How to Prepare for Volunteering Overseas

Deciding to head overseas to volunteer is really exciting, since it has all the promise of adventure, as well as giving you a chance to make a positive difference to the world. Any kind of jaunt abroad requires a little preparation, but volunteering trips often need more attention than others.

I've put together a basic guide of how to prepare for volunteer work abroad below - I hope it helps!

Step 1: Work out a budget

Once you've booked your trip, flights and such, the first thing to work out is a budget for while you're there. The simplest way to start this is by looking at what your chosen tour operator includes in the price. For example, they might offer to cover some of your food costs or pay for your accommodation - what you get will vary from one company to the next.

After you've got that clear in your mind, you should look into how much living costs are in your chosen destination. This way, you can begin to get a picture of how much day-to-day living might add up to. As well as considering the prices of things like food, drink and accommodation, you should also think about whether you will need to pay for any additional transport or activities.

Step 2: Talk to your doctor

Next on your list should be arranging an appointment with your doctor to discuss whether there are any vaccinations you will need before you travel. This is perhaps the most obvious aim of your appointment, but don't forget to talk about your trip in a little more detail.

By doing so, your doctor can advise you how to handle any underlying medical conditions you may have before you go away, as well as giving you tips on how to avoid getting sick in the places you plan to visit.

Step 3: Insurance

It's likely you've already got travel insurance on your to-do list, but it's worth bearing in mind that you'll need to read the small print carefully to make sure the package you get is actually appropriate for your trip. Think about any unusual activities that might need to be covered, your medical needs and how long you will be away for.

Step 4: Research the local culture

The next step is to prepare yourself mentally. It's likely you'll be entering into a culture that's wholly different from what you're used to, and one of the best ways to prepare is to make sure you know what to expect. This has the added benefit of helping you integrate with the locals more easily too.
Learning a little of the language is one of the most useful steps. Don't worry, there's no need to become fluent (though you can if you like!), but knowing some basic terms can really help you settle in, feel more at home and make friends.

As well as learning how to say hello, please and ask where the bathroom is, you should also do a bit of research into the culture itself. Are there any gestures that are considered rude you should avoid, for example? Or is there a polite way of addressing people you should use in the country you're visiting? Knowing cultural quirks like this can really help ease your way into local society.

Step 5: Pack smart

Finally, as any keen traveller knows, you need to be smart with your packing. Think about what you really need to take and be as ruthless as possible to avoid overloading yourself. Pack appropriate clothing - and make sure it's comfortable - as well as any medicine you require.
One of the most important things to remember is to take a comprehensive list of emergency numbers with you, such as a contact number for the airline and tour operator and the number to dial for lost or stolen credit cards. You should also give people at home an emergency number they can reach you on.