Advice: Testimonials

So what words of advice do former volunteers have for people who are considering their options? Their suggestions cover all aspects of planning a placement, from thinking about why you want to go, to the best kind of attitude to have when you arrive in your host community.

Before you go:

Claire suggests that people thinking of volunteering should put some work into researching all aspects of their placement before leaving Ireland: “Do research so you know what to expect in terms of what type of clothing you should wear, the type of food you will have to eat, injections you will need, etc. Go with an open heart and mind, you will learn much more than you could ever give.”

Lynn recommends that volunteers should question their motives before undertaking a placement, as well as doing practical things such as learning the language: “Ask yourself why you want to go; be sure you are going for the right reasons; learn as much of the language before you go; be prepared for any eventuality”.

Anna: “It is important that you are doing it for the right reasons. It is not a holiday but, having said that, you can take time to enjoy the experience from a tourist perspective too. Be willing to adapt to a foreign culture and accept what may seem strange initially”.

Orla recommends examining both your motivations and the type of programme you’re going to do: “Think very carefully about the type of programme you want to do and why you want to do it. There is such a huge variety of programmes available, you will find one that suits you. Most importantly you must respect the culture you are going into. Never try to impose your culture (even in simple things like how you dress) and always try and learn as much as you can from the people who live there. They know more than you do about what they need!!!”.

While you are there:

Anne has advice for people on their arrival in the host community: “Be humble, you are a guest in their land, live by their laws and their customs. If you cannot do that consider leaving and see leaving as a personal learning experience.” More general suggestions include “Bring an open and positive attitude; be prepared to mix it at all levels; read up in advance about the country and ask questions” (Pete). Eleanor emphasises the importance of being flexible in your ideas and beliefs: “Be prepared to change your ideals: what we perceive to be true is not always right - no matter how prepared you think you are”.

The main thing, as Gráinne suggests, is that volunteers be adaptable and realise that they are there to learn more than teach: “Throw yourself into what you’re doing…it gets easier as you learn the culture and the language. The main thing to realise is that you’re the one with the disadvantage knowledge-wise.” This is echoed by Anna: “I … learned so much from such an amazing group of people. It was an equal exchange of cultural knowledge and experience.” And she finishes by quoting a former student: “As one pupil recently wrote to me: ‘simple live and high think’.”