When you volunteer abroad, you are not only acting as a compassionate humanitarian, you are helping yourself build necessary skills in today's business world. When you decide to make a big step, such as this, and leave the comforts of your own home and business, to help those in need and volunteer overseas, you perform an amazing act of kindness.

Whether you're currently looking to expand your skills, learn a new language or meet new people (even for strictly business purposes), then becoming a foreign volunteer may be the right step for you. Before you depart on your grand journey, consider the following questions:

1. What are your volunteer goals?

2. Where would you like to volunteer?

3. Who will be your volunteer abroad provider?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Decide why you would like to become a foreign volunteer

Volunteer abroad information and your key values help you determine why you want to become a foreign volunteer. An international volunteer usually stays in less-than-luxury accommodations--most foreign volunteers stay in small lodges, cabins or shared rooms.

I recommend: Both Cross Cultural Solutions and Volunteer Abroad give detailed reasons to volunteer overseas. Read as many foreign volunteer providers' goals as you can to gauge a realistic idea of your goals in comparison with the host organizations.

Decide on a location where you would like to volunteer abroad

In a volunteer abroad directory, you find many locations in need of foreign volunteers. You will notice listings for countries such as Thailand, India, Vietnam and more. You may want to learn more about the countries listed before making your final decision.

I recommend: Global Volunteers and Global Crossroad, volunteer provider websites, provide opportunities for you to volunteer in numerous countries. Both sites will give you an idea of the countries and locations the organizations serve as well as the purpose for each country.

Pick a volunteer abroad provider with the same goals you have

Find volunteer abroad providers that offer information which clearly defines the goals of the organization. Read the 'Why Choose Us' pages for a better idea of particular goals; all organizations will differ in some way or another. Before choosing a volunteer abroad provider, contact a representative for further information and discuss your questions.

I recommend: Volunteer HQ and Projects Abroad will both give you detailed information on their goals. Read the information presented and decide whether the companies match your goals.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you are having difficulties choosing a location and goal, make a volunteer abroad list of the places you would like to visit in a column and list them according to most important. Then, do the same for your goals. This may help prioritize your thoughts and help you decide what is most important.