Many Americans in recent years have become interested in opportunities for volunteering abroad. While the reasons for this may be unclear, there are a number of factors that might explain this sudden interest. After events such as the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Hurricane Katrina and the fires in California, some Americans have more empathy for people who live in extremely challenging environments. While some U.S. citizens volunteered at domestic locations, others wanted to lend their skills to destinations throughout the world.
Some people are motivated by altruism, others volunteer for economic reasons. Whatever your reason for volunteering abroad, the experience will be rewarding.
You've heard the statistics. There are more than 1 billion people in the world who cannot read or write. Every day, close to 30,000 children around the world die because of unhealthy living conditions or lack of food or water. Additionally more than 1 billion people do not have access to water. You can either click your tongue and express sympathy, sign petitions on FaceBook or actually help do something about it.
English is the international business language, but Americans are conspicuous for their inability to speak a second language. One of the best ways to learn a new language is to immerse yourself in a foreign culture. Providing that you take a brief foreign language course before leaving for your trip, spending a few weeks or more volunteering overseas is the fast track to becoming fluent in that language.
In some countries, native English teachers are not allowed to teach in the school system. Spain is an example. Many companies have created a loophole by inviting English language speakers to spend a week volunteering at an English language immersion program. Volunteers get free room and board in exchange for simply hanging out and talking in English with residents of the host country. Accommodations, such as those offered by the Vaughantown Program in Spain, can often border on luxurious, which proves that volunteering abroad does not always involve living under hardship conditions.
Many people boast about the circle of so-called friends they have accumulated on MySpace or FaceBook. But imagine having an international network of real friends. For future travel, you might even have a place to stay.
While most programs require you to purchase your own transportation, many provide free or inexpensive room and board. However, keep in mind that they will not look kindly on people who sign up and then fail to fulfill their duties. You might even be asked to leave. Cheap travel should be the least important reason to volunteer abroad.
Volunteering abroad can help you gain perspective on your life, break out of a rut and, in some cases, re-evaluate your career plans, relationships and lifestyle. That kind of insight is priceless.
