By Tom Green

For many people, volunteering overseas provides an unforgettable experience.  The chance to travel and work in a totally different environment can be life-changing, but it can take courage and commitment to leave your comfort zone.

If you need help navigating the huge range of opportunities available, see our articles on choosing the right opportunity, ethical volunteering, budget options and more. Our blogs from current and ex-volunteers give a taste of what it's really like to go overseas.

Finding an opportunity

There's a huge range of opportunities overseas – the key is finding one that matches your skills, experience and requirements.

If you have skills that are required overseas, especially in developing countries, then it should be relatively easy to find an opportunity. Ideally, countries are moving towards training and retaining their own professionals rather than importing volunteers, but there is still a need for people with qualifications and experience. You are likely to be required to make a significant commitment, however – often as much as two years or more.

If you don't have skills and experience that are in demand you there are still many opportunities available, but you are likely to have to pay the costs of your trip abroad.

Costs

Long-term placements for people with professional skills will not normally require volunteers to be out-of-pocket. Direct costs are likely to be covered and a local subsistence wage is often paid to cover expenses.

For other sorts of opportunities the costs can be high; with flights, insurance, staff costs, administration, and board and lodging it can run to thousands of pounds. Make sure you know the costs involved before you sign up for a placement and think about all the options.

Ethical volunteering

Living in a developing country and confronting the realities of life in a poor community can be a shock to the system, not to mention raising some tricky ethical questions. Try to contact other people who have volunteered with the organisation you're interested in - finding out as much as you possibly can about their policies is the only way to ensure an organisation is going to behave responsibly. Staying safe should be a top priority, so be clear about the company or charity's track record before you make a commitment. Volunteer or voluntourist? We debate the big questions in our ethical volunteering overseas article.

The overseas volunteering organisations listed in this section are not necessarily endorsed or approved by do-it – follow our check list to make sure you're picking a responsible provider.

More advice

Foreign Office - for the latest travel advice about where's safe and where isn't.

Volunteering England - useful information about volunteering overseas.

Travel Insurance Guide - impartial advice on insurance providers in the UK.

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