Why volunteer abroad?
To most, volunteer work abroad means investing your time and money to help others who are less fortunate than yourself. Or, to those who have a heart for animals and nature, it may mean supporting the protection of different species through special wildlife and environmental projects. Despite having to make some personal sacrifices while volunteering abroad, regardless of the type of project, most look back on their stay abroad as a very valuable investment due to the various benefits of being a volunteer. It might sound cliché, but most participants talk about how much of a unique and life enriching experience volunteering abroad is, and that it is something they are glad they didn’t miss out on. A stay abroad not only fosters personal growth, but you will also improve your language skills, gain valuable work experience, learn about other cultures, and become more tolerant and open-minded as you travel through a foreign country.
Why do I have to pay to do volunteer work abroad?
Many people are surprised to hear that they have to pay to volunteer abroad. It might sound counterintuitive, but there are reasons for why it is necessary. The participation fee that you pay for your volunteer project is usually meant to cover accommodation and food. In addition, the fee covers the supervision provided on your project site, the volunteer coordinator, and work tools. In some projects, a portion of the fee serves as a donation towards the operation of an organization. Most volunteer projects are through nonprofit organizations (NGOs) that rely on donations and support from volunteers to improve the living conditions in their country.
Are there any additional costs?
In addition to the costs of the project participation, flight, and international travel, health insurance must be paid by each volunteer. You should also plan to bring enough money for some leisure activities, excursions, sightseeing, additional food, etc. Most volunteers get excited once they reach their host country and want to explore during their free time.
Will I work together with other volunteers?
Most volunteer projects in Latin America are well organized and have space for up to 15 volunteers. Most of the time, volunteers are encouraged to work together as a team, however, there are a few volunteer projects where the volunteer will either work alone or with only a couple of other volunteers.
What qualifications do I need to volunteer abroad?
There are no special skills required to volunteer abroad. However, we do recommend that you at least have basic knowledge of Spanish so that you can effectively communicate during your project. A good volunteer should be adaptable, tolerant, and have a sense of obligation and spontaneity. In addition, they should always have a positive attitude and be willing to help whenever it is needed.
What will the food and accommodation on-site be like?
The living standard during your volunteer work in Latin America will most likely be very different than what you are used to back home. For your volunteer project, you will move to a developing country where the houses and technology are very basic. During most projects, volunteers live together in volunteer houses. These are guest houses equipped with dorms, living rooms, a kitchen, and a dining area. The bedrooms are shared among the volunteers, and the bathrooms are often located outside of the house. A stable electric connection does not always exist in volunteer projects, and blackouts are a very normal occurrence in Latin America in general. All facilities have running water; however, hot water might be limited for some projects, which considering the high temperatures, would not be the worst thing. Prepare yourself to live in rather simple conditions, which is obviously a part of the adventurous experience abroad.
The board in most volunteer programs is all-inclusive, and if it is not, it will be indicated in the project description. The volunteers are either responsible for preparing their own meals, or there will be an employee responsible for cooking them. The food included in the board is often not as diverse as what you might be used to back home as volunteer projects are often located in remote regions where the supermarkets have limited goods. Due to the high temperatures and tropical climate, it is not always possible to store meat, which is why there is only vegetarian food available during some projects.
Will internet connection be available during the volunteer project?
Many, but not all, volunteer facilities have internet connection. More detailed information about this will be available in your project description. In the case that there is no internet available on your site, there will most likely be a café with internet in a nearby village or city. We want to explicitly remind our volunteers of the fact that mobile communication and internet connection is not always reliable or working in the remote regions where most volunteer projects take place.
Do I need travel or health insurance when volunteering abroad?
Yes! Volunteers are required to obtain both travel and health insurance for when they are abroad. This is the only way to ensure that you can receive medical support in the case of illness, accidents, or emergencies.
Do I need a visa?
For a stay of up to 90 days, there is usually no visa required. However, with longer stays in the same country, different regulations may apply. Please contact the corresponding consulate in your home country to receive more detailed information about this topic.
Do I need certain vaccinations?
To participate in a volunteer project in Latin America, special vaccinations are sometimes required or recommended. This is especially valid for projects that include working with animals (rabies, tetanus, hepatitis). If you will be working in the deep rainforest, a yellow fever vaccination may be necessary. You can find out more information about this in your volunteer program description.