There are so many opportunities to volunteer across the globe, that wherever you’ve always wanted to go, chances are there will be a worthwhile volunteering opportunity that’ll suit you. First of all, you need to decide what you want to do. Opportunities range from teaching English, to helping a community by building a new home. Here are some commonly available opportunities for volunteering, as well as a few fantastic places to do them in.
Teach
Improve your own language skills whilst sharing your language with others; learning from a native English speaker can greatly improve children’s understanding of the language and often, you don’t even need to know a foreign language to teach English abroad.
Where: Thailand, Brazil, France
Building projects
Typically, building projects are usually concerned with helping build schools & playgrounds in a local community or even providing stronger, more permanent homes for those families in need. This is great for those people who love getting stuck in with a real hands-on approach, with the benefits of your volunteering efforts very easy to see.
Where: Costa Rica, Thailand, Guatemala
Conservation & wildlife
If animals and nature are your thing, then contributing to wildlife and conservation efforts is a dream come true. You’ll get to go on small adventures while protecting wildlife and the environment, all whilst spending time with animals you’ve probably only ever encountered at the zoo.
Where: Africa, China, Sri Lanka
Childcare
If you’re considering a career in childcare or education, childcare opportunities such as tutoring or teaching can look great on your CV and give you a great taste of your chosen career path. Childcare opportunities are plentiful, from leading treks to mentoring children, so there really is something for everyone.
Where: Romania, Nepal, India
Sports coaching
If you’re the type of student that loved P.E rather than dreaded it, then sports coaching may be the most natural progression. There’s an obvious opportunity here to take something you love and to share it with others, becoming better at it and enjoying yourself in the process.
Where: Argentina, Swaziland, Costa Rica
The opportunity to volunteer abroad can be very exciting, so it’s important to keep your head and research the company and destination thoroughly before making any plans. Make time to talk to a careers advisor at your university or college. They’ll be able to advise you on how this type of experience can support your studies and recommend useful organisations to get into contact with.
If you’re thinking about volunteering abroad, talk to a career’s advisor at your university or college. For more information on insurance required for volunteering abroad, visit endsleigh.co.uk