Overcoming the challenges that come with volunteering abroad!

We all aspire to make the world a better place, where happiness, good health and peace characterize our society. One way to achieve this is through volunteering, offering to give your services for free. Using your skills to make a difference in other people’s lives and at the same time learning valuable lessons from the experience. Volunteering leaves you a better person and at the same time makes a difference in somebody’s life. You may volunteer to teach, help the sick, and work in a project or taking care of children. All these activities are priceless, they go a long way in changing society and you as a person. Volunteering is the best gift you can give to others, especially the less privileged of society, it is an opportunity to make a difference in the world, helping others achieve their dreams and aspirations. You may want to gain from this experience but do not know how to start, we will give you tips on how you can find volunteer opportunities in India and offer your services to communities in India.
There are several volunteer opportunities in India, the vast country offers varied opportunities for those who would like to help others, learn and make a difference in the world. If you are a student, there are several gap year programs that you can utilize. You will not only spend your time constructively but will get a chance to meet new people, learn new places and sharpen your skills. You may want to take a holiday abroad but would like to offer your services while at it. Volunteering in India may offer the best in terms of a chance to experience a different culture, travel to new places and at the same time do something new and different. A holiday spent volunteering is not only fulfilling but also helps an individual to learn new places, save and also interact with people from diverse backgrounds.

To get the best out of your volunteering program, it pays to learn the basics about India before the actual visit. India is a vast country, so you also need to narrow your learning to the region which you will be visiting. You need to learn about the languages which are spoken, the culture of the people in the region where you will be offering your services. You also need to familiarize yourself with the country or regional laws. The last thing that you would want to do is violate the laws in a foreign land. When you familiarize yourself with the basics, you will have a good start and perhaps escape serious culture shocks, something that many people who travel to foreign countries are unprepared experience. Culture shock can have devastating effects on you, it happens when you find new things in a foreign country. If you have not learned how to adapt to this, you may be seriously affected especially when you find local practices very different from what you are used to.

As a volunteer it is important to understand that people are diverse, what happens in your country may be totally different from what other cultures engage in. Respecting other people’s culture is the starting point, appreciate that people will be different, and understand that others also view your culture differently. No culture is perfect, we are only different, when you understand this, and you will fit in any part of the world, live harmoniously with your host communities and also get a chance to learn from them. Volunteerism gives you a chance to tour new places, learn about people and their cultures and at the same time help make the world a better place. However it requires tolerance, respect and embracing diversity for you to succeed.