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Looking for a unique volunteer opportunity? Why not consider volunteering abroad? Volunteering abroad enables one to gain international experience while making connections with individuals from different countries and learning intercultural communication. Volunteers can gain hands-on experience related to their field of study or future career that they may not have the opportunity to receive in their home country. The overall volunteer experience results in a positive contribution to communities, while fostering personal growth, and expanding educational and professional skills, which helps build one’s resume and increases one’s professional marketability.
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Volunteer placements vary in country, cost, and duration. There are a variety of volunteer opportunities available, which include working with children; conservation work such as archeological excavations and environmental initiatives; health promotion; humanitarian work; building; teaching; and cultural events.
Still interested in volunteering? Here are some things you should do before packing your bags and jumping on the next airplane.
- Identify what type of volunteer work you would like to perform and find an organization that is right for you (find a position that you have the skills to execute and are comfortable doing.)
- Identify which country you would like to visit.
- Determine whether it is the right time for you to volunteer and how long you are able to commit.
- Determine your budget. Volunteers are expected to cover the travel costs to their destination and there may be a participation and/or application fee. Some organizations may provide travel assistance and there may be some grant funding available to assist you in your travels.
- Identify what type of lodging/accommodations are available i.e. living with a host family or in a volunteer residence.
- Determine whether you want cultural excursions along with your volunteer experience.
- Determine what type of medical preparation needs to be taken prior to travel e.g. vaccinations.
- Perform some research about the country so you will be prepared in terms of weather, culture, etc.
The following is an alphabetical list of some Canadian-based youth volunteer agencies. This list is by no means exhaustive.
Canada World Youth offers a variety of volunteer opportunities in over 20 countries. The Youth Leaders in Action program enables youth to contribute to community-driven development projects over a six-month period which focuses on health, the environment or gender equity. Volunteers live with host families and take part in youth-led educational activities.
Canadian Alliance for Development Initiatives and Projects
Canadian Alliance for Development Initiatives and Projects (CADIP) provides both short-term international voluntary service programs and middle and long-term voluntary service. The Canadian Alliance for Development Initiatives and Projects focus on working with orphans and children from underprivileged and disadvantaged backgrounds, environmental protection, social services, restoration, and festivities.
Concordia Volunteer Abroad Program
The Concordia Volunteer Abroad Program is supported by a fee-levied from Concordia University undergraduate students, as a part of the university’s commitment to global civic responsibility and experiential learning. 35 cents from every class taken is directed to support the program. This allows approximately 40 Concordia students travel to Gulu, Uganda to work on community development projects. This volunteer experience is added to the student’s permanent record.
Global Youth Volunteer Network
The Global Youth Volunteer Network runs international trips with high school students. The Global Volunteer Engagement Program enables individuals to be immersed in a different cultural community, while offering a specialized skill set in a work-oriented atmosphere. This program is designed for those who have already participated in the one-month Global Team trip and would like to return to a project or social justice issue they learned about or for individuals who have had previous cross-cultural and professional experience.
Go International prides itself by offering programs in over 40 countries. Volunteers receive hands-on experience and contribute to important community initiatives and projects which involve animals, children, or building. One unique program is the Volunteer with Elephants in Chang Mai, Thailand, where volunteers will spend every day in the lush mountain forests with elephants rescued from working in tourist camps.
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Me to We offers several volunteer positions which include youth volunteer trips, school volunteer trips, and university volunteer trips. Their program provides meaningful volunteerism while building leaders, and providing cultural immersion and community interaction. Volunteers develop friendships while supporting community development. Me to We volunteer trips partners with Free The Children to access rural communities and work on projects that are driven by the local community and its needs.
Projects Abroad offers several volunteer positions which include volunteering abroad, interning abroad, group service trips for high school students, and spring break volunteer trips for university students. Volunteering abroad positions include working in orphanages, care centres, and special needs clinics; teaching; conservation; sports; archaeology; building; and performing arts. High school group service trips are for individual 16-19 years and are comprised by lessons, hands-on and observational work, with evening activities and weekend excursions. Spring break trips enable volunteers to work on a one week volunteer project.
World University Service of Canada
World University Service of Canada has multiple programs including Uniterra and Students without Borders. Uniterra is Canada’s largest international volunteer program that works in 12 developing countries. Students Without Borders allows university and college students to volunteer in a developing country for an academic term.
Youth Challenge International is a leading global youth development organization that promotes youth innovation to drive positive change. Volunteer positions include Youth Ambassadors, who implement projects focused within key sectors as part of a short-term team placement; Youth Discovery, which is a short-term program focused on the environment; Youth Innovators, which is a short-term program for volunteers with a specialized academic or work background; and Youth Leadership Teams, which are customized volunteer programs for groups of volunteers.
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