8 tips for volunteering abroad!

Do you like to help make the world a little more beautiful by volunteering abroad? How about teaching at an elementary school in Tanzania or giving sports lessons in South America? One thing is for sure, volunteering abroad is desperately needed! Are you the next volunteer to have an unforgettable adventure abroad? Then quickly read these 8 tips we've gathered just for you!

A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step... How often do you hear that people have been dreaming of living and working abroad for years, but that's all they ever do: dream. And that is a pity! The world is too beautiful to see only one place. Volunteering abroad is a unique experience that everyone should have had! But how do you go about it? Take that first step and go for it. Step out of your comfort zone, throw away all those fears and take that first step. Of course don't try to take care of everything at once, but take it one step at a time and live your dream! 

Are you looking to volunteer abroad? Then it's nice to know what you want to avoid the well-known concept of choice stress. For example, start thinking about what kind of country you would like to volunteer in. Is this a warm destination or do you prefer a colder climate? And what kind of volunteer work would you like to do? Talk to your family and friends about it, too. They know you best and can help you with this, so you can start your search in a more focused way. Of course, it is important not to get hung up on one particular idea. Keep an open mind while searching for your dream job abroad. Sometimes you will find much nicer ideas than you might have had in mind at first. 

Did you find a great volunteer job abroad with us? Great! Once you have created a profile and filled it out for at least 70% you can apply for the vacancies without any obligations. Here you can also upload your CV. For tips, also read our blog about composing your CV. Huh, do I have to apply for volunteer work abroad? Yes, through our website. Your future employer wants to know who you are. Once you have applied, the employer will be notified of this and you will receive a response as soon as possible.

Have you received the redeeming message and have you been hired? Congratulations!!! Now the preparation for your adventure as a volunteer abroad can begin. How about a plane ticket, handy shoes or insurance? And don't forget important vaccinations and a required visa! Prepare your trip well with handy checklists for volunteering abroad. The better you have thought of everything in advance, the more relaxed you will be on your adventure! Read up on the organization you will be volunteering for, the climate of the country and cultural differences. That way there will be no surprises and you know what to expect! Give yourself time to adjust
Volunteering abroad is a new and often exciting challenge. As a result, the first few weeks of arrival can take a lot of getting used to. A new country, new people and unfamiliar surroundings. But don't forget that this is also a lot of fun! You will learn to make new friends, discover a different culture and get to know yourself. Give yourself time to get used to it and be open to new things! Make sure in advance that you have a realistic expectation. Your new environment probably won't be exactly the same as home, and that's not a bad thing at all. Once you have an open minded and flexible attitude, you will get used to it faster.

As soon as you start volunteering abroad, it is nice to keep your friends and family informed of all your adventures! You can easily do this through Polarsteps, for example! With this handy app, they can follow your cool adventure step by step. You can finish it off with your own amazing photos and texts! Super fun for your parents and friends, but also later for yourself to look back on!

How fun is it to volunteer and make lots of new friends abroad at the same time? Of course, while volunteering you will naturally meet new people and make international friends. It is also possible to meet a lot of new people abroad online. Think for example of travel communities, social media groups or specific forums. There are plenty of opportunities!

Don't forget after your period of volunteering abroad to put your experience on your resume! This will give your resume a huge boost these days. It shows that you care about making a difference in the world and that you are committed to helping others in society.