7 reasons you should NOT volunteer abroad
If you have ever considered volunteering but aren’t sure if you want to transform yourself, your life and everything you know – then here are some reasons you shouldn’t volunteer…
Everything always has to have a plan
The idea of spontaneous fun and unexpected encounters on another continent might force you to adapt and face the unknown, but if you like doing the same thing at the same time every day, then the adventure that awaits might not be for you…
You don’t like meeting new people
Not every culture will have the same humour and understand your quirks like your friends back home, so if you’re not ready to meet people and pursue new encounters with cool people, then volunteering abroad might not be right for you.
The travel experience can lead to forming authentic connections with people from diverse backgrounds; you will realise you have more in common with someone living on a different continent than you’ve been led to believe.
Travel friends are a different breed of friend, whether they are single-serving or life-long, they know you a little TOO well!
Volunteering also highlights the importance of having a strong sense of community with those that are like-minded.
You don’t want to embrace change
Change can feel scary and overwhelming, especially volunteering in a new country with people you’ve not met and you don’t know quite what to expect.
Learning how to improvise, go with the flow and say yes to things you perhaps usually wouldn’t, will change you for the better.
We are creatures of habit and disrupting our familiar routine can shake up our own reality and perspective on the world. You might not be ready to have a big change in your life just yet – but if you don’t embrace it, how will you know?
You are stronger than you think and might surprise yourself at how quickly you adapt.
You aren’t compassionate
Working for purpose over profit takes compassion. And, you’ll make strong connections with people similar to you while volunteering abroad.
Hard times can heighten our sense of empathy and help us develop a better understanding of suffering, emotional awareness, and the importance of community.
Whilst volunteering abroad can deepen your level of compassion, changing your external environment can challenge you to change your internal environment. But, expanding your mind and shifting your perspective is where you’ll need to begin.
Volunteering with vulnerable people involves feeling seen and heard whilst sharing your thoughts and feelings. Putting yourself out there isn’t easy but can be very rewarding.
You don’t like challenges
Volunteering abroad certainly comes with numerous challenges, so it’s up to you if you want to reframe and transform them into opportunities. Working in low-resource environments encourages you to think outside the box and be as resourceful as possible.
Overcoming hardships often leads to increased resilience and emotional intelligence. These qualities can enhance our wider skills and become more motivated to help others with their struggles through volunteering.
You like staying safe in your comfort zone
Volunteering abroad might offer opportunities for personal growth, but it also demands effort, adaptation, and embracing uncertainty, and all of the above involves stepping outside of your safety net.
When you make the most of your placement and fully immerse yourself in the learning aspect rather than seeing it as a holiday, you get the most out of it for you.
If you prefer the joy of cruising along a smooth, obstacle-free road then conquering metaphorical mountains may not be for you. Don’t stress over the unpredictability of foreign experiences when your local routine promises safety, predictability, and staying within your comfort zone.
You don’t want to be a globe-trotter
If you’re not interested in soul-searching your way across the world then turn away.
New places offer fresh insight, experiences and realities VERY different from our home comforts.
Coming home with a fresh perspective is a beautiful transformation and you realise there is more to life than your town.
New experiences stimulate curiosity and keep your mind actively engaged in an environment with endless possibilities and lifelong learning opportunities and you’ll be glad you plucked the courage to put yourself out there.
Still interested in Volunteering?
If this hasn’t put you off, we have a wide range of our programmes across industries where you can build on your CV and both personal and professional skills that make a real impact on developing countries in the world.
If you’re interested in learning more about the destinations we offer – just fill out the form below to begin. We send you all the information you need and help you on each step of the process so you feel confident to embark on your adventure abroad.
