Why Volunteer With a Company?
The reason there are so many volunteer providers is not only because volunteering abroad is growing so popular, but because there is a genuine need for companies who can organise your trip for you. Volunteering on your own can be very difficult. Especially if you haven’t travelled very much or are a little soft spoken and arriving in a foreign country without a plan can be rather stressful. Volunteering with a company like i-to-i offers many benefits. Including the chance to meet new friends and not have to do it all alone and also safety and financial security.Pre-arranged
You can try searching for a volunteer opportunity on the internet, but you won’t find much that doesn't involve a volunteer travel provider such as i-to-i. Think about it: the places that need volunteers are likely to be poor and underdeveloped - they probably won't even have access to the internet. I’m sure if they had internet access they’d post a volunteer position, but that hardly seems feasible.It’s very difficult to pre-arrange a volunteer opportunity abroad by yourself. Many people don’t want to take the risk of going overseas on their own, with no guarantees of work. An organisation has been there in person and worked out all the finer details for you. They've checked that it's safe, made sure that it's worthwhile and taken the time to make your arrangements for you.
Support
Most organisations offer you support both before and during your trip. Even though you probably won’t have any problems on your trip, it’s reassuring to know that someone is there if you need them. This is particularly comforting for younger volunteers’ parents.Something as little as meeting you at the airport can really mean a lot. Those first few hours in a foreign country can be really disorienting, and having someone there that can speak the language, knows where they’re going and can help you with your bags is will take a huge weight off your mind.
