With everything that is happening around the world, there is no denying that the only key to knocking down all the challenges in life is taking action. No matter your advocacy, extending your hand to help others in need can change the world little by little. So, if you are looking for an exciting way to serve the community while having fun and meeting like-minded individuals, you should check out the concept of volunteering abroad.

Volunteering is a unique way of getting involved in something you are passionate about while also gaining new insight into the culture, lives, and traditions of other people. It simply paves the way for you to appreciate the world better, gain a sense of purpose, and become more conscious about the silent cries around us. In international volunteer programs like IOI, you are expected to work with the rest of the team and invest your time, knowledge, skills, and resources to create a lasting impact.

Does that sound like something you’d love to be involved in? If the answer is a resounding “yes,” then read below on how to prepare for your volunteer trip.

Learn The Local Language To Connect With The Locals

Aside from looking at the best languages to learn for travel, it would be best to focus on mastering the language being spoken in the country you are planning to volunteer at. While it is almost impossible to expect that you’ll turn into a native-sounding speaker right away, knowing some essential words and phrases can seriously set you up for success when dealing with the locals. In addition, you will be surprised by how well foreigners are treated when the locals see your enthusiasm in visiting their country and learning about their language and culture.

Fortunately, you do not need to spend on expensive books or sign up with a tutor to learn a foreign language. Instead, by using a trusted, free travel language app, you can start learning on the go and interact with native speakers confidently as soon as possible. The good thing about language learning applications is that some are available offline, so you do not have to worry about not getting reception, especially if you are volunteering in a secluded place.

Pack Your Wardrobe With Intention

By the time you have started mastering some of the best languages to learn for travel, the next thing you need to shift your attention to is the wardrobe you plan to bring. Aside from consulting with Google to find information about the weather conditions in a specific country, it would be best to look for some hints regarding the prescribed dress code. For instance, some countries have stringent clothing restrictions- wearing Abayas and headscarves (Saudi Arabia), no above-the-knee shorts or skirts (Uganda), avoiding high-heeled shoes when strolling in ancient sites (Greece), covering knees and shoulders when visiting temples (Southeast Asia), and the likes.

International volunteering also calls for cultural exchange, which means you are also expected to discuss where you are from. Depending on the organization where you will sign up, you might even get the chance to do a personal introduction where you can talk about your home country, what made you passionate about volunteering, and the such. For instances like this, you can start handing out a few postcards with pictures of tourist spots from your place, perhaps give out small flags, or give keychains. Of course, you are not expected to purchase expensive souvenirs, and having a few local candies or any small mementos will do the trick.

Stock-up On Essentials

Volunteering abroad is truly an exciting experience for anyone, but we cannot deny that there might come a time when emergencies will arise. For cases like this, we highly recommend that you create an information card that contains all the emergency contact details of your family and friends. In addition, you must have some go-bag where you can easily find your essentials like medicines, first aid kit, emergency money, personal toiletries, extra batteries, whistles, flashlights, and mini radio.

While that may seem a lot, having a handy rucksack complete with everything you need will save you. By the end of the program, and you have not found yourself using any of the content inside, you can donate it to the community and save the life of someone else when the time comes.

Learn Details About The Volunteering Project

Volunteering is not just about going to a place and then waiting for orders from someone. Here, it would be best if you were responsible, and one way you can prepare yourself for what lies ahead is by simply researching the project details. For instance, you can bring a few learning materials from your country if you are assigned to volunteer as a teacher. On the other hand, you can also start conceptualizing projects if you are assigned to the think tank team.

Wrapping Up

And there we have our five useful tips that can seriously help you ensure a successful volunteering experience. As we reach this part of the post, we hope that you find yourself getting more excited and that you’ll be able to clear your schedule to give way for this unique opportunity. Who knew that standing up for your advocacy can be this fun, right? So, if you are looking to begin your adventure, we highly recommend that you check out and get involved with some of our newest outreach projects here at IOI.

About Anchisa:

Anchisa a typical girl who likes to travel and share a story with the world!