Amongst all the other benefits of international volunteering like making new friends, learning new skills and (if you’re lucky) getting a tan, we know your real motivation is making a difference. That’s why we’re here and that’s why you’re reading this article. With a plethora of volunteer projects all offering you the chance to save the world, it’s sometimes easy to become a little cynical about the benefits of traveling and volunteering.

Given that you are about to fly off to the four corners of the globe to volunteer, it’s perfectly reasonable to need reassuring that your efforts are going to make a difference. Not just a short-term difference either, but a lasting one. Volunteers hate feeling uncertainty about whether their good work will be built upon. If you feel like that, it’s difficult to put 100% into your daily tasks.

It’s in the interest of all volunteer travel providers to make sure that the projects are really benefiting from your hard work because otherwise no-one will want to travel with them. Done correctly, projects overseas enjoy lasting benefits from the supply of volunteers they receive and we’re going to discuss some of the major ones here.

Continuous supply

A constant supply of volunteers arriving at a project won’t just mean plenty of new faces to meet, it means that the project is getting constant help and is able to reach long-term goals. Being certain of a continuous flow of volunteers makes planning so much easier. There’s nothing worse than leaving a project not knowing when the next helper will be coming and whether the things you taught the children will have been forgotten before they arrive! Such is the constant influx of volunteers to some projects, you may even get to meet the people carrying on your good work and pass on some tips. This really makes you feel like an important part of the process.

Volunteers not money

Simply giving money is a crude way of solving complicated problems, whereas people can be adaptable and be put to many different uses! Corruption and instability have made financial aid-giving very troublesome and money itself is partially responsible for that instability. If projects become dependent on money rather than volunteers then they are really damaged by any drop-off in funding, and their long-term survival is threatened. A constant supply of volunteers on the other hand, is useful but not necessary for their survival; they retain their independence and good long-term prospects.

Benefits to the local economy

Good volunteer travel providers work with projects that are based in the community and have community development as their goal. When volunteers travel to projects they can eat, drink and sleep locally which boosts the economy and in turn boosts the profile and long-term survival hopes of the project. For sustainable volunteering to work, the projects need to be part of the communities. Too often, placements set up for the benefit of western travelers allow money to slip out of the local areas. The phrase ‘community projects’ means that the future of the volunteer project is bound together with that of the community, and any success is mutually beneficial.

Experience of western culture

We know from experience that local communities benefit enormously from the support of volunteers. As well as the practical help they offer around the project, volunteers make an impact on an even deeper level. The social interaction between volunteers and local people is extremely important in breaking down preconceived ideas about western travelers and helps to form a real connection between different people. By demonstrating that foreign travelers have the well-being of their community at heart, it helps convince locals that sustainable tourism is possible and encourages them to take part in it.

• http://www.developments.org.uk/
• http://www.wwf.org.uk/
• http://http://www.corpwatch.org/
• http://www.i-to-i.com/campfire/travel-guides/64-Can-I-actually-make-a-difference-

Contributors

www.i-to-i.com

Language schools provide some real advantages over traditional study abroad programs. They are usually more affordable than an accredited university; they tend to be more flexible than your typical study abroad program, and they can provide you with the intensive immersion experience that’s the most effective way to learn a language. Being surrounded by the language – hearing other people speak it; being forced to speak it in cafes, shops, and train stations; seeing newspapers and billboards in that language — has an imprinting effect that’s impossible to replicate in a classroom a few times a week.

Language schools are as varied as the languages themselves: Some adhere to formal methodologies and modules while others are far less structured; others combine language instruction with cultural outings to get a real flavor for the language; some combine teaching with volunteer work or an internship so you can use the language in real-world experiences.

Here are some common questions and answers related to learning a language overseas:

What is the best and easiest language to study?
There is no best language, or even easiest; your personal motivation dictates what you should study. English, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese are the top three most commonly spoken languages in the world. Other popular and widely spoken languages are French, Arabic, German, Japanese, Italian, and Russian.

For many native English speakers, “romance languages” (such as Spanish, Italian, and French) tend to be easier to learn than others, as they share the same Latin roots as the English language. Languages that require the learning of a different alphabet and writing/reading structure (including Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Arabic or Hebrew) often prove to be more difficult, but not impossible. A good teacher, a program suited to your needs, and a full immersion experience are the best assets to learning a challenging language.

How are language schools flexible?
Most language schools allow you to tailor a program to your needs. Many schools start every Monday; at some you can start anytime. Classes range from groups to one-to-one instruction.

What is one-to-one instruction?
One-to-one language instruction is an intensive and challenging language acquisition format that, combined with a full immersion experience, will get you speaking the language faster than any other method. Imagine spending the day — just you and your instructor — conjugating verbs, practicing vocabulary, and telling stories. There’s no sleeping in class; in fact you can’t even daydream. You don’t have to wait your turn to practice dialogue and you don’t have to be embarrassed asking rudimentary questions.

Advantages of One-to-One Instruction:
* Your conversation level will improve enormously. Your speaking confidence will increase as well.
* You’ll have an opportunity to talk informally with a native speaker every day.

Disadvantages:
* Your learning is dependent upon the quality of your instructor.
* Your tongue (and brain) will get tired, especially in the beginning, from speaking a foreign language so much.

Group instruction has many benefits, too. Learning with fellow classmates can provide a more rigorous instruction pace, fellow students to meet, socialize and learn with, and it’s usually more affordable than one-to-one instruction. A good medium between “solo” and “group” instruction is to learn a language with a small group of just a few other students.

Where is the best place to study Spanish/ Italian/ French/ etc.?
The best place is any country where your targeted language is the national language of that country, and where most of the population speaks it. For widely spoken languages such as Spanish and French, there are options on multiple continents: Canada, Europe, and Africa for French instruction; the Americas or Spain for Spanish instruction. The country you choose is up to you: your budget, your goals, your personal reasons for wanting to speak the language. You might find that Austria is a more affordable place to learn German than Germany; or that you prefer the castellano style of Spanish spoken in Argentina over the more traditional Spanish language style of Mexico or Peru. And even if there’s just one nation that widely speaks your targeted language, most countries have a multitude of language schools in various locations. You could learn Italian in a charming village in Tuscany, or in a bustling neighborhood in Rome — it depends on what you prefer.

Can I earn college credit?
Before considering the credit option, you should determine why you want college credit. If you are trying to satisfy a core language requirement at your university, you may find that a language proficiency exam may satisfy that requirement. Many language schools offer accredited courses, but your college or university may not accept them. If college credit is a must for you, remember that many language schools are affiliated with U.S. universities and can provide a transcript for an additional fee. Many universities have their own Centers for International Students abroad which will provide you with a transcript as well as a higher ratio of Ph.D. instructors. The crucial item to remember is that each college and university has its own criteria for accepting credits, so if it’s important that you earn credit for your language instruction, check with your study abroad adviser or student adviser before you settle on a program.

Can I learn a language in a month?
Probably not, but you can begin to learn the language and have a solid foundation on which to base future language learning. Your language acquisition will depend upon your teacher, school, commitment, and length of study. Most students will develop confidence, which is the most important tool for language learning. You will feel more comfortable speaking, listening, reading, writing, and trying to communicate in your new language.

One thing is certain: in most other countries, you will meet other English speakers. You’ll probably be tempted to speak in your native language with them quite a bit. The real challenge — and the key to faster and better language acquisition — will be to fully immerse yourself in the local culture, stay with a family, and try to make local friends. You’ll make the most out of your time in that country — and you’ll have people with whom you can keep in touch (using your new language) after you go home.

Should I use a language placement service?
At first glance you may be skeptical as to the credibility of someone who lives in the U.S. but can reserve your space in a school in Chimaltenango. But, in many ways these agents and organizations provide a great service. Typically their fees come from the schools, so you pay nothing or next to nothing for their service. They can also provide you with orientation information in English before you go. It is usually in their best interest to connect you with a quality school, as they may hear from you when you return home. However, you can always find language schools on your own — search on GoAbroad’s Language Schools Directory [www.languageschoolsguide.com].

Can I work/ volunteer/ take other classes and still study at a language school abroad?
Some job positions overseas offer free or reduced-cost language instruction to their employees. This is especially true of English teaching positions in places such as China, Taiwan, or South Korea. There are also other unique language combination programs including volunteering and language study, adventure sports and language study, or cultural classes (such as cooking or dance) and language study.

Should I study a non-traditional language?
You should study a language because you want to use it. But if, when you get home, nobody you know speaks Urdu, it might be a challenge to keep the skills you’ve learned fresh. Sometimes, learning an exotic language can be like a gift to yourself, studied purely for its beauty or history. You may want to travel to some pretty far-flung locations, and speaking with the locals there might be worth the work even if you never speak it anywhere else. However you choose a school, be sure to pack your patience and flexibility alongside the sunscreen and camera. You’ll not only be seeing the world, but you’ll be able to understand what the world is saying.

Things to consider:
* When signing up at the language school, you might want to request that your instructor be changed each week. That way, you are insured a variety of instructors and won’t necessarily be stuck with the first instructor you are assigned, regardless of their teaching ability. There’s no guilt or hurt feelings, as this is not an unusual request for many language schools.
* You may become very close to your instructors. Be considerate of their culture; certain questions and dialogue topics may be off limits.
* The teacher gets paid whether you learn or not. It is up to you to insist that the teacher is constantly challenging you. It is very easy to spend your days taking walks with your language teacher, but it’s not necessarily the best way to learn a new language.

There are literally thousands of positions available around the world, so how do you find the one that’s right for you?

Start with Planning, Preparation, and Research:

PLAN
Once you’ve decided you want to pursue an international internship, you should clearly identify what you want and need from such an experience. Here are a few questions to keep in mind:

* How much academic credit do I need?
* In which country or countries do I want to work? Why?
* What type of internship do I want?
* What type of company do I want to work with?
* What are the charges, fares, and other costs associated with an internship abroad? How much does it cost to live in this particular country? Do I need an internship that offers a stipend? Do I need financial aid?
* How long would my ideal internship last? When would it start and end?
* How flexible am I in my expectations and criteria?
* Will I need to be proficient in a foreign language as a requirement for work?
* What visa and work requirements are associated with particular internships?

Browsing through the GoAbroad Directory is a great first step in helping you locate the best internship program for your unique interests, goals, background, and ability to travel. Many of your questions will be answered within the individual internship listings on GoAbroad, or by directly contacting the company or organization whose internship appeals to you.

PREPARE
Internship programs will require that you submit a resume/CV and cover letter, and many will want letters of recommendation. Your university’s Career Center is a good resource to help you get your necessary documents together. There are also numerous online resources for job seekers. Make sure you have someone proofread your documents before you submit them.

You will need a valid passport and will have to learn what work permits and visas are required, and how to obtain them. If your university has a Study Abroad office, start there. If not, contact the company or program to which you are applying with your questions.

Create a budget for your international experience. You may need financial help to realize your goal of obtaining an internship abroad. For a list of international scholarships, fellowships and grants, check out GoAbroad.com’s Scholarships page.

RESEARCH
Find out everything you can about your targeted country or countries, such as their language, culture, and history. Look up their labor laws and workplace protocols such as standards of dress and decorum. Search online for articles or blogs written by people who currently work, or have worked, in the country where you want to go. Check out the student travel blogs on the GoAbroad Network to read students’ experiences as international interns.

Also research health and safety considerations for the locations where you want to work (such as recommended vaccinations) and whether there are travel advisories for the locations where you want to work.

Many international interns plan to pursue a career overseas after graduation. But even for students who want to stay within his or her country after earning a degree, interning abroad is a fantastic way to obtain important job skills and international understanding. Foreign internships really stand out on a résumé/CV as proof that the candidate has had unique worldwide experiences that have helped shape his or her character. International interns are immersed in their host countries on a different level than even study-abroad programs can provide. A work setting in a foreign country gives an intern another insight into the culture of the host country, and to the global community at large. Many work placements abroad give interns more in-depth training, responsibilities, and hands-on experience than they could get in their home countries.

Many students have financial and time restrictions that limit their ability to travel. International internships are a great alternative to study-abroad programs, which demand at least a semester or academic year spent in the host country. Foreign internships can be arranged for any time of the year and for shorter durations. This makes it possible for students to gain international experience even if they have responsibilities, financial obligations and specific degree schedules which limit the time and resources they can devote to world travel.

Other benefits of interning overseas are similar to the ones offered by any study, work, or teaching position abroad
* Improve foreign language aptitude
* Immerse oneself in different cultures and expand cross-cultural understanding, communication, and problem-solving skills
* Form relationships with people from other countries and cultures
* Build leadership skills
* Understand new perspectives
* Combine one’s program with volunteer work, if desired

But, there are some benefits that are unique to you as an intern abroad
* Enhance both local and international professional interests
* Develop a global perspective and understanding of a given field
* Ease the transition from student life to entering the workforce
* Begin building your network of associates and professionals before you even start your full-time career
* Gain career experience that may not be available in your home country
* Increase the possibility of a higher starting salary than non-interns
* Have resume/CV-building experiences while applying academic concepts and principles

Your goals for considering such an internship will vary on the type of programs available. You may consider any of these types
* Undergraduate Internships
* Graduate Internships
* Post Graduate Internships
* Study Abroad Internships
* Volunteer Internship Programs
* Direct Internships with International Organizations
* Internship Programs and Exchanges

If you’re planning an international career – one that involves traveling abroad, living overseas, or working with people of different cultures and backgrounds – your international experience should begin before you graduate or enter the job market.

Most international employers require job candidates to have cross-cultural work experience as a prerequisite for hiring. That’s why internships abroad are the ideal way develop a strong employment background, learn relevant skills and know-how, add impressive material to a resume/CV, and to gain a valuable edge over competing candidates when interviewing for a job.

An international internship/work program refers to a short-term (1 month to 1 year) placement with a company or organization located outside the intern’s country of origin. Most interns are degree-seeking students, although some people pursue an internship as a path to a career change. Such placements let interns fully understand the occupations and fields in which they are interested, and to apply what they have learned in the classroom to the real world. It also gives future job candidates a huge advantage in the job market, where competition is tough for exciting international positions.