Volunteering abroad: what to expect from free work. International volunteer programs abroad
There are many announcements about volunteer work abroad on the Internet. Going to weed strawberries, look after animals or restore ancient objects, volunteers learn the language, find new friends, study the world. Why are becoming volunteers, is it possible to make money on it and how much are such foreign travel, experts said.
Modern volunteer
Volunteers become for various reasons, including lack of communication, a noble idea or the opportunity to learn a foreign language.
In the majority view, volunteers are young people, often students who are active, friendly and willing to help others.
The directions of volunteering are varied. These include restoration work, archaeological excavations, the solution of environmental problems, the fight against diseases and diseases, the organization of cultural and educational activities.
Volunteer programs stipulate in advance the conditions for being abroad and the main activities that must be performed. With regard to geography, then you can go to almost all countries that need gratuitous assistance. Nearly 200 countries are interested in young professionals. The most popular are the United States, Mexico, Eastern Europe and Australia.
Ivan Karneev, SAINT MAXIMIN project, France: “This program is amazing. We mainly worked 3 hours a day: clearing the forest, building toilets and doing some other small work. We lived in tents, everyone was comfortable. In gratitude for the work, we got to Paris with a tour, and watched the Euro 2016 final in one of the local clubs. I found many friends, I don’t want to dwell on it, next year I want to go to a camp of this type. ”
What does volunteering give?
1. A trip abroad by a volunteer will allow learn a foreign language. The most common language to speak is English, but there is also the opportunity to develop German, Spanish and French. To contact everyone, you will have to speak the language of the country to which you came. At first it will be difficult, but then you will easily join the team.
2. You can travelbecause volunteer programs are not limited to one country. With the help of such activities you can go around the whole world helping people and nature.
3. Free work for a good purpose can bring experiencewhich in the subsequent will allow to get a job abroad. In the chosen activity you will have the necessary knowledge, and in obtaining good qualifications you will become an indispensable employee with a high level of income. If you have not had any experience before, then volunteering may well be the first line in the resume.
4. In some special programs you can to graduate. There will have to try, because the education system is different from the domestic.
Gulnara Burnasheva, project PERUJOSA, Spain: “The goal of our work was the reconstruction of an old stone building, which was intended for low-income families. In total, there were 10 people in the camp, including 2 Russians. I didn’t have experience in this field, but I learned how to perfectly perform brickwork. In my free time, we walked in the mountains, rode mountain rivers, watched shows with bulls. Despite the small costs, impressions of the sea! Next year, I will definitely repeat the journey. ”
How to become a volunteer
To become a volunteer, you must apply to special centers.
First, decide on the program. Decide where you want to go, and then contact organizations that have already established themselves in this direction. You need to fill out a special form and send it by e-mail. After that, the application will be considered and will give an opinion, whether your candidacy is suitable or not. Preparation of documents will take some time, then you will be able to go to the selected country.
Newcomers newcomers are adapting to the workplace, usually 2-3 days are needed to adapt to the conditions. At this time, it is important to learn the rules of the camp in order to follow them throughout your stay. Volunteers note that the language barrier is overcome in 2-3 weeks.
Tatiana Gurzanova, RADIO ONDA D`URTO project, Italy: “I had opened volunteer projects last year, but only now have become a source of unforgettable impressions. The camp where we were was located near the city of Milan. 9 more people lived with me. There were several tasks in our activity: in the first two days we helped to equip a platform for the festival, and the rest of the time we worked in a pizzeria and other fast food restaurants. In our free time we saw many musicians who came to the concerts. Next year I plan to go to Spain! ”
You can become a volunteer not only on a voluntary basis, but also with the help of your employer. Companies that are involved in volunteering, argue that such activities can develop social responsibility, strengthen team spirit and improve work efficiency in the future.
Earn or spend?
There are schemes under which volunteering can be earned, but these are illegal methods, so we will not dwell on them.
By definition, volunteering is free. In addition, in order to get to the place of work, you must pay for the flight, insurance, and in some cases housing.
In 2016, the average cost of a volunteer program is 390 euros. The price includes execution of a package of documents (certificates, visas, and so on), services for the selection of the necessary direction and ensuring acceptable living conditions. When moving to another country you need to take care of consular fees. In Western Europe, it is 35 euros. In some cases, you will have to pay extra for meals, and some services related to living in a camp.
Volunteering is not only traveling, but also hard work that not everyone can do. Calculate your strength in advance before taking such a step for the benefit of society.
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A philologist by education, speaks English and German. In journalism for over ten years. He is interested in the socio-cultural direction: how and what society lives, what to do in his spare time. Fascinating music. The formula for success is: work, talent, luck.
It's time to believe that to break to the other end of the world tomorrow and without money. For example, become a volunteer. And this does not mean that you will have to work in the mines until exhaustion for food. Programs are very pleasant, and we will help you not to miss them!
Residence for illustrators
AT Prague looking for talented animators and illustrators who will create 6 weeks in a residence for artists! So ifyou have already worked with commercial orders, and the soul asks to create something not only beautiful, but also socially important, they will give you this opportunity. The themes of the projects can be very different - from environmental issues and the rights of women, to migration and the lives of political prisoners.
Application form and more detailed information - .
Duration of participation: April 26 - June 6.
Volunteering for authors in the Balkans
There is a suggestion for novice travelers from World nomads - go to Balkansto write notes about your adventures on the peninsula under the guidance of the author The New York Times Tim Neville.
An unusual journey will begin in Montenegrowhere you will spend 3 days with By tim. And then - 10 days of adventure. You will try the delicacies in Bosniawatch over brown bears in Macedonia and study the musical preferences of young people in Serbia. Travelers are waited by hospitable natives and acquaintance to local traditions.
To be among them, you need to write an inspiring story on one of the given topics in English, as well as a motivation letter.
To pandas with UN Volunteers
This is the most ambitious project that works in many directions, ranging from concern for the ecology of the planet, to helping the civilian population in hot spots. Not everyone can qualify for this volunteer program, but if it works out, you can even linger abroad, having received a grandee for training, for example.
Sign up.
Nearest internship - fly to China to pandas, already in March!
Work on farms with WWOOF
The name of the organization stands for "World Opportunities on Organic Farms". According to its conditions, volunteers work several hours a day on farms that grow organic products (not for vegans), for which they receive food and shelter. Here, for example, there are actual programs in South america and on Caribbean.
Become a tour guide in Europe
You are an expert on Europe? So you have the opportunity to become the best guide! The organization is recruiting volunteers to organize and accompany hiking Europe. As a reward you will be provided with accommodation and food. , uncharted cities and the strongest emotions - as a bonus.
You can apply for participation in the free volunteer program.
Work in the USA for money
Program Work and Travel designed for students and graduates of universities. According to its conditions, the participant receives a non-burdensome job (although everything depends on you) in another country, which does not take much time. This volunteer program works through organizations and intermediaries; the central office does not cooperate with individuals. Free, however, you will not go there, you have to pay for the tickets, but here you will get money for the work, not food.
About the features of the program in USA and feedback from participants you can read.
And apply for a program -.
Friendship with children in Au Pair
Participants in this volunteer program go abroad, where they have to help with household and child care. The main goal is cultural exchange between different cultures. As a rule, volunteers are looking for large families who themselves cope, but not at all against extra help.
So if you want to see the mountain villages and visit the cities that have not been explored yet, go here.
Care turtles and not only
Russians travel a little according to the programs presented here. And in vain. This is one of the most reliable and interesting resources for volunteers. New programs often appear here. For example, as early as April (if you have time to file an application), you can go to The bahamas, to monitor the quality of water, and in May - to help Indian kids and teach them everything you know yourself (music, painting, scuba diving). For those interested in animal rescue, there is volunteering at Caribbeanwhere you need to care for turtles.
All you need to do is fill out a questionnaire and tell a little
We have dedicated this section to a variety of volunteer programs. All of them are free, they are all operating, but not yet tested by us. They drove.
1. Volunteer programs in Thailand are famous for their exoticism. Where, if not in this mysterious country, can one learn to care for tigers, to help control the population of sea turtles and to pull at the elephant's trunks? That's right in India. But there are no such specialized programs, or, in any case, we do not know about them. There is one catch with Thailand: many volunteer programs are designed to siphon money from people who really want to help. And many are on it. But we are not rich tourists, we are just tramp travelers, and we have no money. Therefore, we found a couple of sites where you can find good volunteer work. The main thing is to check the following parameters of the offer: free accommodation and free meals - that is, free food and free accommodation. Try it.
2. World Wild Opportunities on Organic Farms is a community of farmers from around the world, which offers volunteers to work for their benefit, in exchange for food, shelter and excellent experience. The program exists for a long time, the system is adjusted. All you need is to register on the site, buy an account for £ 15 and know English. And, of course, the desire to help. Experience is not so important, but if it is - you can dig in the ground and all that - go ahead and with the song.
3. SE7EN - analog Helpx. The essence is the same: you register, you pay 15 bucks for an account (this is for two years), you find a host (advice on how to do it correctly, read the article about Helpx.net), and you start with all the enthusiasm on a world tour.
4. VSO is a volunteer organization that imposes rather serious requirements on volunteers. You need to apply through the mail, describe your virtues, skills and other distinctive features, explain why you were worthy of being a volunteer, etc. Then go through an interview, and only after that you will be allowed to work. Suitable for experienced and experienced j But soon you will become so, tramp-friend.
5. Conservationvolunteers - a site dedicated to volunteer work in Australia and New Zealand. Works for free. If you want to explore this distant continent from us - just sign up and start tracking job offers.
6. United Volunteers is another organization that combines hundreds of options for volunteer work. We cannot give any valuable instructions, and therefore we will be very happy to receive comments from people who have tried this program on themselves.
To summarize As you can see, the options to travel for free are vast. The main thing is to open your eyes a little, look more closely, and understand that the whole world has been waiting for you for a long time. If you read it - it means that you have the spirit of travel, and then the choice is yours.
If you want to go abroad, but you do not have money for a trip, why don't you work as a volunteer? Food and accommodation will be free for you, plus language practice and new acquaintances. To help you 10 free resources for self-search volunteer projects abroad.
1. WWOOF: www.wwoof.org
It offers agro-tourism. Work up to 30 hours a week, free accommodation and meals. The main job offers are farms, mini-hotels and seasonal vacancies. WWOOF currently operates in 53 countries. I know guys who went to Greece and Italy and were very pleased.
2. COUCHSURFING: www.couchsurfing.org
Offered housing for work. The goal of the project is to make traveling around the world for all comers more accessible, without large monetary costs, by exchanging shelter for help around the house. Having arrived in another country, a person lives in a family of local residents for free, while people who accept him receive domestic help as compensation.
3. HELP EXCHANGE: www.helpx.net
Analogue of the previous resource. This website lists all the owners around the world who need additional help: be it a farm or a small garden, a school or a church, a building or a simple community center.
4. WORLDVOLUNTEERWEB: www.worldvolunteerweb.org
Worldwide volunteer work database.
The sites above are open for both volunteers and those interested in finding an inexpensive employee for a period of time. In essence, these are free housing exchange sites for work. Now we give a list of official volunteer organizations:
5. PEACE CORPS: www.peacecorps.gov
A unique chance to live and work in a foreign country, in various fields, including health care, environmental rescue, etc.
6. UNITED NATIONS VOLUNTEERS: www.unv.org
UN volunteers provide a wide range of assistance, from health care to post-disaster relief.
7. The European Commission's Youth in Action program: http://ec.europa.eu/youth/news/20121207_yia.htm
The program of the European Commission supports intercultural communication and youth cooperation. It includes youth exchanges, volunteer work, youth initiatives. Also published announcements of archaeological camps, camps for the protection of animals, etc.
Information in Russian can be read here: http://www.youthcentre.ru/?theme\u003dprogmol&lng\u003dru
8. ESTYES: www.estyes.ee
Youth camps and exchanges, internships in hotels in Europe. EstYES provides the opportunity to go
to international volunteer camps around the world.
9. UNESCO PROGRAMS: www.whvolunteers.org/whv06_e.html
Volunteer work is offered for young people all over the world. Information on partners in Russia and Ukraine here: http://www.whvolunteers.org/pdf/CCIVS_Directory_2011…
10. GLOBAL VOLUNTEERS: www.globalvolunteers.org
Extensive volunteer database
Volunteering today is not only an opportunity to help other people, it is an opportunity to find oneself. In modern English, there is a term “volunesia” - a situation in which you forget that you are volunteering to change people's lives because it changes yours.
And indeed, volunteering abroad opens up new facets of reality: a new environment, new people, another culture and another language, all this multiplied by euphoria and flavored with adrenaline, allows us to understand that everything in life can be different. Yes, traveling and volunteering is pretty hard. All the time you need to be on your feet, constantly moving somewhere. Although you can find one place and stay there for a long time, if the program allows it. Another thing is that finding free programs (where you don’t have to pay for a return ticket) is very difficult, so money is needed everywhere. There are programs where you can live and eat for free, but it is rather difficult to find sponsors who are ready to allocate a certain amount in order to cover the cost of travel and visas. In one of the previous articles we already wrote about,.
How to get a volunteer abroad?
In order to work as a volunteer abroad, special experience is not needed. First of all, you need a great desire to work and help people. If there is such a desire, you need to know where to find the necessary programs.
Tip: register on the site only after you have found several suitable programs. The cost of registration ranges from 15 to 25 dollars, but why be sprayed if you are still in search.
When the option is found, you need to register on the site, after which you can safely leave a request for a particular program, contact the receiving party and find out all the details of the case. If you want to travel the world for free, have a look.
Please note that the volunteer program itself can be free (where you do not need to pay a registration fee), you will be accommodated and fed, but you will still need to buy tickets at your own expense, get a visa and insurance.
Some programs provide for a monthly payment, the money from which will go to your food and accommodation. Read in advance the volunteer reviews about the place where you will be sent. Take with you only the most necessary things and never be afraid to meet new people, learn their culture and language. The main rule - do no harm. You will certainly be told about this and many other things at the gathering of volunteers directly on the spot or even before leaving via Skype. Be prepared to have an interview or write a motivation letter in which you indicate the main objectives of your visit. This stage is necessary in order to avoid misunderstandings and find out that the applicant is suitable for a job.
Want to keep abreast of new tourism products, read.
How to work as a volunteer abroad?
After you have found the ideal option, you have learned all the subtleties of work as a volunteer, have issued a visa and insurance, and also have bought tickets, you can go on the road.
Volunteer is, first of all, an assistant, and you can help in any area. Each site has a search bar in which you can enter the necessary information for the search: for example, English, animal care, philosophical practices, etc. The search will give all sorts of options in different countries, if you are undecided, where exactly you want to go. For example, at the request of "English" there were more than 10 options in different parts of the world, starting from Italy, ending with Honduras, Nepal, India, Vietnam, Uganda, Tanzania, Brazil and Peru. Everywhere you can try yourself as a teacher of a foreign language. The term of the program is usually from 2 weeks to several months, it all depends on your desires.
If you want to travel cheap, get to know.
How to become a volunteer for the care of animals abroad?
The principle of finding jobs for animal care is the same. Visit the volunteer site, in the search bar enter “Animals”, “wild animals”, “wildlife” or choose type of work from the line “Environment & wildlife conservation”. Any kind of work related to animals can be presented here. This is the observation of dolphins, which allows you to find new strategies for "sustainable tourism" - sustainable tourism, and work in reserves, in which monkeys live? and lions with rhinos. More options can be found by link.
When you have found a suitable option, you can register on the site and send an application for participation (a motivation letter or just a story about yourself, you will be notified about all the requirements). It remains to wait until you receive an answer. This can happen instantly, and it may take some time. When the answer is received, you can book tickets and get visas. Do not forget to design insurance.
