Volunteering Overseas on Resume

[Leigh 87]

I'm sorry, I must've misread your post -- I thought you said you were planning to go away for a year. My bad.

 

$3,000 seems like a lot of money to spend for a week or two of volunteering.

 

 

 

Yeah I am a little concerned that these so called "good deed" organizations are ripping us off.

 

suposedly they provide employment for the local community in the former of guides and 24 hour around the clock staff on hand. And local cooks.

 

One company asks for 5000 for two weeks NOT including air faired. While is ridiculous.

 

So i checked out another group and they charged about 2800 AUD for one week.

 

I am beginning get annoyed. It shouldn't cost that much for basic accommodation and 3 meals per day.

 

However, they make a point of telling u exactly where your money is going.

[Leigh 87]

I have been to Russia which is considered dangerous and I felt safe. It's like I ventured out at night. During the day I felt totally safe though.

 

 

So far. .. Ghana, Seychelles, Botswana and one or two other African countries that are countries you can pick to volunteer in, sound safe enough.

 

I wouldn't go to Kenya or a South Africa..... Also heavy volunteer hot spots.

 

 

As far as South America goes.... .Argentina is safe as is Paraguay and it's similar sounding neighbour's which I can't spell lolz. And chill is safe.

 

 

By a years time I will have the money. I don't just eat noodles. I just eat a lot of them but still eat a lot off frozen veg in various simple and tasty ways.

 

 

 

 

I am thinking about Ghana. Seems peaceful and safe and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs says it is low risk and to exercise a normal degree of caution. And has the biggest and most popular volunteer base.

 

 

Ghana is also the cheapest.

 

I don't have to make payments yet I have a year to research it and you can bet I am going to male the most out of my time and mmoney and at least ensure that I keep informed and travel to the most peaceful option.

 

 

 

Lolz though... mum is ignorant with travel safety... she thought I should visit Israel because she is Jewish and she went there herself.

 

I was like MUM. Israel is considered "high risk" right now according to our government foreign affairs department. ...

 

 

 

 

To further complicate things. ..... Some areas in a.gjven country are safe yet a few regions are not so safe. With in the same countries.

 

 

 

All in all, I will take two weeks off from my uni break and probably go to Ghana or Seychelles. Or Zanzibar in Tanzania sounds safe.

[Leigh 87]

I was interested what projects are happening in Europe - first thing Google threw up:

Bulgaria

 

^ Bulgaria: play with disadvantaged kids, time to travel, safe - always in a group ...is that not what your looking for?

 

 

 

Ahhh. My mum back packed through there when it WAS suspect lolz.

 

Now days a guy on my tour that has been like... EVERY WHERE... says Bulgaria was his fave place.

 

I need to also stick to a programe to be relevant to my career path so I get credit for it.

[Mariposa10]

What?! $3,000??? I don't even know what to say! Is that money being donated or something?!

[Leigh 87]

What?! $3,000??? I don't even know what to say! Is that money being donated or something?!

 

 

Supposedly. To the locals who accommodate you.

 

And also to fund the program to begin with.

 

I sincerely hope these huge organisations have the best interest of the disadvantaged people at heart and are not in it to rip people off.

[Emilia]

I sincerely hope these huge organisations have the best interest of the disadvantaged people at heart and are not in it to rip people off.

They are more like travel agencies. I'm sure they don't rip anyone off but they just put you somewhere to do some nondescript and pretty useless work for a week or month or two. The real work is done by trained and experienced professionals who have a good understanding of local culture. Enjoy it by all means but see it as some kind of project work carried out in a bubble with no real consequences (unless you do some physical labour and actually produce something tangible).

[Leigh 87]

They are more like travel agencies. I'm sure they don't rip anyone off but they just put you somewhere to do some nondescript and pretty useless work for a week or month or two. The real work is done by trained and experienced professionals who have a good understanding of local culture. Enjoy it by all means but see it as some kind of project work carried out in a bubble with no real consequences (unless you do some physical labour and actually produce something tangible).

 

 

I wanted to simply spend time with a few orphans and make them smile. Make them happier and improve their day.

[Emilia]

I wanted to simply spend time with a few orphans and make them smile. Make them happier and improve their day.

I do wonder how good it is for them really to have people going over there bonding with them only to leave again. I suppose only a psychologist could tell you.

[Mariposa10]

This thread reminds me a little bit of this article:

 

The white tourist?s burden | Al Jazeera America

 

 

OP, what about teaching English abroad? What about working in an Asian country, I heard they hire English speakers easily?

 

Personally, if I were the one hiring you. I would like to see that you worked abroad for a year or 6 months instead of volunteering your time and "donating" thousands of dollars....

[Emilia]

This thread reminds me a little bit of this article:

 

The white tourist?s burden | Al Jazeera America

 

 

OP, what about teaching English abroad? What about working in an Asian country, I heard they hire English speakers easily?

 

Personally, if I were the one hiring you. I would like to see that you worked abroad for a year or 6 months instead of volunteering your time and "donating" thousands of dollars....

Haha love Al Jazeera.

 

Agreed. Personally, I take my friends' view that were born in the developing world: never work for free, certainly never pay to work.

[Mariposa10]

The idea of paying to work/volunteer is just too weird for me...

 

 

 

Haha love Al Jazeera.

 

Agreed. Personally, I take my friends' view that were born in the developing world: never work for free, certainly never pay to work.

[iiiii]

I did something similar, when I was younger. Went to an asian 3rd world country and spent 6 months volunteering helping to teach English to school kids. I've got two friends who each did something similar - both worked with orphans, one in Russia and one in Nepal.

 

A few points about these types of projects:

 

1. Yes it looks great on your CV, people even now in my early 30s bring it up in job interviews. Of course to get the benefit, the trick is not just doing the project, you then have to make sure you have something sensible to say about it in interviews.

 

2. It may be hard to swallow but the truth is, these projects are generally run mostly to get your money (the project fee) rather than to get your physical help.

 

Basically, you are paying these people let you play at being a teacher or careworker for a few weeks or a few months, and they let you do that primarily because they need your money for their project. This is especially true if you aren't planning on staying at your project for at least a couple of months - because if you are only there for a short while, by the time they have gotten you up to speed and you actually start to be helpful, you'll be leaving. Short term volunteers are often more of an inconvenience than a help.

 

Now, the fact these people mostly want your money isn't a bad thing, because the money you pay will probably be going to a really good cause.

 

But in honesty, if your only motive was to help these people the most you possibly could, it would be better you stay home and just send them your project fee and the money you would have spend on flights and visas. The money that would pay for your flight could pay to employ a local careworker or teacher for far longer than you will be in the country.

 

The exception to this is if you are volunteering as some type of fully qualified professional (medical doctor, surgeon, veterinarian, for example), because in that case you are supplying specialized skills that the locals need and do not have - which is why projects of that sort usually do not make volunteers pay a project fee, but instead these volunteers may even be paid a small stipend for living costs.

 

3. You will likely get a lot out of it personally, though. So as a way to help other people while also getting something good out of it for yourself, I'd say go for it. If you go somewhere far off the beaten track, you will probably have a great time and learn a lot too. And like I said, it will look good on your CV.

 

Good luck!

Edited April 25, 2014 by iiiii

[pink_sugar]

Any sort of volunteering experience should go on a resume IMO. Not only to show experience, but also to show your dedication to causes you're passionate about.

Edited April 25, 2014 by pink_sugar

[Leigh 87]

Any sort of volunteering experience should go on a resume IMO. Not only to show experience, but also to show your dedication to causes you're passionate about.

 

 

 

I already know first hand that it looks good in SOME fields of work.

 

I am personally aiming to do a masters after my social work honours degree is completed. A higher level of education after my degree PLUS volunteering is what I need. I need to focus on what will gain me a more lucrative career for starters. Along with finishing my degree to the best of my abilities! These come before volunteering....

 

The volunteering is something I am genuinely "passionate" about since I know full well I cannot make much difference. I am doing it for the tiny bit of difference it could make. I am not entirely comfortable with spending time with orphans as like Emilia or another poster highlighted, what are the psychological implications of leaving them abruptly once they form a bond?

 

I think "teaching English abroad" would look better in a CV.Which I have already done briefly, I taught 3 pupils basic grammar in Hong Kong and even got nice presents from their parents for helping their children's results. I really enjoyed the teaching English but yeah I realise it is not professionally teaching English like my mum does. My dad also taught English to Business folks and children after his heart attacks since he was too ill for other work. I am also volunteering to tech kids English soon in my own country, so I may follow that trend by doing it overseas also....A lot to consider but teaching English sounds a whole lot more appealing than the other programs you can involve yourself in.

 

My parents had some cool plans, games and ideas they gave me to legitimate teach the English in a more professional manner, which seemed to work and instil confidence in me, since I used professional programs and ways in which to teach the basic English, the same things/methods my parents used in their more "professional" capacities.

 

It is only teaching these kids/adults BASIC English mind you in these third world nations. I still want to go into it prepared and doing my very best.

 

I don't just want to have something I can write on my CV; I want to feel like I have earned it and that my skills and experience were "legit", lolz.

 

I have a whole year to consider it!

Edited April 28, 2014 by Leigh 87