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Summary Illuminating Case Studies and Tips Sections of the Book Questions Answered by the Book Table of Contents Summary If you are hungry for information on how you can help people overseas while exploring other cultures, making friends, learning about yourself, and enhancing your skills, then this book is for you. How To Live Your Dream of Volunteering Overseas provides the information you seek in a user-friendly format featuring quotes, worksheets, case studies, and inspiring stories. Based on six years of research that included fieldwork in over 25 countries, the book is not just a directory of opportunities, but a critical review of over 80 volunteer placement organizations in this rapidly growing field, as well as a detailed but easy to read manual about everything from why to volunteer to what to do when you get back. How To Live Your Dream of Volunteering Overseas is an in-depth guide for anyone who wants volunteer in Latin America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East or Eastern Europe. Illuminating Case Studies and Tips Each chapter is brought to life with humorous as well as serious illuminating case studies and tips such as:
Sections of the Book How the Book is Organized The book is two books in one: evaluative profiles of dozens of volunteer placement organizations, including the Peace Corps, and chapters about volunteering issues that are useful regardless of the program you choose. Profiles of volunteer placement organizations In the profiles of volunteer placement organizations, over 80 programs are evaluated, with lively discussion of pros and cons, stories, and quotations. Each profile also contains all the factual information you need to know, such as countries of operation, types of work, requirements and fees as well as stipends and other benefits. The profiles end with recommendations, such as the following: "We recommend Global Volunteers for older volunteers who seek a challenging but structured work environment. Global Volunteers will be a better fit for people who flourish in a team environment. Those who want a deep immersion experience and want to be the only foreigner working in a particular community should seek another program."If volunteers with a particular program feel that they didn't get what they paid for, we let you know. If the program appears to be creating dependency instead of self-sufficient communities, we will tell you. And if a program is consistently rated positively by volunteers and the people they work with, we will tell you that too. We know that readers need more information than they can find in the organization's website or brochures -- so the profiles cut through the hype and honestly convey the flavor of the organization, and its shortcomings as well as its strengths. Index of Organizations A detailed index of organizations enables you to look up volunteer placement organizations by your key areas of interest--regions of operation, types of volunteer work, or length of volunteer service. The index identifies organizations that cover most or all expenses. The index also identifies organizations that specialize in women's issues, business development, health care, education, human rights, the environment, and many other sectors. You can find out which organizations accept couples and/or volunteers accompanied by children. Finally, you can easily determine programs that match any special age requirements--whether you are a high school student or a senior citizen. Remember, this book is for people of all ages! Peace Corps Chapter The profiles are supplemented by an in-depth chapter about the Peace Corps, based on interviews with over 100 Peace Corps volunteers in dozens of countries, as well as Peace Corps staff and former volunteers. The chapter details not only how to get into the Peace Corps, and typical placements, but also the less well-known pros and cons of the organization, exploring everything from the stipends to the safety of volunteers. You will learn about the new "community-based training," why so many volunteers work as teachers, and special challenges confronting older volunteers. You will also learn some of the reasons that, in many years, the Peace Corps has a 20-30% drop out rate. Volunteers share their frustrations as well as their favorite experiences. The chapter evaluates the ways the Peace Corps fulfills its mission -- and the ways it falls short. The Peace Corps is also analyzed in the broader context of U.S. foreign policy. Finally, former volunteers share advice for making the most of your Peace Corps experience if you to decide to join. In short, the chapter presents an honest, detailed, up-to-date, and balanced view of the Peace Corps that simply is not available anywhere else. In the words of one former Peace Corps volunteer, the book is "an essential resource for anyone considering a volunteer experience overseas." Practical Advice about Volunteering The thematic chapters cover everything you need to know about volunteering, but didn't know you were supposed to ask. Worksheets and case studies help you dive into the chapter on How to Select an Organization. The chapter on Volunteering without a Program enables you to decide if you are capable of voluntary independently, and how you can do so successfully. Overcoming Financial Obstacles helps make volunteering financially possible for anyone, even students and recent graduates. What to Do before You Go covers everything from getting your passport and visa to preparing for a safe volunteer experience, and figuring out what to pack. How To Be an Effective Volunteer include worksheets, special advice for women volunteers, and practical tips on how volunteers can go beyond good intentions and avoid harming the very communities they seek to help. Alternatives to Volunteering can help you decide if you would really rather travel, study, or work abroad -- and gives you the resources you need to follow one of these paths should you decide that volunteering really is not for you. Finally, the section on What to Do When You Get Back includes concrete suggestions and planning tools to help you magnify your volunteer experiences. It highlights dynamic organizations through which former volunteers can share their experience and stay involved in promoting sustainable development, peace, and democracy. The guide also contains advice for people who want to use volunteering as a first step towards an international career. Bonus Sections Bonus sections include a listing of over 100 additional volunteer placement organizations, including dozens that are based in other countries, but open to individuals from the United States and other nations. Recognizing that volunteering is not for everyone, a second bonus section details alternatives to volunteering, providing general advice and concrete resources for study abroad, travel, work abroad, and volunteering at home. Questions Answered by the Book Here are just a few of the questions answered by the book.
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