Volunteering abroad: make the world a better place and live abroad for free

Volunteering - helping those in need without pursuing personal gain. This is a job for those who want to make the world a better place. Volunteering abroad is of great interest, because it allows you to travel the world and practice foreign languages. Volunteer projects operate on various continents. The article provides information on how to get into the ranks of volunteers, what programs are there and a list of documents for traveling abroad.

To participate in volunteer projects, a volunteer center is visited. In 2017, some programs offer direct contact with the employer.

Those who want to help free of charge must meet the following requirements:

1. Choose a program that is of interest.
2. Download the questionnaire on the center's website, fill out and send it by e-mail.
3. When answering the question about the place of work, choose one camp and indicate its name.

When joining the ranks of volunteers, a membership fee is paid. To travel as a volunteer to another country, the volunteer needs to pay for the flight to the place of work and back.

Volunteer requirements

Volunteering cannot be viewed as a holiday abroad. It is hard work that requires excellent health from the candidate.

The volunteer must be at least 18 years old and have the following qualities:

1. Have a meaningful presentation of the main idea of ​​the project in particular and volunteering in general.
2. Friendliness and energy.
3. Organization.
4. Knowledge of foreign languages.
5. Ability to make an important decision in difficult situations.
6. Independence and responsibility.

Notable volunteer programs

Among volunteer programs, there are those that attract many volunteers and are known to many, these are:

1. 1. Conservation Volunteers. This is the movement of Australia and New Zealand. Its members are offered work in groups that fight for nature conservation and promote the development of ecotourism. The cost of participation in the project is relatively low: about $ 100 per week.

Planting plants in Australia.

1. 1. Turtle Teams. A movement that consists of small groups of volunteers. Their task is to visit the beaches in order to help the turtles.

1. 1. "Guides for the Holidays." This is a European project that invites volunteer guides for groups of tourists. They are provided with accommodation, food and the opportunity to travel around Europe with the groups that they will accompany.
   2. Appalachian Trail Conference. This mountain trail is 3,500 kilometers long. This site is home to endangered animal species. The task of the volunteers is to help build the trail while preserving the nature.

Volunteers on the Appalachian Trail in the United States.

1. 1. Help Exchange. This is a program whose participants are looking for helpers in various matters: from teaching to gardening.

Help Exchange Program.

1. 1. UN Volunteers. Those interested are invited to participate in various spheres of life: learning to read and write, water supply and electricity. Almost all vacancies are for specialists who are professionals in their field. The bulk (40%) of volunteers work in Africa.

Improving literacy in African countries.

1. 1. Move Nepal. This organization invites people who are fluent in English. Their task is language teaching, community work, assistance in monasteries and orphanages.

Helping children from an orphanage in Nepal.

2017 programs

In 2017, the list of countries in need of volunteer assistance included 193 states. Among them there are even those on whose territory military operations are taking place.

The volunteer movement in Europe is looking for young people willing to work for free and interested in learning the language of a country that accepts volunteers.

Volunteering in the United States is environmentally oriented, and also has a cultural, historical or humanitarian focus.

Those who choose ecology will have to deal with environmental protection. Among the assistance required, the priority is the care of national reserves.

For people who are not indifferent to history, projects of a cultural and historical orientation are suitable. By choosing one of them, the volunteer will participate in the restoration work with historical monuments in the United States.

Humanities students will be offered employment in the form of work with children who have difficulties in communicating with others.

The 2017 Programs in America represents not only volunteering in the United States, but also projects in Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru.

Volunteers who are attracted to volunteering in Africa can choose projects in Cameroon, Ghana, Ethiopia or Kenya.

In 2017, Asia requires volunteer assistance in India, Mongolia, Palestine, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Price

In 2017, the average price for participation in the program was 390 euros, it is due to the need to:

1. Prepare the necessary papers.
2. Search for a camp.
3. Providing access to hot water.

In addition to this amount, you will have to pay for the services of a volunteer center, consular fee for visa, insurance and air tickets.

Meals are provided or not, depending on the program chosen. This issue is being clarified in advance.

Required documents

Depending on the chosen route, the list of required documents also changes. If a trip is made through a volunteer center, then the staff will provide the necessary list.

Those who independently apply for participation in the program read the requirements on the project website.

Video about obtaining an EVS visa for Russian and Ukrainian volunteers:

The list of papers that are necessary for obtaining a visa depends on the choice of the country.

Applying for a visa to Japan, USA, England or Canada is time-consuming when compared to obtaining a permit to enter the Schengen area. Participation in projects in Canada involves the collection of certificates and papers for a visa six months in advance or earlier.

Japan and England issue visas within 2-4 weeks with a personal visit to the embassy.

To open a visa to America, be prepared for a personal interview at the embassy, ​​during which the candidate talks about the reason for the trip.

Volunteering is a government-backed movement, so the chances of getting a visa are great.

How to get a place in projects

Participation in projects lasts all year round, but the organizers update the program base at the end of January. Therefore, there are many interesting projects at this time.

Participation in the preparation of public events, in holding music festivals, social projects is in demand. To get a place, it is not enough to apply, it is important to present yourself correctly.

The condition for submitting an application is a motivation letter, which indicates why a person is visiting the program. When writing it, declare yourself as a purposeful, sociable, responsive person.


How to pass an interview:

Work abroad is not paid, but volunteers are provided with a place to sleep and the opportunity to see the world, get to know the cultures of the countries they visit, communicate with foreigners and learn the language.