Voluntary work overseas
What does it mean to be a volunteer?
Before volunteering, there are a few things you need to consider. The most important question you should ask yourself is “Why am I doing this?” Whatever reasons you come up with (such as a need for self-fulfilment, altruism, or just a desire to travel and escape the ‘rat-race’ for a while), they aren’t necessarily right or wrong, provided they are well-considered.
Other questions to consider are:
- How do you define volunteering?
- What people, events, and experiences have led to your interest in volunteering abroad?
- What do you hope to get out of the experience?
- What do you hope to contribute?
- How do you see this affecting your life?
- How can you prepare for the experience?
- What can you do to get the most out of the experience?
- What is your financial situation? Are you willing to fundraise to help pay for your experience?
- What type of organisation would you like to work for?
There are many things you may have to cope with when you volunteer overseas: culture shock, poverty, local customs and conditions, security, racism, sexism, language barriers and unstable political foundations are just a few. It is important to balance these with the overwhelming good that will come out of your work, and to make sure that you prepare yourself as much as possible by researching the country and the organisation you will be working in.
top of pageLength of placement or work?
Most long-term placements and some short-term placements require well-qualified and seasoned personnel, carefully selected to meet the specific needs of the host community or organisation. Some organisations accept volunteers with little or no relevant qualifications or experience in the work to be undertaken, and where necessary, pre-departure or on-site training may be provided. Generally speaking, these are features of short-term placements. Examples of organisations offering long and short-term placements are listed below.
Organisations offering long-term placements (6 months or more)
- Australian Volunteers International - Australia’s largest and oldest volunteer sending organisation. Places Australians from different skill areas in Asia, Pacific and Africa for 1 and 2 year assignments.
- Australia Youth Ambassadors program - Australian Government program for under 30s. Placements for up to one year in Asia/ Pacific.
- United Nations Volunteers - The UN’s own volunteer program. 70 percent of their volunteers come from developing countries.
- Australian Aid for Cambodia Fund - A non-profit organisation which supports educational and social projects in Cambodia through the provision of volunteers.
- Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) - Volunteer doctors, nurses, logisticians and support staff work in trouble spots around the world.
- Melbourne Overseas Missions - Volunteer personnel work with Catholic dioceses and parishes in Papua New Guinea and some other countries for programs in education, literacy, health and general development.
- Skillshare Africa - A British based agency which recruits skilled volunteers for placements in several African countries.
Shorter-term (under 6 months)
Some of these organisations primarily operate programs in Australia, but also provide some opportunities to volunteer internationally.
- AIESEC
- Australian Trust for Conservation Volunteers
- Council on International Educational Exchange
- Earthwatch Institute
- International Volunteers for Peace
- Kibbutz Working Holidays
- Operation Crossroads Africa
- SEEK Volunteer
- World Youth International
- Peace Brigades International