An increasing number of university students are choosing to spend time volunteering abroad, and universities and employers are beginning to recognise the contribution it makes to the personal development of students.

Jason Kouba, Assistant Director of Study Abroad, says that volunteer work can be “an eye-opening experience” and the testimonials of students from the University of Wisconsin add further weight to this claim.

Student volunteer Andrea Larson explains: “International volunteering combines the best of both worlds by providing the opportunity to experience a new culture, country, and people while also helping others. It doesn’t get better than that.”

“It really makes you realize how much you take for granted in life. My initial motivation to volunteer abroad was to see more of the world, but I quickly realized that it’s so much deeper than that.”

Some universities are beginning to recognise the value of volunteer work by offering academic credits to students taking part in international volunteer programmes.

This is a move that Kouba welcomes. Through volunteering, “students gain an appreciation for what we have here….Volunteering abroad adds to the globalization of our campus and students learn to appreciate different cultures”.

Find out more about volunteer teaching, childcare and community volunteer projects with Inspire.