Press Releases and News
For Those Who Aid Others, ‘Tourist’ Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story
Volunteer Vacations
By Sharon Brostrom
November 2006
Among the Major Organizers of those who sponsor volunteer vacations are Globe Aware (877-588-4562) www.globeaware.org. Volunteer Vacations—taking holiday trips to do humanitarian work—have never been more popular than they are today. But even if you want to go on one, its difficult to understand what the experience will really be like. So, for a firsthand account, Bottom Line/Retirement spoke with Sharon Brostrom, a Californian in her 60s who has been taking an annual volunteer vacation for the last six years…
What was your first experience like? I joined several other volunteers at a summer camp for elementary age children in Poland. I helped children with English lessons, and it was a terrific experience. The learning experience was also fun for the kids. The volunteers I worked with came with energy and experience, I believe we helped make a difference in their lives.
Were the living quarters typical of what you get on volunteer vacations? Volunteers shouldn’t expect to stay in a mansion, but I’ve always found the living quarters to be more than adequate. A few years ago, I was on a volunteer vacation in Ecuador and stayed at a hotel in the central part of Quito, the capitol. Staying there gave volunteers a chance to see the contrast between the affluence in parts of the capitol and the dire poverty of the children we worked with.
Is language ever a problem on volunteer vacations? It wasn’t a problem for me…none of the work required a high level of language skill. Before going on a volunteer vacation, it obviously makes sense to learn something about the country where you’re going and to try to learn at least a few useful phrases in the language. You can also find many volunteer vacations where foreign language isn’t important, such as helping care for infant children, as I’ve done in Romania.
Apart from the work you do on volunteer vacations, what about fun? There are many opportunities to meet local people, sample the food, do some shopping and see the sights. Like many other volunteers, I often stay a week or so longer than the assignment in order to travel around the country.
Are there ever expenses that aren’t covered by the sponsoring organization? Volunteers pay fees that usually include room and board and support of the program they are working with. In addition to these fees, volunteers must pay transportation costs to the country their site is in, as well as any out-of-pocket expenses, such as souvenirs, gifts, or perhaps a glass of wine with dinner.
What kind of people are you likely to meet on volunteer vacations? Fellow volunteers have been some of the most interesting people I have ever met, they’ve ranged in age from their early 20s to their 80s, and they’ve included people in the construction business, corporate executives, teachers, nurses, and students. Some of the people I’ve met have been truly inspiring. I only hope to be as motivated as some of them were.
Do you plan to go on more volunteer vacations? I know that I’ll go on many, many more volunteer vacations.
What you need to know before you go
Most volunteer vacation groups accept single people, families (usually children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult). Volunteers without special skills are always needed.
Cost: Typically around $1000 per week plus your transportation costs. In many cases all or part of the costs are tax deductible. Consult your tax advisor.