While one of the hardest parts about going abroad is deciding to go, the next step can be sometimes even more complicated: picking what kind of experience you want. It’s not hard to know that you want to travel, but there are so many adventures to choose from.
Check out this handy flowchart to decide which experience is right for you, then keep scrolling to get tips on how to get started planning your journey.
If you got: Volunteer Abroad
A good option for anyone who wants to make a difference, it is easy to personalize your journey and tailor it to your specific needs and interests.
Description: Although volunteering abroad is not directly education or career-focused, it is a fantastic way to gain unforgettable, real-world experience. Living in and interacting with a foreign community provides you with perspective and insight that you might not have acquired while volunteering in your home country. Many gap-year students and career-breakers choose to volunteer abroad for these reasons – it is a great way to keep your mind and body active and to do something meaningful while taking a break from school or work. United Planet and many other organizations will also organize your lodging and meals, so you are free to focus your trip on volunteering, cultural immersion, language-learning, or other specific interests.
Length: Varies, typically anywhere from 1 – 12 weeks to 6 or 12 months.
Who to contact for more information: If you’re interested in volunteering with United Planet, you can reach us at (617) 267-7763 or quest@unitedplanet.org.
If you got: Study Abroad
This is ideal if you can’t take time off from school, as it allows you to travel and have your adventure abroad while earning academic credit or working toward your degree.
Description: This unique opportunity, usually geared toward college students, allows you to continue your studies abroad. It is a great option for those majoring in international relations, world history, or political science, although any academic discipline can be greatly enriched by learning in a different country. There are many different types of programs, including direct enrollment in foreign university classes, courses designed particularly for international students, and working on a research project in a foreign country.
Length: Typically one or two academic semesters.
Who to contact for more information: The study abroad office of your current college, university, or other educational institution is the best place to start. They will inform you about all your options in detail and help you determine what program is the best fit for you, at which point in your academic career you should plan your trip, and can help you straighten out credit hours and ensure that you will receive credit toward your degree.
If you got: Intern Abroad
Although generally limited to high school and college students, interning abroad is a fantastic opportunity to simultaneously prepare for a future career and immerse yourself in a local culture.
Description: If you are looking for real-world job experience, whether as a stepping stone to joining the workforce or as a way to figure out your career interests, interning abroad is the adventure for you. Ideal for gap year students or students looking to supplement their academics while on a school break, an internship can give you the chance to make international connections and develop specific skills related to your future career.
Length: Varies, typically anywhere from 4 – 24 weeks.
Who to contact for more information: If you are enrolled in college, check with your study abroad office; they may coordinate trips, and you could receive credit if it is unpaid. Additionally, there are organizations that can coordinate internships abroad, including United Planet. Our non-profit internships focus on global issues without losing sight of the needs of the community. Give us a call at (617) 267-7763 or email us at quest@unitedplanet.org.
ABOUT UNITED PLANET
United Planet is a non-profit organization with a mission to create a global community, one relationship at a time. Established in 2001, United Planet offers volunteer abroad, virtual internships, internships abroad, gap year volunteering, and global virtual exchange in more than 40 countries.
