International volunteering provides a more reciprocal form of travel, in which both volunteers and host communities are able to benefit from the experience
# 1: Improve Your CV/Resume and Increase Your Employability
Volunteering overseas is a great way of making your CV/resume stand out. It shows that you are willing to step outside your comfort zone to make a difference in the lives of others. Employers appreciate this and they value the life experience, skills and cultural understanding that you will gain through volunteering. In other words, going to a foreign country for a volunteer experience can be a huge enhancement for your resume. Employers love to see a person that can think outside the box and work past their comfort zone
# 2: Gain Professional Orientation and/or Clarification
International volunteering gives you the opportunity to take time out of your regular routine and think about what you really want to do with your life. By volunteering in an area you are interested in pursuing, you will have the opportunity to solidify your goals and career path. Alternatively, you may choose to explore new career possibilities
# 3: Improve College Admission Chances
Colleges and universities are increasingly looking for candidates with more life experience and by extension international travel experience. Colleges and universities perceive volunteering overseas as a ‘productive’ way in gaining life and travel experience. These experiences provide opportunities for young people to step outside their comfort zone, mature, broaden their horizons and consider career options
# 4: Improve Chances of College and University Success
By taking time out to volunteer abroad, you will also increase your chances of success at the college or university you choose because you will be giving yourself the time to mature and focus your interests. If you choose to study subjects related to your volunteer program, you will also have an increased level of motivation, as you will have experienced the value of what you are studying
# 5: Experience Improved Self-Esteem, Self-Confidence and Life Satisfaction
By volunteering abroad you will have the opportunity to experience personal development, which can take the form of improved self-esteem, self-confidence and life satisfaction. By pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and immersing yourself in a different culture, you are likely to feel a sense of empowerment and also begin to reflect on what you want from life
# 7: Gain New Knowledge and Work Experience
Working in another country will provide you with the opportunity to gain knowledge, experience and skills, which you may not have been able to acquire at home. The obvious example is learning a foreign language much faster than you could at home by immersing yourself into the language and culture. In addition, by volunteering in your field of interest you will have the opportunity to learn new ways to approach different problems, and you will gain valuable work experience in a new environment
# 8: Learn About the World and Different Cultures
Volunteering is very different experience compared to being a tourist. You will spend a significant amount of time in one place and you will be working on a daily basis with the local people. This provides an invaluable opportunity to learn about different cultures, develop an understanding of the issues facing the host communities and develop a sense of global citizenship
# 9: Meet Like-Minded People
One of the most long-lasting benefits of volunteering are the friendships you will make during your time abroad. You will meet people from all backgrounds and all walks of life but the challenges you will overcome together will often create life-long bonds
# 10: Have an Incredibly Rewarding Experience
Most important of all, volunteering abroad gives you the chance to give back and this can result in an incredible sense of fulfillment. Overcoming hardship and challenges during the course of volunteering leads individuals to attain a high sense of accomplishment and personal success, while simultaneously giving back to their host country. It’s a symbiotic relationship
