WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

WANT TO VOLUNTEER ABROAD?

DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START?

Questions to consider when beginning your search for a program:

University or Organization

Who is the sponsor? Is it recognized in the US?
If they are a legally-established entity in the US, they will need to live up to US regulations, which can create some safety nets for the volunteer.

What’s their address? Is it only a PO box? Can they be reached?
You want to be confident that anytime you have a problem, you can talk to an actual human being that will help you get it resolved.

Publicity

How much print and how many pictures are there? How much blitz? What’s in the pictures? Are there any academic ones?
Any web page or brochure that leads you to believe the experience will just be a big party will probably be just that. A serious organization will present a serious image.

How aggressive is the marketing strategy?
In most volunteer organizations, spaces don't fill up. An organization claiming that spaces are limited and that you therefore have to pay a sum of money right away is likely to be scaring you into making a commitment so that they get your money. An organization that really cares about the volunteer experience and the local community is going to spend time evaluating you while you spend time evaluating the volunteer experience before they ask you to make a commitment.

Orientation and Learning

What does the orientation consist of?
A good orientation will last several days, preparing you for language and cultural differences, teaching you where to go and not to go, how to get around, how to protect yourself from crime and environmental concerns, how to find the hospital, post office and other important places, as well as what is expected of you in your living environment and elsewhere. There should be rigorous training for your volunteer placement - any organization that will drop you in to sink or swim has potential for doing great harm both to you and to the host community.

What kind of oversight exists for the volunteer placement?
If you are not volunteering directly with the organization that placed you, you should at least expect that they have a good working relationship with continual flow of conversation with the other organization. Your placement organization should know exactly what you will be doing as a volunteer and should continuously follow up to ensure that.

What are the eligibility requirements for participation? Are they appropriate for the work expected?

Program Design

To what extent does this program provide immersion into the local community? How important is that for you?

Who are the other volunteers on the program? Any contact with local residents?

How much does the program cost?
Administering a volunteer program is similar to running a school. All the responsibilities mentioned in this worksheet cost money. To ensure yourself a valuable volunteer experience (instead of going with the luck of the draw), you should expect to pay administrative fees as well as any housing, orientation, excursion, and additional relevant fees. The program information should clearly state the cost of the program and everything it includes, as well as give an indication of what is not included that you can be expected to pay for.

Health and Safety

What is the health and safety record of the program? What are their emergency/contingency plans? Is there a 24-hour emergency contact?
You should ask these questions and expect quick answers. If they can't provide answers in a timely fashion, you don't want to be in their hands if an emergency comes up.