All About our Challenge Leader Program

We developed our leadership program with the goal of creating a new generation of global citizens. In an ever increasingly globalised world, we think the leaders of tomorrow need to have a worldwide mindset and every opportunity to develop their leadership skills and then put these into practice. 

If you're thinking of applying to become a challenge leader, don't fret if you don’t have any prior experience. You don’t necessarily need to have travelled overseas or volunteered before - you simply need to have a drive to learn and a passion to make a change. Throughout the leadership program we'll help you develop your skills from the ground up and prepare to become a leader of tomorrow!

Why do we think leadership skills are important?

You’ve probably heard a lot of people bang on about the importance of having leadership skills. Well, suffice it to say that they are extremely valued in the work force. In order for you to progress and move up the ranks in a job, you have to exemplify good leadership and role modelling. This is so that those who you are responsible for trust you and know that you are more than capable to lead them to success. With an experience such as our leadership program, employers will be able to see that you have an in-depth and extremely practical experience in applying your leadership skills.

But it isn’t all about employability! Leadership skills do not just apply to leadership. These sorts of skills apply to your everyday life and relationships. Being able to help mediate and resolve conflict, work with people who you might not usually, support others through times of hardship and lift spirits when they may seem unliftable. These are all qualities which extend both beyond your time as a leader with Challenges Abroad but also beyond simply employability.

How do you join our leadership program?

It is extremely easy to sign up to become a leader. Just click here and put in an application!

But in all seriousness, what does it really involve? Well, you must first apply. Choose what trip you would like to go on and submit your application. One of our mentors will shortly be in contact with you to arrange a casual phone interview to get to you know more. Following this, your mentor will meet with you face to face to organise your induction. Now, you start to learn leadership skills. After learning all the important and administrative information, you are ready to get set and start organising your group!

What do I have to do before we depart?

Well, in order to be a leader, you need a group to lead. A large part of your role is recruiting your challenge group. You need a team of 5+ people to take with you on your challenge. The more people, the better! This is true not only whilst you volunteer abroad, but also for your own personal budget!

We understand that being a leader is time-consuming and requires commitment and dedication. Because of that, your increased dedication to the role is rewarded. When you recruit a team of 5 you'll receive a $300 discount on the cost of your Challenge! For each person over the team of 5 you recruit, you'll receive an additional $100 discount! When you recruit 15 team members, your program will be FREE (minus the $250 registration fee). For any person over the team of 15 you recruit, you'll receive $100 towards your flights and other travel costs! This is an incredible benefit to being a leader for the program.

Every week, you and your mentor will check in with each other and make plans. It’s important that you keep each other aware of any ups or downs that have been occurring so that you can both help each other. If you’re having any problems recruiting, your mentor will have some great advice from previous trips to help.

It’s important to us that as a leader, you know that we do not expect you to be responsible for everything. You have support from us at Challenges Abroad as well as the in-country team who are here to help. Whilst you may be the first point of call for your team members, you can rely on us for help with absolutely anything. After all, this is the first time you have done this, and we have sent over 100 trips! We are a team and we want to help.

You must attend two leadership training weekends where presenters, leadership professionals and important speakers will run workshops to help develop your leadership skills. Whilst these are intense and hardcore workshops, you will get so much out of the weekends which will help you when you eventually take your group to volunteer abroad.

Once you have a team, your role is to run team meetings. It is always great for group morale if you get to know each other before you travel overseas, and maybe even book flights together! It is also greatly beneficial if you can run fundraising activities for the group to help people who might be struggling with their budget. As such, your role really shifts to team management and getting to know what the individuals in your team need.

What’s my role while we are volunteering?

As a leader, you are the first point of contact for volunteers. If they are having any issues, they will come to you first. If the problem requires, you can then contact the in-country team or your mentor. We do not have high expectations for emergency situations or illnesses, that is certainly outside of your role. Of course, you can take these problems to the in-country team. 

Aside from serious problems, you should be able to mediate any conflicts that might arise. Sometimes, the group is tired and exhausted, and it is your job to lift spirits and encourage everyone to get along. The aim is that everyone gets along really well and enjoys the trip. It is a large part of your role to help facilitate this. Ultimately, as a leader everyone should be able to trust you to support them and provide them with any help that they might need.

We hope that you are as excited to become a leader as we are to start working with you. Our volunteer challenges need ambitious and passionate people. So, what are you waiting for? Apply now to join us and begin your leadership journey!