Free Career and Job Search Advice

j.d. · New User Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 9 Career Advice: +0/-0

I have seen an advertise in todays newspaper; they were looking for persons (25-35 years old) who speak English and want to work as volunteer in South Africa. They are talking about a period between 3 and 9 months. I was wandering if any of you have done a volunteer and could tell as about the experience.

C_Vaughan · Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 1:29 am Post subject: Win-Win

I have not done any work of this kind, but I imagine that the rewards are enormous. Not only will you gain a valuable experience, but you will likely be helping others, too.

Sounds like a win-win situation to me.

~C. Vaughan

cheekyvimto · Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 10:29 am Post subject: volunteering in weest africa

Have alook at www.gambiatouristsupport.com they are always looking for volunteers.. in education/trade etc.
They have special gap placements and the gambia is such a worthwhile cause the people are wonderful and eager to learn new skills.

KA · Expert Joined: 26 Mar 2006 Posts: 239 Career Advice: +2/-0

It can be very valuable experience & adventerous.

You really need to evaluate your personal circumstances, such as your age, marital status, your finances & how this would affect your career path.

smiles2006 · Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 8:25 pm Post subject:

I haven't gone as a volunteer but I have been overseas working in Afghanistan. I would do a bit of research on the area and the company. Don't expect anything 5 star! I don't know what the position is, but look into what is there for you for safety. It will be a very rewarding experience if you go with a very open mind. Expect the unexpected. It will not be anything like home. Take a journal and a camera with you. You will want to remember everthing! Happy travelling.

safri · Expert Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 213 Career Advice: +1/-1

I went with "Give the Gift of Sight" organization in countries like Romania, Mexico and Cambodia as a volunteer. It was two years ago and the experience was grrrrreat. The rewards came, even if they weren't expected. You should check the add for details to see what exactly you need to do.
I am positively sure there are some health related precautions you have to take. Like for example, you will need to have some vaccines done, and they must be done in advance, starting with a month in advance, depending of the vaccine. The rest is up to you.

lexa10881 · Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 6:03 am Post subject:

Keep in mind that certain things need to happen first before you can just leave the country....if you are genuine about this, apply for your passport if you do not have it already because it will take time to acquire. Also, sometimes it is a good idea to get shots/other medical precautions before you leave. Any experience you gain will look good on a resume, but will also be rewarding on a personal and spiritual level.

If you are a student, consider an internship if possible. Or, at least consider this as a possiblity to network for the future. But most of all, enjoy yourself!

http://www.cvtips.com/international_internships.html
http://www.cvtips.com/international_networking.html

lilo · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 12:13 pm Post subject:

I wanted to volunteer in some foreign countries, most of them in Europe, but they wouldn't have me as a volunteer, because they wanted me to pay for all expenses. So they would choose people of their own instead.
BUT
I left volunteering aside and did go and gain experience abroad and I used something called change of experience. Meaning one foreigner came to my country and worked what I worked and I went to his country and did what he was doing. Taking into account I work as a journalist, the experience was more than useful.

Behe · Newbie Joined: 23 Sep 2009 Posts: 1 Career Advice: +0/-0

My advice would also be to consider taking a TEFL/TESOL course. The skills that you take away with you from it will stay with you for life and give you a good base for a first 'proper job'; you get to learn presentation skills, how to think on your feet- e.g. when someone asks you a question for which you hadn't prepared, adaptability- to new cultures, ways of thinking, teaching in a school with limited resources and the list is endless. It really does give you invaluable skills. Whilst volunteering is obviously a brilliant option too and a selfless act in itself, doing something teaching english abroad is providing others with something they can use and develop for the rest of their lives and even improve the life that they currently lead. Volunteering does also provide this, but many of the projects often seem more short term in comparison. Making the decision just takes a lot of thought and preparation and something for which you need to think of all of the outcomes and how it will be viewed by future employers.
I have taken a TEFL course (120 hour course, which combines a 20 hour TEFL weekend, with a tutor and 100 hours online) myself recently with this company www.onlineTEFL.com and found it brilliant. The TEFL tutor was so inspiring and helpful that any doubts I had on whether I was doing the right thing completely vanished. I'm now aiming to start off small in Europe to get some experience in a slightly more familiar surrounding before I plan to head off further east, potentially China. Speaking of which I know that the company I mentioned has just launched some kind of new combined TEFL course and 5 month teaching internship based in China which may be a good option.

Good luck with your decision making and I hope you have a fab time whatever you decide to do!

Claire001 · Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 1:55 pm Post subject:

My sister worked voluntarily in an orphanage in South America and found the monthere so rewarding but also quite sad also, I think it certainly made her think about what she had here at home!

Anyway I know that she completed the TEFL course in a weekend before she went even though she didn't actually end up using this much given that she was dealing with children who only spoke Portuguese but I think they gave her the in road to the actual work...

I guess these things all add as great experience and training when CV Writing for prospective employers!!

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