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Overview

Introduction

Volunteering abroad is defined not so much by earnings, since volunteer programs may or may not provide some form of reimbursement, as it is by service, a focus on working to provide for unmet needs. These needs can be social, like poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and care for the sick, disabled, or displaced. Unmet needs may also be environmental, educational, or a local lack of scarce skills. Traditionally, volunteering has been seen as helping others. Today, it is more often seen as helping persons or groups achieve their goals as they themselves define them, building local self-reliance.

While volunteering means giving of oneself, it also means receiving, like friendships, knowledge of oneself, insight into another culture, and the relationship between that society and our own. For some it can be a catalyst towards lifelong work for social change at home or abroad. There are hundreds of volunteer possibilities which we will broadly characterize here by type.

Reasons to Volunteer

Motivations can vary, as this quote from the book Alternatives to the Peace Corps illustrates:

“Before making a commitment, it is important to clarify your motives. You may be drawn to voluntary service by a desire to help impoverished people. You may be interested in learning about another culture and society. You may wish to be part of a process of positive social change. Or you may wish to gain experience which will help you find employment. Each of these motivations will direct you to distinct options for voluntary service.”

A book that we highly recommend to anyone who is considering volunteering, interning, working or studying in the developing world is How to Live Your Dream of Volunteering Overseas, whose authors help you think through your own motivations by taking you through a list of considerations to answer whether volunteering overseas is right for you.

Characteristics of Volunteer Work

Skills required: This runs the gamut from unskilled through professional, in areas such as teaching (for example, teaching English as a second language), business, health sciences, environment and natural resources, engineering and other technical skill areas, special education, those with skills in math and sciences, and many more.

Time commitment: From a few weeks to two or three years.

Pay or cost: A few long-term (two or more years) volunteer positions provide for all the expenses of the volunteer, including transportation, plus a stipend. Many volunteer jobs, both short- and long-term, provide for room and board, but not for transportation or personal expenses. Some require the volunteers to cover their own expenses. Others, especially short-term programs which provide training, on-site support, and sometimes academic credit, charge a fee, but are usually less expensive (for a given location & duration) than study-only programs or simply traveling.

Location and Type of Work: There are volunteer opportunities virtually everywhere in the world. In wealthier areas such as Western Europe (or the U.S.), volunteering may be the only way for non-specialists to work for social, educational, or environmental causes. In most countries with developing or transitional economies --broadly speaking, much of Africa and the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, and parts of Eastern Europe volunteering may be the only work possible for foreigners (excepting military service), particularly for those seeking their first work experience in these locations.

Types of Organizations of Interest to Volunteers: These include the U.S. government (i.e., the Peace Corps), large international multi-government organizations such as the United Nations, large and small non-governmental organizations (known as NGOs), and religious organizations. The latter may have either a social-activist or traditional proselytizing-missionary orientation, or in some cases both.

Special Volunteer Abroad Programs: Probably the easiest and best way to volunteer abroad, especially if you do not have professional skills, is through one of the many programs that specialize in sending volunteers abroad. These volunteer-abroad programs provide placements and on-site support, charging fees to support these services as well as covering the living expenses of the volunteer. The large organizations working in humanitarian relief generally do not work directly with volunteers. Good starting places to research volunteer-abroad programs are the book How to Live Your Dream of Volunteering Abroad, and the web site of the International Volunteer Programs Association (IVPA). We give additional web sites that list volunteer-abroad programs in our Selected Work Abroad Web Sites.

Funding Your Experience

Some of the best sources of funds are not formal scholarships (few and far between), but involve going to people or organizations for support. In exchange, the volunteer can provide reports from abroad or presentations upon return. Possible sources include service clubs such as Rotary or Kiwanis; religious organizations; relatives. Other fund-raising events include raffles, parties, providing services for contributions, and so forth. For further suggestions and potential funding sources, see the funding section of our Selected Work Abroad Web Sites.

U-M offices that offer funding (for University of Michigan students ONLY) for internships, volunteering and research abroad, plus fundraising tips, may be found in our article, Funding International Internships and Research.

Scholarships and grants from outside organizations may also be found by using books available at the U-M International Center.

Educational loans can usually be deferred during full-time volunteer service. Check with both your lender and with the organization for which you are considering volunteering for more information.


“Types of Volunteer Abroad Programs”

Last reviewed: 5/07