Do you think volunteering abroad is only for young people? Think again.
Making a positive impact on the community with your skills, knowledge, and life experience is the work of keen and passionate people. And here is the secret, you don’t need to be a specific age to embark on this journey. That is why you will find plenty of volunteer opportunities abroad for seniors and retirees. You can challenge yourself and explore the world. You can make a real difference in people’s lives in ways that young volunteers can’t, such as sharing your valuable experience, a support network, and wisdom.
But before that, let’s address your concerns first.
Can Older People Volunteer Abroad?
Older adults bring skills, professional experience, and maturity to the table. It benefits everyone, including young volunteers. You can stay active and enjoy life-changing adventures by sharing your wisdom and experience. Every year, we welcome numerous volunteers over the age of 50. We appreciate their contribution and life experience in our volunteer abroad or virtual programs. It is your turn!
“The trip is not only based on what you do but who you do it with. My experience was made amazing by the people I was surrounded with and United Planet. Going to Romania was amazing, a short two week trip that will be the start to the rest of my life.”
“ Rhian G.”
Benefits of Volunteering Abroad Programs for Older Adults
Volunteering abroad gives a meaningful and fulfilling experience, especially to seniors. You can offer a combination of life experience and wisdom to the world. Let’s look into the incredible benefits of volunteering programs for older adults.
1.Offer Sense of Purpose
Our sense of purpose shifts with the different stages of life. You find a meaningful way to invest your energy and time by volunteering abroad. The joy of fulfillment leaves a positive impact on your life.
2.Get Cross-Cultural Experience
You get to know new cultures, traditions, and lifeways with volunteering abroad programs. It broadens your perspective on the world. You develop mutual understanding and respect for each other by exchanging ideas and experiences.
3.Improve Your Wellbeing & Health
You get the opportunity to stay active and engage. You learn new skills with hands-on projects. Navigating new environments keeps your mind and body active. This experience reduces loneliness and promotes your emotional well-being.
4.Forge Lasting Connections
Long-lasting connections are the rewarding benefits of volunteering abroad. You get the chance to find a company of like-minded people that enriches your social interaction.
5.Leave a Legacy
Volunteering abroad programs allow you to influence the immediate community. They also help you leave a positive impact on future generations. You will find your life experience and wisdom a valuable asset you can share with the world.
6.Family Volunteering
You can participate in volunteer programs abroad with your family. These programs provide you and your family with enriching experiences that expand the global vision and bring everyone closer. With family volunteering abroad programs, you can make a difference in the world while creating memories.
Volunteer Abroad Programs for Senior Citizens
Whether you are looking for your retirement, career break, or next holiday, you will find here the projects that will help you to create a positive impact. We have categorized the opportunities below if you don’t know which program suits you best as per the cause. You can choose according to your interests.
1.Children and Education Volunteer Abroad Projects
If you want to build a foundation for young learners, you can participate in a “children and education” volunteer abroad program. Whether you are a professional educator or manage administration tasks, you can choose a program according to your interests.
- Teach Children
With children & education programs, you can unlock your potential by teaching. You will be assigned different tasks like preparing lesson plans, conducting lessons, and implementing new teaching methods. You can also help other teachers with your expertise and experience.
- Provide Resources
United Planet helps you to provide resources for children. It includes shelter, daycare, after-school programs, etc.
- Offer Support at a Culture Center & Museum
You can support administration and communication at the cultural centers and museums. You can also learn about different art techniques.
2.Environment and Conservation Volunteer Abroad Program
Are you interested in the environmental and wildlife projects around the globe? If yes, you can play your part in saving the world. United Planets facilitates multiple short and long-term environment sustainability plans for old adults.
You can connect with various projects that help to preserve the ecosystem and protect endangered species. You get a chance to immerse yourself in cultural diversity around the globe to create a sustainable world.
- Sustain & Conserve
You can play your part to conserve and sustain the environment around the world. You can help with the sustainability and perseverance of unique habitats all across the globe. - Save Wildlife / Animals
If you want to aid neglected animals and endangered species around the globe, this is the chance to share your concerns and experiences. - Agriculture Quests
With a background related to agriculture, you can be an immense help. Even if you don’t have one, you can still learn harvesting, planting, and seeding.
3.Health & Medical Volunteer Abroad Program
You can participate in health and medical programs. If you have experience and certification, you can help with vital procedures. People without experience can also gain insight into global health perspectives. This program welcomes professional certification holders and non-healthcare professionals. You will find the following options for volunteering:
- Hospital and Healthcare Quests
- Physical & Occupational Therapy Quests
- Dental Quests
- Counseling & Psychiatric Clinic Quests
- Speech Therapy Quests
- Health Education Quests
- Disabled Care Quests
You can also check the global health page for details.
4.Women’s Empowerment Volunteer Abroad Program
Many countries still have inadequate health, education, and employment opportunities for women. The best volunteer abroad projects for older adults globally include women empowerment programs. United Planet helps you collaborate and explore the common goals of women in different corners of the world. You can work in:
- Women’s Shelter in Peru
- Counseling Center in Nepal
- Support Abused Women in India
- Empower Women in Honduras
- Women’s Empowerment Quests
Is It Too Late to Volunteer Abroad As an Older Adult?
It is not and never will be! It is the best opportunity to share your life experiences and skills globally. No matter what you choose, United Planet will help you work on sustainable goals to benefit the community.
Contact us now to enjoy the best global volunteering experience.
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.
