Q: GoAbroad’s Inside Scoop

One expert tip for all of you savvy travelers: get on the social media bandwagon and use it ‘til you lose it! America is more connected than you can imagine and many different websites offer access to many different services. Click, explore, and then contact the old-fashioned way with a phone call. If you decide to volunteer in the United States, get ready for the inviting friendliness of Americans that will make you feel like you’re included in their rituals, traditions, and festivities despite barely knowing them. And don’t skimp on those opportunities—volunteer projects in the United States are typically ambitious and involved. In other words, volunteers in the United States get some killer experience in a short amount of time. You’ll start to understand what all the fUSs is about. But seriously, the United States is the largest economy in the world and boasts of a community service mentality to go along with its robust work culture. There are volunteer opportunities in the United States around every corner, from rural small towns to the bustling big city. That contrast also makes for a variety in volunteer programs in the United States that other countries just can’t offer!

Question 1

intro

Accepted Answer

You really want to volunteer abroad, but is it worth it to fly all the way around the world just to end up volunteering in the United States? The answer is yes! Of all the places in the world to live and work and volunteer, the U.S. should be at the top of your list. Simply put, all of the opportunities found elsewhere are found ten-fold in the U.S. Volunteering abroad in the United States will also show you the significant differences between the regions (New England, east and west coasts, the South) and will give you a unique experience that can be quite varied from one state to another.

Question 2

Best Locations

Accepted Answer

Not to worry! Here are a few neat places that offer different experiences:

New York City, New York. It’s no wonder that New York is at the top of this list! As a cosmopolitan, international center for business, tourism, arts, and history, New York should be the first place you search for volunteer projects in the United States. Be warned that, like any large metropolis, NYC can be expensive for lodging and dining, though its transportation network makes getting around relatively simple.

Denver, Colorado. As the largest city within a 500-mile radius of the Mountain West, Denver offers an appealing centrality to the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains. It is also quickly growing in international renown for volunteering in the United States thanks to its efforts to protect the environment and maintain said beauty.

San Diego, California. More than just a sunny beach town, San Diego has a strong community feel thanks to its rich history and geographic location. Here, volunteers in the United States can learn about trade, exchange, and tourism at the Port of San Diego and interact with other international travelers.

Question 3

Common Causes

Accepted Answer

If searching by location doesn’t catch your eye, take a look at these causes that may inspire you to volunteer in the United States:

Environment. The United States is home to some of the most diverse landscapes and environments on the planet, and each one of them is in need of protection from the growing concern of global climate change. From marshlands in Florida to deserts in New Mexico, you’ll find your environmental niche when you volunteer abroad in the United States.

Healthcare. If you’re coming from a country where healthcare is a right that you may even take for granted, consider yourself lucky. Then, think about volunteering in the United States where many suffering people still go without healthcare on a daily basis. As such, health volunteers are in-demand and valuable to many communities.

Historic Preservation. Compared to its European brethren, the United States is a young upstart. Learn to understand and appreciate some amazing historical sites, and don’t let the age of landmarks (some less than 100 years old) fool you—they are in need of conservation as much as any other space, and your volunteers in the United States can really help the cause.

Question 4

Anticipated Costs

Accepted Answer

The United States is such an enormous country that you can find a large difference in associated costs of living depending on the city or state you’re in. Volunteering in New York City will be expensive, whereas serving the community in rural Oklahoma will be cheaper. Transport in and between places can also be expensive since the country lacks some basic public options and heavily relies on air travel. You can always create a FundMyTravel account and ask for help, especially if your cause is worthwhile and well-supported. Alternatively, seek out scholarships that may help alleviate some of the costs.

Question 5

GoAbroad’s Inside Scoop

Accepted Answer

One expert tip for all of you savvy travelers: get on the social media bandwagon and use it ‘til you lose it! America is more connected than you can imagine and many different websites offer access to many different services. Click, explore, and then contact the old-fashioned way with a phone call.

If you decide to volunteer in the United States, get ready for the inviting friendliness of Americans that will make you feel like you’re included in their rituals, traditions, and festivities despite barely knowing them. And don’t skimp on those opportunities—volunteer projects in the United States are typically ambitious and involved. In other words, volunteers in the United States get some killer experience in a short amount of time. You’ll start to understand what all the fUSs is about.

But seriously, the United States is the largest economy in the world and boasts of a community service mentality to go along with its robust work culture. There are volunteer opportunities in the United States around every corner, from rural small towns to the bustling big city. That contrast also makes for a variety in volunteer programs in the United States that other countries just can’t offer!