*A Volunteer's Travels
Vo·lun·teer – Someone who freely offers to take part in an enterprise, or undertake a task*.
A Small Intro- My Volunteering Trip to Wrocław, Poland Me and seven other volunteers went on our first volunteering trip to Wrocław (pronounced 'vrahtswahf') back in Summer 2012 – an interesting, and for most, if not some of us, an inspiring trip. We spent one month there, doing manual work, painting, laying out floorboards, re-arranging furniture, etc... We had our ups and downs, but in the end, we made it, and had learnt some useful skills along the way, as well as plenty of Polish. And a few images of the area, the city centre, our workplace, etc...
Some advice from a fellow volunteer...
Before leaving the UK.
Make sure that YOU are sure of this.
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Even though you are helping others in the process, you are, essentially, doing this for yourself. If you want to go to your volunteering destination, go, don't listen to what other people have to say if they critize you for it, it's your choice. Read up, check up on your phone or wikipedia your destination...
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A traveler never goes away without knowing where he's going first. Read up on the destination, do some research on the country, the cities, norms, values, the culture ●Go prepared, better safe than sorry!
Don't go with winter clothes to Malta, and summer clothes to Sweden! Think ahead.
Wherever you're working... Wherever you go with EVS, remember, work comes first. Obviously, if you're injured or sick, you're not expected to get up out of some miracle and start working. -If you are sick, however, give notice, don't just spend the day at home and wait for time to go by. -If you're injured, everything is taken care of, there's insurance, so no worries. â—?
I cannot stress enough how important it is you do what is required of you. You're volunteers, if you don't do the work, essentially...
...you're screwed. No more volunteering with EVS, possible ''payments'' to pay (fines) because you got lazy, etc...
Before leaving... Explore. Live a bit. Enjoy yourself.
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I'm not saying get smashed and find yourself penniless in a street somewhere, but no matter how many times you go abroad, you only get this first experience once. Even if it is a volunteering trip, don't forget you're human, you need some TLC, some down time. Live, have a night out, reasonably, of course, but enjoy yourself, make friends, learn the language, dance, take a walk. Whatever suits you, I just advise that you experience the local atmosphere.
If you have a mentor during the trip, or supervisor, don't forget to thank him.
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Even if he annoyed you and did your head in, thank him. He was doing his job, which was keeping you safe, after all. Appreciate the guy, or girl, usually they're pretty damn friendly!
Tidy up your temporary home!
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You should be given your own place to stay along with the volunteers, so keep it tidy throughout the trip, but make sure it's spotless before you leave, other volunteers will reside there in the future...
A few last points ;o -Don't spend all your money! And if you do, it's your own fault! -Leave a mark! With permission, you might get permission to do something as epic as this -> -Be considerate of the different culture and setting you're in! -Obey the laws, don't start fights or nothing, and remember: you are technically a guest in another country, so be respectful and mindful of that.
I hope the best for you all on your volunteering trips. Please enjoy a humiliating photo which I cherish, very much. ;D
Thank you for listening, good luck and...
Do widzenia!