Placements such as these are usually for self-funding volunteers. Long-term placements,

however, mostly require a commitment of at least a full year and people must have a

minimum of a couple of years’ experience in their area of expertise in order to meet the

specific needs of the host organisation. Such programmes generally attract volunteers in

their mid-twenties up. The application process is fairly rigorous and isn’t unlike apply-

ing for a job, with specific selection criteria needing to be addressed, written references

provided and the possibly of a phone interview. Personal qualities and attributes like

cultural awareness, self-assurance, flexibility and good communication and interper-

sonal skills are viewed as equally important as professional experience, since these place-

ments require living and working in a developing country.

The majority of sending agencies ask you to download an application form from their

website. This usually asks for your personal details, including your education, qualifications,

skills, medical history and any criminal convictions. It may also ask you a few questions, like:

‘Why do you want to volunteer overseas?’ ‘What experiences have you had that show you are

adaptable?’ ‘What are your strengths and weaknesses?’ Usually, you then post this off with

your CV, two references (one personal and one professional) and two passport-sized photos.

Some organisations prefer you to apply by sending in your CV with a covering letter. If

this is the case, make sure that your covering letter tells the organisation why you want to

volunteer and what you can offer. Eoghan Mackie, CEO of Challenges Worldwide (CWW,

p140) tells us what he is looking for in a covering letter and at interview:

Each particular host organisation has its own culture which we will assess the applicant

against. The applicant must also have the relevant professional experience our host partner

is looking for. However, there are generic qualities that a person must show in their ap-

plication (and later at interview) before we will seriously consider them for selection as a

CWW volunteer. These include independence, adaptability, flexibility, communication

skills, determination and a sense of humour. Perhaps the most important quality of all is

the ability to be objective.

After you have sent in your application, you wait for the organisation to contact you.

They will usually do this by phone to either arrange a personal interview or ask you to

attend one of their selection or assessment days. These events are fascinating and usually

involve problem-solving tasks and programmes designed to test how you work in a team.

Jacqueline Hill, who volunteered in Bangladesh, remembers her assessment day with VSO:

It was well organised and a lot of fun. The day consisted of some group exercises and an

individual interview. The interview goes into more depth, particularly about personal

circumstances, than an ordinary job interview, but it was sensitively handled and we could

see the reasons why it was important to make sure we were ready for the huge com-

mitment we were signing up to. My advice to anyone going for the assessment day? Be

yourself and enjoy it.

Sometimes the selection process takes place over a weekend, as it does if you apply to be-

come a Raleigh International staff member. Duncan Purvis, training manager for Raleigh

International (p108), explains:

Successful applicants will be invited to attend a Staff Assessment Weekend (SAW). This is

an intensive two-day programme designed to recreate programme life and gives you a taste

of what staff roles entail, as well as allowing us to assess your suitability. Depending upon

your performance during the weekend, we will either offer you a post on a programme

which makes best use of your particular skills and qualifications or suggest further action

for you to take in order to reapply in the future.

If you are the type of volunteer the organisation is looking for, UK and US organisations

will request a deposit from you (naturally this applies only to fee-based programmes). This

could be anything from £50 to £500 (US$100 to US$1000), and is usually non-refundable.

Australasian organisations generally don’t require a deposit. You will also need to read the

organisation’s terms & conditions document and sign it (very standard stuff). Some

organisations also ask you to fill out a detailed medical history questionnaire and, if it

throws up any potential problems, to visit a health expert nominated by them.

03: The Practicalities

This is where the fun really begins. You’ve done your research, you have an idea of what

you’d like to do, where you might like to go and you’ve set aside the time. All you have to

do now is make it happen...

application & selection

Most international volunteers apply to sending agencies eight to 12 months before they

wish to volunteer. This time frame works well for three reasons: it gives you and your

organisation enough time to find the right volunteer project; it allows you sufficient time

to save the money; and it means you’ve got months in which to organise your life at home

so you can go abroad (see Chapter 4 for more details on this).

If you are not as organised as this or have decided to volunteer at the last minute, don’t

worry. Most sending agencies will still work with you to find a placement with only a

month or two’s notice. However, places on the most popular conservation and wildlife

expeditions can fill up a year in advance, and many of the organisations placing skilled

volunteers need at least four months’ notice.

In Australia and New Zealand, some sending agencies specialise in short-term place-

ments and place volunteers without a great deal of experience or tertiary qualifications.

A conservation high in Russia’s Altai Republic: two volunteers out to survey snow leopards Photo: http://www.biosphere-expeditions.org

03: The Practicalities:

Application & Selection