Volunteering abroad can be an amazingly rewarding (and not to mention fun) experience for both you and the community you’re heading out to help. But it’s worth asking a few key questions before you sign your name on the dotted line to make sure you don’t end up disappointed.

1. How can I chat to other volunteers who’ve taken part in the project?
Any volunteer travel company worth it’s salt should be able to point you in the direction of returned volunteers who you can talk to about the reality of the experience. Some companies even have online travel communities where you can talk to past volunteers and check out pictures from their trips.

2. Is there 24hour support I can call on if there’s an emergency?
If something goes wrong is there a number you can call at any time of day or night? And does the company you’re travelling with have a crisis management plan that will come into effect if there’s a serious emergency?

3. How many days per week will I be working and how long for?
If your project is in an amazing place, you’ll probably want to take some time out to explore. It’ll be difficult to do that, however, if you’re working six days a week from dawn until dusk. So make sure you check what your normal working hours will be so you can factor in any fun excursions.

4. What will my primary duties be?
You might think that you’ve signed up to do something incredibly fun, like surfing or working with wildlife, but in reality you find yourself handing out leaflets or helping out in a back office all day. To avoid disappointment, make sure that you double check what you’ll be doing. Then, if a company does go back on its word, you’ll have a much better chance of getting your money back.

5. Is there someone in-country to help/advise me?
It’s all very well having a fantastic team in the UK, but when you’re stuck at the airport in Buenos Aries, you’re going to want someone Argentinean to help you out. Make sure the company you’re volunteering with has in-country coordinators who can help you get settled in when you first arrive and are on hand if anything goes wrong.

6. What does my placement fee go towards?
The answer you’re looking for here should be a transparent one – can the company give you a break down of where the money goes? Does your placement fee include a donation to the project you’re going to be working with, or is your support going to be practical, rather than financial? Bear in mind that any volunteer travel company will have costs involved in marketing, product development (checking projects are safe and worthwhile), staff costs and overheads.

7. What do I need to organise myself?
While most things (such as accommodation, most food and in-country transport) will be taken care of, ask what you’re expected to organise yourself. This can include visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, flights, and some food in-country. If you need to organise them yourself, the company you’re volunteering with should be able to give you a run-down of how much you’ll need to budget for them.

8. Will I need to speak another language
English may be an international language, but you may have a much better experience if you pick up a few words of the local one. Ask if it’s worth you learning the language before you go or if you’ll be able to get by without it.

And once you’ve finished grilling your travel company, it’s worth turning around and asking yourself a few questions, such as whether or not you’re prepared for the cultural differences you’ll face, if you’re comfortable stepping out of your comfort zone and whether you’ll cope with a language barrier. If your answers are all ‘yes’, go for it – you’ll have an amazing time!

Useful links

http://www.i-to-i.com/campfire/travel-guides
http://www.lonelyplanet.com
http://www.worldnomads.com/

• gap year
• volunteer abroad
• adventure
• travel
• gap travel
• year out
• Thailand
• South Africa
• south east asia
• Kenya
• conservation
• teaching
• community development