Volunteering abroad is an incredible and rewarding experience. There are a vast number of projects organized to help good causes all over the world from teaching English to wildlife conservation. You can explore new cultures and visit new and exciting countries such as Nepal and Gambia where you can employ your skills to make a difference to these people's lives.
Volunteering does not have to be expensive either. Many projects provide basic food and accommodation for as long as you work with them and all you need to pay for is your travel to, from and around the country. Once you have completed your volunteer role, you are usually free to roam the country and adventure as you see fit. If you want to make the most out of your volunteering experience it is usually best to save some money before hand for traveling after your volunteering role comes to an end. It's quite likely that you will befriend some new and interesting people whilst volunteering, by volunteering for a cause that you believe in you are sure to meet like-minded individuals who will likely join you on your travels.
To help you get a better idea of what you would like to achieve whilst volunteering, think about something you are passionate about. Would you prefer to work with animals? Do you relate well to children? Have you got specialist skills that can really make a difference such as engineering? When you have an idea of what you have to offer and where you would like to best see those skills go to use, you can then find out which countries need you and your skill-set the most.
Not only does volunteer give you a chance to get away to an exotic place and get a tan, but it also offers you a great way to expand upon and improve your CV. In volunteering, you are able to demonstrate your drive, enthusiasm and commitment to causes that you believe in and this is a great way to impress employers. Not only this, but by volunteering abroad you will be presented with new challenges that will test your abilities and improve your skills. You may even pick up some new talents or discover ones that you never knew you had.
If you are at college or university, there has never been a better time to volunteer. Finding the time to travel the world and make a difference while managing a career can be incredibly hard; so if you are planning a gap year before entering the world of work or are looking to for career breaks , then this is the best time to consider a volunteering adventure.
