Korean Job Discussion Forums

lastat06513 · Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:02 pm Post subject: You CAN volunteer in Korea

I have heard alot of crap in the media about the Korean gov't stopping people from volunteering through the various NGOs that help orphanages here in Korea.

Well, I know of another way for you to volunteer if you want to.

The USO (United Service Organization) was established to boost the morale of soldiers serving overseas.

But they also have programs that try to bridge the gap between the US military and the local community and one of the programs they have is helping out at the local orhpanages they sponsor.

And since it is an American organization, there is little the Korean gov't can say unless they want friction with USFK, which I know they don't want.

I know a teacher who volunteered through them to help out at an orphanage and when immigration asked him what he was doing, he said he was working for the USO and they left him alone.

The cool thing is it isn't just for soldiers and their dependents, anyone can volunteer and if a person volunteers a certain amount of time, they can get a base pass that will allow them to go to the movie theater and to eat at the restuarants, I think it is well worth it...

So, if you want to volunteer, call the nearest USO office and see how you can volunteer in your community.

kprrok · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Location: KC

That's a good idea. I'll have to look into it. Plus the base pass would be very nice!

KPRROK

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

Do you have to be American?

lastat06513 · Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 8:33 pm Post subject:

Nope...

I knew a few Canadians and even a German that did volunteer work at the USO

And for the Koreans, it was a stepping stone toward getting a job on base.

lastat06513 · Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 8:38 pm Post subject:

My main point of this post is the fact that there are other avenues in which a person CAN volunteer their time in Korea if they want...

Another thing to check out would be to see if some UN agency needs volunteers also (UNICEF or WHO and maybe WFP).

That would look good on any resume once you get back to your home...

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

Thanks for that.

I have been aching to do some volunteer work for a while.

ilovebdt

stumptown · Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 10:35 pm Post subject: