Graduate Careers AustraliaVolunteering
Volunteering OverseasUndertaking volunteer work overseas is a great way to combine work experience and travel. Overseas volunteering also looks great on a résumé, as it demonstrates initiative, passion and dedication. There are many formal and informal programs which assist students and graduates interested in volunteering OS. These programs range from weekend work camps to two-year professional placements. Volunteer organisations and your university careers services will be able to help you match your skills and interests with potential overseas volunteering opportunities. Mentally prepared It is wise to a remember that volunteer work is just that, WORK. It is often hard, and 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:
There are no wrong or right answers to these questions, but they will assist you in determining whether you are genuinely prepared for the OS volunteering experience. 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 and qualifications that match their specific needs or the needs of the host community. Costs Make sure you find out what costs are involved in OS volunteer placements. Does the organisation charge a fee for placements? What financial or practical assistance is provided for housing or transportation? What regular living costs will there be? How will personal expenses (for health care etc) be managed? Culture shock No matter how prepared you are for volunteer work, a degree of culture shock is inevitable. The intensity and duration of the culture shock will vary from person to person, and will be influenced to some extent by how prepared you are for your new environment. Depending on where you are located, you may have to deal with unfamiliar customs, conditions, weather, attitudes, gender relations, language and political/social arrangements. Services such as banks, doctors and pharmacies may be different to home, which can be stressful. Remind yourself that it is normal to feel unsettled in a foreign place. After a period of time most OS volunteers acclimatise and start to enjoy the differences. For most volunteers, the cultural exchange that takes place between themselves and locals is one of the most rewarding aspects of the experience. Helping hand Volunteer organisations vary in the degree to which they support volunteers on the ground. Some agencies take a hand-holding approach, supporting you closely through every stage of the placement. Other organisations leave their volunteers alone, encouraging them to deal with their local employers instead. Take time to find out exactly what kind of assistance your volunteer organisation will provide and, if possible, talk to past volunteers who can share their experiences. This article is taken from the 2008 edition of Graduate Careers Australia's employer directory Graduate Opportunities . © 2008 Graduate Careers Australia |
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