Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer. Travel also gives you priceless memories, enriches your knowledge and your experiences. However, joining volunteer abroad programs can even make an experience life-changing for you.
Volunteering abroad gives you a chance to build up your self-confidence. You will be living the pleasure of succeeding and helping others. It is good to get out of your comfort zone as Ajay did.
Volunteering abroad has many positive effects on a person’s life and we are glad to be here with the third story of our volunteer, Ajay. If you wonder what was going on with Ajay in the first and second parts, you may want to take a look at his previous entries before reading Ajay’s third journey. Let’s share with you what he thinks while volunteering in Chile.
“While being independent does include a deeper meaning and understanding of your control over your own actions, there’s a very literal meaning to responsibility that is also very important. This would include managing your resources (like money) and your time to get the very most out of your experience.
On my trip, I met some other students that gave me some great advice. They said, “Think of all the ways you’re going to use something you buy, whether it be a jacket, a nice meal, or even a simple pair of socks”. This way, when you consider spending your limited amount of money, you can negate the inevitable waste that comes with an unwise purchase.
As far as managing your time goes, it’s really up to you. Depending on when you need to be in a certain place and what is going on in your day, try to give yourself an extra 20 minutes for the important things.
Things you can’t miss like if you’re volunteering to teach like I was, give yourself an extra 20 minutes on your commute to school because you never know what may happen. I spent my time in Santiago, Chile, so I was taking the metro and buses to school. When you’re in a foreign country and unfamiliar setting, things can happen you wouldn’t expect (i.e. metro’s being full or buses being late). So give yourself the appropriate time to get somewhere. In reality, being early is better anyways because you can talk to people or take time to prepare yourself for whatever it is you’re there to do.“
Volunteering abroad will give you an amazing experience and a chance to make your dreams come true. By joining United Planet’s volunteer program, your world won’t be the same!
If Ajay’s journey inspires you to volunteer in Chile, then take a look at our amazing Chile volunteer program.
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.
