The international volunteering experience is a powerful one that can affect how you view the world and your place in it. When people of different cultures have an opportunity to connect, there comes an understanding of our shared humanity. In today's world, it’s a real priority to address misunderstandings between cultures and challenge stereotypes, and international volunteers play an important role in this work.
An important part of international volunteering is getting involved in your own community back home. For some, this will mean becoming more active in global issues; for others it may mean educating friends and family about the realities of the country where they were a volunteer. For everyone, returning home is an opportunity to share the enthusiasm and inspiration of your experience and be a voice for greater social involvement. By sharing your international volunteer experience with those in your home community and finding ways to incorporate what you learned into your daily life, you play an important role in fostering cultural understanding between people.
Explore new career interests, showcase new skills
Volunteering abroad has helped many people gain practical experience and envision new career paths. Plus, it showcases character, initiative, and personal qualities that today’s employers seek.
Volunteering in understaffed and under-resourced organizations overseas develops life skills and fosters creativity. It nurtures the ability to be flexible in changing conditions, and adapt and adjust to new environments and cultures. Volunteering abroad showcases an interest in learning about other cultures and working with people from diverse backgrounds.
Learn what others have to say about how volunteering abroad affected them.
