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Choosing a Company

If you do decide to get some help from the experts to organise your placement, the next question is- which one? Many of these companies specialise in a certain field, like TEFL, conservation or sports placements so again, do your research and think about what you'd like to do.

We've come up with a list of questions to think about to make sure you get what you want:

Do they offer the kinds of projects you want to do?

If you don't like insects, you aren't going to want to spend 3 months monitoring beetle populations in the jungle. It might sound stupid but it's things like these you need to talk through with your company so they can help you find a project suited to your skills and what you want- not just fill places on a project.

What is their selection process?

The best organisations will have an interview process to make sure you are aware of all the aspects of the course and also check that you're skills and personality are suited to your project. It's likely to be informal but this kind of application process will give you chance to ask any questions before you commit.

Do they offer support while you are away or just book your placement?

You want a company who will stay in touch while you are away and be available to give you support and advice should anything go wrong in the field. The reason you pay them is for their expertise- make sure they are going to keep up their end of the bargain.

Are their projects long-term sustainable projects that have become permanent fixtures of the community or are they only made for volunteers?

The best gap year organisations have long-standing relationships with their projects and employ local country co-ordinators and management. As such, they know what the community want and need and so allow them to work towards their goals together. You want to be welcomed by the community, making valued contributions to their village rather than irritate them by painting their school 13 times.

Can you afford it?

Do you have the means to fundraise before you go? Make sure you have the time to commit to fundraising for your project whether it be working or organising events. Remember you are raising awareness as well as money.

Does the company pay for flights? Food? Accommodation?

These are all costs that do add up so it's definitely worth investigating what is included in the price. This will also help you budget the rest of your money while you are away since you'll know what you're expected to pay for yourself.

Do they offer insurance?

Check if their insurance include clauses specifically related to the types of activities you will be doing: diving, rafting, extreme sports, skiing etc. Do your research. Some companies will offer insurance specific to their projects, for example diving projects whereas others will allow you to choose your own policy. Think about what kind of trip you are going on when you are deciding what kind of cover you will need.

What is your money spent on?

Any ethical organisation will be able to tell you what your money will be spent on, both in the UK and overseas, anything from paying office staff and local partners to providing food and accommodation and buying scientific equipment.

Do you get to meet your fellow volunteers before you go away?

Chances are you will be living and working with your fellow volunteers for a while so it's important you all get on. Companies that offer briefing weekends address this by letting you meet your new co-workers and get to know one another before you head out to the field.

Can they give you a detailed job description of your role as a volunteer?

How can you prepare for your new role if you have no idea what it is you'll be doing? Companies with established projects will know exactly where you fit in to their scheme and as such will be able to give you a job description- just like you'd expect when starting a new job at home.

Are they a member of any recognised organisations such as Year Out Group or have they worked for agencies such as DFID, WWF and IUCN?

This is particularly important for conservation organisations. If they are accredited by or associated with these big name organisations, the chances are they will be proud of it and more than happy to tell you all about the work that they have done in the past and plan to do with these companies in the future.

Does the company conduct their own research or do they just market or promote other people's projects?

Companies that are committed to conservation will actively source new projects as well as work with local agencies. They will also use these newfound connections to further their research and will publish their findings whether it's books, science journals or online. Look for companies with an extensive publishing history for a clue as to how committed they really are and how they could help you extend your own skills and knowledge in the field.

Do they require you to have a Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) check?

A CRB check helps organisations make safe recruitment decisions and you'll find some projects, particularly those that involve working with children or disabled people, will require you have one. You'll usually have to pay for it yourself but it is a one-off expense and will remain valid for 12 months so you can also use it on other job applications.

Do they offer training programmes, ie TEFL, PADI, BTEC?

They wouldn't let you teach at a school in the UK without any qualifications so why should they let you loose on a class abroad? Any respectable organisation will offer some sort of TEFL training course to prepare you for your new role. The same goes for marine conservation projects who will ensure you're trained by qualified instructors and gain the relevant PADI qualifications before you start work.

Others you might hear about are:

All are great additions to your CV and can help you get into a career in conservation so are definitely something to look into when choosing your company.

Will you work with, not instead of, local people?

This is always part of a heated debate within 'voluntourism' and links in with the earlier question about how the company sources their projects. You need to make sure your job there is helping the community, not just entertaining and training you. Working with local people also helps you get more of the cultural exchange experience you want since your contribution becomes more of a collaboration with the community, undoubtedly making the experience more rewarding.

Do they involve the local staff in the decision making process?

Remember it's their community you are working for. Good projects that will have a long-lasting impact on their community are the ones that are locally managed or at least involve local staff and stakeholders in the decision making processes.

Where Does Your Money Go?

So you've decided to give volunteering a go. The next step is getting some funds together. Many people ask “Why do I have to pay to volunteer overseas?” While you may be forgiven for thinking volunteering should be free, unless you are a doctor or engineer or have tangible life skills to offer, there is probably going to be a fee. The best way to think about paying to volunteer is that it means before you step foot on foreign soil, you've already made a contribution.

But where does my contribution go?

Think of it like a dating agency; you are paying to get 'set up' with your perfect project. You tell your gap year company all about yourself and the skills you'll bring and they match you to your perfect project. Just like you'd pay a fee for this service in the dating world, the same applies in the volunteering world.

Arranging a volunteer placement involves a lot of organisation and this is where much of your fee will go. If you go through a UK agency, they will usually take a cut of the fee for administration costs and UK office running costs but in return, share their expert knowledge of the field, provide pre-departure and in-field support and make sure you choose the best project for you. For first time travellers, passing the responsibility to the experts will no doubt put parents at ease who can be safe in the knowledge that these important parts of your trip are taken care of properly.

Of course the project itself is the most important part of this process and as such, will receive the highest percentage of your fee. Any ethical agency should be more than happy to tell you exactly where your money will go, and of course you'll see its benefits once you're volunteering. It's likely to include things like getting you to and from the project, accommodation on site or with a home stay, building supplies, science equipment, hiring local staff and craftsmen or science experts for conservation projects. Volunteers are a cost-effective source of man-power and so are invaluable for low-income projects. Consider it like this, the more volunteers on a conservation project the more comprehensive surveys the project can complete. However, unless you are already trained as a biologist or teacher, the organisation will charge a fee to cover the cost of scientific equipment, professional staff and training you up to task.

Why doesn't the project get the whole fee?

Many projects in developing countries are small-scale and receive no funding from their governments. As such, they would struggle to fund essential running costs of their project while raising awareness for their cause in their own country and so would fail to attract any international volunteers. This is where the money you give to your UK agency comes in. They can offer their expertise in marketing, development and support to the company by promoting the international project in the UK and recruiting volunteers from an eager and enthusiastic audience. You. They also use the remainder to promote their achievements and generate more awareness and extend their project goals.