Job Discussion Forums

[sarahg]

I was wondering if anyone had been on a volunteer teaching trip and what you thought of it? Or of the idea of paying to volunteer overall?

I'm thinking of doing that this fall. I have various reasons for doing it at all and doing it now, which I can go into if necessary. Basically I'm burnt out from school and would rather be of some use to the world rather than wasting everyone's money when I don't even want to be there, and want some teaching experience before I change my major to education, and it will be helpful on applications for teaching programs I plan to apply for after I graduate (like the French TA program, which is somewhat competitive lately). I had plans to go abroad this all that fell through, so it's either go abroad anyways or call my school, beg to register, and take whatever classes are still open. I'm still working on my BA and I have 1 semester off so I'm not really qualified for paid teaching positions -- it's pay to volunteer, or nothing.

I found a really reasonable company that is based in Costa Rica. For $2200, I'd get 1 week of language school and 10 weeks of teaching English to 1st and 2nd graders. Airport pickup, host family accommodations, and 3 meals a day would be included (for comparison, a semester of dorm and meal plan at school would be over $3500, only my parents would pay for it, ha). Does this seem reasonable or a ripoff? It's in a very small town (Matapalo) where the schools don't have the funds for English teachers for lower grades, but is on the beach, has some decent surf, and volunteers can participate in sea turtle conservation on weekends. The organization (http://www.uvolunteer.org) is pretty small and Costa Rica based, but I googled, and Forbes magazine recommended them for trips and I found a couple of blog entries from volunteers -- is it naive of me to assume they're legit? I could go with other organizations like i-to-i but the placements wouldn't be as ideal (not coastal), the price would be higher, and no spanish immersion school. Travel insurance plus temp insurance while I'm not a FT student would be about $500 total, and I have enough skymiles for the airfare. I could swing this with enough money left over for next semester (plus some) with saving from my summer job -- but then, the money could also go to some other use later on, which is why I'm conflicted.

Worth it? Anyone been on one of these volunteer trips?

[Glenski]

With only one semester left for a BA, I'd strongly recommend completing your degree, and then looking for work. You'll have better odds.

Don't pay someone to work for them. That's silly.

[Anda]

Yep, get your bit of paper first off as most countries want a four year degree to allow one to teach English.

You can do volunteer teaching in China where the agency charges about 1,000 US to process you but then you get a wage and everything else provided except food.


http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&newwindow=1&q=volunteer+teaching+china+paid&btnG=Search

Another thing is that you need to do a couple of years in this game to get an idea if you will like it. Most get a mix of good employers and bad. Even students can vary from place to place. You can have a great time with students somewhere but not the next. You have to take the good with the bad, so is life.

A BA isn't much of a degree and will not get you the better jobs as a rule. So plan on improving on a BA.

[naturegirl321]

I wuld finish your degree, Sure you're bunrt out now, but after teaching for a bit, it's hard to go back to stuyding.

[parrothead]

There is something completely cuckoo about having to pay to volunteer. I too have considered it, but have run into what appears to be a cartel of volunteer organizations where $1000USD is the starting rate. Certainly there are cheaper options out there, where fees, if any, just assist with supplies, etc. It's fantastic that you want to give a little of your time, but just wrong that some groups play to that sentiment as a business.

It might be better, depending on how comfortable a traveler you are, to save the money you would fork over to a volunteer group, wait until you are in the country you want to volunteer, then find a reasonable organization that doesn't take advantage of you.

[sarahg]

[naturegirl321]

I agree. I'm pretty sure a lot of moeney goes into peope'�s pockets. ONce you're here, contact churches, etc, you can volunteer for free.

[sarahg]

[denise]

[Glenski]

[parrothead]

I took a look at the group's website, which looks snazzy enough. The company itself is not an NPO, which means they are likely turning a profit somewhere. They advertise Volunteer Vacations, and they arrange things like accommodation and airport pick-up, which is also what you would get going through a travel agent. They help place volunteers in various projects.
What would bother me, were I to shell out my sheckles for the opportunity to volunteer, is that this company would siphon off the money I paid, rather than using it effectively in a non-profit manner. It wouldn't go directly to the different volunteer projects. This isn't a bad thing if you are just looking for an alternative to tourism and want to get to know a host country on a more intimate level. But if you want to make a genuine and positive impact I imagine it would be better to skip out the middle man and go directly to the schools or NPOs who need your help.

It sounds like you have your heart set on going, however. If you do, I am sure you will have lasting memories and a thoroughly enjoyable experience. And yes, it might still be cheaper than arriving as a tourist, and doesn't it sound noble to tell your friends and family that you are going abroad to volunteer rather than saying you just need a three month vacation from uni?

[Def]

Hey again,

For what it's worth, when I suggested volunteering (in your other post) to see if you like teaching, I did quite literally mean at a local school. I wouldn't suggest paying to volunteer at something for 10 weeks without knowing if you actually enjoy it or not. (Actually, I wouldn't suggest paying to volunteer at all, but that's a whole 'nother issue.) If schools aren't an option, maybe see if there's any tutorial type of thing at your uni you could be involved in - for example, I currently tutor international students, and first-year BA students. It'd be a good way to see if you like the idea of teaching, without spending thousands of dollars for the chance.

As far as your degree goes... I was forced by circumstance to take a semester off from my BA (fractured my spine: moral of the story, stay away from camels *cough*), and going back into a course is difficult. All you'll be doing is postponing what eventually has to get done anyway. Still, I'm just the sort of person who prefers to get stuff out of the way, rather than delay what I know I'll have to do anyhow. I'm sure that for other people, taking a break from studying and going back refreshed is the better route.

Just make sure you're considering all the implications, rather than acting on a whim - then you'll be comfortable with whichever choice you make!


(By the way, feel free to PM me if you want to talk more about this stuff, heh.)

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

[Nkenga]

I'm going to break away from the pack and say - go for it! With some caveats.

I honestly don't think it's unreasonable to leave school for a semester if you are actually doing something with that time, which you definite would be by teaching in another country. With that said, do you have an actual plan for returning? As other posters have said, it's easy to leave, but hard as heck to return. Make sure you have an actual plan for yourself, and if your parents are paying for your education, make sure they are still WILLING to pay for it even if you leave for a semester.

Is this company legit? It sounds like they might be if they are referred to in Forbes. If you can, shoot an e-mail to the author of the article/column that you saw to see if he/she can give you a little more information, or at least their contact person.

Are there other opportunities that are less expensive, or that pay you? I agree with you, it's not unreasonable to pay for your training and your living expenses, but can you find a legitimate place that will pay YOU, or pay for the training and the expenses without you putting out for it? Just a thought.

I think taking some time out to make certain of your educational goals is a GREAT idea. However, as I said before, it is easy to leave, but hard to return. I left school after four years with only 8 credits to finish (I ran out of money), and did not return for over 10 YEARS!!! During that time I work in social work, doing health education and outreach for a non-profit organization, I lived in a few different cities, and in general lived my life. I don't regret the time I spent out of school, and in fact I would have returned sooner if I had a plan for what I wanted to do with the degree, but it is SO EASY to leave, and often SO HARD to return!

[Anda]

Use the money to do an English teaching course in a different country. Keep in mind that the wages for English teachers in South America is very low. Many get trapped and can't move on in such location.

http://www.teflcourse.net/tefl-courses-locations/china/zhuhai/


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