[GetEm]

i just wanted to know some first hand experience from you guys.

[Roosh]

Now why would you do something like that?

[manilaguy]

So that you have something to do while you are traveling. This affords you an activity and provides an excellent platform to meet other people from different places. It also expands your perspectives. Try living in a secluded mountain jungle with indigenous people and see if it doesn't alter your view on the hyper-consumerist lifestyle here USA. Do it to learn skills (like design website, make pottery, etc). People involved in non-profits scene are usually fun positive people. Volunteering is fun and is a worthwhile activity in my experience.

Don't do it because you want to change the world. F*ck that.

[Gringo]

Just don't join one of these 'volunteer' schemes that make you pay several thousand $ for the privelege of volunteering, it should either be free in exchange for your time and effort or you just pay for your living expenses.

[OSL]

(05-07-2011 08:21 PM)Gringo Wrote:  

Just don't join one of these 'volunteer' schemes that make you pay several thousand $ for the privelege of volunteering, it should either be free in exchange for your time and effort or you just pay for your living expenses.

This is totally right. I'm an environmental engineer and I wanted to get into marine biology volunteering. I was excited about this until I saw the price:

http://www.blueventures.com

This is also similar to organizations that make you pay 5K USD to go do an internship in China. It boggles my mind that these places are actually making a killing. I want to personally put them all out of business.

[Gringo]

Yeah there are many of them and very popular too, gap year students and stupid backpacker parting with a load of cash to then be exploited for free, makes no sense. It's an industry that makes a fortune.

Make sure that if you do it that you're doing something you are genuinely interested in and that it's with a reputable organization. If you look hard enough you'll find plenty of projects needing volutneers that won't ask you to pay.

[Ami5]

I can be very helpful for you guys

I think I posted it somewhere, though but here it's :

Basically I work for the World's largest youth organization.
It also provides international internships to numerous countries in the world...
Its present in over 107 countries - so, well... I guess it already explains you can reach the far-flung corners of the world as well.

Durations: Minimum - 6 weeks. Maximum - 78 weeks!
Requirement: Age range is 18-35. Preferred people below 30. Speak English. Good aptitude!

The internship program requires an Administrative fees of around USD 300-400 (depending on duration) and that's it!
For this - what you get is:
Free accommodation ... free food! The perks depend on the opportunity!

The best thing being you get to meet with:
a) A large number of people who're local!
b) A large number of people who're local - who can speak English!!!
c) Plus, fellow foreign interns like you!

From your reception till the farewell, the local committee of the organization takes care of you in terms of security and any other assistance...
Also, you get some valuable certificates/endorsement letters.

If you're interested , you can contact me


PS: Don't take it as ad! Its simply that I thought you might find useful for what I do

[Gringo]

And what exactly does this organisation of yours do, what sort of volunteer opportunities do you provide?

[Super Etoile]

Yeah, let us know more, this sounds like something I would be interested in..............

[Ami5]

Hmmm, since you guys asked, I must tell you that the volunteer opportunities are usually focused on CSR projects. Super useful for your resume!

Most of the times when people ask me 'where are these internships available', I counter-question where they'd like to go! As there are numerous opportunities in many countries. (You guys can think about which country you'd like to go to-chances are there'd definitely be an opportunity there...)

[Ami5]

I was actually thinking about posting a real internship from the database after searching, but confused from which place ?!
Let's post an internship from Czech Republic:

Job Description:

#1: Preparation part before the camp - 3 weeks consists of: 1. Educational part - gathering education about facilitationg, cultural education. 2. Creating the camp agenda within the Facilitators team. There will be also a lot of time for sightseeing in Prague and Czech Republic within those 3 weeks of preparation.

#2: You will be working with another cofacilitator and lead a team of 5 high school students for 13 days and another team of high school students in the second camp.

#3: Between the camps: There will be 4- days break for relaxation and sightseeing (there might be crossczech tour if you are interested)

#4: The projects will be aimed on presentation skills, team mngmt, negotiation, goal setting, decision making, cultural understanding, country presentation, individual and team competition.

[Ami5]

Personal Workspace provided
Internet Access provided
Other Conditions:Conditions:Accomodation+Food+traveling during the camps is covered. Accomodation before and after the camp also for free. All you have to pay is the food before,between and after camps and your extra expenses. You should bring your own laptop to be able to prepare for sessions and create material and outputs. Internet would be available during camps.

[Ami5]

DDL for application of non EU applicants: 8.4.2011
In case you are interested, please approach the TN manager with your CV and the explanation why do you want to apply for this internship (Motivation Letter) - all included in the one mail.

Internship Earliest Start Date11.06.2011 (Required)
Internship Latest End Date05.08.2011 (Required)
Minimum Duration6 Weeks (Required)
Maximum Duration7 Weeks (Required)
DegreeBachelor (Preferred)

[Ami5]

Sorry for so many posts. But I hope you guys got the point. Usually, longer the duration, better the perks.
Think of the fact you would spend your air fare, and minimal on food only. Rest is taken care of. Apart from that, 15 interns from 10 different countries shall be working with you too. Plus, super local exposure.

[Gringo]

I've read all that and still have no idea what type of volunteering you guys offer.

[Ami5]

I said CSR projects! Like working on a social projects or educational projects or development projects!

[Tommy]

You can volunteer in Belgium - my laundry and kitchen

[Gringo]

I don't know what CSR stands for and 'social', 'educational' and 'development' projects isn;t very specific.

[North]

(05-07-2011 06:56 PM)manilaguy Wrote:  

So that you have something to do while you are traveling. This affords you an activity and provides an excellent platform to meet other people from different places. It also expands your perspectives. Try living in a secluded mountain jungle with indigenous people and see if it doesn't alter your view on the hyper-consumerist lifestyle here USA. Do it to learn skills (like design website, make pottery, etc). People involved in non-profits scene are usually fun positive people. Volunteering is fun and is a worthwhile activity in my experience.

Don't do it because you want to change the world. F*ck that.

And yet it does nothing to alter your view of women?

[Yams]

(05-09-2011 08:25 PM)North Wrote:  

(05-07-2011 06:56 PM)manilaguy Wrote:  

So that you have something to do while you are traveling. This affords you an activity and provides an excellent platform to meet other people from different places. It also expands your perspectives. Try living in a secluded mountain jungle with indigenous people and see if it doesn't alter your view on the hyper-consumerist lifestyle here USA. Do it to learn skills (like design website, make pottery, etc). People involved in non-profits scene are usually fun positive people. Volunteering is fun and is a worthwhile activity in my experience.

Don't do it because you want to change the world. F*ck that.

And yet it does nothing to alter your view of women?

Now why would we want to do that?

[GetEm]

I never been out of the USA, so the main reason I want to do it is cause its cheap, plus I won't have to worry about food or a place to stay. I was just wondering how free am i going to be? Do i have to be all professional or could i wild out, smoke a j, and bring girls back to my place?

[Gringo]

How do we know considering we know NOTHING about your volunteer placement?

[mikeymike]

I haven't done one of these volunteer programs where you pay to be a part of them but my cousin is a dr and he does missions where he'll head to certain countries and give free medical help to the poor locals. He gets a monster tax write off and karma point up the ying yang, I'm going with him to help in Fiji later this year, have to pay for my flight but the rest is taken care of. Figured it was a chance to see Fiji and give back a little bit but I wouldn't be doing this if my cousin wasn't the one in charge. I'd like to think i"m giving but I'm really not.