Full-time medium-term volunteer work quick
February 4, 2009 6:43 AM Subscribe
I'm a 22-year-old male American looking for volunteer work to occupy me full-time from as soon as possible through either the end of May or the end of August, so about 4-7 months. I'm up for going anywhere in the world, though I don't speak a foreign language (opportunities to start learning one would be a plus). I'd prefer room and board to be provided, but I have some savings that I can use should they not be.
Let me say that I'm not opposed to earning money, but from what I can tell the more interesting opportunities available to me at this point aren't remunerative. I have a limited but probably ordinary work history for someone my age and no particular skills; I also have three years of college, if it's relevant. My current ideas:
- WWOOFing, which commenters in various AskMe threads speak highly of -- any suggestions as to what countries are particularly good for this?
- Volunteer ESL teaching -- any specific suggestions for good organizations that would be open to someone on short notice for about 4-7 months?
- Paid ESL teaching, although (for good reason) few countries seem open to teachers without teaching qualifications or a college degree
- Seems like some Buddhist monasteries will put up volunteers for unspecified periods, but I have no information about their relative merits -- any suggestions?
- ???
I'm especially interested in participating in unfamiliar-to-me experiences of everyday life, whether with regard to both the work and the living environment or to one of the two. I'd prefer to do one thing in one place for the whole time, but I'm open to doing more than one thing, or to doing one thing in more than one location (e.g., WWOOFing at a few different farms in a given country). Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
Let me say that I'm not opposed to earning money, but from what I can tell the more interesting opportunities available to me at this point aren't remunerative. I have a limited but probably ordinary work history for someone my age and no particular skills; I also have three years of college, if it's relevant. My current ideas:
- WWOOFing, which commenters in various AskMe threads speak highly of -- any suggestions as to what countries are particularly good for this?
- Volunteer ESL teaching -- any specific suggestions for good organizations that would be open to someone on short notice for about 4-7 months?
- Paid ESL teaching, although (for good reason) few countries seem open to teachers without teaching qualifications or a college degree
- Seems like some Buddhist monasteries will put up volunteers for unspecified periods, but I have no information about their relative merits -- any suggestions?
- ???
I'm especially interested in participating in unfamiliar-to-me experiences of everyday life, whether with regard to both the work and the living environment or to one of the two. I'd prefer to do one thing in one place for the whole time, but I'm open to doing more than one thing, or to doing one thing in more than one location (e.g., WWOOFing at a few different farms in a given country). Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
When I was about your age I spent an interesting few months as a volunteer intern on a National Park. As organised by these people. Some of their internships may meet your criteria.
posted by rongorongo at 7:28 AM on February 4, 2009
posted by rongorongo at 7:28 AM on February 4, 2009
Look at idealist.org. It is a job search for paid and volunteer position with ngo's around the world.
posted by gmarceau at 8:34 AM on February 4, 2009
posted by gmarceau at 8:34 AM on February 4, 2009
Come work with me, in Sofia. MeMail me, and I'll provide you a link to my NGO's website.
posted by Meatbomb at 12:04 PM on February 4, 2009
posted by Meatbomb at 12:04 PM on February 4, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Timen at 6:50 AM on February 4, 2009