Volunteering Alone - Is it for You?

For some, the thought of travelling and volunteering alone is a terrifying venture, while for others it can be liberating! Of course you will always have the support form our in-country team while you're volunteering, but it is up to you to make the most of your experience with us. Even if you're volunteering in a team, there are times when self-sufficiency is key and you will need to overcome barriers, whether they be mental or physical.

The trials and tribulations of volunteering overseas can prove challenging, yet that makes the rewards that much greater. If you’re thinking of making the trek to one of our wonderful locations alone, have a read to see if volunteering alone or joining a team by yourself is for you!

Our Challenging volunteer Challenges

Our programs are called challenges for a reason. The usual trials of travelling are included, like the hot and possibly humid weather, smells and tastes to get used to, different schedules and tasks, and being out of your comfort zone. Homesickness is a challenge that many of our volunteers can face, missing the people in their lives and even just their home country. These things can be hard to deal with, especially if you’re volunteering alone or don't really know the people on your team. While these challenges will help you grow as a person, it's important that you're prepared to try your best and face these challenges head on before you sign up to volunteer!

A Change of Scenery Never Hurt Anyone!

A chance to get out there and do something you’ve never done before can motivate you to see your life from a whole new perspective. Our volunteer programs offer a challenge that gives you experience in teaching, renovations, trekking and much more! It's also a chance to met new people and development teamwork/networking skills. There are the people in your group who you will get to know on your program, and because of everyone stays at the same volunteer accommodation, you'll meet volunteers on different programs to your own as well. Which means an even bigger shot at making friends and finding likeminded people that can make your trip even more memorable!

Signing up on your own to volunteer overseas also means that you don’t have to be held back by people you already know and can own your narrative in an exciting new place. And even if you do sign up for a team and you know someone, you’re still an individual and you will get the opportunity to explore that!

Budgeting: An Important Life Lesson

An important component of volunteering overseas is being able to budget. The exchange rate, souvenirs you plan on bringing back, activities you want to participate in, eating out and many other aspects of travelling are things to think about when you plan your budget. Fortunately for our volunteers, the countries where our programs are located aren’t expensive when compared to popular tourist destinations. Budgeting is also a great life skill to learn that will be useful for your day-today life in Australia, not just when you're overseas! Managing your money isn’t necessarily a skill you learn overnight and going overseas is an adventurous lesson on how to be self-sufficient. 

A Good Test of Character

The challenges that you will face being away and volunteering abroad on your own will help you gain skills that you can use in your life back home. In gaining these skills your character will be tested and you'll get an introspective look at how you deal with challenging and unfamiliar situations. You'll learn self-reflection - how to look into your skills and find what you can to improve on, which is an important tool to learn to become the best person you can be! 

This character building experience will not only help you make a difference to disadvantaged communities, but it can help you improve your employability. The unfamiliar environment our programs put you in will make you adaptable and able to cope well in a whole range of new situations. These are skills that employers want to see when they're hiring new graduates and that you can draw on in your future roles!

Gaining Independence

Going to a whole new country and completing a volunteering program by yourself can be a big confidence booster. You will be in charge of the organising plans with your group and deciding the details of your program, which will give you experience in being independent and some problem-solving skills. Building your independence can be useful to show yourself that you don’t need to rely on your friends and family to do anything or to have a good time. Going on one of our volunteer trips can give you a whole new sense of independence in an overseas experience like no other!