Expanish Volunteer Blog
How long should you volunteer abroad? 1 month, 2 months, 1 year?…
If you are considering volunteering abroad in Buenos Aires, it is important to have a good idea of how much time you are able and/or would like to devote to volunteering abroad. Volunteer programs themselves vary in the minimum amount of days/weeks/or months they expect volunteers to attend, and therefore it is up to the volunteers to decide the length of their program.
Volunteer Program Length; Things to Consider
If you are a first time volunteer or if you have not traveled for an extensive amount of time away from home, you should try to imagine yourself living abroad in a new culture, language, and lifestyle. Although volunteer placements are well organized and perfectly comfortable for foreigners, it is a change of lifestyle and you may be far from home so it is a good idea to consider all the factors and then make an educated personal decision on the appropriate amount of time.
Depending if you are in school or working, you will probably have a set time to volunteer. Volunteering abroad is a popular activity for students during their school break; often, volunteer placements are carried out during student’s summer months (1-3months). If you are working, how much time can you take off?
Volunteering also involves volunteers having some saved up funds to carry them through their volunteering months. It is easy to construct a budget around a volunteer placement as the volunteer program staff will be able to give you a total cost, including the placement, accommodation, excursions, classes, etc. They will also able to give you an approximate figure on daily spending.
Consider these factors above when choosing the duration of your volunteer program abroad and if you need any help, consult student assistance for guidance!
