I Wanna Do Volunteering Abroad, Anybody Got Any Advice?

theduchesshavoc

So I'm saving the pennies this year (Ok, I haven't actually got anything in the savings account as of yet, but it's a new job and I need to settle things out first), so I can do a CELTA certificate next year and then teach English, do a Japanese course, and apply for a place on the JET classroom assistant scheme in Japan in 2012. I am VERY excited, but I'd like to use the rest of my savings to get more experience teaching and also to do some intercontinental travelling, so I would be very very pleased if anybody had any advice on reputable international volunteering coordinators, or warnings against dodgy nasties! Many thanks in advance!

CarolynH

I spent a month last year with Globalteer in Cambodia and can recommend them. HTH.

dawyldthing

if your at uni, some unis have links with volunteer agencies that can help secure placements and funding as I know there were a stall at our uni this year. If you ask the placement office or job office they usually have links. If your not at uni try the local connextions office as there for 16-25 year olds I think it is

theduchesshavoc

Dawyldthing: I'm 27, but good advice on the uni front, I haven't handed my master's dissertation in yet so I could ask them. Funding isn't really an issue, as I say I'm saving this year to go away next year and do the TEFL, hopefully I should be able to raise at least 3 grand from current employment.

Will look into Globalteer Carolyn, thanks.

Fruitloops

Hey

I've been researching this for the past couple of days and gone through so many sites... everything is so expensive!

There is one site I'm going to go back and take a look at... it has a little forum too. It's https://www.ecoteer.com

It looks interesting... I think flights are a big bulk of costs when volunteering abroad.

I have a similar plan to you tho, I want to save some money and then go off and join in some projects overseas

fairy3

If you google Vaughantown there is a volunteer scheme that gives free accommodation and food in return for English speaking 'lessons' which might be of help with your future plans, cheap flights to Spain and they are open all year round. I have no experience of them but there are lots of reviews around that should give you a good idea of what to expect.

Might be a good way of 'networking' too!

Good luck with your plans

G
x

Belles

Have you thought about getting paid working teaching abroad?
Then you could earn some money and get experience teaching abroad at the same time?

Dave's ESL cafe used to be a good place to start

Sounds like exciting plans!
Good luck!

kacie

I went with a company called projectsabroad a few years age, they sort your flights out for you as part of the payment. They are all over the world and do various different projects