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For those who have volunteered domestically, you know that it is a great way to get involved in various projects throughout
the year, working hands-on and contributing to a specific cause. While international volunteering also has the same aspect
of hands-on service, this is only part of the experience.
International volunteering is the chance to make a contribution at the global level, to experience hands-on learning about
another country and culture and exchange ideas with people you might not otherwise meet. The experience doesn't end when you
return home. By sharing your international volunteering experience with those in your home community and finding ways to incorporate
what you learned into your daily life, you play an important role in fostering cultural understanding between people. So,
while international volunteering is sometimes referred to as a volunteer vacation, it is actually much more than that.
Below is a pie-chart illustrating the three main components of international volunteering
The service component of volunteer work abroad is much more than just working. It also involves cultural exchange. Cultural
exchange is an important component of a successful international volunteer program because you are immersing yourself in a
country with a set of cultural norms different from those back home. As an international volunteer, you will be exposed to
new ways of accomplishing day-to-day tasks by working side-by-side with local people. Cultural exchange is also a service
in and of itself. By volunteering abroad, you are providing a unique opportunity for a local person to learn about your culture
and share perspectives and ideas with you, face to face.
Service in a Cross-Cultural Solutions volunteer work abroad program may include caring for infants, teaching to teenagers,
helping to set-up a small business for working adults, assisting the elderly, among many other types of service. at the MCC
Center
The second part of international volunteering is learning. Volunteers learn from the communities in which they work, and
from the experience of traveling in the country and meeting new people. To be a great international volunteer, you must take
the time to respect and apply local customs and methods, learning about the historical and cultural context of each. This
means taking the time to listen to the local individuals you meet, and not assuming that things operate - or should operate
- the way they do back home. Cross-Cultural Solutions offers Perspectives Programming as part of every program, to give you
the opportunity to learn about the local culture and customs, and understand community development. These activities help
to make your volunteer experience truly complete, and include cultural and learning activities, such as language training,
field trips, guest speakers, and much more.
The third and final part of international volunteering is getting involved in your own community back home. For some,
this will mean using the confidence they gained while volunteering abroad to become part of domestic volunteer work opportunities,
while for others it may mean educating friends and family about the realities of the country in which you lived. For everyone,
returning home is an opportunity to share the inspiration of your experience and be a voice for greater social involvement.
With these three goals in mind, international volunteering can be more than just a volunteer vacation - it can be a road
to positive social change and greater cultural awareness.
When considering International Volunteer Organizations, it is important to asked detailed questions. We have provided
a resource to help you do this.
send an email to the MCC for more info.
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