilled or more general opportunity.

Information to help you think through the different options can be found on our Types of Volunteer Programs page. 

Where do I want to go?

Many volunteer abroad programs allow you to choose where you would like to volunteer (the Peace Corps are a notable exception). You might already have a region or specific place in mind. Many volunteers choose a location where they might like to work, a place that will allow them to develop or improve key language skills or a country they have always wanted to visit. Be sure to consider the climate and environment of your preferred locations to ensure you are comfortable working in what may be extreme heat or cold or dealing with lots of rain or insects.

Do you prefer an urban or rural experience? They are quite different. Urban experiences often provide access to familiar conveniences such as movie theaters, high-speed internet, western-style restaurants or comfort foods from home. Capital cities often host Canadian embassies which may organize events and programming for expatriates. On the other hand, it can be more difficult to meet local people and integrate into the community in a larger city, and it may be more difficult to adjust to for someone from a smaller rural community.

Rural options on the other hand often insert you directly into the community and it may be easier to make friends, develop a social life and learn a language. You may not have access to certain things you take for granted such as hot water (or running water!), privacy (or anonymity) and familiar foods. While many volunteers appreciate living in a way that is completely different from what they are used to, this is of course not true for everyone.

Be sure to also factor the cost of living into your consideration. This can vary greatly across countries as well as between urban and rural locations in the same country. For instance, in India you can live on a dollar a day in some rural areas, but you will likely spend more than twenty times that in a major city. Some opportunities may provide a stipend or living allowance, but many do not.

Your own specific lifestyle, needs and cultural sensibilities should also be factored into your choice of location. For instance, some countries may have very different cultural and religious norms than Canada or the United States, with less liberal views of gender relations, sexual orientation, disability and others issues.

When is the best time for me to go?

The ideal time to volunteer will depend on your personal circumstances and the availability of relevant programs. Some people choose to spend a summer off building their skills and experience, while others embark on a volunteer experience after they graduate to help kickstart their career. Or they may feel it is time for a mid-career break, or simply time for a fresh start.

Many organizations that offer short term experiences plan them around the school year with new opportunities offered in September, January and May, or during school breaks. Starting times for longer term options vary as a function of local partner’s needs or funding requirements.

Flexibility on timing will offer you access to more opportunities. Don’t forget when you are planning to consider what season it will be in the country you are travelling to. Winter in North America is summer in many countries in the southern hemisphere, which can be very hot. There may also be a rainy season or other weather patterns to be aware of when making your decision.

Additional considerations

You may choose to organize your experience through a volunteer-sending organization, or directly with an overseas organization you would like to volunteer with. If you decide to go with a sending organization, you will also want to consider what type of organization you choose. Do you prefer a nonprofit or for-profit? A religious organization or a secular one? Consider their approach to development work and how this fits with your personal views. Some people prefer a non-profit volunteer sending organization because of their purpose and emphasis on improving society. Depending on your financial situation, this might also be an appealing option because many nonprofit organizations may allow (or require) you to fundraise all or part of your program fee and some provide tax receipts to your donors. This may allow you to go if you can’t afford to pay directly out of pocket.

Some volunteer experiences are designed for small or large groups, while others are individual opportunities. Think about what is most appealing to you. Pairs or groups can provide built-in friends and support networks. It can also give you valuable experience working in a team, which may mean negotiating different viewpoints and managing conflict to accomplish group goals. Individual experiences may encourage more integration into the organization and community, as well as ownership over projects, but can initially be lonely for some people. If you are organizing your own experience with a local organization, be sure to check if they host multiple international volunteers at the same time to get a sense of what it will look like when you arrive.

A related consideration is the type of accommodation available for your stay overseas. Many organizations that offer group experiences also provide shared group living. This can vary quite a bit – you could be sleeping on the floor of a local community centre or a sharing a well-appointed house. Group living can be less isolating, especially if it’s your first experience abroad, but may also impact your cultural experience and language learning.

Another common option is staying with a local family, also known as a ‘homestay’. This provides an opportunity to live like a local and potentially build long-lasting relationships with your extended host family. This option can also really support language acquisition, as your host family may have varying levels of English. In living like a local, you may not have access to some of the creature comforts you are used to, such as flush toilets, hot water and privacy. Nevertheless, many returned volunteers have cited this as one of the richest aspects of their experience. Check out our homestay etiquette tips if you are planning on choosing an experience with this option.

Finally, you may be able to secure a local apartment, alone or shared with local or expatriate roommates. Your organization may be able to provide advice on where to look and what level of rent you should expect to pay.

Start researching

Now that you have a clearer sense of your personal preferences, you are ready to dive in and begin more focused research. Our Program Search Tool is a great place to start. With more than 2,500 opportunities listed, there is a good chance you’ll find an experience that fits your criteria. Word of mouth is another great way to narrow down your options, so be sure to reach out to your personal and professional networks for recommendations. If you are a student or recent grad, your school’s career or international office may offer specific programs or have helpful suggestions. Finally, targeted online research can help you select organizations that focus on specific issues or find online reviews and additional information to help you make your decision.

How to analyze volunteer abroad options

There are many questions to consider when examining and comparing various volunteer abroad opportunities. It might be helpful to start out by doing a quick scan of available options and try to narrow it down based on your personal preferences and/or word of mouth recommendations. Try to find three to five promising programs or organizations that meet your basic criteria. Once you have these in place, it’s time to start a more in-depth review.

Below is a comprehensive list of questions to get you started. Organizational websites (especially the FAQ section!) are a great place to start gathering this information. You can contact the organization directly (call or email) if there are any questions that you can’t find answers to. Connecting with former volunteers can be one of the best ways to get a balanced picture of what the experience really looks like on the ground. Be sure to ask the organization if this can be arranged--it may be a possible red flag if you can’t.

Questions about the organization

Organizational Structure and History

• What is your organization’s mission/mandate?
• What is the structure of your organization? Nonprofit, for-profit, social enterprise?
• How are you funded? Do you have audited financial statements?
• Do you have partnerships or affiliations with any organizations (political, religious, government, etc)?
• How old is your program or organization?
• Are staff members local or international?

Volunteer Program

• How many volunteers have you sent abroad?
• Who typically volunteers with you (age, nationality, gender, ethnicity, etc)?
• Why are international volunteers needed?
• Do you screen volunteers? How?
• What type of skills and experience are you looking for?
• How do you match volunteers to projects?
• Can I speak with past participants directly about their experiences?

Costs

• What are your program fees and what do they include? What other costs should I expect? (Look for flights, accommodation, meals, local transportation, support/training, insurance, visas, inoculations. See our Comparing costs tool for a complete list).
• Can you provide a breakdown of where volunteer fees go?
• Can I fundraise to cover my program fee? Do you provide tax receipts?

Support

• What kind of pre-departure training and/or orientation do you offer? How is this delivered (in-person or online)?
• Who is responsible for supervising your volunteer projects in-country? What support is provided? How often will I see the in-country staff?
• What happens if I have a problem with my placement?
• What support do you provide to alumni?

Sustainability

• How long has your organization been working within the community?
• What are the goals of the project? What is the benefit to the local community?
• How did this project begin? Was the community consulted during the planning process?
• Does your organization employ local staff and/or volunteers? In what capacity?
• Are your activities part of a larger project? Will they continue after you have departed?
• Is your organization working with local partners? Do they employ local staff? What is the timeframe of the project? Do they have long term partnerships?

Questions about the experience

Volunteer Project

• What is my role and what are my specific tasks?
• What is my daily/weekly schedule and hours?
• Will there be other local or international volunteers? How many? Will I be working independently or as part of a team?
• What supplies should I bring with me for the project?
• Will any local staff members/volunteers speak my language?
• Can I volunteer with my [family member / friend / partner]?
• Who will I be working with? Will I be largely working independently or with a team?

Health and Safety

• Are there any security or health concerns in the country, region or project area?
• What vaccinations are recommended? Will I need anti-malarial medication?
• How close is the nearest doctor or hospital? Is there anyone who can assist with language issues in a medical emergency?
• What are your emergency evacuation plans or procedures? Do you have evacuation insurance?
• Are volunteers required to carry any specific type of insurance?
• Can you advise on cultural perceptions or challenges that I may face because of my gender, ethnicity, sexual identity, etc?
• Are there any specific expectations regarding curfews, dress codes, behaviour?

Daily Life

• Is accommodation provided? If yes, what type of housing is it? (Shared room, own room, hostel, camp, homestay? With how many other people?) What are the facilities? (Shower, toilet, hot water, drinking water, electricity, internet access, bedding, laundry).
• For homestays, how are host families selected?
• Are meals provided? (Ask about any special dietary needs).
• If accommodation is not provided: What is available nearby, what is the expected cost, what resources are available for arranging this?
• How close will I be to the project site? Is transportation provided?
• How close will I be to major towns and amenities such as phone/internet?

Making a decision

Choosing the right volunteer abroad option includes personal contemplation, organizational research and trusting your gut. This will help ensure you pick an opportunity that will meet your goals and expectations and allow you to contribute in a meaningful way.

No experience is perfect though! Expect that things will not always go according to plan and do your best to remain open to new experiences and learning. Your flexibility and adaptability will certainly be tested during your time abroad and this will help you develop and grow both personally and professionally. The experience is yours, so be sure to make the most of it!

Review the action plan below to make sure you’ve completed the steps to come to an informed decision. Good luck!