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Reasons to volunteer again (and again and again and again!)
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If you did a volunteer placement on your gap year, be warned: the desire to do more is just as strong as the travel bug! For some travellers, doing something worthwhile is so rewarding that they choose to do more voluntary work, either later in their gap year or during the uni holidays. A week in Malaga might not seem the same after volunteering in Thailand!
Whether you go back to the same programme or a try a new one, having an experienced volunteer will be a great help to the project leaders.
Here are a few reasons to volunteer for a second or third (!) time and why it'll benefit you, too…
Reasons to volunteer again no. 1 - You've been there, done that and know how to deal with the initial shock
Remember how unfamiliar everything seemed when you first arrived in deepest Africa? Possibly not, because the chances are you had such a good time it came to feel like home. If you decide to re-volunteer in a similar country, you'll be better equipped for any jet lag, culture shock and homesickness that might try to sneak up on you. Time to practise the coping methods you used last time - and more time to concentrate on enjoying yourself. Plus, you can take things you didn't think to pack on your first volunteer placement. (Like spare toilet paper, for example!)
Reasons to volunteer again no. 2 - Use those ‘transferable skills', as employers would say
If you practised patience, leadership, teambuilding and other skills on the first project, you can draw on them for your next volunteer experience.
Reasons to volunteer again no.3 - Share your experience
Cast your mind back, again, to how you felt when you went abroad for the first time. You're in an ideal position to help people who are feeling the same. That might involve giving teaching tips, lending sun cream or sharing chocolate with them when they're feeling homesick.
Reasons to volunteer again no. 4 - Gain even MORE relevant experience
While our volunteer projects are set up to help others, they can also do a great deal for you. Enjoy teaching last time? Do another teaching programme, and get even more experience to put your CV. If employers can see you've made a real commitment to something, you'll make a good impression before they even meet you.
Reasons to volunteer again no. 5 - Check on progress
One of the top reasons to volunteer again is to revisit the project you spent time on. Many of our volunteers tell us their project made such an impression on them they intend to return at some point. It's a great experience to revisit your project and see how it's progressing - and say hello to old friends.
Reasons to volunteer again no. 6 - Go back bearing gifts!
If ‘more teaching/sports/play equipment' was on your should-have-taken list, another good reason to volunteer again is to take some stuff out there. You'll have a better idea of what's needed once you've been on a project once, and how much it'll be appreciated. Explain to your uni friends why the things are needed and do some fundraising. Show them the photos and they might even come with you…!
Whatever your reasons are for volunteering again, it'll be a great experience that you'll be that much more equipped for the second time around!
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