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Page revenue is subject to change as we obtain data from our partners
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Introduction
- In the past couple of years, there has been a major surge in volunteer travel. "Voluntourism" can be a terrific way to add a service component to a trip and allow you a window into a particular community that the average tourist wouldn't get. It is crucial, however, to choose a program that is reputable and that will privilege your safety above all. With careful research, you can choose a volunteer-based adventure that can inspire and change how you think about travel.
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Step 1: Why?
- Sure, getting the insider's view of a local community sounds good, but are you sure a volunteer trip is right for you?
- Evaluate your motivation for taking a volunteer trip. What is it you hope to achieve during your trip?
- Many have found that travel to an area is richer if they become involved in the local community and that they are seeing another side to a country.
- Are you prepared for what may be a starkly different lifestyle from your own? Dana Oliver, of Global Crossroad, a program through which volunteers find projects, told the New York Times that volunteers "should be physically fit and mentally prepared to walk into a disaster area. It's not easy emotionally."
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Step 2: Where?
- Now that you've concluded that voluntourism is the way to go, you'll need to determine the best place to share your skills.
- Research the following websites for programs all over the world, from the Andes to the Amazon Rainforest:
- Be sure to confirm the reputation of any program you are interested in and ask for alumni contacts.
- The International Volunteer Programs Association (IVPA) allows you to research the insurance policies of volunteer programs and can help you figure out if a program is legitimate.
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Step 3: When?
- Determining when to take your volunteer trip is a critical decision.
- Will this trip be a spring break alternative? A major summer adventure?
- Many couples are now deciding to volunteer on their honeymoons. Or, tack on a volunteer trip to the last week of a honeymoon or other vacation in the same geographical area.
- You may need to be flexible about your travel dates depending on where you want to go and how booked the program is.
- Other voluntourists have been motivated by a recent natural disaster. College students eagerly donated spring break time to Katrina efforts, for example. If you have been contemplating a volunteer trip for a while now and an event occurs that affects you, it might be time to act.
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Step 4: With Whom?
- The right travel partner can make all the difference.
- Do you plan to travel alone? If so, will you be alright sharing quarters with strangers and essentially being all on your own?
- Would you like to travel with a significant other like Andrew Allen and Teresa Novacek did on their honeymoon to Tanzania?
- Or is this the trip you've dreamed of doing with your mom for her 60th birthday?
- A volunteer trip can be a great way to introduce the importance of giving back to your children.
- You could also sign up for a volunteer trip with a group through your school, church, synagogue, mosque, or other group.
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Step 5: Get Ready
- You'll need to prepare in advance for a volunteer trip abroad.
- See Mahalo's guide to volunteering abroad for a more comprehensive look at volunteering internationally: How to Volunteer Abroad.
- Make an appointment to see your doctor to go over any vaccinations you'll need, medications you should take with you, and how to handle an existing medical condition abroad.
- Make sure your passport is valid. If it is about to expire, see Mahalo's guide to How to Renew a Passport.
- If you do not have a passport, you'll need to apply for one, at least two months ahead of time. See Mahalo's guide to applying for a passport: How to Get a Passport.
- Determine what your health insurance coverage will be overseas.
- Check with your program to see if they will provide any travel insurance for your trip and what any associated fees are. Also ask about proximity to medical care.
- Research your travel insurance options, as well as medical evacuation coverage.
- The State Department highly recommends that you register your travel plans so they can better assist you in an emergency.
- Make a copy of your passport and travel itinerary to leave with a close friend or relative.
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Do Your Homework
- It's important to learn about the culture and customs of the place you are about to visit.
- Be sure to research the local customs of the place you'll visit. Order books online, visit your library, or ask friends who might have traveled to the same area to loan you their favorites.
- Ask your program administrator to recommend a few travel books about the area you plan to visit.
- Check out a novel or short story collection to get a sense of local rhythms and culture.
- Research the local weather.
- Take language lessons! Or simply brush up with useful language guides or Mahalo's guide to How to Learn Basic Phrases in Any Language.
- Monitor what the State Department says about particular international travel in case there are any new warnings.
- And check the Center for Disease Control's traveler's health page to learn about any health precautions.
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Get Packing
- You will likely pack differently for a volunteer trip.
- Review your program's guidelines for what to pack. If you have not received a recommended list of items to bring, contact your program administrator for suggestions.
- Ask about any over-the-counter medications your program recommends bringing, such as ibuprofen or Benadryl; will there be a program leader who has these types of medications available?
- Those packing medical prescriptions should keep them in their original prescription bottles and keep them easily reachable throughout the trip.
- Find out about exchanging currency and how easy it will be to do once you arrive. Ask your program administrator what she suggests you bring for incidental expenses.
- Leave valuables at home and, in general, pack light. This is a different kind of trip you are taking, where you don't need a different pair of shoes for every outfit.
- Glasses-wearers should bring a backup pair of lenses just in case.
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Programs Offering Volunteer Trips | Add a Link
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Articles about Volunteer Travel | Add a Link
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ABC News: Giving Back While Taking a Break
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The New York Times: "For Those Who Aid Others, 'Tourist' Doesn't Tell the Whole Story"
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The Knot: Volunteer Honeymoons
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Global Aware: Press from ''Modern Bride'': Honeymoons with Heart
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The New York Times: "More Vacationers Answer the Call to Help"
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Christian Science Monitor: "How You Can Take a Break and Help Others"
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Miami Herald: "Today's Student Travelers Start Young, Go Further"
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About.com: Alternative Spring Break Ideas WARNING: Pop-ups
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Jerusalem Post: "College Students Visit Israel to Aid African Refugees" WARNING: Pop-ups
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ABC News: Giving Back While Taking a Break
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How to Take a Volunteer Trip Blogs
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Matador Intern Prepares for Honduras Volunteer Trip
After learning more about the organization, Juli signed on for a week-long volunteer trip in Honduras that will take place in January 2010. The trip is an extension of the work she's been doing in Berkeley. As she says, “the provision ...matadorpulse.com -
Rescue flights transport 14 dogs and a cat from airport to safe ...
Roberts flew three dogs Saturday, making it his fifth trip for rescue organizations. "Animal Rescue Flights is a great organization. They do great work," he said. Roberts said most of the time the dogs go right to sleep. "I think they know you're saving them," he said. ... "We also transport in 'legs,' and have 15 drivers up the East Coast,...salisburypost.com (November 07, 2009) -
Lifetree Adventures Announced Its Upcoming Mazatlan Trip
Loveland, CO, November 6, 2009 — Today Lifetree Adventures announced its upcoming Mazatlan trip will take place March 27-April 3, and December 18-26, 2010. These Mazatlan Christian travel opportunities combine time experiencing local culture with service days that ... Through Group Workcamps, over 250000 volunteers have provided more ...pressabout.com (November 07, 2009) -
HoundsGood: Chronicles of a Virtual Volunteer » Blog Archive ...
You will receive the trip for approximately 41% off the value, plus be contributing to assist in SSP's Mission. $200 will sponsor four Puppy Promises puppies. Four lucky pups whose family has considered taking them to the shelter will ...houndsgood.com
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How to Take a Volunteer Trip News
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ETSU Softball Announces 2010 Schedule
The Lady Bucs finally play their first set of games inside the Volunteer state in 2010 when ETSU makes the journey to Chattanooga. ...TricitiesSports.com (November 07, 2009) -
Dad to baby: Happy 1st birthday, world traveler
The little guy's wanderlust kicked into high gear with a trip overseas last January. Friends, family and even my editor said we were insane to take the then ...Chicago Daily Herald (November 07, 2009) -
Letter (Web version): Honor veterans on Web site, in person
I was privileged and honored to be one of 22 volunteer guardians who took 28 World War II veterans to Washington on Oct. 24. The trip was made possible ...Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (November 06, 2009) -
Flight 93 victims deserve tributes
Volunteer curators tell the story of the flight as they flip through color photos that fill a three-ring binder. They show aerial photos of the crash site, ...Danville Commercial News (November 07, 2009)
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How to Take a Volunteer Trip on Amazon | View All
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Volunteer Vacations: Short-Term Adventures That Will Benefit You and Others - $6.99
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001KYETSO/mahalo-20/
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Volunteer Vacations: Short-Term Adventures That Will Benefit You and Others - $18.95
Amazon.com: Volunteer Vacations: Short-Term Adventures That Will Benefit You and Others (9781556527845): Bill McMillon, Doug Cutchins, Anne Geissinger, Ed Asner: Books
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The 100 Best Volunteer Vacations to Enrich Your Life - $19.95
Amazon.com: The 100 Best Volunteer Vacations to Enrich Your Life (9781426204593): Pam Grout: Books
Amazon
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How to Take a Volunteer Trip Links Powered by Google
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Uganda Volunteer Trip - Short Term Missions Transportation
Providing Short Term Missions and Volunteer Trip Transportation in Ugandakabiza.com
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How to Take a Volunteer Trip on Google Products | View All
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Youth Group Travel: A Planner's Guide (Paperback) - $12.95
Amazon.com: Youth Group Travel: A Planner's Guide (9781591641001): Mary Kay French Larry French: Books
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The Travel Writer's Handbook: How to Write and Sell Your Own Travel Experiences (Travel Writer's Handbook: How to Write-and Sell-Your Own Travel Experiences) - $1.99
Used, new & out-of-print books matching 9747755588. Offering millions of titles from thousands of sellers worldwide.
www.alibris.com -
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The Career Break Book (General Reference) (Paperback) - $19.8
Amazon.com: The Career Break Book (General Reference) (9781740598668): Joe Bindloss, Andrew Dean Nystrom: Books
www.amazon.com
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