How can i research legit and accredited volunteer abroad programs?

Question

I want to voluenteer abroad in Chile for 3 months. I've found countless websites with programs who will arrange this for me all of which charge large sums of money. Some appear more legit than others, and I know they can't all be scams but I'm sure plenty are very mis leading. I don't mind paying good money to a GOOD program/agency because it would be worth it. Looking for people who have done voulenteer abroad work who can tell me- how did you research and how was your experience as a result? What are some good websites, books, etc I could use?

Answer 1

There is a listing of the more-than-30 member organizations of the International Volunteers Program Association (IVPA) that is a good place to find reputable volunteer-for-a-fee programs -- programs where you don't need to have much experience in order to participate, and the placements are just for a few weeks or months:

http://www.volunteerinternational.org/

Get all of the following information in detail and in writing, from any fee-based group:

    * detailed information from this organization about where you will be housed while you volunteer. Not just a statement that the organization will house you, but where, and what the conditions will be -- Will it be with a family and, if so, what are their names? Will you have your own room? Will there be locks on the windows and doors? Will it be within walking distance of the volunteering assignment? How available is electricity and hot water?

    * detailed information on how the organization will support you during arrival and departure. Will there be someone at the airport from the organization to help you through the entry process? Will the organization provide transport from the airport to its location? Will the organization provide transportation assistance and help with customs and other officials when you leave the country?

    * detailed information about the nearest health care facilities (individual doctor, clinic and hospital), and how the organization will or will not help to get you to such if needed.

    * detailed lists of what costs you would be expected to pay yourself (airfare, housing, bedding, food, transportation, security, etc.)

    * detailed information about the tasks you will be expected to complete, the resources that will be available to you and the time frame for such.

    * detailed information about your work environment. Will you have daily access to a phone? computer access? a bicycle? Will you need to have a security escort when traveling from your housing to your volunteer assignment, or in any other situations?

    * confirmation regarding translators. Will a translator accompany you during your work? What percentage of the people you will work with speak English?

You would also need to, on your own:

    * get medical insurance to cover you while you are there.

    * get trip cancellation insurance, in case something happens before you leave and you need to cancel your airline tickets (which are usually non-refundable).

    * contact your country's embassy in the destination country/ies, to find out if there are any restrictions on your travel to/within the country.

    * design and confirm your own evacuation plan, in case of natural disaster or a man-made crisis. What assistance will the local organization guarantee in such an event? What help will your country's embassy give in such an event? Again, get all such information in writing.

    * check your country's foreign affairs office web site for online information about the country you want to visit. For instance, for US citizens, the US State Department has two different web sites profiling each country, one providing overviews of the political and economic situation in the country, and the other providing information specific to travelers (a bit alarmist at times, but a must read).