It is certain that while volunteering overseas you will experience both high points and low points. These experiences can vary enormously, and it is not uncommon for people’s experiences abroad to encompass both ends of the spectrum. High points usually centre on group interaction, intercultural learning and a sense of personal and professional achievement. Low points refer mostly to the difficulties that can arise from getting used to a different culture and different ways of working, and doubts about the actual impact of the work being undertaken.
For many people, the most enjoyable part of their placement comes from getting to know the local community, and learning from their way of life.
High points for Anna were “the wonderful Nepalese; the satisfaction of teaching; working with fellow, motivated individuals; the food (I hated it at first and then I grew to love it); community spirit; the pleasure of learning about a new and diverse culture; forever smiling students.”
According to Gráinne, “high points were the people I met, the small victories, learning the language, the adventure of everyday life, being involved in village life - even things like sitting around a fire helping the mamas to peel potatoes”. Eleanor found that “the high points were working with like-minded people for a cause I believed in and having the opportunity to work with the local staff and experience their culture. I also learned a lot about their work ethic”. Áine found that “the high points were the many friends and insights into local customs and culture that I gained. Seeing an improvement in the health status of malnourished children was also very important”.
The personal benefits of volunteering were highlighted by Samantha, who volunteered with GOAL in Afghanistan in 2003: “On a personal level, leadership and management skills are greatly enhanced by the work in the field, as volunteers work with challenges relating to culture and language that are rarely found at home. I certainly improved my communication skills at all levels, from liaising with large donors to drinking chai (tea) with village elders.”
However, overseas volunteering is not always a completely positive experience. Volunteers often live in conditions very different to those that they are used to at home, can be faced with issues and problems that they would never usually be confronted with, and have to deal with the realisation that they may not be able to achieve everything that they would like:
Ciara found the poverty level in Kenya difficult to adjust to: “I saw much sickness and it was frightening to notice the stark difference in my standard of living and the people I met standards’ of living. During my time as a volunteer, the people of Kenya saw me as very wealthy and thought I could solve all their problems.”
Orla doubted how effective her work was in bringing about change: “The low point was the feeling of frustration that we couldn’t really change anything, and that we mightn’t be doing any good at all.”
Gráinne was concerned about the effectiveness of the project, as well as very mundane issues of health and security: “…the realisation that what we were doing was really too little too late, the arguing with people about life and death matters, rats, muggings”. For Áine, the low points “were the shock, isolation and loneliness felt initially as well as missing family and friends at home. The trauma and history of the place where I worked [in Rwanda] could sometimes be very difficult to deal with. Living inter-culturally could sometimes be a source of tension, as could cultural differences between the local staff and me. Being ill when so far from home was also tough”.
Finally, some people questioned the idea that volunteering is always a positive thing. For example, Anne found that “a lot of volunteering we observed seemed to be more about the Western charities looking good (and staying in existence) than really doing what was needed on the ground”. And for Lynn, there was not enough work available for her on her placement: “The little work I did do was very rewarding but this made the days where I did nothing more frustrating.”