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Total votes
4
What are the biggest benefits of volunteering abroad?
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| Vote Supporting developing communities | |
| Vote I gained transferrable skills | |
| Vote Learned something new about myself | |
| Vote An increased appreciation of my life | |
| You must vote to see the resuts. | |
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JaneLloyd’s Blog
Volunteer Benefits
I'm writing a newsletter for work and, as I'm about to embark on a volunteering project with i-to-i, I thought I could write an article on the benefits of volunteering abroad. As I'm still in the 'about to do it' phase, I know what I think the benefits are but I'm not sure if my ideas are realistic.
So, if there's anyone out there who has completed a volunteer project abroad, please share your experiences as to what the benefits were for you. I'm especially interested in benefits relating to personal and career development - but any will do!
Thanks!
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Hey Jane,
I've volunteered before and will be doing another volunteer trip in just over a week's time (v.v.v.excited - going to costa rica, woo!). I would say that while you originally go abroad wanting to help others, you do end up learning a lot more about yourself and your limits as a person. Think Clare's totally summed it up well as the feeling of 'I can do anything!' - it makes you feel much, much more capable when you get home!
Hope that helps and enjoy your trip - where are you going to be heading?
I did a volunteer project in South Africa for 5 weeks in 2006, the summer before I started uni, and I still count it as the best thing I've ever done for myself! I was coaching netball, being a classroom assistant and going into the townships and learning various arty skills. What I got from the whole experience was a massive boost of self confidence - literally the feeling of 'i can do ANYTHING!! - which came partially from going and doing something completely new, scary and different but also from the appreciation that I got from the people I met for going and witnessing and doing what I could to help. (that sounds massively twee and a bit patronising but that's the closest I can get to expressing it :S)
I think all the things you've got in your poll are applicable to me (not that I was there long enough to really support anything much) but I'd add getting a greater understanding of what needs to be done to make positive changes to people's lives both in terms of pratical support but also attitude changes at home and in-country, rather than just flinging money willynilly at charities. Also, perspective - what you need, what's important, how you act - I still have stuff to think about 4yrs on. Hope that helps a bit :)
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