Traveling for free, learning about life in a new country, and doing something good – it seems that volunteering offers an ideal option to test your strength. We have already talked about volunteering opportunities around the world, interesting tips, and opportunities for volunteers. In today’s topic we will be talking about interesting facts about volunteers in general so keep on reading if you want to find more about the volunteering facts.
Are volunteers people who work for free?
Yes, but not always. A volunteer is a person who engages in socially useful activities free of charge and by their own free will. A volunteer does not receive money and does not work in the interests of commercial organizations. At the same time, the volunteer does not need to be a professional in any field. This is why it is always fun for young adults to volunteer and travel abroad.
Why go to Europe to volunteer at all?
Everyone has their own reasons. Some want to see new countries and learn a foreign language, others are looking for adventure and want to get out of their comfort zone, the rest are interested in work in their chosen field – and they want to get their first experience in it. And also if you happen to volunteer in the frames of the European Solidarity Corps program, you can receive a certificate, which can become a useful line in a resume.
Do volunteer programs take anyone who is interested?
No, there are restrictions, primarily by age. You can only participate in the programs from 18 to 30 years old. Although some programs accept people at a younger age. Another limitation is that you need to know English at least at a basic level. The recommended minimum is always B1 (Intermediate). If you have chosen the volunteering organization, you will need to independently choose a volunteer project from the list and apply for it. After that, the organization to which you applied will select volunteers from among those who wish – you will have to go through an online interview.
Will I pay for the flight and accommodation from my own pocket?
Once you get the confirmation of your application, you should start to look for the rest of the arrangements. Many organizations pay for the flight and accommodation of their volunteers as their programs are grants. That means that volunteers are covered for visa costs, round-trip flights, accommodation, meals, and public transport on-site, as well as pocket money (the amount depends on the country, usually from 250 to 400 euros). Moreover, participants are provided with health insurance and paid for language courses if necessary (for example, local language if it is not English).
Would I need money at all?
You will need money as tickets, and a visa will first have to be bought with your own money, and your expenses will be compensated to you on the spot within three to four months. In addition, you may want to buy clothes, shoes or something else in Europe. Then you need to have an additional amount with you. But what if you don’t have the money for visas and flight tickets? The answer is simple. Many loan companies can provide you with a small number of loans for you to be able to make your expenses for your upcoming trip. A loan comparing website such as Foretagslan Finance can easily help you find the best suitable loan offer among the list of companies, including Zmarta. All you need to do is just mention your requirements and compare the loanoptions. And since you will get the money from the organization within a few months, you will not have any risks of delaying the loan payments to Qred, or any other company.
Where will I have to live?
There are several options: in a separate room in a rented apartment with other volunteers or local residents, and also in a host family. There are options when you have to share one room with other volunteers, but they are always warned about this in advance, even before the start of the program. Therefore, if this is inconvenient for you, you can refuse.
If I work badly or skip my tasks, will they terminate my contract?
It is possible. The fact is that at the start of the project, a tripartite agreement is signed with the volunteer – it is called the Volunteering agreement or Activity agreement. Such an agreement is concluded between the volunteer on the one hand and his host, as well as the sending organization on the other. The work of the volunteer is monitored by a coordinator who distributes work tasks. If you systematically refuse to fulfill them without explaining the reasons or skipping them, the coordinator can come up with an initiative to terminate the contract, and the organization can agree with it. In this case, the volunteer will be sent home early. However, before that, they will figure it out in a conflict situation and try to help solve it less radically.
A volunteer is a soldier of a huge army of good, which every day accepts more and more caring people into its ranks who are ready to change this world for the better. We hope that after reading these lines, someone will think, someone will want to try, and someone will understand that it was not in vain that they became a volunteer and have been helping those in need for many years. It is easy to become a volunteer. The main thing is a selfless and noble desire to help!