Unique Skills You Will Develop When Volunteering Abroad
Have you ever volunteered abroad? There are many benefits that you will receive, other than the fact that it will allow you to explore the world and meet new people. Regardless of your age, race or gender, you should consider volunteering abroad at least once in a lifetime.
The Skills You Acquire
- Resilience and courage: Stepping away from the comfort and familiarity of your home to go to a different world needs courage. Being away from people you know sounds scary, but you develop a great sense of resilience in the process.
- Independence: Many people are overreliant on friends and family to help them with decision making. When you become a volunteer abroad, there are some decisions that you have to fully make on your own. You learn to trust your instinct more. Travelling alone also gives you a sense of independence.
- Intercultural communication: People travel for many reasons and making international trips has been found to broaden the mind and improve intercultural communication. You will be surprised at how much you can learn when interacting with people of different cultures. You also have the advantage of learning and polishing a new language while you are volunteering abroad.
- Gratitude: Being away from your loved ones, even for a short period of time puts a lot of things into perspective. It teaches you to appreciate them more. When you are exposed to circumstances that people in different countries go through, you learn to appreciate what you have more.
Volunteering abroad can be used as a moment of introspection. You can use the opportunity to serve others, champion a cause and also learn more about yourself. As long as you choose a credible organisation to work with, there is so much more to gain from volunteering abroad.
