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Thinking About Volunteering in Another Country?

So have you been considering volunteering in another country but didn’t know how to get started? Interested in the idea but weren’t quite sure how it might work? Already abroad or a returned volunteer looking for tools to help you transition home or into a new career? We’ve just launched a free comprehensive online resource center to help you figure out the what, why, where, when, how, and what next of volunteering abroad: Idealist’s International Volunteerism Resource Center!

In the International Volunteerism Resource Center, you’ll find pages dedicated to such topics as:

• What is international volunteering?


• What should I consider before deciding to volunteer in another country?


• What are some of the ethical and cost issues associated with volunteering abroad?


• Should I go with a volunteer-sending organization or on my own?


• How do I choose a volunteer-sending organization or program?


• How do I find, plan, and embark on my own independent volunteer abroad experience?


• What questions should I ask to determine if an opportunity or organization is legitimate? A good fit for me?


• How might I volunteer while studying abroad, going on a gap year, or working abroad?


• How might I volunteer abroad with my family or employer?


• How do I determine what skills I have to offer and identify skilled volunteer opportunities abroad?


• What should I know before I go? What logistics should I take care of?


• What are my rights and responsibilities as an international volunteer?


• How can I ease my transition home?


• What are some strategies for translating my international experience into a career?

You can then search or browse by country through the over 14,000 global volunteer opportunities posted on Idealist!

Got suggestions for resources to add or additional topics to cover? Whether you’re brand new to the idea of volunteering abroad or an experienced returned volunteer, we’d love your feedback—just email erinb@idealist.org. Also, please help us get the word out on this new resource center by sharing the site with your friends, family, fellow students or colleagues, and/or providing a link on your website, blog, or social networking page. In fact, if you go back to our home page and scroll down a bit, you’ll see a banner ad in the left column that you’re welcome to use.

Happy reading and safe travels!

This entry is by Erin B., who has also created a resource center for volunteer managers.