Job Discussion Forums

[jeremy5689]

My wife and I have been interested in volunteering abroad teaching ESL. We both have 2 years experience teaching in Korea. After doing a bit of research it seems it is somewhat expensive to volunteer in areas like Africa or India.

I understand these programs don't have a lot of money but neither do we. Does anyone have any information on volunteer teaching programs that are affordable. Areas were interested include Africa, south america, and western asia.

[naturegirl321]

www.volunteerabroad.com Volunteer Abroad
www.volunteersouthamerica.net Volunteer South America
www.volunteerlatinamerica.com Volunteer Latin America
www.projects-abroad.org Projects Abroad
www.volunteeradventures.com Volunteer Adventures
www.i-to-i.com I-to-I
www.myproworld.org My Pro World
www.idealist.org Idealist

Try the above places. THis one has very low cost volunteering
www.volunteersouthamerica.net Volunteer South America

[brevel_monkey]

[paddyroyal]

You mention VSO. I am curious about other people's experiences because mine was not good. I applied to the Canada office, got a letter expressing interest in my qualifications, and then got a very general and dismissive letter saying that I wasn't suitable. When I asked for more detail, I was told that while I had good experience, I didn't have a certificate. When I wrote back asking if a master's in TESOL was not at least an acceptable equivalent, I got no response. I followed through with the England office, got a nice letter of apology for the brush-off and promises of an investigation. After no response yet again, I contacted them one more time, but got no answer. I thought it was too bad because they sound like a good organization with good projects, or at least I thought so before.

[naturegirl321]

Peace Corps might also be an option

[justasmidgen]

I applied to the Peace Corps a few years ago but ultimately withdrew my application. The medical requirements are crazy for people age 50 and over. My physician estimated that it would cost me over $2000 (US) to do all the stuff they required and that was just to complete the application process. They might still have rejected me, and my $2000+ would have been for nothing.

I was willing to jump through some hoops, but not through one that big.

[naturegirl321]

[Nozka]

It's ludicrous to pay a lot of money to volunteer in developing countries. I know these organizations have good intentions, but most of what you are paying goes for overhead in the organizing country and never reaches the people you are trying to help.
I strongly recommend you go it alone and find your own place to volunteer. Try doing a little research in the countries you are interested in; find some NGOs that work there and approach them directly. I did this in Nepal some years back and ended up volunteering in a village for 10 weeks. They gave me a room and arranged my meals in exchange for teaching. It ended up costing me about $1 a day (excluding airfare and visas of course) and was definitely one of the most rewarding experiences in my life.
Some places will want a significant commitment, but if you're not paying all that $ up front to some organization, and you've got the time, then go for it. Good luck to you.

[naturegirl321]

MOst of it goes to line the pockets of the organisation.

[missjones]

Try English Opens Doors, Chile. It's run by the ministry of education and they pay for room and board. You also get a stipend of $200 per month. You can work in 2, 4, 6, or 8-month increments. However you have to pay for airfare and some extra cash if you want to travel or go out a lot.

There's plenty of threads about it in the Chile forum.