3 Incredible Benefits of Summer Volunteering Abroad

After summer volunteering abroad, you’ll expect to have a few good stories to tell -- and you will -- but there are other benefits of summer volunteering abroad that will last way longer than the time it takes you to get back home.

There was a time when volunteering meant sparing an hour here and a morning there, usually for important occasions or holidays. But by now, volunteering has become about so much more than “doing your part.” We know that now, more than ever, we need to create inclusive, connected societies that help and can rely on one another in a manner of ways. Donating our skills, time, and attention to worthwhile social change is just one of the ways we can promote inclusivity in our world today.Combining volunteering abroad for good causes with your summer break is an excellent way to accomplish cross cultural exchange and build lasting connections across the globe.

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If you’re looking for an adventurous way to spend your summer, you’ll find that volunteering abroad for a cause that is special to you will not only help those around you, it will produce three very special benefits that you’ll love for years to come:

Benefits of spending your summer volunteering abroad

1. You can make a real, lasting impact, even in a short time. 

There used to be a view that organisations called up volunteers when they needed people to hand out leaflets and get coffee, and then they’d send them home after a few hours. Luckily, volunteering options have expanded to encompass complete learning immersion programmes, where the goal is no longer finding people to do the work, but helping volunteers contribute and grow along the way too.

Some of my most enjoyable experiences have been as an empowered volunteer, when I know the organisation is appreciating the work volunteers are putting in and using it to support their overall efforts. Museums, social change groups, and community organizations, for example, often rely on more on volunteers than paid workers to meet their goals and fulfill their mission.

Summer volunteer programs around the world are moving in the direction of creating special projects for volunteers to work on throughout their trip. Therefore, volunteers are able to kick off a new project when they arrive, and then see it wrap up and move on to its next strategic phase by the time they leave. This means volunteers are no longer being bused in as free labour; they become an important part of the team, which leads to even more benefits of volunteering. Knowing you’ve played a key part in the development work from start to finish is one of the best benefits of volunteering and reasons to donate your time to causes abroad.

Working on specially designed volunteer projects helps form new connections to like-minded changemakers around the world.

2. You’ll get to see some amazing sights.

Who wants to spend a day being mentored by a human rights activist and then go and see the Taj Mahal at sunset? I definitely do, and you can if choose a summer volunteer program in India. Summer volunteering abroad is like the world’s greatest 2-for-1 special, because you’ll contribute to positive social change and, if you go to the right destination, you also get a historic and cultural experience that is postcard worthy.

Summer volunteer abroad programs often include cultural experiences and tours right in pre-planned itineraries, so you won’t even have to squeeze tours in before or after your volunteer work; your picture-perfect experiences will be planned for you.

3. You’ll grow in ways you never expected.

Working alongside people who feel as strongly as you do about supporting a particular cause creates a path for developing strong relationships with others. Summer volunteer programs aren’t just beneficial for those who are looking to create new friendships either. Going abroad to become summer volunteer means you’ll connect to an action network of like-minded changemakers from around the world. So, when you get back home, you’ll have a new set of friends, colleagues, and ideas to continue contributing toward your special cause.

Developing countries, like India, face many issues every day. You might choose a summer volunteer program abroad because you want to work on a cause you believe in, and you may find a new cause to inspire your future volunteer work, or even your career.

Volunteering now means you'll really get to dig into working on your special cause. Pun intended.

Next steps to summer volunteer abroad

Now that you have the inside scoop, know where many summer volunteer abroad participants choose to spend their time, and know common causes that volunteers are working to eradicate, it's time to choose who you want to volunteer abroad with! Choosing a program isn't as hard as it sounds, especially if you follow these steps:

• Decide where to go. Figuring out where YOU should participate in summer volunteer abroad programs is paramount. Have a short list of locations that sound ideal for your goals and skills (i.e. if you don't have experience working with animals, you might reconsider volunteering in an animal sanctuary). Don't let the ANYTHING hold you back—choose a place that's right for you.
• Pick your project. We outlined a few common causes that international volunteers support above. Do some reflection on what skills and knowledge you bring to the table, and which project would best benefit from your time and energy.
• Choose from the best volunteer abroad programs. Pay attention to past participants’ reviews, program/university reputation, location, and how the project's needs match your skills. Some programs may even share contact info for ambassadors or past participants if you want the REAL dirt. Here are more considerations to make as you figure out how to choose the right volunteer program for you. Pro tip: You can use MyGoAbroad to compare programs side-by-side.
• Plan your finances. Sort out funding before you go to afford daily essentials and splurge on travel (in addition to program costs and airfare). Be sure to raise a little extra money to donate to the organization that you'll be working with. Learning how to fund your summer volunteer abroad adventure is essential prior to your travels!
• Get prepared! Preparing to volunteer abroad is as fun as it sounds. With the days til departure number dwindling and your excitement boiling, it can be easy to overlook the details. Lean on us to help guide you through your pre-departure process—that's what we're here for. 

Sign up for to summer volunteer abroad programs ASAP

At the end of the day, summer volunteering will not only help the community you serve -- it will help you too. Volunteering abroad can even enhance your health and happiness. People have consistently shown a significant boost in happiness after doing kind deeds for others. The feelings are biologically apparent; giving to charity activates brain regions associated with pleasure, social connection, and trust.

If you participate in summer volunteer programs, you’ll get way more than a season’s worth of value. You’ll continue reaping the benefits of volunteering, and have endless inspiration, for years to come.

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This article was contributed by if i could... internship programme, an organization dedicated to providing personalized internship placements in Cape Town, South Africa and New Delhi, India.