I'd like to volunteer abroad this summer...?

Question

Does anyone know of any websites where i can get more information on this? I'd like to go to Mexico or somewhere to help volunteer...

Answer 1

Since you haven't named any areas of expertise you have, any degrees, or any languages you speak other than English, I'm guessing that you are an unskilled person. And both because of this, and because of the short time you are available (only for the summer), you need to be prepared to pay for your experience abroad. The goal of organizations working in poor countries is to give the local people jobs and to keep money local, not to give Westerners a feel-good vacation/experience -- hence why short-term placement agencies (in contrast to the aforementioned) charge unskilled volunteers a fee, or require these volunteers to pay their own way (flights, in-country transportation, health insurance, accommodation, food, security, translators, training, staff to create the service opportunities and then to supervise and support the volunteers in their service, liaisons with the police and local officials, etc.).

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/

The Learning Abroad Center Work, Intern, Volunteer (WIV) Database, hosted by the University of Minnesota, allows you to search work, internship and volunteering opportunities all over the globe. There are more than 500 programs to choose from, and you can search by keyword, region, type of program, etc.

http://www.umabroad.umn.edu/programs/wiv...

Here's one specific org recommendation: Unite For Sight, which workes through partner eye clinics and communitie to create eye disease-free communities. "While helping the community, volunteers are in a position to witness and draw their own conclusions about the failures and inequities of global health systems. It broadens their view of what works, and what role they can have to insure a health system that works for everyone..." This program was featured on CNN International. Volunteers, both skilled and unskilled, are 18 years and older, and there is no upper age limit. It is obligatory for accepted volunteers to purchase insurance coverage through Unite for Sight's recommended provider, and volunteers are responsible for all travel arrangements, visa vaccine requirements, lodging, airfare, food, and any additional expenses. http://www.uniteforsight.org/intl_volunt...

Answer 2

www.govolunteer.com

globalcrossroad.com

www.partners.net

www.volunteerabroad.com/Mexico.cfm

www.volunteerabroad.com/listings.cfm/c...

www.globalvolunteers.org/1main/mexico/...

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Answer 3

Check out Global Volunteer Networks. They're a NZ-based org (but anyone can take part as long as you speak English). They have a wide range of programs all over the world. I've done a LOT of research on this type of thing and they're by far the best cost that I've found so far.