Deciding whether or not to volunteer abroad can be difficult, so what are the benefits to you and to overseas communities? Below are some of the best reasons to get involved with voluntary work abroad:

Make a difference

While some travellers are happy to party their way around the world, others seek a more substantial experience and want to travel with a purpose. Volunteering overseas is your opportunity to give something back by contributing to worthy causes and underprivileged communities that are in desperate need of support.

Charities and NGOs work tirelessly to tackle issues such as poverty, disease, illiteracy, inequality and abuse and many rely on the support of international volunteers. Your contribution could help to provide an education for children forced onto the street or help HIV sufferers to earn a living and support their families. While you won’t be able to change the world, your contribution can certainly make a tangible difference, making volunteering an incredibly rewarding experience.

Personal development

As a volunteer abroad you will learn so much about yourself. Living and working in an unfamiliar environment forces you to embrace new challenges and experiences everyday. You may be surprised by what you can achieve and learn. Whether teaching English abroad or working with orphans, volunteers often return with greater confidence and independence, as well as a better understanding of different cultures, customs, backgrounds and views.

Career development

With such a variety of voluntary work available, chances are you’ll be able work in areas of your own expertise and interest, allowing you to develop personal and professional skills relevant to your career.

By building valuable life experience, international volunteer work can help you to breathe new life into your career. Volunteers return with a fresh perspective on life, as well as new motivation, skills and confidence. A background in volunteering shows you are flexible, patient and committed and your experience can help you advance your career or pursue something completely different.

New experiences

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of volunteering overseas is the opportunity to travel the world and immerse yourself in unfamiliar and exotic cultures. Voluntary work abroad places you at the heart of local communities, giving you the chance to live and work alongside its residents and learn their customs and culture.

Volunteers often form close bonds with the children and adults they work with, as well as with the volunteers they work alongside. Your trip could build friendships and memories that last a lifetime. Those who volunteer abroad return much more open-minded and understanding of other lifestyles and livelihoods.