Volunteer Abroad

[klhayes]

Hey everyone! So my roommates and I are looking for an abroad opportunity to volunteer at over spring break.. Has anyone else had this experience or know of any good sites or organizations we can look into??

Thanks!!

Kate

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Does your school have any opportunities. I did a nursing immersion program with my university in Nicaragua. What kind of volunteer work are you looking for? I've also traveled with International Service Learning which offers service programs for medical students, nursing students, pharmacy students, dental students, etc.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

We have had several threads begin by nursing students who want to volunteer with medical missions abroad, Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders), and the like. The important thing to realize is that these organizations need people who are experienced in the care being offered, meaning they can hit the ground running and function at the professional level on day 1. Don't let your classmates say things like, "We can do that, we know what nurses do," because really, they don't. And while "volunteer abroad over spring break" sounds like a fun way to see another country on somebody else's nickel and build your resume in the bargain, it is very unlikely you will find something that will take an inexperienced person for two weeks in an underserved area. Orientation alone would take that long. And it's no vacation-- you would likely not even have a day off. At all. And you won't be doing any sightseeing.

If you want to volunteer (and bless you for that impulse), ask to go via your university chaplain outreach or service clubs or other community/church groups, who would place you in an opportunity suited to your abilities. Or you could keep it local-- god knows there are plenty of people in this country who could use your help -- look into Habitat for Humanity, probably building homes near you as soon as the weather clears, or an organization that benefits women and children in crisis. Volunteer with the Girl Scouts in an underserved neighborhood. See if the local nutrition clinic could use some help. The Special Olympics, the ALS Society, the Alzheimer's Association, and many others who are all working on shoestrings need you. Develop a relationship with one that you can demonstrate your real caring ability over time, because it's nearby and your community needs you, not just a drop-in-for-spring-break mindset.