Travel Advice For Volunteers Abroad
For some of us, a holiday is a treat that we can’t always justify, but luckily there’s a solution to the moral dilemma of sunning it abroad – volunteering! Offering your help to those in another country is a fantastic way to explore new places, experience a different way of life, and give a helping hand to those a little less fortunate than yourself. If you’re thinking of taking a volunteering trip, here are some handy bits of advice to get you on your way.
Source: Building Futures In Malawi
Make sure you’re immunised
Wherever it is you’re looking to jet off to, you’ll need to make sure you have ample protection against any diseases that might be catchable while you’re there. Check out our comprehensive guide to getting yourself vaccinated.
Check your locations
It’s important to be as clued-up as possible when it comes to travelling, so be sure to check the conditions of where you’re staying. Depending on the weather, you’ll want to pack a certain selection of clothing to suit, and you might want to check variables such as the terrain and the daylight hours to figure out what sort of footwear would be appropriate, and whether you’ll need to bring additional items such as a visor or a torch, depending on when you’re working.
Consider your role
Are you volunteering as a teacher? Building houses in the jungle? Rescuing sea animals? Think about what you’re doing and what you’ll need – most likely, some comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting ruined! Remember to make sure all of your shoes are broken in, you have plenty of plasters and the like, and don’t bother packing your nail varnish!
Be prepared
You’ll need to keep a savvy head when working abroad, so make sure you’re organised. Bring a plastic wallet or something similar to store your documents in a safe, dry place, and make sure you have all of the phone numbers and information you could need when you’re away. If you’re planning on using your phone, contact your provider to arrange a suitable plan that will cover the costs of your calls and texts back home.
Don’t put yourself at risk
Taking your time to volunteer is a good deed, and you don’t have to feel pressured into doing anything you aren’t comfortable with. Make sure you keep yourself clean and address any wounds in a proper manner, be mindful of the food and drink you’re consuming, and feel free to say NO to anything you think puts you in danger. If you’ve taken all of the precautionary steps prior to travelling, and follow your head when you’re away, you shouldn’t have any problems – but it’s a good idea to take out some travel insurance to cover any costs that come from the unexpected.
From all of us here at Worldwide Insure, we wish you a happy and safe trip!