Volunteer Vacationing: Is it for YOU?
By Charly Nguyen
Want to hear about a greater alternative to just vacationing? How about lending a helping hand while on vacation? What a fantastic combo!!! After venturing first hand into what Volunteer Vacation entails, I have to strongly urge all to at least commit to one in your life-time. It is absolutely the most fulfilling experience a person can ever have.
There are a vast number of programs out there that caters to such an exciting idea. I signed up for three weeks of teaching basic English to children from dysfunctional and impoverished families in Lima, Peru. Seeing the differences of how my life is to theirs brought a greater appreciation to how life is precious and should how it should never be taken for granted.
The organization I worked with set me up to stay with a host family as well as a local volunteer coordinator to help guide me through my adventure in Peru. Although I did spend my weekdays teaching and playing with the kids, I had time on my weekends to fully explore what Peru has to offer. Since I was based in the capital of Peru, Lima, I coordinated sight-seeing in conjunction with classroom time.
I must warn that volunteer vacationing is not really for everybody. Honestly, there are three things that you must know about yourself before pursuing this kind of adventure.
1. Know that you must be open-minded: your mind has to be open to the cultural differences you will inevitably encounter no matter what country to you choose to help in. If you are an ethnocentric, then volunteer vacationing is NOT for you.
2. Know your physical limits: know how your body is and what kinds of conditions you can cope with. Consider your health and eating habits. What kinds of sanitation levels can you deal with? Will the country you choose have the right access to medicines you need? Will the country you choose have the kinds of foods you can eat? Know what you are allergic to and see if it is in the country’s daily diet. For instance, peanuts are regularly used in most of Thailand’s dishes.
3. Know where you want to go: this may seem such an easy question to answer, but narrowing down to one destination can be difficult. If you are able to decipher the answers to number one and two above, then generating a list of interesting countries should not be a problem.
Once your decision is to take this sort of risk, you need to know how to plan ahead. The following is a check list that helped me prepare for the life change that was to follow:
1. Take time out to do research on your country of choice. Know what you are getting yourself into. I know this is common sense, but I’ve have spoken to people who had no previous idea of what the living conditions for the locals were. Keep in mind, you are there for them.
2. Passports are required, of-course, but what about Visas? When staying in another country for a long period of time, it may require a special visa. If staying longer than 90 days in China, you must register for a specific visa. Other countries are Ghana, Vietnam, India and Kenya that I know of. One of the reasons I volunteered in Peru is that it does not require a visa. So remember to get your paperwork in order beforehand.
3. Shots sounds like a tortuous ordeal to endure, however it is a must. Some countries require or suggest you to get certain shoots and vaccines before entering. My little sister actually volunteered in South Africa and needed a couple of shots that had to be given in duration of a month before flying out. It cost her about $117. Please consult your physicians for specifics and time your trip accordingly.
4. Travel insurance is one issue not to forget. Call up your health plan and see if you have coverage overseas. If not - Get It!!! It doesn’t cost that much and you’re better off with coverage than without it. My little sister’s cost was $80 for 8 weeks coverage.
5. Budget how much you are willing to spend on your volunteer vacation program. Do note that your contributions are tax deductible; after all, these are not-for-profits organizations handling the programs. However, the airfare may not be. When looking at the various programs, consider if the airfare is included. If not, how much are they? Note that airline tickets are not tax deductible if not included. Most programs leave the transportation cost up to the volunteers and airfare can be expensive.
The list may seem tedious to check off, but believe me, it is nothing compared to the natural high you will get from your trip. I for one am definitely an advocate of volunteer vacations. In the end, it’s an opportunity to challenge yourself while striving to better someone else’s life. I can’t find the right words to even begin to describe how life-changing the experience was for me and could be for you as well. Go see the world and help it too. Expand your mind! Volunteer vacationing should be on your Life’s To Do List.
Here are some organizations to consider:
www.GlobalVolunteers.org
www.CrossCulturalSolutions.org
www.GlobeAware.org
www.CosmicVolunteers.org
Source: http://www.ArticlePros.com/author.php?Charly Nguyen
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