VOLUNTEERING OVERSEAS
Undertaking volunteer work overseas is a great
way to combine work experience and travel. OS
volunteering also looks great on a résumé, as it
demonstrates initiative, passion and dedication.
There are many programs which assist students
and graduates interested in volunteering OS –
ranging from weekend work camps to two-year
professional placements.
Mentally prepared
Most OS volunteers have days when they
wonder what they are doing and miss home
comforts. Before committing to OS volunteering
you should ask yourself: Why am I doing this?
How will I manage the bad days? What do I
hope to contribute?
What you need
Some organisations accept volunteers with little
or no relevant qualifications or experience. In
these cases, pre-departure or on-site training is
often provided. Many organisations, however,
will require that you have skills that match their
needs or the needs of the host community.
Make sure you find out what costs are involved
for any OS work. Does the organisation charge
a fee for placements? What financial assistance
is provided for housing or transportation? What
regular living costs will there be?
Culture shock
No matter how prepared you are for your OS
work, a degree of culture shock is inevitable.
Remind yourself that it is normal to feel
unsettled in a foreign place. After a period of
time most OS volunteers acclimatise. Indeed,
the cultural exchange is usually one of the most
rewarding aspects of the experience.
No matter what kind
Helping hand
of volunteer work you
Volunteer organisations vary in the degree to
undertake, one thing is
which they support volunteers on the ground.
certain: volunteering
Some agencies take a hand-holding approach,
for a cause you believe
others leave their volunteers to themselves. Find
in can change the way
out exactly what kind of assistance you will be
you look at the world
offered and, if possible, talk to past volunteers
and yourself. More
who can share their experiences.
importantly, it can bring
A r t i c l e b a s e d o n a f l y e r p r o d u c e d b y U n i v e r s i t y o f
a deep satisfaction that M e l b o u r n e C a r e e r s & E m p l o y m e n t a n d a n a r t i c l e b y
comes with knowing you
E b o n y Fr o s t , M a r k e t i n g C o m m u n i ca t i o n s M a n a g e r,
G l o b a l C a r e e r C o m p a n y.
are making a difference.
Fo r a l i s t o f v o l u n t e e r o rg a n i s a t i o n s v i s i t t h e ‘ca r e e r
a d v i c e’ s e c t i o n o f t h e G O w e b s i t e.
15
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