Live a meaningful life - Volunteer

Introduction:

A lot of people nowadays are taking a year off to do something to rejuvenate oneself. People who are rich enough take a vacationbut most people have work or other commitments which doesn’t allow them to simply spend a year visiting places. However, now even working people can be globe trekkers by offering to do volunteer work. Many noble souls volunteer to work in other less privileged countries for various social works as they find ittherapeutic. Volunteering gives one an opportunity to not only visit and experience a new place but also helps them be a part of a work environment which is striving to make a difference in that country. Due to this, volunteer work has become very popular in schools, colleges and universities where students can apply for a year off to do volunteer work. Educational institutions are also encouraging this trend by giving them credits for volunteering as they believe that it gives the student practical experience and help them make new associations.

Some come back after forging a strong friendship which has potential to last a life time. Visiting other countries as a volunteer has another advantage that one gets to meet new people in their home country. One gets to know how they live, what food they eat, what kind of problems they have and how they find a solution to them. Such close observation is not possible if one visits the place as a tourist because natives of many countries are not very open to tourists plus on a vacation, tourists tend to visit only famous spots. However, as a volunteer a person gets to visit not just the popular but also the not so popular places of the country. People are more welcoming to volunteers than tourists as they see them as good Samaritans who have left their own country to help them solve their problems. Thus, volunteering is a win-win situation.

What to volunteer for?

Depending on one’s personal preference or talent, one can volunteer for various social projects like child care, English teaching, medical and healthcare, PMGY experience projects, under 18 projects and wildlife conservation projects. For each project, a certain predisposition for the specified causes should

be present. For example, a wildlife enthusiast should volunteer for wildlife conservation projects while a doctor or resident should volunteer for medical and healthcare projects. If one is good at English speaking, then he/she should volunteer for English teaching projects. Child care projects are for those who understand children and like to have fun with them. Taking up a child care project is ideal for a person who loves to hang-out with children but doesn’t have a job which allows them to do this.

Where to volunteer?

Volunteers can volunteer in various countries like Romania, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, and Vietnam. Each country doesn’t have all the projects so if one wants to go to a specific country, make sure that it has a project that interests them or to which they think they can contribute. For example, PMGY experience project is available only in South Africa, Tanzania and Vietnam.

Volunteer in Vietnam with PMGY and see the real Vietnam! Plan My Gap Year is an award-winning international volunteer placement organisation based in the UK. We provide the worlds most affordable, need-driven and supportive short-term volunteer programmes.