Parents' Guide to Volunteering Abroad with Abroad Escape
What Parents Should Know Before Their Son or Daughter Volunteers Abroad
If your son or daughter is thinking about volunteering abroad, you probably have questions.
Is the program suitable? Who will look after them when they arrive? Where will they stay? What happens if something goes wrong? Who can you contact if you need help?
Those are reasonable questions.
This guide explains how volunteer programs work, what you should ask before booking, and what you need to understand about accommodation, local support, insurance, flights and emergencies.
The aim isn't to tell you that volunteering abroad is right for everyone.
It's to give you the information you need to help your son or daughter make an informed decision.
One important point: Abroad Escape does not directly operate the volunteer projects. The volunteer program is delivered by an independent local program partner in the destination. We'll explain the difference throughout this guide.
A Note From Kurt
Founder of Abroad Escape
If your son or daughter is thinking about volunteering abroad, you probably have a lot of questions.
Is the program suitable? Where will they stay? Who will meet them when they arrive? What happens if something goes wrong? Who can they contact if they need help?
Those are all reasonable questions, particularly if this is their first time travelling independently.
I've been involved in volunteer travel since 2006, and I've worked with travellers, volunteer programs and local partners in different destinations over the years.
I've learned that parents don't need a sales pitch. They need clear information about how the program actually works and who is responsible for what. That's what this guide is for.
Every Volunteer Program Is Different
One of the biggest things I would tell a parent is not to assume that all volunteer programs work in the same way.
They don't.
The destination is only part of the decision.
You also need to understand who operates the program, what the volunteer will actually be doing, where they will stay, who provides local support and what happens when they arrive.
Those details can vary between programs and destinations.
That's why I wouldn't choose a program simply because the country sounds appealing.
I'd look at the actual experience your son or daughter is going to have.
Abroad Escape works with independent local program partners who deliver the volunteer programs in the destination. We provide advice, booking support and pre-departure guidance.
The local partner is responsible for the relevant in-country arrangements, which includes accommodation, orientation, airport pickup and local support.
Is Volunteering Abroad Safe?
This is probably the first question most parents ask.
The honest answer is that no overseas trip can ever be completely risk-free.
That doesn't mean volunteering abroad is necessarily unsafe. It means you need to understand the particular destination and program rather than assuming that every volunteer experience works in the same way.
Before your son or daughter books, I'd want clear answers to a few basic questions:
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Who actually operates the volunteer program?
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Who provides local support?
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Where will they be staying?
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Who can they contact if they need help?
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What happens if the program arrangements change?
The answers will depend on the destination and program.
I'd also make sure your son or daughter understands that travelling abroad involves some responsibility on their part. They need to follow local advice, respect local laws and customs, have appropriate insurance where required, and know who to contact if they need assistance.
No one can promise that nothing will go wrong.
What you can do is make sure you understand the arrangements before you book and that your son or daughter is properly prepared for the trip.
What About Flights?
International flights are arranged by the participant and are not included in the program fee unless specifically stated.
Before booking a flight, I'd make sure your son or daughter has confirmed:
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The exact program dates
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Where they need to arrive
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Which airport they should fly into
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Their arrival instructions
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What time they are expected to arrive
How Will We Stay in Touch?
This is another question parents often have before their son or daughter leaves.
The answer depends on the destination, accommodation, internet access and the traveller's own routine.
I'd recommend talking about this before departure rather than trying to work it out once they're already abroad.
You might agree to send a message when they arrive, have a regular call during the week or simply check in when it suits both of you.
There isn't one right approach.
Some young people will want to stay in regular contact. Others will be busy settling into the program and their new surroundings.
It's also worth remembering that communication may not always be as easy or immediate as it is at home. Internet access and mobile connectivity can vary between destinations and accommodation.
The important thing is that everyone has realistic expectations.
If your son or daughter is travelling independently for the first time, I'd also make sure you have the relevant local contact information before they leave, including who to contact if they need help.
What Happens If Something Goes Wrong?
This is something I'd want to understand before my son or daughter leaves.
There isn't one emergency procedure that applies to every volunteer program. The relevant contacts and arrangements depend on the destination and local program partner.
Before departure, your son or daughter should know:
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Who their local program contact is
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How to contact that person
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Where the accommodation is located
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Which local emergency services to contact if immediate help is needed
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How to contact their travel insurer
If there is an immediate emergency, the participant should contact the appropriate local emergency contact first (we will provide this details before departure).
If the situation involves medical treatment, lost belongings, cancellation or another matter covered by their insurance, they should also contact their insurer and follow the policy's claims or assistance procedure. You need to have your own travel insurance.
I'd recommend that parents keep a copy of the important contact details before departure rather than relying on their son or daughter having access to their phone or email at the time.
The important thing is to know the procedure before there is a problem.
Why Families Choose Abroad Escape
If you're a parent, you may want more than a link to a volunteer program and a booking form.
You may have questions your son or daughter hasn't thought about yet.
That's where we can help.
Someone You Can Talk To
You can contact Abroad Escape before your son or daughter books.
Ask questions, explain what you're concerned about and tell us what you're trying to understand. We can explain how the particular program works and what you should expect.
Clear Information Before You Decide
We'll help you understand the important details of the program, including what the volunteer will be doing, accommodation, relevant requirements, what's included and the role of the local program partner.
If something isn't clear, ask us.
Personal Advice
We don't think every program is right for every traveller.
The right choice depends on the person, the destination, the type of volunteering, the length of the trip, the accommodation and their expectations.
We'll give you our view based on what you've told us.
A Clear Handover to the Local Partner
Abroad Escape does not operate the volunteer project.
The independent local program partner delivers the volunteer experience in the destination and is responsible for the relevant in-country arrangements where included.
We will provide all the details before departure.
Still Have Questions?
If your son or daughter is considering volunteering abroad and you still have questions, get in touch.
You can ask us about the particular program, accommodation, local support, arrival arrangements, insurance or anything else you're unsure about.
If you're a parent and you'd like to be involved in the conversation, that's fine too.
You don't need to have made a decision before contacting us.