You not only want to spend a vacation in a foreign country but also volunteer and support locals and organizations? We talked to Heiko Müller, founder of People Abroad, about what’s important when it comes to volunteering.

People Abroad is perfect for everybody who is considering volunteering in a foreign country. At the information portal (and also on the blog) you can find answers to all your questions: from selecting the appropriate project to your travel preparations. We talked to the founder about the positive as well as negative aspects of volunteering – and of course Heiko has a few tips for anyone planning a foreign assignment.

Green Pearls: “What are the criteria when selecting an organization for volunteer work?”

Heiko: “I would recommend to be well-informed and to compare the intermediary agencies. Do they offer preparation and follow-up courses? How is the selection process for volunteering done and are language and professional skills required? Moreover, the specific tasks that will await me on site are an important issue. Basically, the more specific the requirements for the volunteer are and the more detailed the job description is, the better. There may also be recommendations from volunteers sharing their experiences – not the ones on the agency’s website. This will help your decision process in finding the right agency.”

Green Pearls: “What do you recommend people who want to volunteer abroad?”

Heiko: “Basically, I highly recommend to get involved abroad for a while. It’s always better to spend more time on site, as this will allow you to immerse yourself more deeply in the everyday life and culture and your experiences will be more sustainable. Meet the locals at eye level and consider yourself as a temporary companion, but also as a learner when it comes to the culture and society of the country. Respect the cultural customs of your host country and be open to new impressions and experiences. Always be authentic but consider, however, that you’re an ambassador of your home country.”

Green Pearls: “What problems can arise through volunteering abroad?”

Heiko: “Volunteering is great and I’ve learned a lot during my volunteer work in various projects abroad –professionally and personally. But there are always volunteers who make bad experiences. Problems usually arise on site either through excessive demand, under-demand or bad communication. For one thing, a foreign environment, far away from home, can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to the language barrier. If there are too many volunteers, I can be bored by work particularly if tasks are not specifically assigned.”

Green Pearls: “Why is volunteering critical at all?”

Heiko: “There are always problems with the organizations and agencies that provide volunteer work. For example, too many volunteers can be placed in a project at the same time or there is no support system and no competent contact person on site. In addition, volunteer work in orphanages can be considered critically as the orphans build a bond with the volunteer and may experience a loss and frequently changing caregivers. Volunteering with certain species of animals is also quite critical.”

Green Pearls: “Did you witness bad experiences with organizations where the volunteers may have contributed to a deterioration rather than to an improvement?”

Heiko: “I haven’t gained any bad experiences myself, but I’ve heard from volunteers where things didn’t work out. I am pleased that media coverage of volunteer work is becoming increasingly critical. I think and hope that this will sharpen the view on this subject and help volunteers to be “critical” when deciding on an agency and to look more closely before making their decision. And fortunately, critical reports often force the agencies to rethink their business model and address mistakes in the process or in the organization. Bad publicity is always bad!”

Green Pearls: “Are there any areas where you can recommend volunteering without exception?”

Heiko: “I would always recommend a critical eye and when it comes to working with children, especially at orphanages, as well as working with animals to be well-informed whether this is advisable or whether I should choose another field. Meanwhile, there are many websites that offer good information on volunteering, such as ‘Wegweiser Volunteer Work’ and ‘DeeperTravel’. Both are a reliable and independent source of information.”

Green Pearls: “And what do you personally think about volunteering?”

Heiko: “I think it’s a great way to broaden your professional and personal horizon. I would recommend it to anyone, regardless of age. The classic time for volunteering is after school or university. But even for older people volunteer work becomes more interesting. They might consider a sabbatical or going through a job or a personal change. It is never too late for volunteering!”

Btw: Christian from People Abroad recently visited the SCHWARZWALD PANORMA and wrote a blogpost about his experiences.

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