Becoming a volunteer might sound like a fabulous thing for some people, but there is more to it than just having the opportunity to go abroad. Leaving everything you know behind in order to help people struggling with issues like poverty, homelessness, and war is something to be taken very seriously. To learn more on how you can survive this undertaking, consider these tips listed below.
Be prepared to rough it out because this job primarily does away with the creature comforts you are used to having at home. When you are a volunteer in developing countries, chances are you will be living and working in very squalid conditions, and this is not for the faint of heart. Not only do you have to be physically able to handle this, but you should also be mentally prepared for the challenge.
When you are given your placement from the recruitment office, you should immediately do your homework and learn everything about the country you are going to. Go online and research the geography and culture of the nation, as well as its core demographics. Most importantly, learn the language as much as you can so you could communicate with the locals upon your arrival.
While it can be very tempting to treat this whole affair as a vacation of sorts, your primary objective should be to focus on the basics. As such, packing for your volunteer job overseas should be strictly kept to the absolute essentials that can be reused to save on precious luggage space. Resist the urge to bring anything that will only be cumbersome during your trip.
Visit your doctor days before you leave and ask for a medical checkup, plus requesting to get all the important vaccines and supplementary shots done. This is a prerequisite that you must comply because your health and safety should never be compromised when traveling to foreign nations. As an added precaution, make sure to bring your own supply of medicines in case of emergencies.
In relation to the previous point, it is essential to learn some basic medical procedures which you can do by yourself in case of emergencies. You just never know when disasters might strike while being on the job, so you need to be fully prepared for such contingencies. Study up on the basics of first aid, as well as other life saving techniques like CPR or the Heimlich maneuver.
As a foreigner in an unfamiliar land, you are prone to being a target for swindlers, so be on constant alert for such deviants. However, you should also put a little faith in humanity because not everyone is out to harm you. Be friendly and polite to the locals, and do not be afraid to engage with them because a large part of your volunteer job requires you to interact with them on a daily basis.
Finally, you should be prudent when it comes to finances so make sure your bank account is considerably ample before you leave. There is a possibility that you might need to spend more than your intended budget, so having access to backup funds is crucial. Do not bring loose cash with you, so use your international ATM or credit card as most businesses accept these forms of payment.
Volunteering in a foreign country can be enriching, and it might just change your perspective on how the world works in different cultures. Take these handy pieces of advice to heart, and you will surely achieve your altruistic goals. Be confident and always trust your instincts throughout your journey.
Be prepared to rough it out because this job primarily does away with the creature comforts you are used to having at home. When you are a volunteer in developing countries, chances are you will be living and working in very squalid conditions, and this is not for the faint of heart. Not only do you have to be physically able to handle this, but you should also be mentally prepared for the challenge.
When you are given your placement from the recruitment office, you should immediately do your homework and learn everything about the country you are going to. Go online and research the geography and culture of the nation, as well as its core demographics. Most importantly, learn the language as much as you can so you could communicate with the locals upon your arrival.
While it can be very tempting to treat this whole affair as a vacation of sorts, your primary objective should be to focus on the basics. As such, packing for your volunteer job overseas should be strictly kept to the absolute essentials that can be reused to save on precious luggage space. Resist the urge to bring anything that will only be cumbersome during your trip.
Visit your doctor days before you leave and ask for a medical checkup, plus requesting to get all the important vaccines and supplementary shots done. This is a prerequisite that you must comply because your health and safety should never be compromised when traveling to foreign nations. As an added precaution, make sure to bring your own supply of medicines in case of emergencies.
In relation to the previous point, it is essential to learn some basic medical procedures which you can do by yourself in case of emergencies. You just never know when disasters might strike while being on the job, so you need to be fully prepared for such contingencies. Study up on the basics of first aid, as well as other life saving techniques like CPR or the Heimlich maneuver.
As a foreigner in an unfamiliar land, you are prone to being a target for swindlers, so be on constant alert for such deviants. However, you should also put a little faith in humanity because not everyone is out to harm you. Be friendly and polite to the locals, and do not be afraid to engage with them because a large part of your volunteer job requires you to interact with them on a daily basis.
Finally, you should be prudent when it comes to finances so make sure your bank account is considerably ample before you leave. There is a possibility that you might need to spend more than your intended budget, so having access to backup funds is crucial. Do not bring loose cash with you, so use your international ATM or credit card as most businesses accept these forms of payment.
Volunteering in a foreign country can be enriching, and it might just change your perspective on how the world works in different cultures. Take these handy pieces of advice to heart, and you will surely achieve your altruistic goals. Be confident and always trust your instincts throughout your journey.
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