Pros And Cons Of Short Term Volunteer Immersions

By Laura King


Some people like to volunteer but their time is not enough for going to another place and to commit their services there. Six months is usually needed to be spent in working towards goals which are sustainable, building relationships and learning the language there. Achieving this is difficult when you have work or school but still wants to experience something great and make an impact.

Programs are luckily available where your limited time can be spent with impoverished people living in another culture and help them. This popular short term volunteer immersions are perfect for busy individuals that wants their free days given to others they want to help. But some disadvantages must be avoided which might inevitably happen.

Traveling somewhere with a very different timezone usually results to a jetlag or having disorientation, disruptive sleeping patterns and headaches. Your body could adjust usually in a week or two but if that is all the time you have there, you need to fight through these symptoms. And the community members would usually warm up to you when your job is almost done.

This means some works, such as teaching, are not advisable for this kind of program because building connections is needed for effectiveness. Being sick during the trip would mean your limited days will be wasted in recovery. You would also feel rushed and almost have no opportunities in lazing around and observe the local culture and environment.

These disadvantages can be avoided if you would plan accordingly and choose the best fitting program for your trip. Building projects for school or house are preferable since these can be accomplished within the short time available. That is why an organization with goals for long term amidst the changing people who volunteers is better.

Volunteer somewhere near and have an identical timezone with you so being jetlagged is avoided and the plane tickets will be cheaper too. Research the place ahead such as their history, culture and language rather than basing only on the reading materials provided by the organization. Adjusting with them becomes easier and you could make them comfortable faster with your presence.

If possible, spend more days than what your program has scheduled you for by arriving earlier or leaving later. This will help in preparing yourself of the culture in that place and rest before your work will start. You can also use this opportunity to travel somewhere else instead of using the time meant for volunteering.

Create a strategy against jetlag, illness and exhaustion by having your sleeping pattern adjusted before the trip. Rest properly on the first few nights in order to let your body properly adjust and be able to endure much more. Use the extra time to build relationship with locals instead of only idling around.

You may feel a lot of emotions when you first arrive like being confused, disoriented, strange and delighted. Every evening, meditate for some minutes quietly and record your experiences. Be positive and do your best despite the limitations you have.




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