How to become an international volunteer

Do I have what it takes to be an international volunteer?

The most important thing required to be an international volunteeris the commitment and determination to do so, along with having the time required to provide services and help a community in need.

To become an international volunteer, you should reach out to one of the many organizations that offer the opportunity to engage in this work in countries on any of the five continents. These organizations offer various types of volunteer programs.

 

What you need to have to be an international volunteer?

 

The primary requirement for being an international volunteer is the ability to offer your services and time selflessly. Additionally, you should possess the following qualities:

You must have a firm and sincere commitment to collaborate on a charitable project, as well as being a humanitarian, compassionate, and selfless person whose sole motivation is to help those in need, extend a helping hand, and desire to participate in charitable initiatives.

Being a volunteer requires responsibility, dedication, and fulfilling assigned tasks.

You should have the ability to provide affection, as one of the volunteer’s tasks is to address the emotional needs of individuals, such as accompanying those who feel lonely, offering a hug, or simply listening.

You need to be aware of current issues, including environmental concerns, societal challenges, and other situations that affect the planet and its population. You should feel the need to contribute a part of yourself to mitigate or resolve them.

You should also be aware that you will not receive any material or financial compensation, as this is work done without any form of remuneration.

 

Other considerations for being an international volunteer

There are other aspects to consider when becoming an international volunteer, including:

Choosing an NGO that aligns with your expectations.

Your time commitment. Typically, international volunteering requires a minimum commitment of two months to make a significant impact.

The type of activity you decide to engage in, such as working with children, healthcare, environmental issues, the elderly, refugees, among many others.

Ensure your values align with those of the organization where you plan to volunteer.

Be aware of what you can offer, as everyone possesses specific skills that can be used to help others.

 

Requirements for being an international volunteer

Requirements for international volunteering vary depending on the activity and the organization. However, here are some minimum requirements:

Age: Generally, volunteers must be at least 25 years old, but there is no maximum age limit. You may need a higher education degree or technical diploma and two years of professional experience.

Language Proficiency: Basic knowledge of the host country’s language may be required.

Commitment to Principles: Commit to the principles and values of volunteering and the ability to work in a multicultural environment.

Willingness to Collaborate: Be willing to work with local organizations and individuals to find solutions and have knowledge of the area.

Adaptability: Be capable of adjusting to challenging living conditions and remote locations.

 

Skills required for being an international volunteer

Skills needed to be an international volunteer include:

Respect for Cultural Differences: You should respect cultural differences in the country where you are volunteering.

Adaptability: Be adaptable to change and able to empathize with others to understand their situations.

Willingness to Learn: Be open to acquiring new knowledge.

 

Types of volunteer work

The types of international volunteer work depend on the organization and can include:

On-Site Volunteering: Where you must physically go to the location requiring your services.

Online Volunteering: This involves tasks such as writing and translating press releases, reports, and various forms of communication.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Contact

I want to reserve!

Leave us your information and we will contact you within the next 24 hours

WhatsApp

UNIVERSITY PRACTICES

Our volunteers will be able to validate university credits with the aim of traveling in a more responsible and economical way.

What does volunteering focused on university practices involve?

At Cooperating Volunteers, we make agreements with different universities to validate university credits with the aim of traveling in a more responsible and economical way.

The specialties we work with are extensive: medical volunteering, nursing, education, social work, psychology, physiotherapy, engineering, architecture…

The practices can be carried out in our designated destinations for this purpose, as well as in Spain.

If you choose an international destination, it’s a unique way to live an unforgettable and enriching experience, as you will have the opportunity to continue your education in another country, with a completely different culture.

Stepping out of our comfort zone and being part of the various projects at the destination will allow us to grow both personally and professionally, creating a more extensive curriculum.

And we are fully convinced that this experience will accompany you throughout your life.

You will be able to visit hospitals, schools, centers, orphanages, and participate directly and actively in the daily lives of all those people at the destination, always accompanied by other professionals willing to collaborate hand in hand with you and guide you in daily tasks.

If your university is not part of the agreement with Cooperating Volunteers, you can contact cristina@cooperatingvolunteers.com so that we can get in touch and make this experience a reality. 

CORPORATE VOLUNTEERING

Corporate volunteering consists of tailored programs for your company, designed to develop teamwork skills.

It is proven that teamwork directly impacts productivity. 

Collective effort surpasses individual capabilities, promotes diversity of skills, stimulates creativity, and facilitates problem-solving in the face of various challenges.

Therefore, it not only maximizes efficiency but also enriches the work environment.

We conduct corporate volunteering programs that consist of customized programs for your company, designed to develop teamwork skills, improve performance, and foster unity among employees.

We tailor projects to the corporate identity and size of the company, and we can adjust them to any destination and time of the year.

The advantages of corporate volunteering include:

  • Improving communication.
  • Group unity.
  • Cultural integration in different situations.
  • Employee training.
  • Increased Corporate Social Responsibility.

The future is aligned with a more responsible society, and participating in social projects positions our company among the list of revolutionary businesses that want to be part of the change.

If you resonate with this message, corporate volunteering is a unique experience both individually and collectively, and at Cooperating Volunteers, we accompany you throughout the process to make it a unique journey.

FAMILY VOLUNTEERING

Quality time spent with family strengthens emotional bonds, promotes communication, and contributes to the emotional well-being of its members. 

Spending quality time with family and being able to disconnect from our hectic routines is not only enriching but also necessary.

Sometimes we forget to communicate, connect, and dedicate time to each other. Each one of us lives focused on our jobs, schools… And it’s necessary to find the opportunity to pause and take care of ourselves.

Quality time spent with family strengthens emotional bonds, promotes communication, and contributes to the emotional well-being of its members. And of course, it creates lifelong positive memories.

At Cooperating Volunteers, we suggest moving away from those ‘more superficial’ trips (which can also be fantastic), but we invite you to live this experience to bring out our most empathetic and humanitarian side.

Family volunteering gives us the opportunity to be part of a positive impact, promoting values of solidarity and social responsibility.

There are many families who choose to experience these trips focused on cooperation and direct involvement with different communities around the world, where living conditions are very different and sometimes entirely precarious.

Projects are tailored to different ages, allowing us to work together.

An incredible way to fill our suitcase with memories, learning, and knowledge.

And although stepping out of our comfort zone often feels daunting, we assure you firsthand that it’s worth it.

At Cooperating Volunteers, we accompany you throughout the entire experience, from start to finish, to make it unforgettable.

SENIOR VOLUNTEERING

At Cooperating Volunteers, we believe it’s never too late for anything, especially for volunteering and living a unique and unforgettable experience.

There are many people, increasingly so, who opt for responsible travel that involves social work.

Accustomed to organized and mostly touristic trips, at Cooperating Volunteers, we want to advocate for a more enriching experience, one that transforms us from within and allows us to be part of the change the world needs to see.

We can adapt both the destination and the duration of our projects to fit your needs.

It’s an opportunity full of emotions that allows us to significantly contribute to different communities and their evolution. And you can participate in different areas such as education, social support, or assistance in different centers.

Some of the benefits include:

  • Sense of purpose: Provides a sense of purpose by contributing your skills and experiences to meaningful causes.
  • Emotional well-being: Reduces feelings of isolation and establishes social connections.
  • Personal development: It’s continuous learning, skill development, and discovering new activities while keeping the mind-body active.
  • Physical health: Keeping active.
  • Stress reduction: The act of helping others reduces stress and contributes to mental health.

Living this experience will undoubtedly be a before and after. 

SOCIAL VOLUNTEERING

A volunteering initiative with leadership and impact through the educational action program.

When we talk about social volunteering, we refer to all those actions and activities carried out altruistically, selflessly, and with the aim of addressing multiple problems and needs of different communities, always focused on education and self-sufficiency.

Education is essential because it provides the tools and knowledge necessary for personal, social, and economic development.

Our goal is to create self-sufficient communities and provide opportunities for the future personal development of each member. The message is not to ‘give’, but to accompany in the process of training for self-managed provision.

At Cooperating Volunteers, many of our destinations and projects embrace this type of volunteering. Some of our projects include: community programs, education, women’s empowerment…

And although they are completely different from each other, they share a single objective: progress towards a society that can embrace us all in the same way.

If you are someone who is restless, who needs to see a change in the future, volunteering is an experience tailor-made for you.