Tips for Volunteering Overseas

Even with the best volunteer programs, new volunteers often find themselves in the unavoidable position of not knowing what to expect when volunteering abroad. This is especially true since providing your services to other communities requires knowledge and skills.

Having the necessary skills and expertise can help you positively impact the world without wasting time and resources. To learn more about how to prepare for your trip, keep reading.

Research Vaccinations

If you’re planning on participating in a volunteer program that your home university approves of, you might be required to complete the necessary paperwork before leaving. However, you may also be responsible for all the required medical procedures during your stay.

The CDC’s Travelers’ Health section is a good resource for getting the necessary vaccinations. This website can provide an overview of the various medical procedures required for your trip.

Legal Documentation

Your passport is the most essential thing you should pack for your trip. Before you leave, make sure that you have all of the required documents to ensure that you’re able to enter and exit the country legally. Ask your local volunteer organization for a list of all the documents needed for your specific program.

Pack Mindfully

One of the most important factors you should consider when packing for your trip is your clothes’ functionality. The proper attire will make you feel comfortable and look great while volunteering. Another vital factor you should consider is the cultural environment of the community you’ll be working in.

Evaluate Emergency Contacts

Emergency contact information is also important in this guide as it can help you avoid potential problems while volunteering abroad. Before you leave, make sure you have all the necessary documents to ensure that you can enter and exit the country legally. Having a list of the nearest embassies can help you avoid potential issues.

Gather Your Essentials

Since there’s no guarantee that your favorite local food and drink can be found within a two-mile walk from your volunteer site, you must stock up on these necessities while you’re still able to. Doing so can help ensure you have the necessary supplies for your trip. While it may seem contradictory, it’s important to remember that volunteering abroad involves a good balance.

About Gwendolen Johnston

A mother of four children, often fondly recalls her years as a full-time, stay-at-home mom. It was a frenetic period of cheerful mayhem and wearing numerous hats as a therapist, maid, teacher, chef, and chauffeur, to mention just a few of the roles required by her on a daily basis. Gwendolen believes that the key to successful parenting is allowing children to maintain their individuality and sense of childhood wonder while teaching them how to function well within the context of a family or society. In addition to prioritizing her children’s needs, Gwendolen always found time for her self-care, conscious that her level of happiness had a ripple effect on the lives of others around her. To that end, she was able to successfully strike a balance between her professional and personal life while bringing up her children and simultaneously attending the College of Charleston to study Business and Sociology,

This sense of life-work balance is still relevant today, even though her children are all grown up. Gwendolen Johnston ensures that she takes time out of each day to do something that she enjoys, whether reading, doing yoga, or going on a walk. In addition to that, she is actively involved with the local community. When her children were younger, Gwendolen donated her time to their children’s school. She continues to demonstrate the same dedication to the organizations she is involved with today.