There are a huge number of benefits to volunteering abroad, not least the opportunity to discover new countries and cultures and meet like-minded travellers.

In a report into the benefits of international volunteering, expert Eliza Raymond highlights cultural immersion and new friendships as two of the most enduring reasons to volunteer abroad.

Volunteering abroad is very different to being a tourist as you spend a significant amount of time in one place, living and working alongside local communities. According to Raymond, this provides “an invaluable opportunity to learn about different cultures, develop an understanding of issues facing host communities and develop a sense of global citizenship.” Because of this volunteers feel that they learn much more other cultures than they would on a normal vacation.

One of the longest-lasting benefits of international volunteering is the friendships volunteers can make with people from all over the world. Working alongside and overcoming challenges with other volunteers can open your eyes to different cultures and perspectives, helping to create life-long bonds of friendship.

For Nick Johnson, a volunteer in New Zealand, this was certainly the case: “The best part was making friends from other cultures and learning things I probably would never have learned. The whole experience opened my eyes to the world and really made me feel like an international citizen.”

Find out about the benefits of international volunteering for yourself by taking a career break with Inspire Volunteering.