How to Best Prepare for a Volunteering Trip Abroad

travel for a good cause

by Bea Cińska
Unsplash Tim Marshall Volunteering Trip Abroad

Have you ever felt an itch to travel abroad for a good cause? If you are like me and have always wanted to take some real action to help others, then you’ve come to the right place. Recently I have finally mustered enough courage to take a volunteering trip abroad. And this is how I prepared for it.

The first time I ever felt a strong pull to travel in order to volunteer for a good cause was a few years ago soon after we had moved to Europe. All I could see in the news were stories of migrants risking life and limb to cross the Mediterranean in rubber dinghies. Or walking a treacherous path towards Germany, sometimes for weeks. Their stories were filled with obstacles, danger and often intolerance by others. But there were also stories that moved me deeply. They were stories of people helping, like this inspiring woman who organized a civil march for Aleppo to draw attention to the difficulties and indignities faced by people fleeing war and persecution. Stories like these spoke to me.

Your reason for traveling to volunteer might be completely different from mine. Perhaps you want to use your skills on an environmental project. Or maybe you have medical training and wish to help others access medical care. Or perhaps you want to teach English or dig a well for clean drinking water in a remote village. No matter the type of volunteering trip you are interested in, one thing is certain: preparation is key.

Photo Courtesy: Unsplash (photographer Youssef Naddam)

Below are the components of a successful and fulfilling volunteering trip:

Research The Right Volunteering Trip For You

Like with anything important in life, taking a volunteering trip abroad requires some research. This is the first and most important step of your preparation.

Ask yourself why you want to travel to volunteer

Begin by asking yourself some honest questions and doing some soul searching. Why do you want to volunteer abroad? What is your motivation? Is it so you can look good on social media? If so then forget it. This type of travel is not right for you.

Or perhaps the right volunteering opportunity for you is in your community. Do you really need to travel to a foreign country in order to be of help?

Or do you have some skills lacking in the place where you want to travel to volunteer? If you determine that your motivations are selfless and you are truly wanting to be of service for the sake of doing some good, then your heart is in the right place.

How to decide what kind of volunteering to do

In order to decide what kind of volunteering you are best suited for ask yourself the following questions:

  • Skills. What are you good at? Maybe you are good at carpentry, or taking care of kids, or dressing wounds. Look for opportunities that match your skills so that you can be useful.
  • Your Job. What is your profession and can you use your professional training on your volunteering trip? If you are a doctor perhaps you would be best suited to volunteer for Doctors Without Borders. Or if you are a mason or a carpenter, perhaps you could volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.
  • Foreign Languages: What languages do you speak? Sometimes just speaking English is enough. Perhaps a volunteering post is looking for an English teacher? But often volunteering positions abroad are best for those who also speak other languages.
  • Passions. What causes are close to your heart? Is it the environment? Or saving an endangered species? Or would you rather work with refugees or people displaced by natural disasters? Answering these questions will help you narrow down your choice of organizations to contact.
  • Time. How much time can you donate? If it’s your gap year or you are retired, then you have plenty of time to donate. But if you have a full time job, you might be constrained by how much vacation time you have. Unless you can take a leave of absence from work or make a special arrangement with your employer. Or if your job is already flexible because you can work remotely or are a digital nomad. Even if you do have unlimited time, what can you handle physically and emotionally? It is probably best to start small if you have never volunteered for a prolonged period of time.
  • Budget. Can you afford to go on this volunteering trip? Often besides donating your time, you may also have to volunteer some of your other resources. You might have to pay for your flight to get to where you are going. Some volunteering trips are paid by the volunteer, others reimburse for some expenses.

Make contact with the right organization

Once you have narrowed down the type of volunteering you think you are best suited for, it is time to find organizations that would closely match with your desired volunteering position. This is a crucial step in the process of preparing to volunteer abroad. Partnering with the right organization can mean a difference between a rewarding experience and a harrowing one.

So how do you find the right organization? Here are some ways to find an organization that would align with your skills:

  • Search online. Look for volunteering positions that match your skills and interests and country you would like to volunteer in. Perhaps you already follow an organization because the work they do is close to your heart. That is how I found a perfect volunteering trip for me.
  • Contact local NGOs. Is there an organization in your community that is affiliated with other organizations you would like to work with? Small organizations are often a wealth of information and may point you in the right direction.
  • Ask friends who have volunteered. Have any of your friends volunteered abroad before? Ask them for tips on how they did it.

Once you have found organizations that look like a good fit, make sure that:

  • They have been around for some time.
  • They are a reputable organization.
  • Your values align with theirs.

When you have found an organization you wish to work with and the position you are interested in, you will need to complete their application process. The acceptance process can be quick or slow depending on the organization. If you are lucky enough to have been accepted, they will assign you to a volunteer project that best matches your skills. Volunteering abroad can be an incredibly rewarding experience for both the volunteers and for the communities in which they work.

Ask questions before you commit

Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as needed before you commit to a volunteering position. No question is silly. Some of the questions to ask of the organization you are interested in volunteering with are:

  • Will your organization expect a monetary donation besides a donation of my time and work?
  • How long is the time commitment expected?
  • Can I leave my volunteering post early? If so, under what circumstances? Would your organization assist me if I had to leave early?
  • Are any vaccinations required or recommended for this position?
  • Are there any health concerns or disease outbreaks in the area I will be volunteering? What are the best ways to protect my health?
  • Is the place where I will be volunteering safe? If you are a woman, an ethnic minority, or LGBTQ+ community member, ask if the area you will be working in is considered safe for you.
  • Where will I be sleeping? What are the sleeping arrangements like? Do I need to bring my own bedding?
  • Are there laundry facilities where I am going? Are they free or paid?
  • Is there WiFi where I will be volunteering?
  • Is there cell phone data coverage in the area I will be volunteering?
  • If you have special dietary needs, ask if the area you will be volunteering in has what you need.
  • Should I bring any medications?
  • Do I need special insurance?
  • Do I need a drivers licence?
  • What if I decide to stay longer and continue volunteering?
  • Will I need to provide any tax information? (this might be a requirement with some organizations that reimburse volunteers for certain expenses associated with the trip).
  • Can I take photos at the location of my volunteering position? Am I allowed to post them on my social media?
  • Will you be taking photos of me while I am volunteering? What if I do not consent to my photos being taken or posted online?
  • Will you reimburse me for any of my volunteering expenses? If so, which ones?
  • Is there a contract we need to sign?
  • Will I receive training for my volunteering position? When and where? How long is it?
  • Will I be working alone or on a team?
  • Who do I contact for help or guidance while volunteering? What is their contact information? Are they easily accessible?
  • What happens if I get sick while volunteering? Is medical care easily available? Is it free? If not, who pays for it? The volunteer or the organization?
  • What should I pack?
  • What are some of the do’s and don’ts?

Prepare For Your Volunteering Trip

Now that you have done your research and been accepted as a volunteer abroad, it is time to prepare for your upcoming trip.

Book your trip

Some organizations might book the trip for you, especially if they are reimbursing you for the cost of travel but otherwise this task falls to you. Things you will need to book:

  • Your flight to the country where you will be volunteering
  • Local transport to the site where you will be volunteering
  • Accommodations if not provided by the organization
  • Your return trip home

Prepare psychologically

Do this especially if this is your first time going to volunteer abroad. Depending on what type of volunteering you will be doing, you might encounter some tough situations. My first volunteering trip was with child refugees and having once been one myself I had to prepare for triggering situations. Some of the ways to prepare psychologically for a volunteer assignment are:

  • Your host organization may provide training including how to deal psychologically with various situations on the ground and difficult emotions.
  • Speak with your psychologist about your fears before going.
  • Talk to friends who volunteered to find out what to expect.
  • Look online for other volunteers’ accounts of their experiences.
  • Go through hypothetical and worse-case scenarios in your head and imagine how you would deal with such situations.

Start learning basic language skills

Even if your volunteering position does not require you to speak the local language, it is always a good idea to learn even a few words. You will find it helpful in your day to day interactions with local people. And even some knowledge of the local language might make your volunteering experience more fulfilling.

Some of the best ways to learn a new language are:

  • Duolingo is a great language learning app. There are over 35 languages to choose from and you can learn an entire language for free.
  • If the language you want to learn is not on Duolingo then look for teachers on YouTube.
  • Find someone in your community who teaches the language.
  • The organization you will be volunteering with might have some language learning resources for you.

What to pack for your volunteering trip

What you pack for your volunteering trip depends on several factors. Deciding on what to pack will depend on the season where you are going and on the answers you receive from the organization you will be volunteering with to all your questions.

One thing I highly recommend is using a backpack instead of a suitcase when going on a volunteering trip. You may have to walk and carrying a backpack is so much easier.

Here is an example of a packing list for a volunteering trip:

Essentials to pack for a Volunteering Trip:
Documents (passport, visa, driver’s licence, health insurance, etc)
Cell phone + charger + power bank
Money, credit cards
Printed contact info for emergency situations
Glasses / sunglasses
Toiletries
Electric power converter
Pens and paper
Reusable water bottle
Clothing:
Undergarments / socks
T-shirts
Comfortable pants / sweaters
Thermal moisture absorbing clothing for cold weather locations
Sun hat
Comfortable footwear
Pajamas
Winter clothing if required
Warm outerwear if needed
Medicines:
Pain medication
Prescription medications you use + prescriptions
Basic first aid supplies
Malaria pills and antibiotics if required
Cold medication
Allergy medication
Disinfectant
Other items depending on volunteering location:
Sleeping bag
Eye cover for sleeping
Ear plugs
Laundry soap
Towel(s)
Water purification tablets
Paper map
N95 face masks
Menstrual care supplies
Books to read / Journal to write
Cup, plate, utensils, can opener
This packing list is just a guide. Pack as light as possible; preferably in a backpack.

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Volunteering during the pandemic

There are extra things to consider when volunteering during the pandemic or when going to a place affected by a disease outbreak. You might need to ensure that you are vaccinated against certain diseases. The place you will be volunteering at might have rules about face masks and sanitization and you will be expected to abide by them.

Your Volunteering Assignment Abroad

What to expect

No matter the amount of preparation you will likely go through a culture shock. Even if you are in a culturally similar place, the culture of the place you are volunteering at will be different than what you are used to. So prepare for an adjustment period.

Find your tribe

If you will be volunteering in a team then your tribe is ready made for you. If not, create your own tribe. Volunteering can feel overwhelming. It helps to have people around you that you can talk to and relate to.

When in doubt, ask questions. When you don’t know something, ask. If you need help with something, ask. Ask, ask, ask.

Stick to the rules

Every volunteering post will have its rules. Stick to them. They are there to protect both you and those you are working with. Focus on your job and don’t try to be everything to everyone.

Take care of yourself

If you overdo it and don’t take care of yourself you will burn out. An exhausted volunteer is not useful to anyone. So get plenty of sleep, hydrate, eat well and take your breaks.

Don’t forget to have fun

If you get the opportunity and it is safe to do so, go out and play tourist in your volunteering location. Enjoy the local culture. Meet some locals. Try the local cuisine. In short, take care of yourself. Breaks are important.

Don’t feel bad if you need to come back early

Sometimes things don’t go as planned. You might get sick. You might burn out. Someone might need you back at home. You might feel like you made a mistake. Your volunteering location might no longer be a safe place to be. No matter the reason, if you feel you need to leave your volunteering post early, do so and don’t feel bad.

When You Are Back Home

Digest & evaluate the experience

When I finished my first volunteering trip abroad, I was in a different mindset than before I embarked on the adventure. First, I was proud of myself for having finally done it despite the fears I had felt. Second, I felt good psychologically for having contributed to a cause I felt strongly about. Third, I felt inspired by having met an entire group of people who thought like me and didn’t just talk about things that were important to them. They did something about those things. I am sure I have made new friends for life through having volunteered abroad.

Talk to someone

Like me, you may feel quite positive about your volunteering trip. But there might be some negative feelings as well. You might feel like you didn’t do enough. Or that you should have stayed longer. Feelings of guilt are very common. If this is something you are struggling with, you should talk to someone.

Some organizations will hold after-the-fact meetings to discuss what went well, what didn’t and how that affected both the volunteers and the population being served. Even if you mostly feel positive about the experience, participate in such an evaluation meeting.

If however, this type of meeting is not available to you, then talk to other volunteers or to someone you trust. It is okay to have feelings you would not expect to have after volunteering abroad.

Keep in touch

If you enjoyed the experience of volunteering abroad with a particular organization, keep in touch with them. And keep in touch with fellow volunteers you met there. You never know what other volunteering opportunities might come up through your new network of like-minded individuals.

Plan to do it again (maybe)

After my first experience volunteering abroad, I felt that I would love to volunteer again in the future. I really enjoyed the work I did during my assignment. And after seeing first hand how well-run the organization I volunteered with was, I knew I was in good hands.

Final Word

Volunteering abroad is a great way to make a difference in communities and experience new cultures. Going on a volunteering trip abroad can be intimidating, but the right research and preparation will take away a lot of the unknowns.

If you are a first-time volunteer, it is best to volunteer with an established organization. They will be able to provide you with guidance and support. To choose the right organization for you, start by researching them online. This will help you understand what they do and what they need from volunteers.

In the end, volunteering abroad teaches you about other cultures and you get to meet people you would never meet in your day-to-day interactions. To make even a small positive difference in someone’s life is a very fulfilling experience.

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29 comments

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Rhonda July 24, 2022 - 2:22 am

My daughter is preparing for a volunteer trip abroad in the future with her school. This post should be quite helpful.

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Bea Cińska
Bea Cińska July 24, 2022 - 6:24 pm

Thank you! I hope she finds it useful.

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Rachel - Rays of Adventure July 23, 2022 - 10:13 pm

Thanks for sharing this great guide to volunteering! I’ve done some volunteering abroad and had an amazing time, so I’d definitely recommend it. I completely agree that it’s important to research before your trip to have the best time.

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Ketki July 23, 2022 - 5:46 pm

I have always wanted to volunteer abroad! I even looked up wildlife-related opportunities in Kenya. But unfortunately could never go. These are some amazing tips. Thank you!

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Bea Cińska
Bea Cińska July 24, 2022 - 6:25 pm

I hope you can one day volunteer in Kenya. Wildlife-related volunteering sounds fascinating!

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Michelle July 23, 2022 - 1:05 pm

This is all such great advise. A volunteer trip is so different than a vacation. Thank you for creating this post!

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Jill July 23, 2022 - 12:50 pm

Love your tips! In the beginning of this year, I was volunteering in an animal shelter and after that in an environmental organization. Both experiences were very different but incredible experiences. I can highly recommend anyone to do so, but also to choose the organization wisely! Especially your list of questions are super helpful to find out more about the organization and to make sure they operate ethically.

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Bea Cińska
Bea Cińska July 24, 2022 - 6:28 pm

Thank you so much! Your volunteering experiences sound wonderful. And you are right – ensuring the organization you volunteer with is ethical is key.

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Bea Pinnegar June 13, 2022 - 2:01 pm

Love this guide – all such useful and practical tips! Voluntourism is one of my most favourite ways of travelling around – will definitely get back to this list once I’m planning my next volunteering trip 🙂

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Petra June 13, 2022 - 5:32 am

Amazing information package!

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Megan June 12, 2022 - 3:25 pm

I did a volunteer trip years ago and you are so right about this! I had so much fun, but also left feeling guilty like I should have stayed. It is such a great experience and luckily these organizations have people come to replace you, and then replace them!

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Bea Cińska
Bea Cińska June 13, 2022 - 4:47 pm

Yes! The feeling of guilt is something that is something that apparently happens quite often with volunteers who come for a limited time.

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Krista June 11, 2022 - 11:34 pm

I would love to go on a volunteering trip, but have no idea where to start. This is definitely a helpful guide though!

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Rachel - Rays of Adventure June 11, 2022 - 9:58 pm

Thanks for sharing some great tips for volunteering. I’ve done some volunteering abroad and really enjoyed it. I completely agree how important it is to research volunteering carefully, and prepare well for it.

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Terri June 11, 2022 - 6:16 pm

I have never volunteered abroad except for helping out on a daily visit at a pet refuge in Mexico for 7 days. But it had a tremendous impact on me. I absolutely want to volunteer at a pet shelter again when I travel. This is an excellent article Bea!

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Bea Cińska
Bea Cińska June 12, 2022 - 3:36 am

That sounds like a great volunteering experience. And it is always best to start small to see if this is something we can handle before we commit to more.

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Erica June 11, 2022 - 5:35 pm

Wow, excellent article! You have included so many details and suggestions that will improve volunteer trips for the rest of us. One of the positive impacts on travel from the pandemic is that more people are traveling to volunteer and your post is a great resource to share.

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Bea Cińska
Bea Cińska June 12, 2022 - 3:37 am

Thank you, Erica!

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Leah June 11, 2022 - 3:22 pm

This is such a great guide for volunteering abroad! I went on a few volunteering trips when I was younger working within wildlife conservation, but it is a great point to consider whether you can help within your own community first and whether you are doing it for the right reasons.

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Sarah June 10, 2022 - 5:18 am

Some excellent advice here. I volunteer teach English to the migrants here in Malta and totally agree with your first point ‘ Ask yourself why you want to travel to volunteer’. We get so many young volunteers wanting to help – great! As soon as we notice them taking a picture of their class for instagram./ Facebook, for a look at how great I am photo!!! We know we are never going to see them again. So unfair to the students and to genuine volunteers.

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Bea Cińska
Bea Cińska June 12, 2022 - 3:40 am

Love that you are volunteering right at home for such an important cause. And so unfortunate that some other people use it as a self-promotion opportunity. I am afraid there is a lot of that going around.

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ANUKRATI DOSI June 4, 2022 - 8:33 am

Although I have never volunteered abroad, I so wish to do that one day. I am sure it would be an educational experience.

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Christin June 4, 2022 - 8:14 am

Wow, Bea, you continue to amaze me! Volunteering abroad can be such an enriching experience, I am sure. And yet, it takes a special person to acknowledge priviledge and decide to use their time and resources to make a positive impact on the world. With this guide, at least it will be easier to prepare for a volunteering trip abroad, thank you for sharing!

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Bea Cińska
Bea Cińska June 12, 2022 - 3:41 am

Awww, thank you, Christin, for your very kind words.

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Sarah June 4, 2022 - 4:37 am

I love volunteering abroad and find a lot of volunteer work through Facebook groups. I have volunteered teaching English, protecting turtle nests, picking up poop at a cat sanctuary. Some good info, especially for that first overseas trip.

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Bea Cińska
Bea Cińska June 12, 2022 - 3:43 am

Sounds like you founds some fun and important volunteering experiences on Facebook!

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Yy June 3, 2022 - 6:51 am

We have always wanted to volunteer abroad and this post really has piqued our interest into the topic again. Definitely going to be researching more but atleast we have a good preparation guide now 🙂

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Erin June 2, 2022 - 8:01 pm

I have never volunteered abroad., so I don’t know much about this topic. From my local experience, you really did an outstanding job of thinking of everything. You even covered the pandemic challenges. Well done!

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Amy June 2, 2022 - 7:34 pm

Thanks for this comprehensive guide for volunteering. I’d love to do wildlife volunteering but will probably have to do something less physically demanding.

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